NPR News: 01-07-2026 10AM EST
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What recent actions has the U.S. taken regarding Venezuela?
This week on Up First, the Trump administration and Venezuela. Can the U.S. run a foreign government, as the president says? They simply may not adopt the policies that Trump would like to see. It's a complex, fast-moving story. As always, we're working overnight and every night, so you can start each morning knowing what matters. Listen to Up First on the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts.
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. U.S. defense officials say that the U.S.
How is the U.S. government handling Venezuelan oil sales?
has seized two tanker ships. The Pentagon says one of them is a stateless motor tanker called the MT Sophia. The other is a Russian-flagged oil tanker originally called the Bella One. U.S. defense officials say that tanker has links to Venezuela. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. is still blockading Venezuelan oil worldwide. Now, Energy Secretary Chris Wright is giving more detail on how the Trump administration is going to use Venezuelan oil.
We're going to let the market, let the oil flow, sell that market to United States refineries and to around the world to bring better oil supplies, but have those sales done by the U.S. government and deposited into accounts controlled by the U.S. government. And then from there, those funds can flow back into Venezuelan to benefit the Venezuelan people.
Energy Secretary Wright was speaking to a Goldman Sachs energy conference in Miami this morning. It's been a year since wildfires in Southern California left more than 30 people dead in and around Los Angeles and caused billions of dollars worth of damage. NPR's Liz Baker reports LA's new fire chief has announced a new independent investigation into the department's response to the blazes.
The Palisades fire, which killed 12 people, started after high winds stirred up the remains of another blaze the L.A. Fire Department believed they had extinguished one week earlier. In fact, it was still smoldering underground.
The outcome has made it incredibly clear that our mop-up and verification process needed to be stronger.
What are the implications of the investigation into the LA Fire Department?
We have to own that. And I do.
LA Fire Chief Jaime Moore, who was not in charge during the fires, says his department has made changes since, including use of thermal imaging and drones. He also announced a second independent investigation into the LAFD's response to both fires after acknowledging that the first report, which published before his tenure as chief, was heavily edited to shield department leadership from responsibility. Liz Baker, NPR News, Los Angeles.
Stocks opened mixed this morning as investors watch for signals on the U.S. job market. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped nearly 130 points in early trading.
The Labor Department reports today on job turnover in December. There's been relatively little churn in the labor market in recent months, as most people who have jobs are reluctant to give them up. We'll get the government's most complete report on employment and unemployment for December later this week. The board of directors of Warner Brothers is once again urging shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from Paramount, valued at close to $78 billion. Netflix has offered $72 billion for Warner Brothers streaming and studio business. The board is recommending shareholders take that offer. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
On Wall Street, the Dow is down 140 points. It's NPR. As the Trump administration withdraws hundreds of National Guard troops across the country, it's ramping up immigration efforts in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security says it sent thousands of immigration agents into Minneapolis on an operation to target illegal immigration. President Trump has been saying, without providing evidence, that Somalis and Somali-Americans who run daycares are defrauding taxpayers.
What trends are emerging in the U.S. job market?
The man accused of killing his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner, will appear in court today in Los Angeles. Steve Futterman reports Nick Reiner will be arraigned.
He made his first court appearance on December 17th. Today, Nick Reiner is expected to enter a plea.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What recent actions has the U.S. taken regarding Venezuela?
0:00–0:29
2
How is the U.S. government handling Venezuelan oil sales?
0:29–2:07
3
What are the implications of the investigation into the LA Fire Department?
2:07–3:50
4
What trends are emerging in the U.S. job market?
3:50–4:42
5
What is the latest on the Warner Brothers takeover bid?
4:42–5:04
6
How is Europe coping with the winter storm disruptions?
5:04–5:17