Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said an employee lost a government-issued smartphone containing sensitive nuclear security contact information while traveling in China last November. The unrecovered device reportedly held names and details of personnel involved in nuclear oversight, data that is normally kept confidential.

President Trump said that India ordered 68 Apache helicopters and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally came to meet with him. Trump added that he has a very good relationship with Modi, though noted that the Indian leader is “not that happy” with him now because India is paying higher tariffs.

Today, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, released a bipartisan statement condemning recent rhetoric from the Trump administration regarding Greenland. They emphasized that when Denmark and Greenland make clear the territory is not for sale, the United States must honor its treaty commitments and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark. The senators also warned that with an ongoing war in Ukraine and growing threats from Russia and China in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, NATO cannot afford internal divisions or unnecessary distractions.

U.S. officials estimate that roughly 75 people were killed during Operation Absolute Resolve, Saturday’s mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to the Washington Post. The toll reportedly includes dozens who died in a firefight between U.S. Special Forces and Maduro’s security detail—largely composed of Cuban personnel—at his Caracas compound, sources familiar with the matter said.

The Trump administration is reportedly pressuring Venezuela’s interim government to cut all remaining ties with China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran, and instead partner exclusively with the United States on crude oil exports, sources told ABC News.

🚨 U.S. President Donald Trump says Venezuela’s interim authorities will turn over 30–50 million barrels of oil.

Keir Starmer said he has signed a “declaration of intent” outlining how British forces could be deployed to Ukraine should a peace agreement be reached.

According to some sources, among the 32 Cubans killed in the U.S. attack that captured dictator Nicolás Maduro in Caracas was Colonel Humberto Alfonso Roca, who was responsible for ensuring the security of high-profile visits to Cuba, including that of Pope Francis. This suggests that the Cuban force assigned to protect Maduro in Venezuela was highly experienced and well equipped.

🚨 Iran 🇮🇷: The tenth day of anti-regime protests continues across the country despite the cold. The footage comes from the city of Abdanan.

Video shows massive crowds in the city of Abdanan, Iran as nationwide anti-regime protests continue.

🚨Iran International reports that internet access has been disrupted in several regions of Iran, limiting connectivity and restricting access to social media platforms.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social this morning, President Donald J. Trump again lashed out at Republican Rep. Thomas Massie—one of the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act—while announcing his backing of Ed Gallrein as a primary challenger to Massie for his Kentucky congressional seat.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it has reviewed “less than 1%” of the Epstein Files ahead of their release, disclosing just 12,285 documents out of more than 2 million. This comes despite the deadline mandated by the “Epstein Files Transparency Act” having already passed on December 19, 2025.

Talks held today in Paris between Israel and Syria were described as “positive,” with both sides agreeing to accelerate negotiations and meet more frequently, according to an Israeli official. The official told Axios that both countries expressed interest in reaching a security agreement aligned with President Trump’s vision for the Middle East.

President Trump speaking this morning in front of House Republicans:

President Donald J. Trump, speaking to House Republicans this morning, criticized Democrats by saying they had “the worst president,” pursued failed policies, and governed poorly. He argued that running against them should not even be necessary, adding that any suggestion he wants elections canceled would be misrepresented by the media. Trump rejected claims that he is a dictator, instead directing criticism at former President Barack Obama and those around President Joe Biden, while saying he does not believe Biden himself was fully aware of what was happening.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said after a roughly two-hour closed-door briefing tonight on Capitol Hill for senior members of Congress about the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro that he does not anticipate U.S. troops being deployed on the ground in Venezuela. “We don’t expect direct involvement beyond coercing the interim government to move the process forward,” Johnson said, adding that he expects an election to be called in Venezuela.

Speaking on her SiriusXM show this morning, American commentator and media personality Megyn Kelly criticized Fox News’ coverage of events in Venezuela, saying it resembled “Russian propaganda” and lacked skepticism. Kelly said the network’s reporting was dominated by uncritical cheerleading, adding that while she supports the U.S. military and believes in President Trump, the situation warrants caution. She explained that she is deliberately remaining in a “yellow-light” position—not fully supportive or opposed—drawing on her own past experience as a Fox News anchor. Kelly acknowledged the strategic arguments behind U.S. actions, particularly concerns over Russian, Chinese, and Cuban influence in Venezuela and its oil sector, which she called the most compelling rationale. However, she warned against repeating past mistakes, noting that enthusiastic support for U.S. interventions has often led to long-term quagmires such as Iraq and Libya. Kelly also raised concerns about the possibility of U.S. troops on the ground, questioning whose children would be asked to serve. Speaking as a parent, she said many families share her apprehension and emphasized that she will not join what she described as Fox News’ “cheerleading brigade” until more is known.

Video footage from earlier shows much of the gunfire being aimed skyward over Caracas, lending support to claims that military and security forces were attempting to shoot down a drone near the Miraflores Presidential Palace complex.

Police on the ground say the gunfire heard earlier near the Miraflores Presidential Palace complex in Caracas was caused by military and security forces firing at a drone flying in the area—possibly one of their own. It remains unclear whether the drone was successfully brought down over the capital.