News Archives - Page 23 of 901

Maduro’s case will revive a legal debate over immunity for foreign leaders tested in Noriega trial

January 4, 2026

The Associated Press,

Courtesy: Associated Press MIAMI (AP) — When deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro makes his first appearance in a New York courtroom Monday to face U.S. drug charges, he will likely follow the path taken by another Latin American strongman toppled by U.S. forces: Panama’s Manuel Noriega. Maduro was captured Saturday, 36 years to the day after Noriega was removed by…

Alford’s red-zone pick saves Falcons’ 19-17 win over Saints, giving NFC South title to Panthers

January 4, 2026

By CHARLES ODUM - AP Sports Writer

Dee Alford’s red-zone interception stopped a potential go-ahead drive by New Orleans, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 to give the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers. By closing the season with four consecutive wins, the Falcons finished in a three-way tie with Carolina and Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South. The Panthers won the tiebreaker between the three 8-9 teams with the best record within the division. The Falcons completed a season sweep of the Saints, who had their four-game winning streak end.

Rain continues in parts of California reeling from flooding and high tides

January 4, 2026

AP

Crews cleared mud from key California highways as forecasters warned that more thunderstorms were on the way after downpours and high tides caused flooding, prompting road closures and rescues of people trapped in cars. Northern counties remained under a flood watch, with up to three inches of rain possible through Monday night in areas that have been drenched off and on since around Christmas. To the south near the San Francisco Bay Area, waters were slowly receding after roadways were flooded during heavy rain that coincided with record-breaking “King Tides.” While the tides were waning, lingering thunderstorms on Sunday could cause additional problems throughout low-lying areas.

Maduro’s case will revive a legal debate over immunity for foreign leaders tested in Noriega trial

January 4, 2026

By JOSHUA GOODMAN and ERIC TUCKER - Associated Press

When Nicolás Maduro appears in a New York courtroom to face U.S. drug charges, he’ll be following follow a path taken Panama’s Manuel Noriega, another strongman who was toppled by American forces. As was the case with Noriega, lawyers for Maduro are expected to challenge his arrest by claiming sovereign immunity. That’s a bedrock principal of international and U.S. law. But legal experts say that argument is unlikely to succeed because the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. They say courts are likely to allow the prosecution to proceed despite broader constitutional questions about the U.S. military action that led to his capture.

Hollywood starts 2026 with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ No. 1, as James Cameron’s sci-fi epic crosses $1B

January 4, 2026

By JAKE COYLE - AP Film Writer

Hollywood kicked off 2026 with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” atop the box office for the third straight week and with hopes for a blockbuster-filled year after a disappointing 2025. In three weeks of release, “Fire and Ash” has cleared $1 billion worldwide. The third chapter in James Cameron’s Pandora epic collected $40 million over its third weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. But over the holiday week, it wasn’t just about the weekend ticket sales. The whole week was a lucrative one for Hollywood, with most schools still out. What drove ticket sales, beyond “Avatar”? Sydney Sweeney, Timothée Chalamet and “Zootopia 2.”

US intervention in Venezuela could test Trump’s ability to hold GOP together in an election year

January 4, 2026

By STEVEN SLOAN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela is testing his ability to hold the Republican coalition together. Concerns have emerged even as many Republicans initially backed the mission to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump’s comments about the U.S. “running” Venezuela have raised fears that he’s abandoning his “America First” philosophy. Outgoing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has criticized this approach, as has moderate Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. Despite Trump’s dominance in the GOP, his grip has faced challenges. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is suggesting the U.S. wouldn’t manage Venezuela daily, but concerns remain about the fallout from Washington’s intervention.

Gunmen kill at least 30 villagers and abduct others during raid in northern Nigeria

January 4, 2026

AP

Gunmen have killed at least 30 villagers and abducted several others in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, according to police. The attack occurred Saturday evening when the gunmen stormed Kasuwan-Daji village, opening fire on residents and burning down the local market and houses. Some residents report the death toll could be higher, with people still missing as of Sunday. They also claim security forces have not yet arrived, despite police statements. Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where rogue gangs often target remote communities. The attackers reportedly came from a forest reserve, a known hideout for armed gangs.

