Maduro taken to federal court
Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolás Maduro was taken to federal court in New York City this morning, a couple of hours in advance of his scheduled appearance before a judge. Maduro is facing charges that he and his associates conspired with narcoterrorists to ship thousands of tons of cocaine to the U.S. Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that the U.S. is now “in charge” of Venezuela, a claim from which Secretary of State Marco Rubio distanced himself, saying the administration is aiming for a democratic transition in the Latin American country. As protests spread worldwide and uncertainty mounts over what comes next , Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, was said by President Trump to be cooperating with the U.S. while at the same time she was going on TV in Venezuela to denounce what the U.S. has done and declaring that Maduro was the legal president.
Trump threatens additional military actions
Donald Trump has issued new threats of U.S. military action to take over Colombia and Greenland, following his statements that the U.S. is running Venezuela after the capture of its president. On Air Force One while flying back to Washington from Florida yesterday Trump issued threats against Colombia’s President Petro and also said he wants to take control of Greenland. Trump also said that the government of Cuba seems ready to fall on its own and that the U.S. could take military action against Mexico and Iran. Trump repeated his claim that the U.S. is controlling Venezuela even though Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that yesterday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Airspace closures after Venezuela raid
The U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro triggered widespread travel disruptions after the FAA temporarily closed Caribbean airspace. Hundreds of flights were canceled over the weekend from popular vacation destinations, including Aruba and Puerto Rico, according to FlightAware. The FAA has since lifted the restrictions, and at least four major airlines — American, Delta, United and Southwest — are working to add more flights to help people return home during one of the busiest travel times of the year.
Congress returns from recess
As Congress returns from recess today there are bitter policy fights and the looming threat of another government shutdown when the government runs out of funding at the end of the month. Lawmakers must also grapple with questions of military oversight after President Trump’s surprise strike in Venezuela, which removed the country’s President Nicolás Maduro. Trump ordered the action without notifying Congress in advance and without seeking any sort of Congressional approval. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune are now facing pressure from within their own party over whether to reassert legislative authority on war powers, all while navigating high-stakes votes on health care and government spending ahead of the fall midterms.
Northern California faces more floods
Heavy rain and high tides have caused more flooding in parts of Northern California, prompting road closures and rescues of people trapped in vehicles. Flooding has been reported in at least five counties — Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo and San Francisco. These areas remain under a flood watch, with up to three inches of rain possible through tonight in some communities that have been drenched since Christmas, the National Weather Service said. After a mostly dry autumn, California has been hit by a string of powerful winter storms that have brought the state its wettest holiday season in years. In the Northeast, cold temperatures prevail with a warmup expected later in the week.
Minors were among victims of Swiss bar fire
Teenagers as young as 14 and 15 were among the victims of the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at a ski resort bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, police said Sunday, raising questions about whether sufficient age checks were enforced. A total of 40 people were killed in the blaze, including 20 minors. Under Swiss law, beer and wine can be sold to those 16 and older, while spirits are restricted to those 18 or over. Authorities have opened an investigation into the bar’s managers and are examining whether sparklers placed on champagne bottles may have ignited the fire when they were raised to the ceiling. One of the bar’s co-owners previously said that “everything was done according to the rules.”
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