President Donald Trump delivered a clear warning to Cuba on Sunday, urging the communist island nation to make a deal with the United States and saying that there would be nor more “oil or money” going to Cuba from Venezuela. The president took to his Truth Social platform to lay out his thoughts on the matter, saying also that because the United States had arrested Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, there was no longer a need for Cuban security services to defend his regime. “Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela,” Trump explained. “In return, Cuba provided ‘Security Services’ for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!” Trump went on to note that the United States had quickly dispatched the Cubans providing security to the Maduro regime when American military operators had extracted the former dictator a week prior. “Most of those Cubans are DEAD from last week’s U.S.A. attack, and Venezuela doesn’t need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years,” Trump explained. “Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will.” “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA – ZERO!” he declared. “I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT.” Just hours earlier, the president shared a post from conservative columnist Marc Thiessen, who said, “The Cuban regime has survived every president since Eisenhower. Wouldn’t it be something if that streak ended with Donald Trump?” When jokes followed about Secretary of State Marco Rubio soon becoming President of Cuba, Trump responded simply, “Sounds good to me.” And on Saturday evening, Trump shared another post stating that interim leaders in Venezuela were already moving to cooperate with American interests and had begun to free political prisoners — despite previously claiming under Maduro that Venezuela did not hold prisoners for political reasons. “Venezuela has started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners. Thank you! I hope those prisoners will remember how lucky they got that the USA came along and did what had to be done. I HOPE THEY NEVER FORGET! If they do, it will not be good for them,” Trump warned on Saturday.

After starting the season 0-3, the Houston Texans went on to finish 12-5 to secure a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs. It’s easy for the kudos to go to the players and coaches, but C.J. Stroud and his teammates are crediting their success to something far greater. Heading into Monday’s matchup against the Steelers, Texas quarterback C.J. Stroud spent most of his time at a recent press conference discussing his salvation instead of gridiron schematics. “I just got to give God the glory, man,” Stroud said. “I look back at my life, I look back at everything I’ve been through. I know he’s had his hand on me, even in times where it doesn’t feel like it.” Stroud made it clear, though, that the team isn’t praising God in hopes of winning more football games. “I don’t want it to ever be confused. I don’t think God is like, ‘The Texans are going to win,’ but I think regardless of win or loss, He gets the glory, and that’s up to us,” Stroud said. “And that’s just worship.” Stroud has been open about his faith throughout his career. Even as a college standout and a two-time Heisman finalist for Ohio State, faith was integral to him. In 2023, he told Fox News that faith kept him “grounded.” “It’s what’s kept me grounded even through my season,” Stroud said. “Football has a lot of ups and downs, it has a lot of twists and turns, but at the end of the day, it’s all about your foundation. And something that’s set my foundation is my faith. It’s something I’m not perfect in, but I try to work everyday to be better, and I definitely think that’s what saved me. If it helps encouraging anybody to help them in their lives, whatever they’re going through, then I’m all for it.” Now, ahead of this year’s playoffs, he has turned his podium into a pulpit. “It’s just not because we all follow Jesus that we just win every game. I think it shows the world when you lose and you’re not doing well, how you profess your faith or how you go about your life when things aren’t going great is the testimony,” Stroud said. It hasn’t always been a smooth road for Stroud in the NFL. In 2023, he missed games late in the season due to the NFL’s concussion protocol. He missed three games earlier this season with a concussion as well. Still, his faith remains strong. “You don’t really learn on mountain tops. You know, you really, most of the time …  you learn in valleys.” This season, however, has been a success for Houston Texans’ Head Coach Demeco Ryans and Stroud, who both had their best regular-season finishes as the team’s coach and signal caller. “The Lord has really had his hand on this team from our head coach all the way down to our players,” Stroud said. “I’m just really grateful God has put us together on this 2025-2026 Texans team.” “The light is shining bright on the Texans, but that light is really reflective of our guys’ belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Ryans also said. Stroud now prepares to go against the four-time NFL MVP, Aaron Rodgers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC Wild Card showdown, where faith will remain the motivating factor for Stroud to achieve greatness. “It’s not because we want favor from the Lord, even though you know that would be nice,” Stroud said. “I think Him giving us our talents, our abilities, and these jobs … He’s more than worthy of all the worship.” Kickoff between the Texans and Steelers is at 8 p.m. ET Monday night.