Belkin presenterer neste generasjon av ladere, ladetilbehør for gaming og mer på CES 2026

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–jan 4, 2026–Belkin, et ledende merke innen forbrukerelektronikk i over 40 år, annonserte i dag en spennende ny serie med tilbehør som er utviklet for å lade, beskytte og forbedre enheter for arbeid og gaming. Den nye kolleksjonen, som presenteres på CES 2026, inkluderer avanserte powerbanker, trådløse Qi2 25W-ladere, en trådløs HDMI-dongle for sømløs innholdsdeling og et neste…

Belkin Unveils Next-Generation Chargers, Gaming Power Accessories and More at CES 2026

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan 4, 2026–Belkin, a leading consumer electronics brand for over 40 years, today announced a bold new lineup of accessories designed to power, protect, and enhance the way people work, play, and connect. The new collection, debuting at CES 2026, includes advanced power banks, Qi2 25W wireless chargers, a wireless HDMI dongle for seamless content sharing, and a…

CES 2026: Belkin svela la nuova generazione di caricabatterie, accessori di ricarica per gaming e altre novità entusiasmanti

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–gen 4, 2026–Belkin, marchio leader nel settore dell’elettronica di consumo da oltre 40 anni, ha annunciato oggi una nuova e ambiziosa gamma di accessori progettati per alimentare, proteggere e migliorare i dispositivi utilizzati dagli utenti per lavorare, giocare e connettersi. La nuova collezione in presentazione al CES 2026 include power bank avanzati, caricabatterie wireless Qi2 25W, un adattatore…

Belkin stellt auf der CES 2026 Ladegeräte, Gaming-Ladezubehör und mehr vor

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan 4, 2026–Belkin, seit über 40 Jahren ein führender Hersteller von Verbraucherelektronik, hat heute eine neue Produktlinie Zubehör vorgestellt, die zur Stromversorgung und zum Schutz dient sowie das Arbeiten, Spielen und Herstellen von Verbindungen erleichtert. Zur neuen Kollektion, die zum ersten Mal auf der CES 2026 vorgestellt wird, zählen hochentwickelte Powerbanks, induktive Qi2 25W Ladegeräte, ein kabelloser HDMI-Dongle…

Belkin presenterar nästa generations laddare, speltillbehör och mer på CES 2026

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–jan 4, 2026–Belkin, ett ledande varumärke inom konsumentelektronik i över 40 år, tillkännagav idag en ny serie tillbehör som är utformade för att driva, skydda och förbättra hur människor arbetar, spelar och ansluter. Den nya kollektionen, som presenteras på CES 2026, inkluderar avancerade powerbanks, Qi2 25W trådlösa laddare, en trådlös HDMI-dongel för sömlös innehållsdelning och ett laddningsfodral för…

Belkin presenta la próxima generación de cargadores, accesorios de alimentación para videojuegos y mucho más en el CES 2026

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ene. 4, 2026–Belkin, marca líder en electrónica de consumo desde hace más de 40 años, ha anunciado hoy una nueva y audaz línea de accesorios diseñados para alimentar, proteger y mejorar la forma en que las personas trabajan, juegan y se conectan. La nueva colección, que se presentará en el CES 2026, incluye baterías externas avanzadas, cargadores inalámbricos…

Belkin præsenterer næste generation af opladere, strømtilbehør til gaming og meget mere på CES 2026

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–jan 4, 2026–Belkin, et førende mærke inden for forbrugerelektronik i over 40 år, annoncerede i dag en ny serie af tilbehør, der er designet til at styrke, beskytte og forbedre den måde, folk arbejder, leger og er forbundet på. Den nye kollektion, som debuterer på CES 2026, omfatter avancerede powerbanks, Qi2 25 W trådløse opladere, en trådløs HDMI-dongle…

Monarch Air Group Sees Surge in Private Jet Charter Demand as Commercial Flights Struggle to Recover

