WORLD Radio News - WORLD Radio News: 1-5-26 (2/3)

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

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With World Radio News, I'm Kent Covington. Global reaction is mixed after the United States carried out a surprise weekend operation in Venezuela, capturing dictator Nicolas Murdo and flying him to the U.S. to face criminal charges. Mexico's president condemned the move calling it a violation of international law. UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez also voiced concern, warning the operation could set a dangerous precedent. But some U.S. allies welcome. the action, Argentina praised Medoro's removal as a chance for democratic change, and Israel's

Prime Minister openly applauded the operation, calling it a blow against dictatorship. And Britain also voiced cautious support for U.S. goals while stressing the need to maintain stability. And in Washington, reaction to the operation has been largely split down party lines. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday. It's a violation of the law to do what they did without getting the authorization of Congress. But most Republicans see it differently, insisting the move was legal, justified, and exactly the right course of action.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford. This is exactly what this country has needed, and that is leadership in this hymnsphere. We need to be projecting strength in our neighborhood, and our allies welcome that. Administration officials were expected to brief members of Congress soon on the operation. National Security Advisors from across Europe and other U.S. allies were in Kyiv over the weekend,

stepping up talks on security guarantees and economic support for Ukraine. The meetings come as a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end Russia's war in Ukraine intensifies. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has now shared all draft peace documents under discussion with partners involved in the talks. And he said that includes material on long-term security guarantees. Zelensky added that the peace process is now on stronger footing, and many in Washington agree. GOP Senator Eric Schmidt. It is.

I mean, there's still important work to do. There's still some sticking points along the way. Zelensky is preparing to travel to Paris for follow-up meetings and expects the next round of work to move quickly into European capitals as well as Canada and Japan. Iran's supreme leader is signaling a crackdown on demonstrators as protests spread across the country with some turning violent. violent, the death toll has climbed to at least 15. Ayatollah Khamenei addressed the unrest over the weekend, saying that rioters must be, quote, put in their place. Protesters are voicing anger over Iran's struggling economy and the collapse of the national currency. They've taken to the street for more than a week, marking the country's largest demonstrations since 2022.

For World Radio, I'm Kent Covington. For more sound journalism grounded in facts and biblical truth, visit world radio. Thank you.