President Trump says the United States will run Venezuela after U.S. forces seized Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas. Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez shifts from defiance to calls for cooperation as the White House ramps up pressure and threatens further action. And Nicolás Maduro is set to appear in a New York courtroom, facing drug trafficking, weapons, and narco-terrorism charges that could test the reach of U.S. law overseas.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Tara Neill, Krishnadev Calamur, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai.
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p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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p class=”readrate”>(0:00) Introduction (01:54) U.S. In Venezuela (05:49) Future Of Venezuela (09:46) Maduro In NYC Court
p class=”readrate”>Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is in a federal prison in Brooklyn, New York, awaiting trial on charges of narcoterrorism, cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons charges. The operation to capture Maduro happened in the middle of the night as U.S. troops enjoyed the element of surprise. The U.S. says Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela and accuse him of being the leader of a violent drug cartel.
Somali-run day care centers in Minnesota report threats and vandalism after a viral right-wing video accusing them of fraud prompts federal action with nationwide consequences. The Justice Department misses its deadline to release the Epstein files, fueling confusion and conspiracy theories as heavily redacted and unreliable documents trickle out. And Switzerland begins days of mourning after a deadly New Year’s Eve fire rips through a crowded nightclub at a ski resort, killing dozens and injuring many more.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Luis Clemens, Dana Farrington, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
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p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Kaity Kline and Christopher Thomas.
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p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is David Greenburg..
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p class=”readrate”> Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.
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p class=”readrate”>(0:00) Introduction (01:54) Daycare Fraud Claims Fallout (05:31) Epstein Files Mess (09:27) Swiss Nightclub Fire
President Trump confirms the first known U.S. strike inside Venezuela, saying it targets drug trafficking as critics warn it risks escalation. Iranian authorities shut down cities and security forces move in to contain growing protests as anger over inflation and sanctions boils over. And the flu is spreading fast across the U.S., with a new strain driving cases higher just as vaccination rates slip and hospitals brace for what’s next.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, James Hider, Rebecca Davis, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
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p class=”readrate”>
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p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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p class=”readrate”> Our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.
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p class=”readrate”>(0:00) Introduction (03:30) U.S. Strikes Inside Venezuela (07:25) Iran Protests (11:22) Flu Cases Surge
President Trump doubles down on demanding Hamas disarm after meeting with Israel’s prime minister, and warned Iran not to rebuild its nuclear program. Ukraine’s president presses the White House for decades-long U.S. security guarantees as part of a proposed peace deal with Russia. And a year after DOGE’s push to shrink government, agencies are smaller, spending is higher, and millions of Americans’ data remains in play.
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p class=”readrate”>Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Ruth Sherlock, Anna Yukhananov, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.
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p class=”readrate”>It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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p class=”readrate”>We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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p class=”readrate”>Our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.
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p class=”readrate”>(0:00) Introduction (03:13) Trump Pushes Hamas Disarmament (07:25) Ukraine Peace Talks (10:45) A Year Of DOGE
Big Brother 27 player Mickey Lee was born with a hole in her heart, she told host Julie Chen Moonves during a September appearance on her “God 101” podcast. One day after Lee’s death at age 35, Chen Moonves, 55, reflected on their discussion.
“Two months ago I interviewed Mickey Lee on ‘God 101,’” Chen Moonves wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 26. “That’s when she revealed to me that she was born with a hole in her heart, and as an adult she survived an ATV accident that should have killed her, but God kept her alive.”
She continued, “Last night God brought her home 🕊️ Rest In Peace dear Mickey. I will see you again on the other side in eternity. I pray the good Lord comforts and heals your family and loved ones as we grieve your passing. Amen 🙏🏼.”
Lee died on Thursday, December 25, after being hospitalized following multiple cardiac arrests. She had been battling complications from the flu and was in “critical but stable” condition, her family reported on Monday, December 22.
The family broke the news of Mickey’s death on Friday morning via her Instagram account.
“With profound sadness, the family of Mickey Lee announces her transition on Christmas in the early evening,” their statement read.
Julie Chen Moonves, Mickey Lee.Getty Images (2)
“Mickey captured the hearts of audiences nationwide through her appearance on Big Brother, where her authenticity, strength and spirit left a lasting impression on fans and fellow cast members alike,” the statement continued. “She will be remembered for the joy she brought into the lives of so many and for the genuine connections she formed both on and off screen.”
Mickey spent 59 days in the Big Brother house during the summer of 2025 and was the last player to be evicted before the jury phase began. She was best known for using her “HoH Interrogator” power to dethrone Rylie Jeffries and subsequently nominate him for eviction. She stumbled, however, when she was convinced to also nominate her ally, Jimmy Heagerty, who was ultimately evicted when Rylie, 27, won his way off the chopping block.
Mickey’s family had also launched a GoFundMe when they first revealed her illness in an effort to offset medical costs. As of Friday morning, it had raised more than $32,000.
“Many of you know Mickey Lee from Big Brother (CBS) where she became one of the most talked about houseguests on Season 27,” their statement read at the time. “A vibrant, strategic and unforgettable personality, Mickey captured the attention of fans with her energy, authenticity and bold gameplay. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and based in Atlanta, Georgia, she brought charm and fierce competition to the Big Brother house as an event curator and creative force.”
Her fellow Big Brother 27 players began posting tributes to their fellow houseguest as the news began to spread.
“Forever my girl. Rest in power, Micks,” Jimmy, 25, wrote via his Instagram Story over a photo of the two of them having a drink together.
“Was hoping for different news regarding Mickey,” fourth-place finisher Ava Pearl added via her Instagram Story. “A genuine tragedy for anyone to pass as young as she did, wishing her friends and family peace, respect, and privacy during this time. No matter what, we lost a member of the Big Brother family and she will be missed.”
Us Weekly has reached out to CBS for comment.
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