Top U.S. & World Headlines — January 9, 2026

Protests erupted in Portland, Oregon, after Border Patrol agents shot and wounded a married couple, and in Minneapolis following an ICE agent fatally shooting Renee Good, a mother of three. Local authorities, including Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, called for a halt to ICE operations and independent investigations, expressing distrust in federal accounts. Minnesota Governor Tim Wall stated the FBI blocked state authorities from accessing evidence in Good's death, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry accused officials of avoiding impartial investigations. Vice President J.D. Vance claimed the ICE officer had 'absolute immunity,' a claim contradicted by video evidence and a New York Times analysis.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson: 'We know what the federal government says happened here. There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time is long past. That is why we are calling on ICE to halt all operations in Portland until a full and independent investigation can take place.' Minnesota Governor Tim Wall: FBI blocked BCA from accessing case materials. New York Times analysis showed Good's vehicle turning away from the officer when he fired.

The US conducted a military attack and abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, prompting the Senate to advance a bipartisan measure to block further military action. President Trump cancelled a second wave of attacks after Venezuela's interim government agreed to cooperate, leading to prisoner releases. Trump scheduled meetings with top oil executives to discuss Venezuela's future, explicitly stating US plans to take control of its vast oil reserves and claiming firms would invest $100 billion.

Senate advanced a bipartisan measure to block Trump administration from conducting further military action in Venezuela. Trump: 'US plans to take control of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.' Trump claimed big oil firms plan to invest $100 billion.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to meet Danish officials to discuss Greenland's future, as the Trump administration explored ways to seize the Danish territory. Reuters reported considerations included lump-sum payments of up to $100,000 to each resident to encourage secession from Denmark, with military force not ruled out. President Trump openly dismissed the importance of international law in an interview, stating his own morality was the only constraint.

Reuters reported Trump administration considering up to $100,000 payments per resident of Greenland to secede. Trump told New York Times: 'I don't need international law. My own morality, my own mind. That's the only thing that can stop.'

Anti-government protests continued in several Iranian cities despite a nationwide internet blackout and blocked international calls, with estimates of 45 deaths. Iran's Supreme Leader accused protesters of pleasing Trump, who renewed threats to 'hit them very hard' if security forces violently crush the demonstrations. In Gaza, Israeli forces killed at least 14 Palestinians in one day, bringing the total to 425 since a US-brokered ceasefire. Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine, deploying a new hypersonic nuclear-capable ballistic missile, causing deaths and widespread power/water outages.

Iran Human Rights estimated 45 killed in Iran protests. Trump: 'If they do it, we're going to hit them very hard.' Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians in Gaza, total 425 since ceasefire. Russia fired a new hypersonic nuclear-capable ballistic missile at Ukraine.