JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1023

Washington — An AP-NORC poll conducted Jan. 8–11 found 56% of U.S. adults say President Donald Trump has gone too far using the U.S. military to intervene abroad, and roughly 4 in 10 approve of his overall performance. The survey, released this week after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Jan. 3 capture, also found many view the Venezuela action as beneficial for reducing illegal drug flows, though fewer see positive outcomes for national security or the economy. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON Senate Republicans faced intense pressure from President Donald Trump to oppose a war powers resolution aimed at limiting his authority to conduct further military action against Venezuela. Five GOP senators joined Democrats last week to advance the measure after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro in a surprise raid earlier this month. Trump privately urged defectors to reverse course, while Senate leaders explored procedural moves to block the measure. Sen. Josh Hawley later announced he would change his vote to oppose the resolution ahead of a scheduled floor vote Wednesday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The United States announced Wednesday it has moved into Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, shifting from ceasefire enforcement to demilitarisation, technocratic governance and reconstruction. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff named a 15-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to manage sanitation, utilities and education under U.S. supervision, and said demilitarisation remains required. Mediators Egypt, Turkey and Qatar welcomed the committee and named Ali Shaath to lead the NCAG. U.S. officials further said the plan depends on Hamas compliance, including return of the final deceased hostage. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Santa Cruz, California — City officials voted Tuesday to terminate a contract with Flock Safety, the automated license plate reader vendor, directing staff to seek alternative ALPR solutions. In Connecticut, Bridgeport council committees rejected a proposed Flock drone lease funded with $500,000 in state aid, which may lapse if unused before July 1. Thornton, Colorado, held a town hall as residents weighed public safety against data custody concerns. In Arizona, lawmakers proposed statewide standards after several cities ended Flock contracts and reports of out‑of‑state access emerged. Local officials, police and advocates continue debating. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Attorney General Dave Yost rejected summary language of a proposed referendum seeking to repeal parts of Senate Bill 56, saying the petition contained omissions and misstatements that could mislead potential signers. The Attorney General’s office received petition Dec. 29 and had ten business days to certify title and summary. Organizers with Ohioans for Cannabis Choice said they will revise the language, collect additional signatures and resubmit to reach the 250,000 required for a ballot referendum. Senate Bill 56 restricts or bans certain hemp-derived THC products and takes effect in March. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Montgomery, Ala. Gov. Kay Ivey delivered her ninth and final State of the State address Tuesday, outlining economic development, workforce initiatives, infrastructure investments and education policy proposals. She cited $69 billion in business investments and 100,000 jobs, highlighted Rebuild Alabama road and bridge funding and broadband gains, and announced Space Command Headquarters for Huntsville. Ivey proposed a 2% teacher pay raise for fiscal 2027 and urged expansion of the CHOOSE Act and death penalty statutes. Reporters published the full transcript and covered a separate ceremonial naming of a camellia in her honor. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington: President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that the United States would take “very strong action” if Iranian authorities execute anti-government protesters, following reports of widespread killings during nationwide demonstrations. Speaking to CBS News, Trump said he had not confirmed executions but pledged forceful response should they occur, and reiterated that “help is on the way” in forms. Rights groups and NGOs report hundreds to thousands of deaths amid an internet blackout and mass arrests, Iranian prosecutors announced capital charges for some detainees. Tehran’s UN mission denounced U.S. warnings as pretexts for intervention. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The Trump administration on Jan. 13 approved conditional exports of Nvidia's H200 artificial intelligence chips to China, imposing third-party technical tests, a cap that China receive no more than 50 percent of chips sold to U.S. customers, and requirements that buyers demonstrate security safeguards and bar military use. The export rule also requires Nvidia to certify US domestic supply and implements a reported 25 percent fee to the U.S. government. The decision followed an announcement by President Trump and prompted criticism from China hawks; Nvidia issued a statement endorsing the balance. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, This week Congress moved on competing health care measures as the House approved a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act premium subsidies while the Senate blocked a Congressional Review Act motion to overturn a Trump-era ACA rule. Lawmakers acted after pandemic-era subsidies expired, raising marketplace premiums for millions. Virginia records from June 2025 show over 300,000 state residents relied on those subsidies. Representative Rob Wittman joined 16 other House Republicans in supporting the extension. The White House released a plan proposing direct health savings account payments and international drug price referencing. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

PHOENIX. Former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich died this week at age 59, his family announced. Brnovich served two terms as the state’s 26th attorney general from 2015 to 2023, led Arizona Department of Gaming and served in the Army National Guard. He won the 2014 attorney general race and was 2022 U.S. Senate primary candidate. As attorney general he pursued high-profile legal actions, including challenges involving Arizona State University and federal voting laws, and oversaw inquiries after the 2020 presidential election. Family representatives cited a heart attack; memorial arrangements remain pending. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.