Trump shares photo of captured Maduro aboard U.S. warship
U.S. President Donald Trump has shared a photo purportedly showing Venezuela’s captured President Nicolás Maduro aboard a U.S. warship. The image, which Trump shared on his social media platform Truth Social, appears to show Maduro with his eyes covered and wearing earmuffs.
Trump says the US is taking over the government of Venezuela
The United States will govern Venezuela until further notice, including the country’s oil production, President Donald Trump said at a press conference. “We will govern until we can carry out a safe, orderly and legal transition of power,” Trump said. We cannot risk someone who does not want Venezuela’s best interests taking over the country, he said, warning that the United States is ready to strike in a second attack.
Venezuelans around the world celebrate the capture of Maduro
Scenes of celebration erupted among Venezuelans both inside and outside the country following the capture of one of the nation’s most feared criminal figures, a man whose reign of terror symbolized years of unchecked violence and lawlessness. For many, the arrest represented not just the fall of a single individual, but a rare moment of justice in a country long plagued by crime, corruption, and impunity. One Venezuelan expatriate described the moment as “a victory for the victims who never got justice,”
USDA: Undercover Investigators To Make Sure Retailers Comply With New Food Stamp Restrictions
Undercover investigators with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are going to check whether stores are complying with new restrictions on food stamps, the department said in a new notice to state and regional officials.
Wisconsin judge convicted of obstructing arrest of immigrant resigns as GOP threatens impeachment
Embattled Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of obstruction last month for helping an immigrant evade federal officers, has sent her resignation letter to the governor. The letter was sent Saturday. Republicans had been making plans to impeach her ever since her Dec. 19 conviction. A spokesperson for Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said his office received Dugan’s letter, and he would work to fill the vacancy without delay.
Democrats Now Claim They Are The “Real” American Patriots
Leftists have never understood the phrase “If you can’t beat em’, join em'”. Instead, they believe that if they can’t defeat their political opponents in terms of logic, reason, morals, facts or the law, then their next best bet is to co-opt the enemy’s message and image without actually adopting their values.. Voters witnessed the first tinges of this strategy in 2024 when Kamala Harris claimed her campaign wasn’t woke (after years of saying Americans needed to be more woke) and Tim Walz pretended to be manly by talking about football and masculinity without knowing anything about either subject. This theme has led to a number of protests which have abandoned woke symbols in favor of a carefully crafted “pro-America” costume.
Hamas officials downplay remaining weapons as Israel presses for disarmament
In interviews with Asharq Al-Awsat, the officials said the armed factions operating in Gaza are now mainly left with Kalashnikov and M16 rifles, other light weapons, a small number of anti-tank grenades, and limited explosive devices. The comments appeared aimed at conveying that Hamas’ remaining capabilities no longer pose a significant security threat to Israel. The statements come as Israel continues to demand the dismantling of Hamas’ military infrastructure
‘Ready for imminent war’: IDF displays captured terrorist weaponry
“The anti-tank rocket launchers and rockets we found belonging to Hezbollah are the most technologically advanced weapons you see here today,” Lt. Col. (res.) Idan Sharon-Kettler, deputy commander of the Israel Defense Forces Asset Confiscation Unit, told JNS at an exhibition at the army’s Tzrifin Camp in central Israel. Sharon-Kettler’s unit has been operating since 1973. He was called up for duty on Oct. 7, 2023, and since then, the unit has been actively extracting weapons and equipment from all areas in which the IDF is operating.
Iran’s leader says rioters ‘must be put in their place’ as protest death toll reaches at least 10
Iran’s supreme leader insisted Saturday that “rioters must be put in their place” after a week of protests that have shaken the Islamic Republic, likely giving security forces a green light to aggressively put down the demonstrations. The protests show no sign of stopping and follow U.S. President Donald Trump warning Iran on Friday that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.”