January 4, 2026

ACCESS Newswire

FAA airspace clearance fails to resolve airline delays, pushing U.S. travelers toward on-demand private aviation solutionsFORT LAUDERDALE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / January 4, 2026 / As instability in Venezuela continues to disrupt commercial air travel, Monarch Air Group, a leading private jet charter provider based in Fort Lauderdale, is seeing a significant surge in demand for on-demand private aviation…

Marjorie Taylor Greene made waves. Her constituents don’t agree on whether it was worth it

January 4, 2026

By BILL BARROW and EMILIE MEGNIEN - Associated Press

Marjorie Taylor Greene is leaving Capitol Hill after five years as one of the most well-known members of Congress. In her northwest Georgia House district, there is little consensus on whether the roller-coaster of headlines was worth it. Greene’s hard-core supporters stand by her despite her break with President Donald Trump. They see her as a fighter who spoke for them. Others in Greene’s district say her high-profile battles, conspiracy theories and bareknuckle politics did nothing to help the people she represented. Greene steps down on Monday, resigning in the middle of her third term.

Drone strikes kill 2 in Russian border regions ahead of Ukraine peace talks

January 4, 2026

By The Associated Press

Officials say Ukrainian drone strikes killed two people and wounded two others, including a child, in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions on Sunday. More peace talks are expected in Paris early this week. In Ukraine, three people were wounded in overnight drone strikes in the Kharkiv region, and the death toll from Friday’s missile attack on Kharkiv rose to five. European and other national security advisers met in Kyiv on Saturday to discuss security guarantees and economic support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said meetings of military officials and European leaders in Paris on Monday and Tuesday could finalize security guarantee documents.

North Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea ahead of South Korean leader’s visit to China

January 4, 2026

By HYUNG-JIN KIM - Associated Press

South Korea says North Korea has launched ballistic missiles toward the sea. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff says it detected several ballistic missile launches from North Korea’s capital region Sunday morning, hours before South Korea’s president left for China for talks. It says the missiles were fired toward North Korea’s eastern waters. Experts say North Korea is likely ramping up weapons tests to show off its achievements ahead of its ruling Workers’ Party congress. Observers are watching the congress to see whether North Korea will set a new policy on the U.S. and respond to its calls to resume long-stalled talks.

The Latest: Uncertainty and legal questions remain after US captures Maduro

January 4, 2026

By The Associated Press

A tense calm hangs over Venezuela after a U.S. military operation deposed President Nicolás Maduro. He was brought to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. President Trump said the U.S. would run Venezuela and sell its oil. Maduro and his wife arrived in New York on Saturday. Legal experts question the operation’s lawfulness, done without congressional approval. Venezuela’s vice president demands Maduro’s release, calling him the rightful leader. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. will use control of Venezuela’s oil to influence policy. Caracas remains unusually quiet with a smaller police presence. Maduro is held at a troubled Brooklyn jail.

How cocaine and corruption led to the indictment of Maduro

January 4, 2026

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press

A newly unsealed U.S. Justice Department indictment accuses captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of running a “corrupt, illegitimate government” fueled by a drug-trafficking operation that flooded the U.S. with thousands of tons of cocaine. The arrest of Maduro and his wife in a stunning military operation early Saturday in Venezuela sets the stage for a major test for U.S. prosecutors as they seek to secure a conviction in a Manhattan courtroom against the longtime leader of the oil-rich South American nation. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that Maduro and his wife “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

How the Monroe Doctrine factors into US arrest of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro

January 4, 2026

By MEG KINNARD - Associated Press

It was America’s fifth president who formulated a foreign policy approach that has shaped American strategy for two centuries. And President Donald Trump is citing it as partial justification for the military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The Monroe Doctrine is named for President James Monroe. It was originally aimed at opposing European meddling in the Western Hemisphere. It’s since been invoked repeatedly by subsequent presidents angling to justify U.S. intervention in the region. Trump says that some people today like to call it the “the Don-roe Doctrine.”

