Monday, January 5, 2026

Venezuela's Maduro in New York

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The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Mon Jan 5 2026

Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer

It's a new year! Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here's what's breaking this morning:

•	Many travelers were stranded amid flight cancellations in the Caribbean.
•	Could HSAs replace Obamacare subsidies?
•	The Atlanta Falcons fired top brass hours after the season ended.

Nicole Fallert here, bringing you the news to know on Monday, from the latest on a U.S. operation in Venezuela to surging flu cases and a Hollywood actor's words to his girlfriend.

Maduro to appear in Manhattan federal court

Venezuela's toppled president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted on federal drug and weapons charges and are expected to attend an arraignment Monday in New York City, according to multiple media reports.

Meanwhile, questions regarding Venezuela's future leadership continue after President Donald Trump has vowed the United States would "run" the South American country until a democratic transition could occur. He doubled down on the claim Sunday night, saying the United States is "in charge" of Venezuela.

When asked what that means, Trump said, "It means we're in charge." However, earlier on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who dreamed of ousting Maduro, told NBC's Meet the Press said the U.S. is "not running" Venezuela but "running policy." Meet Venezuela's new president, Delcy Rodríguez.

Read how the weekend operation to capture Maduro unfolded and why some South Floridians are celebrating.

More news to know now

•	Is Greenland next? Denmark's prime minister urged the White House to "stop the threats" about taking over Greenland, after President Donald Trump reiterated his wish to do so in a weekend interview with The Atlantic magazine.
•	Uvalde school shooting trial starts Monday. A jury trial is set to begin for a former officer charged in the failed response to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022. Follow with the USA TODAY Network.
•	Got an achy body this morning? Cases of the flu are surging throughout much of the country as a new strain, penned a "super flu," has an "increase in disease severity" compared to previous influenza A strains, according to the World Health Organization.

Take a look

Timothée says 'I love you'

Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet cozied up at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards.

Phillip Faraone, Getty Images for FIJI Water

"Marty Supreme" star Timothée Chalamet, 30, made us all feel warm and fuzzy when he proclaimed, "I love you" to girlfriend Kylie Jenner at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday. See the full list of last night's winners.

Something to talk about

How a priest and holy water played into Steelers stealing victory

Those who tuned into the "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers saw the two AFC North rivals going blow-for-blow, resulting in the Steelers escaping with a 26-24 win – and the AFC North crown. How they got there might have been an act of divine intervention.