‘Dangerous precedent’: UN, world leaders decry US op. that saw capture of Venezuela’s Maduro
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres decried the strikes on Venezuela as a “dangerous precedent,” while Argentinian President Javier Milei celebrated the “excellent news.” “What we have to understand is that it’s the collapse of the regime of a dictator that was rigging elections,” Milei said. “In the last election [Maduro] was badly defeated and, despite that, he clinged on to power.” On social media, Milei wrote, “FREEDOM MOVES FORWARD. LONG LIVE FREEDOM DAMMIT,” “Israel commends the United States’ operation, led by President Trump, which acted as the leader of the free world,”
Israel Will Defend Christians Facing Radical Islamist Terror And Persecution, Netanyahu Vows
Netanyahu acknowledged that he and his government and intelligence agencies are aware that Christians are being persecuted and terrorized around the world, particularly in the Middle East and in Africa. What’s more, he vowed the Jewish state would use its power, intelligence, and influence to help defend Christians.
Chinese EV Exports Are Exploding, And The West Has No Way To Stop Them
Chinese cars were once the butt of jokes, but they’ve become a major threat to Western automakers. That’s clear today as data from China’s General Administration of Customs has revealed exports of electric vehicles soared 87 percent in November. Focusing on Europe, exports to the UK soared 113 percent last month
Why Trump Targeted Venezuela, Now What with Capture of President Maduro?
The Trump administration’s opposition to Maduro was driven by a mix of political, humanitarian, and strategic concerns.
Democrats Melt Down Over Capture And Arrest Of Dictator Maduro
While Venezuelans hit the streets in wild celebration, popping bottles and celebrating freedom, Democrats in Washington, D.C., clutched their pearls and went into full meltdown mode, accusing Trump of getting us into a war and violating the Constitution.
‘Israel commends’ US op in Venezuela, says FM Sa’ar, and ‘welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror’
the United States detained the president and flew him, together with his wife, out of the country. According to reports, the operation was carried out by American forces during today’s attack by the U.S. military on Venezuela’s capital. In recent hours, the U.S. administration also released the first image of Maduro held captive by American forces. U.S. President Donald Trump was interviewed by Fox News and said there were no fatalities among U.S. forces operating in Venezuela, though there were several wounded.
North America Leads Largest LNG Export Surge Since 2022
North America was the key supplier of new LNG volumes, as Canada’s first-ever export facility, LNG Canada, started shipments in the middle of 2025, and Plaquemines LNG in Louisiana launched operations and ramped up shipments throughout the year. Thanks to rising capacity and volumes, the U.S. is set to become the first LNG exporter in the world to have passed in 2025 the threshold of 100 million tons of LNG exports in one year.
Dangerous new equilibrium awaits Japan-China ties in 2026
Japan’s relationship with China has entered a deep freeze following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November remarks that Tokyo could intervene militarily in a Taiwan crisis, with ties showing few signs of warming anytime soon. But a deeper look reveals that rather than a mere flare-up, which has at times punctuated the relationship, the latest deterioration of ties has highlighted that a dangerous new equilibrium between the two countries is emerging — one that will test each other’s resolve, especially in the year ahead.
Trump Says Triumphal Arch Construction Just Two Months Away
President Trump has announced that construction of a “triumphal arch” in Washington DC will begin within two months. Reminiscent of Paris’ famed Arc de Triomphe and similar European victory monuments, Trump’s triumphal arch promises to be a major addition to a capital city already laden with prominent monuments. Many details have yet to be announced, such as the size, duration of construction, cost, and — perhaps most significantly — its location. Based on Politico’s reporting, it will likely be near the Lincoln Memorial, “It will be like the one in Paris
North Korea launches multiple missiles in first tests of 2026
North Korea launched what appeared to be at least two ballistic missiles on Sunday, Japan’s Defense Ministry said, less than a week after it test-fired two long-range “strategic” cruise missiles. The Japan Coast Guard said both missiles had fallen roughly 10 minutes after their launch, a short flight that could indicate shorter-range weapons had been fired.