Photos of Caracas the day after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

January 4, 2026

By The Associated Press

A tense calm held in Venezuela on Sunday, a day after President Nicolas Maduro was deposed and captured in an American military operation. Maduro was taken to the U.S., arriving late Saturday afternoon at a small airport in New York following the operation that extracted him and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home in a military base in the…

Global Youth Multicultural Forum Highlights Xizang Culture in Singapore and Malaysia

January 4, 2026

Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 January 2026 – From December 19 to 23, the “Diverse Civilizations, Shared Community” Global Youth Multicultural Forum – Asia Session (Singapore & Malaysia), co-hosted by International Culture Association of the Xizang Autonomous Region and Center for International Cultural Communication (CICG), was successfully held. https://youtu.be/9Zm-JzWvUVA The event was held under the theme…

Hundreds march in silence to honor victims of Swiss bar fire that left 40 dead

January 4, 2026

By JOHN LEICESTER and JAMEY KEATEN - Associated Press

Hundreds marched in silence Sunday to honor victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The fire left 40 dead and many injured. Mourners attended a Mass at Chapelle Saint-Christophe before marching to Le Constellation bar. The crowd stood in silence, some weeping, and then applauded as flowers were placed at a makeshift memorial. Swiss authorities identified 24 of the 40 fatalities. A criminal investigation of the bar managers is underway. Authorities believe sparkling candles ignited the fire. Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced a national day of mourning for January 9.

Officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 say their struggles linger, 5 years after the riot

January 4, 2026

By MARY CLARE JALONICK - Associated Press

Five years after the Capitol riot, some of the police officers who fought off the rioters that day say they’re still struggling with what happened. And that’s especially the case since Donald Trump was elected to a second term last year and pardoned about 1,500 people who’d been convicted for their actions at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Several police officers who fought the rioters said in Associated Press interviews that the hardest thing to deal with has been that many people are playing down the violence from that day, or they’re ignoring it or claiming it didn’t happen. That’s despite a massive collection of video and photographic evidence documenting the violence.

Nia Therapeutics Publishes Peer-Reviewed Validation of a 60-Channel Brain Implant for Closed-Loop Neurostimulation

January 4, 2026

Business Wire

ALLSTON, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan 4, 2026–Nia Therapeutics announced publication in Brain Stimulation of the first in vivo validation of its Smart Neurostimulation System (SNS), a wireless, implantable brain-computer interface designed for closed-loop treatment of memory disorders.This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260102654553/en/The SNS records neural activity from 60 channels across four brain regions—an order-of-magnitude increase over commercially…

Maduro’s ouster sparks celebrations among Venezuelans in South Florida

January 3, 2026

By VANESSA A. ALVAREZ, TIM REYNOLDS and BRUCE SCHREINER - Associated Press

Revelers chanted “liberty” and draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders in South Florida on Saturday to celebrate the U.S. military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro and remove him from the country. It is a stunning outcome that they had longed for. But it also has left them wondering what comes next in their homeland. People gathered for a rally in Doral as word spread about Maduro’s ouster. Doral is the Miami suburb where President Donald Trump has a golf resort and roughly half the population is of Venezuelan descent. Outside a restaurant one man held a cardboard sign with the word “Libertad,” Spanish for freedom.

Venezuelans wonder who’s in charge as Trump claims contact with Maduro’s deputy

January 3, 2026

By REGINA GARCIA CANO, JUAN ARRAEZ and ISABEL DEBRE - Associated Press

Venezuelans are trying to understand who is in charge after the United States announced the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Venezuela’s constitution says the vice president should take over, and President Donald Trump says his administration has been in contact with Maduro’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez. But Rodríguez is trying to project unity among the ruling party’s factions while downplaying any hint of betrayal. Venezuela’s high court has ordered her to assume the role of interim president. Meanwhile, Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader María Corina Machado says her movement is ready to assert authority. She cites its reported victory in the disputed 2024 election. But Trump indicated that Machado lacks the popular support to govern.

