ICE agent fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis, sparking protests and investigations
An ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, a mother of three, during a confrontation in Minneapolis. New video from the officer's perspective has emerged, and the incident has led to widespread protests, with Minnesota officials calling for federal agents to leave the city. The FBI is leading the investigation.
Sources: AP News, NPR
U.S. intercepts fifth sanctioned oil tanker targeting Venezuelan oil distribution
U.S. forces have boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, the fifth such seizure, as the Trump administration continues to exert control over Venezuelan oil distribution following the ouster of former President Nicolás Maduro.
Sources: AP News
Fractures emerge in Trump's GOP at start of election year
Internal divisions are becoming apparent within the Republican Party as the election year begins, with tensions over Trump's leadership and policies creating rifts among party members.
Sources: AP News
Russia uses new ballistic missile in major attack on Ukraine, warning West
Russia has deployed its new hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, in a significant attack on Ukraine, signaling a warning to Western nations amid ongoing conflict.
Sources: AP News
Iran supreme leader signals crackdown on protesters supporting Trump
Iran's supreme leader has indicated an upcoming crackdown on protesters, accusing them of 'ruining their own streets' in support of Trump, amid ongoing unrest in the country.
Sources: AP News
U.S. and Venezuela take steps toward restoring relations after Maduro's ouster
The U.S. and Venezuela are moving toward restoring diplomatic relations following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, with the U.S. seeking to control oil resources and influence the country's transition.
Sources: AP News
CDC sidelines six childhood vaccines, shifting to shared decision-making
The CDC has drastically scaled back routine childhood immunizations, no longer recommending vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, RSV, meningococcal disease, flu, and COVID for all children. Instead, these vaccines will be administered based on 'shared clinical decision-making' between doctors and parents, a move that has baffled health experts and raised concerns about increased disease risk.
Sources: NPR
Hiring slows in December, capping weakest year of job growth since pandemic
U.S. employers added only 50,000 jobs in December, with the unemployment rate dipping to 4.4%. For all of 2025, job growth was the weakest since the pandemic began, totaling 584,000 new jobs compared to 2 million in 2024, reflecting economic slowdown and worker anxiety.
Sources: NPR
Venezuela releases imprisoned opposition figures at U.S. request
Venezuela has released a number of high-profile opposition figures, activists, and journalists, both citizens and foreigners, in what the government calls a gesture for peace. President Trump stated the releases came at the U.S.'s request, as his administration pressures Venezuela's post-Maduro leadership.
Sources: NPR
National Park Service voids passes defaced with stickers over Trump's face
The National Park Service has updated its policy to void annual passes that have been 'defaced or altered,' including those with stickers covering President Trump's image on the 2026 America the Beautiful pass. The move follows a backlash and sticker protest campaign against the pass's design, which features Trump and George Washington instead of a natural landscape.
Sources: NPR