Venezuela's Maduro to appear in court

View online.

YOUR MORNING

January 5, 2026

Good morning, NewsNation. For more fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 – Download the NewsNation app here >

Did a friend send you this newsletter? Subscribe to this newsletter and more here >

Venezuela's Maduro to make first court appearance in New York

In court: Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to make his first public appearance today in a New York courtroom following his dramatic capture by U.S. forces. Maduro faces multiple narcoterrorism, drug and weapons charges. What to expect >

Maduro: Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro "will soon face the full wrath of American justice." Prosecutors allege he led a drug and weapons operation in Venezuela and ordered kidnappings and killings. Inside the US military operation in Venezuela >

Venezuela: Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the U.S. would not govern Venezuela daily other than an "oil quarantine." President Donald Trump insisted the U.S. is "in charge," as interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez invited him "to collaborate." Key political players >

UN: The United Nations' 15-member Security Council will meet today to discuss the legality of the U.S. removing Maduro from office. Colombia requested the meeting, and diplomats say Russia and China backed that request. Venezuelan oil reserves: How much is there? >

What's next? After Maduro's capture, Trump renewed calls for a takeover of Greenland. "Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump said. "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security." Takeaways on Trump's toppling of Maduro >

Jeffries calls Nicolás Maduro capture an 'act of war' >

Cartel de los Soles: What to know about group connected to Maduro >

Why did the US attack Venezuela? >

Suspect arrested after windows broken at Vance's Cincinnati home

Developing: A man has been arrested for allegedly damaging Vice President JD Vance's Cincinnati home, the Secret Service said. Police arrived at the residence just after midnight and found broken windows. Vance and his family were not there. Details >

Walz to hold news conference amid Minnesota fraud scandal

News conference: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is expected to hold a news conference today as he faces scrutiny amid allegations of social-aid fraud at day care centers in the state. The latest >

Reelection: Walz is seeking reelection after his vice-presidential run in the 2024 election. A Minneapolis radio station reported that Walz is expected to drop out of the governor's race. That has not been confirmed, and NewsNation has reached out to Walz's office. Details >

Minnesota: The federal government is investigating a potential social-services aid fraud scheme in which hundreds of millions of dollars intended for a federally funded nutrition program was allegedly used instead for lavish purchases. Read more >

Who is Nick Shirley, YouTuber behind viral Minnesota fraud video? >

Minnesota department of families investigating fraud allegations >

Minnesota pays millions to assisted living facilities linked to fraud defendant >

Trial begins for officer accused of failing to protect children during Uvalde school shooting

Uvalde trial: Adrian Gonzales, one of the first officers to respond to the 2022 shooting in Uvalde, Texas, goes on trial today on charges he failed to protect children during one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The latest >

Shooting: A teenage gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary, killing 19 students and two teachers. Nearly 400 officers from different law enforcement agencies responded to the school, but authorities waited more than an hour to confront the shooter. What to know >

Charges: Gonzales and former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo, who were among the first on the scene, are the only officers facing criminal charges over the response. Gonzales has pleaded not guilty. Read more >

$87.5M beef settlement: Who qualifies for payment?

Beef: Those who purchased certain beef products in one of 26 states during a specific timeline between 2014 and 2019 may be eligible to receive part of an $87.5 million settlement reached with the nation's biggest beef processors, including Tyson Foods. See if you qualify >

3 paychecks in a month? Find out when you get paid extra this year >

SNAP error rates: Which states overpay, underpay most? >

Energy drink settlement: How to get up to $150 >

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING 👀

Trump participates in a policy meeting.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, resigns from the House.
The Senate reconvenes for the second session of the 119th Congress.
Arraignment is set for two suspects charged with planning New Year's Eve attacks in Southern California.

A private plane crashed at a Cape Cod airport, catching fire and killing the pilot. The latest >

Police in Colorado are investigating a shooting that left at least one person dead and three others injured while people were celebrating the capture of Venezuela's Maduro. The investigation >

The widow of a pastor killed amid escalating tensions with his Las Vegas neighbor is suing the homeowner's association following her husband's death. Here's why >

A Minnesota man admitted to using a cartel pipeline to funnel drugs into the U.S. from Mexico for years. Details >

Authorities in Ohio are asking the public to share video and photo evidence connected to the investigation into the deaths of a dentist and his wife. What to know >

Bryan Kohberger emerged from heroin dependence as a seemingly more stable person in the years leading up to the 2022 slayings of four University of Idaho students, his sister told the New York Times. Read more >

California deputies recovered a stolen shipping container packed with more than $200,000 worth of merchandise. The investigation >

Travelers had a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Hawaii when their whale watching tour was overtaken by two humpbacks. Video >