Kings give up lead in 3rd period for 2nd straight game but recover for 5-4 shootout win over Wild

January 3, 2026

By DAN GREENSPAN - Associated Press

Quinton Byfield had a goal and an assist, Samuel Helenius scored his first goal of the season, and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Minnesota Wild 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday night. Adrian Kempe and Corey Perry also scored, Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves, and the Kings were able to respond after wilting late in similar circumstances in a 5-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday. Matt Boldy scored late to salvage a point for the Wild. Jake Middleton, Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber each had a goal, and Minnesota is 3-0-3 in its past six games. Jesper Wallstedt made 34 saves.

International aid groups grapple with what Israel’s ban will mean for their work in Gaza

January 3, 2026

By SAM MEDNICK and JULIA FRANKEL - Associated Press

Israel has revoked the licenses of more than three dozen humanitarian organizations, and now those groups are grappling with how that will affect aid operations in Gaza. This decision affects groups like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam, which provide essential services such as medical care and shelter. The ban, effective March 1, prevents these groups from bringing supplies or international staff into Gaza. Israel says the new rules aim to prevent militant infiltration. Aid groups argue the requirements endanger staff and hinder operations. The United Nations and NGOs warn that the remaining licensed organizations cannot meet Gaza’s needs, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

US military operation in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean holiday travel, hundreds of flights canceled

January 3, 2026

By MATT O'BRIEN, JOSH FUNK and AUDREY MCAVOY - Associated Press

The U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has disrupted Caribbean travel. FlightRadar24.com says no flights crossed over Venezuela on Saturday. Major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean after the FAA imposed restrictions. Flights to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Aruba were canceled. Airlines were waiving change fees for rescheduled flights however. But U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday night that the restrictions would end at midnight and airlines would be able to resume normal operations Sunday.

Resecurity and D4DS Partner to Accelerate Advanced Cybersecurity Capabilities in Saudi Arabia

January 3, 2026

Business Wire

LOS ANGELES & RIYADH, Saudi Arabia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan 3, 2026–Resecurity (USA) has announced a strategic partnership with D4DS (Data & Decision Support Consulting in the Field of Telecommunications and Information Technology), the leading management consulting company headquartered in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and focusing on enabling a data-driven culture to transform businesses into data-centric organizations.This press release features…

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers beat the Panthers 16-14, stay alive in chase for NFC South title

January 3, 2026

By ROB MAADDI - AP Pro Football Writer

The winner of the NFC South will be crowned at home watching on television. Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday. The Buccaneers need New Orleans to beat or tie Atlanta on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title. If the Falcons win, the Panthers will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.

Jordan Stolz falls in the 1,000 at the US Olympic trials but the star speedskater will go to Milan

January 3, 2026

By HOWARD FENDRICH - AP National Writer

Star speedskater Jordan Stolz shockingly stumbled to the ice at the start of the men’s 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating. But he still finished with the third-fastest time and will head to the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Stolz lost his footing and tripped after fewer than three seconds and five strides at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee on Saturday. He quickly rose and continued to race. Stolz, a 21-year-old from Wisconsin, is considered a medal contender in at least three events at the Games next month. Earlier Saturday, Erin Jackson qualified in the women’s 1,000 by finishing faster than world record-holder Brittany Bowe.

FACT FOCUS: Trump repeats false claims as he discusses US raid to extract Venezuela’s president

January 3, 2026

By MELISSA GOLDIN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump has held a news conference to explain a U.S. raid on Venezuela to extract President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Trump praised the military and highlighted National Guard deployments in U.S. cities, making erroneous claims about crime in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles. Trump suggested that each U.S. strike on boats allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela saves 25,000 American lives. However, the numbers don’t add up. According to the CDC, drug overdose deaths in the U.S. are far fewer than the number Trump suggests. Additionally, Trump falsely claimed no killings in the nation’s capital for six to seven months, despite recent homicides.

Capture of Maduro and US claim it will run Venezuela raise new legal questions

January 3, 2026

By LISA MASCARO, JOSHUA GOODMAN and BEN FINLEY - Associated Press

Legal questions are being raised about the Trump administration’s capture of Venezuela’s president and U.S. plans to “run” the South American country. Nicolás Maduro was seized in the middle of the night and U.S. officials say he’ll face narcoterrorism conspiracy charges in New York. Experts say the U.S. military’s capture of Maduro may violate international law. A former Navy attorney says he sees no legal basis for the U.S. to go into another country and take a leader without an extradition treaty. Congress hasn’t authorized military action in the region but also hasn’t passed measures blocking the Trump administration from acting.

