U.S. attack inside of Venezuela
President Trump says that the U.S. has attacked a dock inside of Venezuela but won’t provide details about the attack, including whether it was done by the U.S. military or an agency such as the CIA. The CIA did carry out a drone strike earlier this month on a port facility along Venezuela’s coast, sources told CNN, marking the first known U.S. attack on a target inside the country. Analysts say it could signal a major escalation of Trump’s military campaign in the region and further inflame tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the U.S. has been pressuring to step down. Separately, the U.S. military on Monday struck another boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. At least 107 people have died in U.S. military strikes on boats in international waters.
Kremlin won’t provide evidence of attack on Putin’s house
The Kremlin has dismissed calls to provide evidence to support its claim that Ukraine launched an attack using dozens of drones against one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residences. Today it repeated the claim that the drone assault took place in the Novgorod region, south of St. Petersburg. Donald Trump said Putin told him of the alleged attack in a phone call early Monday. Trump indicated that he took Putin at his word. There have been no reports from residents of the area in the Novgorod region of northwestern Russia of drone activity at the time the attack was alleged to have taken place. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy rejects the claimed drone attack as “a complete fabrication” by Russia.
2025’s store closings
The year 2025 proved to be a brutal one for some U.S. retailers as familiar brands and neighborhood favorites shuttered locations across the country. Forever 21, Party City and Rite Aid were among the well-known brands to close their doors this year. Overall, roughly 8,200 stores closed in 2025, which was about 12% more than in 2024, according to Coresight Research. Industry analysts say a combination of slumping consumer confidence, poor finances and shifts in shopping habits has left many aging chains struggling. Some other companies are heading toward bankruptcy as Americans cut back on discretionary spending amid persistent inflation.
No progress announced after Trump-Netanyahu meeting
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Florida on Monday but announced no progress on the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. The second phase of the deal is supposed to include Hamas’ disarmament, the beginning of reconstruction in Gaza and the establishment of post-war governance. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump said Hamas will be given “a very short period of time” to disarm, warning that if it does not, other countries backing the ceasefire “will go and wipe them out.” Also on Monday, Netanyahu announced Trump will receive the Israel Prize for Peace, marking the first time the country’s highest civilian excellence honor will be awarded to a non-Israeli citizen.
Cancellations at Kennedy Center after Trump adds his name
A growing number of artists are canceling performances at the Kennedy Center after its board of trustees voted to add President Trump’s name to the building. Earlier this month, the board approved renaming the venue from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. In response, several performers have called off their shows. The longtime host of the Kennedy Center’s annual Christmas Eve jazz performance canceled the gig, two New Year’s Eve performances were canceled, a dance company called off two April performances, and a booking of the Broadway show “Hamilton” was canceled, among others. The center’s president, Richard Grenell, dismissed the cancellations as “a form of derangement syndrome” in an internet post on Monday.
George Clooney and family become French citizens
Actor George Clooney and his family have been granted French citizenship after he previously voiced concern about raising children in Hollywood. Official government documents listing all new French naturalizations include Clooney — as well as his wife, Amal Clooney, and their 8-year-old twins. In an October interview with Esquire, Clooney said he wants his children to have a normal, private childhood. “I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood,” Clooney said. “I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life,” he added. France has strict privacy protection laws: photographing someone in a private place or sharing personal information without consent — even for celebrities — is illegal unless it relates to their public role.
Some material ™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
