Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 7, 2026

A US military raid led to the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, resulting in 24 Venezuelan security officers and overall 80 people killed. Venezuelan officials initiated a crackdown on dissent, detaining journalists and deploying paramilitary groups. The CIA reportedly briefed President Trump that senior Maduro loyalists, including interim president Deli Rodriguez, were best positioned for stability. Rodriguez vowed national resistance.

Venezuela's military announced 24 security officers were killed in the US military raid that led to the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday. US officials assess overall 80 people were killed in the attack. Venezuelan officials are cracking down on any expression of support for Maduro's abduction. The CIA reportedly concluded... senior Maduro loyalists, including the country's interim president, Deli Rodriguez, were best positioned to ensure Venezuela's stability. Rodriguez vowed to defend her country.

President Trump stated Venezuela would provide 30 to 50 million barrels of oil, valued at $2 billion, to the United States. He declared this oil would be sold at market price, with the proceeds controlled by him to benefit both the Venezuelan and US people. Reuters reported this oil was originally slated for China but would be redirected to the US, despite China being Venezuela's top crude oil importer for over a decade.

President Trump says Venezuela will give between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil worth $2 billion to the United States. In a post on social media, President Trump said, quote, 'This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me as president of the United States of America to ensure it'll be used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States.' Reuters is reporting the oil was slated to be shipped to China, but will be redirected to the US. China has been Venezuela's top importer of crude oil for over a decade.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly informed lawmakers that President Trump intends to purchase Greenland. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt confirmed that the president has not ruled out using US troops to acquire the autonomous Danish territory, stating the military is 'always an option.' Denmark and Greenland's foreign ministers requested a meeting with Rubio, noting previous unsuccessful attempts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told lawmakers in a briefing, President Trump intends to buy Greenland instead of using military force to seize the autonomous territory controlled by Denmark. White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt said President Trump has not ruled out the use of troops to take over Greenland, saying in a statement, quote, 'The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal. And of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the commander and chief's disposal.' Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland have requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The United States, for the first time, pledged security guarantees to Ukraine, including binding commitments to aid Kyiv if Russia attacks again. This pledge was made at a Paris summit of Ukraine's European allies, attended by US Envoy Steve Witoff and Jared Kushner. French and British officials also signed a declaration to deploy troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire, as an overnight Russian attack on Kyiv killed at least two people.

The US pledged to provide Ukraine with security guarantees for the first time, which include binding commitments to come to Kev's aid if Russia attacks again. The pledge came at a summit in Paris of Ukraine's European allies attended by US Envoy Steve Witoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. French and British officials also signed a declaration to deploy troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities say an overnight Russian attack on Keev Monday killed at least two people.

Palestinian families expressed optimism about the potential reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt after over two years of Israel's war and blockade. However, Qatar accused Israel of political blackmail for impeding efforts to reopen the crossing and deliver humanitarian aid. The reopening was a condition of the US-brokered truce, which Israel has repeatedly violated. Doctors Without Borders announced Israel ordered them to cease all Gaza operations for failing to comply with new restrictions on staff, funding, and operational information.

Palestinian families said they felt optimistic amidst mounting reports... that the Rafa crossing with Egypt could soon reopen after more than 2 years of Israel's war and blockade. Qatar has accused Israel of political blackmail for hindering efforts to reopen the crossing... The reopening of the Rafa crossing was a condition of the first phase of the US broker truce between Israel and Hamas, which Israel has repeatedly violated. Doctors Without Borders announced Tuesday Israel had ordered the aid group to immediately cease all operations in Gaza, claiming they'd failed to comply with new restrictions.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sar visited Somaliland, a visit strongly condemned by Somalia. This occurred just over a week after Israel became the first and only country to recognize the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland as a sovereign state. The de facto leader of Somaliland framed this as a commitment to a 'substantive, forward-looking, and strategic partnership.'

Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sar was in Somali land on Tuesday. The visit was strongly condemned by Somalia and came just over a week after Israel became the first and only country in the world to recognize the breakaway Somali region of Somali land as a sovereign state. This is the de facto leader of Somali land... 'It reflects not only political recognition but also a shared commitment to transform that recognition into a substantive forwardlooking and strategic partnership.'

The Trump administration slashed $10 billion in funding for social programs benefiting families with children in five Democratic states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. Officials cited alleged fraud concerns, referencing a recent scandal in Minnesota's childcare facilities. However, Democratic lawmakers condemned this as an act of political retribution. Impacted programs include the Child Care and Development Fund and cash assistance for low-income parents.

The Trump administration slashing $10 billion in funding for social programs for families with children in five Democratic states. Trump officials have claimed the move is due to alleged fraud concerns amidst the recent scandal Minnesota involving fraud at childcare facilities. But Democratic lawmakers have condemned this as an act of political retribution. The five targeted states are California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. Among the impacted programs are the Child Care and Development Fund... and assistance for parents living in poverty.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the primary funder of PBS, NPR, and many local public television and radio stations, voted to dissolve itself. This decision followed the elimination of federal funding and what its board described as 'sustained political attacks.' The CPB had operated since 1967, supporting non-commercial and educational public media.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the primary funer of PBS, NPR, and many local television and radio stations, has voted to dissolve itself. The CPB vote came after the elimination of federal funding and what its board called sustained political attacks. The CPB had been in operation since 1967 with the aim of supporting non-commercial and educational public media throughout the United States.