What we know about a US strike that captured Venezuela’s Maduro

January 3, 2026

By JILL LAWLESS and REBECCA SANTANA - Associated Press

The United States has carried out a military strike on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. American officials say they will face narco-terrorism charges in U.S. courts. The operation, conducted early Saturday, has left Venezuela in turmoil, with its leadership uncertain and the impact on its military still unclear. Countries across the region are grappling with the implications of the U.S. action. The Trump administration has been pressuring Venezuela for months, accusing Maduro of turning the country into a criminal enterprise. The future of Venezuela remains uncertain as the world reacts.

How the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

January 3, 2026

By MEG KINNARD and MICHELLE L. PRICE - Associated Press

President Donald Trump is laying out some of the details of the U.S. military strike against Venezuela that’s led to the capture of leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump says Maduro was being “highly guarded” in a presidential palace that was “like a fortress,” although Maduro wasn’t able to get to a safe room. Trump tells the “Fox and Friends Weekend” show that American forces were armed with “massive blowtorches” and they could have used those blowtorches to cut through steel walls if Maduro had locked himself in that room. Trump says U.S. forces had practiced maneuvers on a replica building as they prepared for the operation.

With capture of Maduro, Trump claims successful operation as he treads into uncharted territory

January 3, 2026

By AAMER MADHANI - Associated Press

With the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump and his allies are calling the audacious U.S. military operation an unqualified success. But the path ahead after Saturday’s operation to oust Maduro could be treacherous. Who will fill the power vacuum now that Maduro is gone? What lies ahead for a country of roughly 28 million that’s endured years of hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages and brain drain despite its vast oil wealth? What lessons will U.S. adversaries take from Trump’s decision to demonstrate American might in its sphere of influence as China’s Xi Jinping vows to annex the self-rule island of Taiwan and Russia’s Vladimir Putin has designs on neighbor Ukraine and diminishing NATO’s eastern flank?

Trump: Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife captured

January 3, 2026

Matt McConico,

President Nicolas Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines, which took place during Venezuela’s 19th-century Federal War, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP) – The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the…

From bus driver to president: Venezuela’s Maduro never escaped his predecessor’s shadow

January 3, 2026

By REGINA GARCIA CANO - Associated Press

Nicolás Maduro’s fall at the hands of the United States follows months of pressure from the Trump administration. The onetime bus driver for the Caracas subway had risen to become president over a long political career. But as his country’s leader, Maduro oversaw Venezuela’s economic collapse and democratic undoing. His presidency was marked by a severe crisis, pushing millions into poverty and driving mass migration. Maduro’s rule saw widespread repression and economic free fall, leading to international isolation and sanctions. His capture marks a significant shift in Venezuela’s political landscape.

Conservationists in Kenya pay tribute to beloved ‘super tusker’ elephant Craig, who died at age 54

January 3, 2026

By NICHOLAS KOMU and RODNEY MUHUMUZA - Associated Press

Kenyans are mourning the death of a beloved “super tusker” elephant named Craig. He lived in Amboseli National Park and symbolized Kenya’s efforts to protect elephants from poachers. Craig died Saturday at age 54 from natural causes. The Kenya Wildlife Service described him as calm and dignified, often pausing for tourists to photograph him. Craig was one of only a few super tuskers, with tusks weighing over 45 kilograms each. His death highlights conservation successes, as Kenya’s elephant population has grown significantly. Craig fathered many calves, ensuring his legacy continues.

The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife

January 3, 2026

The Associated Press

The United States has launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump announced the operation on social media early Saturday. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demands proof of life for Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Trump says the operation was conducted with U.S. law enforcement and plans to provide more details later. Explosions rocked Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, early on the third day of 2026, with at least seven blasts reported. It’s unclear if there were casualties, but the strikes were described as successful.

