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Associated Press:
Rubio says US won’t govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio is suggesting the United States won’t govern Venezuela other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on the country. The turnaround Sunday comes after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier the U.S, would be running Venezuela following its ouster of President NicolౠMaduro. Rubio’s statements on TV talk shows seemed designed to temper concerns about whether the assertive American action to achieve regime change might again produce a prolonged foreign intervention or failed attempt at nation-building. They stood in contrast to Trump’s broad but vague claims that the U.S. would at least temporarily “run” the oil-rich nation, comments that suggested some sort of governing structure under which Caracas would be controlled by Washington.
The Latest: Rubio suggests US won’t run Venezuela day-to-day
Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the United States would not take a day-to-day role in governing Venezuela, a turnaround after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier that the U.S. would be running Venezuela following its ouster of leader NicolౠMaduro. Rubio’s statements on TV talk shows seemed designed to temper concerns about whether the assertive American action to achieve regime change might again produce a prolonged foreign intervention or failed attempt at nation-building. They stood in contrast to Trump’s broad but vague claims that the U.S. would at least temporarily “run” the oil-rich nation. Meanwhile, a tense calm hangs over Venezuela.
‘Still shaken’: Trepidation in Venezuela after US captures Maduro
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans remain in shock after President Nicolas Maduro was deposed and captured in a U.S. military operation. An anxious quiet has settled over the capital of Caracas, with many stores and churches closed. Maduro is in custody in New York, but his officials remain in power and demand his release. U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that his administration will run Venezuela. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio instead has spoken of using control of Venezuela’s oil industry to force policy changes. Meanwhile, the streets are quiet, with fears of government repression and memories of past crackdowns lingering.
Maduro’s case will revive a legal debate over immunity for foreign leaders tested in Noriega trial
MIAMI (AP) — When Nicolas 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.
US intervention in Venezuela could test Trump’s ability to hold GOP together in an election year
WASHINGTON (AP) — 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 Nicolas 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.
US military operation in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean holiday travel, hundreds of flights canceled
Associated Press: The U.S. military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has disrupted Caribbean travel.
On Saturday, no flights crossed over Venezuela, according to FlightRadar24.com. 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 are waiving change fees for rescheduled flights. The FAA imposed a temporary airspace restriction on Puerto Rico’s international airport.
JetBlue canceled about 215 flights, while United and Southwest adjusted schedules.
American Airlines waived change fees for flights to about 20 island destinations.
(Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
U.S. Conducts Large-Scale Military Operation in Venezuela. Captures the Venezuelan President and will run the country for the short term.
Associated Press:
US plans to ‘run’ Venezuela and tap its oil reserves, Trump says, after operation to oust Maduro
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Donald Trump says the United States will run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations in the aftermath of an audacious military operation that plucked leader NicolౠMaduro from power and removed him from the country. The stunning action marked the culmination of a public Trump administration pressure campaign on the South American country that also featured months of private planning and intelligence gathering, including about what Maduro ate and where he traveled, as the U.S prepared to engineer one of the more brazen regime changes in recent history.
How the US captured Venezuelan leader NicolౠMaduro
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and U.S. officials have laid out some of the details of the U.S. military strike against Venezuela that led to the capture of leader NicolౠMaduro. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine says U.S. forces had practiced maneuvers for months and got the go-ahead from Trump late Friday. Trump says Maduro was being “highly guarded” in a presidential palace, but wasn’t able to close the door to a safe room. Trump says American forces were armed with “massive blowtorches” that could have been used to cut through steel walls if Maduro had locked himself in.
Capture of Maduro and US claim it will run Venezuela raise new legal questions
WASHINGTON (AP) — 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. NicolౠMaduro 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.
Ouster of Maduro government sparks celebrations among Venezuelans in South Florida
DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Revelers chanted “liberty” and draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders in South Florida on Saturday to celebrate the American military attack that toppled NicolౠMaduro’s government. It was a stunning outcome they had longed for but left them wondering what comes next in their homeland. People gathered for a rally in Doral, Florida, as word spread that Venezuela’s president was captured and flown out of the country. Doral is the Miami suburb where President Donald Trump has a golf resort and roughly half the population is of Venezuela descent. Outside a restaurant, one man held a piece of cardboard with “Libertad” scrawled with a marker. It’s a sentiment expressed by other native Venezuelans hoping for a new beginning for their home country.
