U.S. Captures Maduro; Interim Venezuelan Government Frees Prominent Political Prisoners – 1/9/2026, 4:24:31 PM

Here are the main world news stories as of today, based on major broadcast round‑ups and wires:

• Venezuela – U.S. attacks, Maduro captured, prisoners freed
  • The U.S. carried out a major attack in Venezuela last weekend that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.[1][2]
  • An interim Venezuelan government is now in place and has freed several high‑profile opposition figures and activists, including prominent opposition leader Enrique Márquez.[1][3]
  • President Trump says he has canceled a second wave of U.S. strikes on Venezuela, citing that the U.S. and Venezuela are “working together” following the interim government’s cooperation on several issues.[1][2][3]
  • Trump is scheduled to meet top U.S. oil executives (Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips and others) at the White House to discuss Venezuela’s future and oil interests.[1]
• Trump foreign policy moves – climate treaty and global bodies; Greenland
  • Trump has withdrawn the United States from the UN climate treaty and 65 other global bodies, a significant break from previous multilateral commitments.[3]
  • The U.S. has also not ruled out using military force to take over Greenland; Trump has publicly talked about wanting U.S. “ownership” of Greenland, and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is due to meet Danish officials to discuss Greenland.[1][3]
  • Germany’s President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier sharply criticized Trump’s foreign policy, warning the world is becoming a “den of robbers” where the most unscrupulous take what they want.[1]
• Iran – escalating protests and crackdown
  • Anti‑government protests continue across several Iranian cities, driven largely by an economic crisis worsened by U.S. sanctions.[1][3]
  • Authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout; international calls are also being blocked.[1]
  • The Norway‑based NGO Iran Human Rights estimates around 45 people have been killed since protests began on December 28.[1]
  • Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has condemned protesters as serving U.S. interests, while Trump has publicly threatened to “hit [Iran] very hard” if security forces launch a brutal crackdown.[1]
• Ukraine – intensified Russian strikes and infrastructure damage
  • Recent Russian missile and drone strikes have hit Kyiv, damaging at least 20 buildings, including the Qatari embassy.[1]
  • Strikes in southeastern Ukraine have cut off power and water to more than one million people.[1]
• Syria (Aleppo) – new fighting and mass displacement
  • Clashes between Syrian government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) around Aleppo are causing new displacement of civilians.[3]
  • In the broader Aleppo region, all flights to the city are suspended, schools and government offices are closed, and residents near conflict‑prone or hazardous areas are being urged to evacuate or remain indoors for safety.[4]
• Gaza – regional diplomacy
  • Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced that Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov will head a new Gaza peace board, signaling a renewed diplomatic track on Gaza.[3]
• United States domestic unrest – Minneapolis and Portland
  • Minneapolis: Hundreds of protesters are demonstrating after a fatal shooting by an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officer; the victim was a U.S. citizen.[2][3] ICE says it is not scaling back operations in the city despite the protests.[2][3]
  • Portland: Two people were shot by a U.S. border patrol agent, sparking further controversy over federal law‑enforcement use of force; investigations are ongoing.[2]
• Europe – Storm Goretti and travel chaos
  • Storm Goretti is hitting the UK and parts of Europe with strong winds and heavy snow, leaving thousands without power.[3]
  • The storm is causing major travel disruption across Europe, with widespread delays and cancellations in air, rail, and road transport.[3]
• Culture & society
  • In the UK, David Bowie’s childhood home in South London is set to open to the public for creative workshops and cultural events.[3]
  • Euronews highlights Jim Jarmusch’s film “Father Mother Sister Brother” as its Film of the Week, noting it as a Golden Lion winner.[3]

If you want, I can focus in detail on one of these topics (for example, Venezuela, Iran, or the U.S. withdrawals from international bodies) and give more background and likely implications.