Why ordering takeout or calling the dog walker might lead to a happier relationship

January 3, 2026

By TRACEE M. HERBAUGH - Associated Press

Couples who spend money on small, time-saving services like takeout or housecleaning or dog walking report greater relationship satisfaction. Especially during stressful times. That’s according to Harvard Business School’s Ashley Whillans. She studies how people trade time for money. She found that outsourcing chores can boost well-being by giving people a sense of control. Whillans advises couples to audit their time and make small changes to reclaim moments together. She emphasizes that saved time should be for quality connection, not more work. Just opening up time doesn’t replace communication. The key is intentional use of time to strengthen relationships.

Finland stuns 2-time defending champ US 4-3 in OT in world junior quarterfinals

January 2, 2026

AP

Arttu Valola scored at 2:11 of overtime and Finland stunned the two-time defending champion United States 4-3 on Friday night in the world junior hockey quarterfinals. Last year in the final in Ottawa, Ontario, the Americans beat the Finns 4-3 in overtime. In the semifinals Sunday, Finland will face Sweden, and Canada will play Czechia. Sweden beat Latvia 6-3, Canada had a five-goal first period in a 7-1 romp over Slovakia, and Czechia beat Switzerland 6-2. Michigan State’s Lee Ryker tied it for the United States with 1:33 left in regulation and Notre Dame goalie Nick Kempf off for an extra attacker.

Big Tech’s fast-expanding plans for data centers are running into stiff community opposition

January 2, 2026

By MARC LEVY - Associated Press

Tech companies looking to plunge billions of dollars into ever-bigger data centers to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing are increasingly being voted down. Communities across the United States are learning from each other’s battles as data center developers branch out in search of faster connections to power sources. Once-sleepy municipal board meetings in farming towns and growing suburbs now feature crowded rooms of angry residents pressuring local officials to reject the requests. One commercial real estate consultant says “it’s becoming a huge problem” and it’s raising alarms among Big Tech firms, electricity providers, labor unions and other AI stakeholders.

Trial to begin for police officer charged in delayed response to Uvalde school shooting

January 2, 2026

By JIM VERTUNO - Associated Press

One of the first officers on the scene at the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, is about to stand trial. The charges are related to the fact that police waited more than an hour to confront the shooter while children and teachers lay dead or wounded in classrooms. Former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales is accused of ignoring his training in a crisis with deadly consequences. He is charged with multiple counts of child abandonment and endangerment. His attorney insists that he was focused on helping children escape from the building.

Rangers beat Panthers 5-1 in first outdoor hockey game in Miami. Mika Zibanejad has hat trick

January 2, 2026

By TIM REYNOLDS - AP Sports Writer

The New York Rangers have continued their dominance in outdoor games. Mika Zibanejad had a hat trick, Artemi Panarin scored twice and the Rangers beat the Florida Panthers 5-1 on Friday night in the Winter Classic at Miami’s loanDepot Park. It was the first outdoor game played in the Sunshine State. Alexis Lafrenière had three assists and Igor Shesterkin stopped 36 shots for the Rangers, who improved to 6-0-0 in outdoor games. The roof was open and the game-time temperature was 63 degrees at the home of baseball’s Miami Marlins. Sam Reinhart scored for Florida, which was playing outdoors for the first time.

Hermantown Community Schools celebrates new hockey arena with ribbon-cutting ceremony

January 2, 2026

Lauren Martinson, Xavier Walt,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Hermantown community members packed into the new arena for its grand opening. What began as a dream became a reality through the support of local businesses, community funding, and lawmakers. The project was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tours of the new NorthStar Ford Arena, which is expected to serve generations of hockey players. “This…

Portman Hockey celebrates 3rd annual “Great Skate”

January 2, 2026

Xavier Walt,

DULUTH, Minn. — Portman Hockey celebrated the kickoff to their outdoor hockey season with their annual “Great Skate” fundraiser. Skaters both big and small gathered from around the Northland to help Portman raise funds for the organization’s programs, in order to keep the sport affordable for all interested kids. After the event was previously postponed from its original Dec. 17….