In a striking press conference on Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day admitted that the Department of Homeland Security was correct about a shooting involving alleged Tren de Aragua gang members — before Day broke down in tears about having to share the truth with the public. Per DHS, two people were injured in a shooting on Thursday when a Border Patrol agent fired a defensive shot while conducting a targeted stop on a vehicle carrying two people allegedly affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. “When agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents,” DHS said in a statement. Police Chief Day admitted those involved in the shooting were indeed tied to TDA, a brutal Venezuela-based gang. “What I can say is there is an association with the two folks yesterday and TDA,” Day admitted. “I hesitated to even share this information initially because I’m very aware of the historic injustice of victim-blaming oftentimes portrayed by law enforcement, including this very agency.” “Historically, we have not been quick to disclose the potential criminal history of others, but I felt it was imperative because I was asked yesterday in the news conference what information we have,” he continued. “This is information we have. This in no way draws a through-line to the actions or the behaviors that occurred yesterday.” Then, breaking down in tears, Day addressed the “Latino community.” “It saddens — it saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks,” he said. “Because I understand, or at least have attempted to understand through your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger — this information in no way meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday.” The police chief added that it’s “important that we stay committed to the rule of law, that we stay committed to the facts, that we stay … trustworthy and legitimate.” Portland Police Chief Bob Day deserves to be mocked. This is pathetic. pic.twitter.com/xFQM2Lqsqi — Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) January 10, 2026 Journalist Andy Ngo underscored on X the city and state leadership’s commitment to condemning federal authorities, instead of reiterating the facts involved in the case from the start. “The entire city and state leadership, all run by Democrats, organized an emergency press conference to condemn the federal agents, reject DHS’ statement and to express support with the violent suspects, who they called the ‘victims,'” Ngo said. “Local and national media also misled the public about the shooting. A mob showed up to try to attack the ICE facility, leading to six arrests.” Portland Police @ChiefBobDay cries at a press conference after having to affirm that @DHSgov was correct in stating that the illegal Venezuelan migrants accused of trying to run down Border Patrol have ties to Tren de Aragua. Chief Day admitted that he hesitated to share the… pic.twitter.com/wxdT53yWsD — Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) January 10, 2026 Related: LIVE UPDATES: Anti-ICE Protesters Harass Minneapolis Police On Wild Night Of Demonstrations

A man who says he was acting as security for now-captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro says the force demonstrated by American troops was unlike anything he had ever seen, and that the Venezuelan forces were no competition. Speaking in Spanish, the man says the Americans came in undetected by Maduro security and killed hundreds of men, despite the fact that they were badly outnumbered. “Those 20 men killed hundreds of their men, and none of those [American] soldiers were injured,” a man translating the Venezuelan insider said. “It was a massacre,” the insider detailed. “We were hundreds, but we had no chance. They were shooting with such precision and speed … it seemed like each soldier was firing 300 rounds per minute. We couldn’t do anything.” The man said the Americans were using technology that cemented the mismatch, including the use of what he described as “a very intense sound wave.” “Suddenly I felt like my head was exploding from the inside,” he said. “We all started bleeding from the nose. Some were vomiting blood. We fell to the ground, unable to move.” An insider from Venezuela’s security forces says US troops were like nothing they’d ever seen — overwhelming firepower, advanced tech, total dominance. After Trump’s Fox News warning on taking on the cartels, Latin America is watching how powerful US forces truly are. ????” ⸻… pic.twitter.com/GKqlkDDcRw — Anttsinc (@anttsinc) January 9, 2026 The account from the perspective of Venezuelans has been highlighted by many, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, as a warning to anyone daring to engage the United States military. The details of the 88 minute raid on Venezuela have been outlined by American military officials, who say it was one of the most complex missions ever pulled off by the country. “Those twenty men, without a single casualty, killed hundreds of us,” he continued. “We had no way to compete with their technology, with their weapons. I swear, I’ve never seen anything like it. We couldn’t even stand up after that sonic weapon or whatever it was.” WATCH: How to Take Out a Dictator in 88 Minutes The insider said the rest of the world should think twice before messing with the United States. “I’m sending a warning to anyone who thinks they can fight the United States,” he said. “They have no idea what they’re capable of. After what I saw, I never want to be on the other side of that again. They’re not to be messed with.” The man said Mexico is already reevaluating its actions with the United States. “No one wants to go through what we went through,” he said. “Now everyone thinks twice. What happened here is going to change a lot of things, not just in Venezuela but throughout the region.” ?This account from a Venezuelan security guard loyal to Nicolás Maduro is absolutely chilling—and it explains a lot about why the tone across Latin America suddenly changed. Security Guard: On the day of the operation, we didn’t hear anything coming. We were on guard, but… pic.twitter.com/392mQuakYV — Mike Netter (@nettermike) January 10, 2026  

