The Pour Over Today - Venezuelan President Captured, Mortgage Rates Drop, Iran’s Protests Spread, & More | 01.05.2025

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

Today, we’re talking about the U.S. capturing Venezuela’s president in a surprise raid; fresh economic signals shaping the new year; and other top news for Monday, January 5th, 2026. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our sponsors! We actually use and enjoy every single one. Cru Wild Alaskan Safe House Project Gloo QAVA CCCU Filament Bible Upside Mosh LMNT Theology in the Raw Not Just Sunday Podcast Bible Gateway Plus

Today's episode is brought to you by our lead sponsor, Safe House Project. Hey, this is Joe at the Porover. Today, we're talking about the U.S. capturing Venezuela's president in a surprise raid, fresh economic signals shaping the new year, and other top news for Monday, January 5, 2026. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the Porover. Here's your quote of the day. God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward.

He measures our lives by how we love. Francis Chan. Let's get started with some espresso shots. The U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a surprise raid. Explosions were reported in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, and various military facilities just before 2 a.m. local time Saturday. President Trump confirmed Maduro was seized during a, quote, large-scale strike, saying special forces breached steel doors of a, quote, heavily fortified location within a matter of seconds. Maduro and his wife were choppered to a U.S. Navy vessel,

then flown to New York, where they were indicted for narco-terrorism, drug conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses. Trump said no Americans were killed, and Secretary of State Rubio stressed that the U.S. was not at war with Venezuela, but with drug trafficking organizations. Why did the U.S. want Maduro? It's been brewing for a while. In 2020, U.S. federal prosecutors charged Maduro with narco-terrorism, accusing him of helping run the cartel de Los Soles, a drug trafficking network that allegedly

moved massive amounts of cocaine. into the states. Maduro remained in power after a contested 2024 election, and in August, the Trump admin raised the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million for violating U.S. narcotics laws. How are people responding? Pretty mixed. Colombian President Petro expressed serious concern over the strike, and other critics called Maduro's capture, quote, an act of war and a violation of federal and international law. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Starmer said the U.K. would, quote, shed no tears for the end of Maduro's regime, and videos of Venezuelans worldwide

taking to the streets to celebrate Maduro's capture, quickly began circulating. What's next? It's a bit hazy. Venezuela's VP Delsi Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president, but President Trump has said that the U.S. will take control of Venezuela's oil and, quote, run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition. Maduro is expected to appear in court in New York tomorrow. Will you join me in prayer? King of kings, you sit enthroned over all creation, and nothing in this world happens apart from your hand.

When world events shock us, settle us with reminders of your sovereignty. King of glory, give Venezuelan and American leaders the wisdom to make decisions that bring glory to you and good to your people. King of peace, help American and Venezuelan leaders seek peaceful resolutions. And when those around us are overwhelmed by today's events,

help us to lovingly share the peace that comes. comes from knowing you as our good, almighty, eternal Lord and Savior. Amen. Wall Street is ringing in the new year by reading some year-end economic reports. Here's how things are looking. The average 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.15% in December, down from 7% last January, reflecting multiple cuts made by the Federal Reserve. Jobless benefit claims dropped below $200,000 in December,

a positive sign after unemployment ticked up to 4.6% in November. The greenback is mounting in early 2026 comeback after the dollar value dipped more than 9% in 2025 compared to other currencies. There's more to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its disembate. December jobs report on Friday, and President Trump has said he will announce his pick to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell later this month.

Powell's term ends in May. Regardless of whether the broader economy is struggling or thriving, Christians should seek to give generously of our time, talents, and resources to those in greater need. reach out to your local church to see where help is needed. Hebrews 13, verse 16, says, Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices. Human trafficking isn't just an over-there problem.

It's happening right here in the U.S. An estimated 300,000 people are being trafficked in America right now, and most were first sold as children. Even when they get a chance to run, sometimes there's no safe way out, and they get pulled right back in. Safehouse Project is helping children get to safety and stay there by equipping communities

to spot trafficking and funding urgent escapes. They cover what's needed in those crucial moments, a way to escape, shelter, and resources for lasting freedom. Trafficking in the U.S. is at crisis levels and requests for help to escape are higher than ever. Just $40 provides a safe ride that takes a child from captivity to freedom. Safehouse Project can't miss the moment when a child is ready to escape, and your gift makes sure they don't.

Give a child the way out. Go to safehouseproject.org slash TPO or check the link in the show notes to give now. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Iran's protests are spreading and growing deadlier. The free fall of its currency, the Rial, sparked unrest last week that has since swelled to 170-plus locations, killed at least 15, and led to 580-plus arrests. Supreme Leader Hamenei said Saturday that, quote,

quote, rioters must be put in their place. And President Trump warned that the U.S. will rescue peaceful protesters met with violence. The Justice Department says it thwarted a New Year's Eve terror attack in North Carolina. On Wednesday, the FBI arrested an 18-year-old who had pledged allegiance to ISIS and was allegedly planning to attack a grocery store and restaurant with knives and hammers. Prosecutors say the Charlotte suburb native was, quote, preparing for jihad and, quote, innocent people were going to die. Swiss bar owners are being investigated following the New Year's Eve fire that killed 40 people, including at least nine teenagers. Investigators say indoor sparklers ignited a flammable foam ceiling, while limited exits caused a deadly bottleneck in the, quote, avoid.

avoidable tragedy. The owners are under investigation for negligent homicide and bodily harm. They deny wrongdoing and say they're cooperating with authorities. Chinese EV maker, BYD, accelerated past Tesla to become the world's biggest electric vehicle seller in 2025. Tesla delivered 1.64 million cars last year, down 9%, while B.YD, whose passenger car are not available in the U.S., sold 2.26 million, up 28%. Tesla's stock remains near its all-time high,

thanks to investor optimism in its other businesses, including Tesla's humanoid robot, Optimus, and Robotaxi service. Betty Boop and Nancy Drew headlined the parade of characters and works entering the public domain in 2026. Joining them in new copyright-free public life are the film version of All Quiet on the Western Front, the song Georgia On My Mind, and Wadi Piper's The Little Engine That Could.

After all, she did think that she could. That's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening, TPOFam. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five-star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, Give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode. We're grateful for your support and hope you have a great day.

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