Members of Congress are set to receive a classified briefing from Trump administration officials on the recent U.S. military mission in Venezuela. Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife face federal indictments on drug and weapons charges. There is debate over the legality of Trump's arrest of Maduro, with supporters citing constitutional authority. Former envoy Elliott Abrams dismissed any U.S. plans to control Venezuela after Maduro's capture. Maduro and Flores are scheduled to appear in a New York City courthouse for their first hearing.

British and French aircraft conducted an airstrike on an underground ISIS facility in Syria suspected of storing weapons. The RAF Typhoon jets targeted the site located north of Palmyra in central Syria.

- The Denver Broncos secured the top seed in the AFC by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers, finishing the regular season with a 14-3 record and positioning themselves as Super Bowl contenders. - The Atlanta Falcons' victory over the New Orleans Saints helped the Carolina Panthers clinch the NFC South crown and secure their first playoff berth since 2017. - NFL Week 18 determined playoff seeding and division titles, with the Denver Broncos aiming for the AFC top seed and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers awaiting the NFC South outcome. - The Carolina Panthers missed a chance to clinch the NFC South after losing 16-14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They now need the Atlanta Falcons to beat the New Orleans Saints.

Elon Musk and President Donald Trump recently had dinner together at Mar-a-Lago, signaling a reconciliation after past political tensions. Musk shared a photo of the dinner on social media with the caption "2026 is going to be amazing!" indicating a positive outlook for the future.

The Prime Minister of Denmark has urged President Trump to stop the threats of the U.S. annexing Greenland, following renewed comments that have gained international attention. President Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland since his first term, leading to concerns from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. She emphasized that the United States has no right to annex the island, particularly in light of recent remarks and actions by Trump and his allies. Frederiksen's statement comes after a photo implying a U.S. takeover of Greenland was posted by the wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff, following U.S. attacks on Venezuela. Frederiksen emphasized that the U.S. has no authority to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom.

Recent heavy rainstorms have caused flooding across Southern California, leading to the closure of Santa Barbara Airport. The Bay Area is also experiencing King Tide flooding, while Southern California is preparing for potential debris flows in areas affected by wildfires. Forecasters predict more rain with the heaviest precipitation expected in the afternoon and evening, but dry conditions are expected to return later in the week. Despite the wet weather, experts believe that extreme drought is unlikely during the state's rainy season.

Asia-Pacific markets are expected to open the first trading week of 2026 on a positive note following the news of the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. Oil prices have slightly eased, and the short-term impact of Maduro's overthrow on oil prices remains uncertain, according to Daan Struyven, head of oil research at Goldman Sachs.

An off-duty Caldwell County deputy was shot and killed while working security at a nightclub in Austin, Texas. The incident is currently under investigation by the police.

Armed attackers in Nigeria's Niger state killed over 30 people and abducted an unspecified number, including students from a Catholic school where over 300 were kidnapped in November. Gunmen have also killed at least 30 villagers and abducted several others in the same region, according to police reports.

President Trump warned Venezuela's newly-appointed leader, Delcy Rodriguez, that she must restore "law and order" and economic discipline before any talk of elections can happen. He threatened that if Rodriguez resists U.S. demands for reform, she will face a worse fate than captured President Nicolas Maduro. Senator Rubio also spoke with Rodriguez after the U.S. military operation that led to Maduro's arrest.

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has criticized Trump's intervention in Venezuela as 'pillaging' despite fleeing communist Czechoslovakia in 1975. She also supports criminal sanctions against U.S. oil companies taking Venezuelan oil, drawing mixed reactions on social media.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) declined to comment on whether he would support another government shutdown at the end of the month. Congress faces a looming funding deadline on Jan. 31, following last year's record 43-day shutdown over expired Obamacare subsidies. Lawmakers return from recess next week to address the funding issue, with tensions high after recent party conflicts.

Iran's leaders are facing anti-government protests and the threat of Israel and the United States. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei referred to the demonstrators as "enemy mercenaries" and "rioters" in his first public speech since the unrest began. He emphasized the need to control the rioters.

A tragic fire at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Day resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people and injuries to 119 others. The fire was likely caused by small fireworks on champagne bottles igniting foam insulation on the bar's basement ceiling. Witnesses reported seeing a bartender carrying a lit sparkler near the wooden ceiling before the flames erupted. Experts believe that flaws in the site's design and management may have contributed to the severity of the disaster. Residents in Crans-Montana are struggling to cope with one of Switzerland's worst fire tragedies.

The first round of January Social Security payments for retirees, capped at $5,108, will be issued in 10 days. Retirees born on or before the 10th of a month will receive this payment on Jan. 14. The second round of payments will be sent out on Jan. 21. February 2026 Supplemental Security Income payments, up to $994, will be issued to recipients in 26 days on Jan. 30.

Black leaders in New York are concerned about Mayor Zohran Mamdani's socialist policies and their potential impact on black communities. The Democratic Socialists of America's influence in municipal government is being debated as Mamdani prepares to take office as the mayor of New York City. Progressive candidates in New York are adopting tougher anti-Israel positions to appeal to left-leaning voters, a trend that has been influenced by Mamdani's victory. Mamdani plans to complete the controversial bike-lane project in Greenpoint despite corruption charges. Julie Menin, a vocal Israel supporter, discussed her strategy for working with Mamdani as the first Jewish speaker of the NYC Council. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, is determined to govern with socialist principles.

The 2026 midterm elections are already seeing significant political advertising spending, with nearly 20% of ads in 2025 targeting the upcoming elections. AdImpact reported a historic $1.87 billion spent on political ads across various platforms. A Trump-aligned super PAC has $300 million in cash on hand for supporting candidates who align with Trump's agenda. The fundraising success showcases ongoing aggressive efforts to raise funds from donors with interests in the administration.