Iran’s authorities indicated on Saturday they could intensify their crackdown on the biggest anti-government demonstrations in years, with the Revolutionary Guards blaming unrest on terrorists and vowing to safeguard the governing system. A day after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new warning that the United States could intervene, there were fresh reports of violence across the country, although an internet blackout made it difficult to assess the full extent of unrest. The exiled son of Iran’s last shah, who has emerged as a prominent voice in the fragmented opposition, made his strongest call yet for the protests to broaden into a revolt to topple the clerical rulers. State media said a municipal building was set on fire in Karaj, west of Tehran, and blamed “rioters.” State TV broadcast footage of funerals of members of the security forces it said were killed in protests in the cities of Shiraz, Qom and Hamedan. Footage on social media on Friday showed large crowds gathered in Tehran and fires lit in the street at night. Reuters was able to confirm the location by comparing landmarks with satellite imagery. Protests have spread across Iran since December 28, beginning in response to soaring inflation, and quickly turning political with protesters demanding an end to clerical rule. Authorities accuse the U.S. and Israel of fomenting unrest. Iranian rights group HRANA says at least 50 protesters and 15 security personnel have been killed, and some 2,300 arrested. ARMY SAYS ‘TERRORIST GROUPS’ SEEK TO UNDERMINE SECURITY A witness in western Iran reached by phone said the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were deployed and opening fire in the area from which the witness was speaking, declining to be identified for safety. The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of 100 “armed rioters” in the town of Baharestan near Tehran. In a statement broadcast by state TV, the IRGC – an elite force which has suppressed previous bouts of unrest – accused “terrorists” of targeting military and law enforcement bases over the past two nights. It said several citizens and security personnel had been killed and public and private property set on fire. Safeguarding the achievements of the Islamic revolution and maintaining security was a “red line,” it added. The regular military also issued a statement saying it would “protect and safeguard national interests, the country’s strategic infrastructure, and public property.” PAHLAVI SAYS GOAL IS TO PREPARE TO ‘SEIZE CITY CENTRES’ In a video posted on X, U.S.-based Reza Pahlavi, 65, whose father was toppled as Iran’s shah in the 1979 revolution, said the Islamic Republic would be brought “to its knees.” He called for people to seize the centres of their towns, and said he was preparing to return soon to Iran. “Our goal is no longer merely to come into the streets; the goal is to prepare to seize city centres and hold them,” he said. Trump said on Thursday he was not inclined to meet Pahlavi, a sign that he was waiting to see how the crisis plays out before backing an opposition leader. Iran’s rulers have weathered repeated bouts of unrest, including student protests in 1999, over a disputed election in 2009, against economic hardships in 2019, and in 2022 over the death in custody of a woman accused of violating dress codes. Trump, who joined Israel to strike Iran’s nuclear sites last summer, warned Tehran last week the U.S. could come to the protesters’ aid. On Friday, he said: “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.” “I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now,” he added. He has repeatedly included Iran in lists of places where he could intervene next, after sending forces to seize the president of Venezuela a week ago. Some protesters on the streets have shouted slogans in support of Pahlavi, such as “Long live the shah,” although most chants have called for an end to rule by the clerics or demanded action to fix the economy. DOCTOR SAYS PEOPLE BADLY BEATEN, KILLED A doctor in northwestern Iran said that since Friday large numbers of injured protesters had been brought to hospitals. Some were badly beaten, suffering head injuries and broken legs and arms, as well as deep cuts. At least 20 people in one hospital had been shot with live ammunition, five of whom later died. On Friday, Khamenei accused protesters of acting on behalf of Trump, saying rioters were attacking public properties and warning that Tehran would not tolerate people acting as “mercenaries for foreigners.” The IRGC’s public relations office said three members of the Basij security force were killed and five wounded during clashes with what it described as “armed rioters” in Gachsaran, in the southwest. Another security officer was stabbed to death in Hamedan, in western Iran. The son of a senior officer, Brigadier General Nourali Shoushtari, was killed in the Ahmadabad area of Mashhad, in the northeast. Two other security personnel were killed over the past two nights in Shushtar, in Khuzestan province. Authorities have described protests over the economy as legitimate while condemning what they call violent rioters over the past two weeks. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom. Writing by Tom PerryEditing by Mark Potter and Peter Graff)