Several New Laws Have Taken Effect in Texas With the Start of the New Year
(Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
(WBAP/KLIF) – AUSTIN, TX – Several new laws now officially on the books in Texas, that range from insurance to compliance with immigration officials to artificial intelligence. One new law that now in effect is Senate Bill 8, which requires sheriff offices that operate jails to cooperate with ICE in enforcing federal immigration laws.
Another new law is the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act (TRAIGA) also known as House Bill 149. It sets a guardrail for AI by requiring more transparency, and notifying people when they are interacting with artificial intelligence. The new law also creates a state advisory group to monitor how the technology is used moving forward.
Another bill now in effect, affects landlords and property owners. Senate Bill 38 tightens court timelines to speed eviction cases involving unauthorized occupants. Supporters believe that the law brings clarity, while opponents argue that it will lead to legitimate tenants behind on their rent being targeted.
(Copyright 2026 WBAP/KLIF. All Rights Reserved)
Swiss Investigators Believe Sparkling Candles Atop Wine Bottles Ignited Fatal Bar Fire
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — Investigators say they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year’s Eve revelers. Investigators said Friday that they planned to look into whether the material on the ceiling that was designed to muffle sound conformed with regulations. The candles, which give off a stream of upward-shooting sparks, are a type that are commonly available for parties, officials said. Forty people were killed and another 119 injured in the blaze as it ripped through the busy Le Constellation bar at the ski resort of Crans-Montana.
(Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Southwest Airlines is Preparing for a Major Shift This Year, Starting With How Seating Works on Its Flights
(WBAP/KLIF) – DALLAS, TX – Beginning January 27th, Southwest Airlines is moving to assigned seating with three tiers – standard, preferred, and extra legroom. On that same day, the airline is also changing its policy for plus-size customers. Instead of a giving a free second seat to plus-sized passengers when space allows, after January 27th they will have to pay an additional fee for an extra seat. However, a refund will be available if the flight leaves with an open seat.
(Copyright 2026 WBAP/KLIF. All Rights Reserved)
The CEO in Charge of Neiman Marcus Has Stepped Down
(WBAP/KLIF) – Officials with Sachs Global stated that Mark Metrick is leaving the job after nearly 30 years with the company. Following Metrick’s departure, Sachs Global executive chairman Richard Baker was named as interim CEO. This change comes days after the Wall Street Journal reported the company is preparing for bankruptcy. The company missed a $100 million dollar interest payment on debt from its merger with Neiman Marcus. It’s not clear what these changes could mean for the high-end fashion retailer.
(Copyright 2026 WBAP/KLIF. All Rights Reserved)
Zelenskyy Names Ukraine’s Head of Military Intelligence as His New Chief of Staff
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed the head of the country’s military intelligence as his new chief of staff. In announcing the appointment of Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Zelenskyy said Ukraine must focus on security issues, the development of its defense and security forces, and peace talks — areas that are overseen by the office of the president. Zelenskyy had dismissed his previous chief of staff Andrii Yermak amid an investigation into alleged corruption in the energy sector. Budanov, 39, is one of the country’s most recognizable and popular wartime figures. He has led Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, known by its acronym GUR, since 2020.
(Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Trump and Top Iranian Officials Exchange Threats Over Protests Roiling Iran
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials have exchanged dueling threats as widening economic protests sweep across parts of the Islamic Republic. Trump initially wrote on his Truth Social platform, warning Iran that if it “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.” At least eight people have been killed so far in violence surrounding demonstrations. Trump wrote, “We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” Shortly after, Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said U.S. intervention would lead to “chaos in the entire region and the destruction of the U.S. interests.”
(Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Yemen’s Separatists Announce a Constitution for an Independent South
ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Yemen’s separatist movement has announced a constitution for an independent nation in the south and demanded other factions in the war-torn country accept the move. The announcement Friday marked an escalation of a confrontation that has pitted Gulf powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against each other. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council depicted the announcement as a declaration of independence for the south. But it was not immediately clear if the move could be implemented or was largely symbolic. The STC’s seizure last month of two provinces in southern Yemen has prompted airstrikes from Saudi Arabia, threatening to unravel the coalition that has been fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
(Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)