US Reissues Urgent ‘Do Not Travel’ Warning For Russia, As NYT Confirms CIA’s Escalating Involvement
The US State Department has once once again re-issued an urgent advisory warning Americans not to travel to Russia. The renewed travel advisory also tells any American citizens currently in Russia to depart immediately. It cites the danger associated with the ongoing war with Ukraine, as well as the significant risk of wrongful detention by Russian officials, and the possibility of terrorism. This is nothing new, given such warnings have been issued going all the way back to February 2022, but it suggests that the Trump administration’s view is that things might continue to escalate as efforts toward a peace deal stall.
At least 2 dead after M6.5 earthquake strikes Guerrero and Mexico City, Mexico
At least two people were killed after a strong M6.5 earthquake hit Guerrero on January 2, 2026. Meanwhile, 17 people were injured as hundreds of homes were reportedly destroyed or damaged across Mexico due to the tremors and subsequent landslides. Over 1 000 aftershocks have been recorded since the mainshock as relief efforts and damage surveys continue.
Venezuela President Maduro to ‘stand trial’ in the US as Trump ‘captures’ leader and his wife after explosions rocked capital Caracas
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has been ‘captured and flown out of the country’ to stand trial in the United States, Donald Trump has said. Trump released a statement that said the US had ‘successfully’ carried out a military strike after several explosions rocked in the capital of Caracas early Saturday.
Trump says US will temporarily run Venezuela, ‘not afraid of boots on ground’ if necessary
President Trump told the nation the US would now take over running Venezuela, after strongman Nicolas Maduro was captured “in the dead of night.” “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a press conference from his Mar-a-Lago resort as he provided new details on the stunning military operation.
Trump Admin Launches Prayer Campaign To Celebrate Nation’s Founding: ‘Let Us Rededicate Ourselves To One Nation Under God’
In July, President Donald Trump announced plans for a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday to culminate in spectacular fashion on Independence Day 2026. But before the nation’s capital is immersed in patriotic pageantry befitting such a historic milestone, the president is calling the country to pray.
France threatens to arrest British activists who are stopping the illegal boats
France has threatened to arrest British activists from the Raise the Colours movement who have been attempting to stop migrant crossings from French beaches to the UK.
Muslim American Heritage Month at Ground Zero: A Line New York Should Never Have Crossed
NYC CONQUERED: NO PLANES. NO EXPLOSIONS. JUST SURRENDER This week, New York State lit sixteen government landmarks green to celebrate the so-called Muslim American Heritage Month. Governor Kathy Hochul issued a formal proclamation. For the first time, the state officially sanctified January as a month of celebration. Among the buildings glowing green was One World Trade Center — the Freedom Tower — built on the graves of nearly 3,000 Americans murdered on September 11, 2001. The very site of the deadliest Islamic jihad attack in history was illuminated in Islamic green — not in mourning, not in remembrance, not in warning — but in celebration. This was submission.
2026: Consolidation Under Pressure — Why Power Will Not Fall, But Harden By Tania Koenig
As 2026 begins, the dominant mistake in public analysis is the expectation of rupture — a belief that systems must either collapse dramatically or be redeemed decisively. History offers a different lesson. More often than not, power does not fall when institutions weaken; it consolidates. What changes is not the existence of authority, but its character. It becomes colder, narrower, less persuasive, and more dependent on structure than trust. That is the moment we are entering now.
Gen. Michael Flynn Asks Trump to Hold the Deep State Accountable in 2026
The previous administration’s open-borders policies alone put in motion a litany of destructive changes that would’ve destroyed the country if they’d continued another four years. On that front, President Trump has delivered. The border is more secure than at any time in recent history, albeit there are grumblings about the rate of deportations. But Trump voters wanted more than preservation. Americans wanted the people who put their nation on said disastrous trajectory, the people who subverted their will on multiple fronts, to answer for what they did. Americans voted for accountability.
Is a second strike on Iran inevitable, and what would it change?
Israeli Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Amir Avivi said Iran is planning to attack Israel, which is why Israel will need to strike first. “It is imminent,” Avivi told AIN. “There will be an attack on Iran.” Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, head of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), told AIN that Iran has been rapidly rebuilding its missile systems with Chinese and Russian assistance.