JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1034

Washington. Vice President JD Vance announced this week that the Trump administration will create a new assistant attorney general position to coordinate nationwide fraud investigations, beginning with allegations in Minnesota and expanding nationally. Vance said the Senate-confirmed official will be overseen by the White House rather than the Justice Department and that a nominee will be announced soon. He noted interagency actions, subpoenas and a task force are already active, and federal agencies are assessing costs, and Senate leaders signaled swift confirmation. Separately, Vance denied reports he was excluded from Venezuela planning. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MINNEAPOLIS — The FBI is leading the investigation into the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer on Wednesday, after federal officials reversed an earlier plan for a joint inquiry with Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The state BCA says federal authorities denied it access to case materials, scene evidence and witness interviews and has withdrawn from the probe, citing inability to meet Minnesota investigative standards. Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison and local officials have publicly criticized the decision and protests have occurred near federal facilities nationwide. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that President Donald Trump could take lethal action if Iranian authorities continue to kill protesters. Graham spoke on Fox News and called Khamenei a “religious Nazi,” expressing support for nationwide demonstrations that began on December 28 over the collapsing rial and economic grievances. Media reports cited Fox News figures that at least 36 people were killed and more than 2,000 detained as unrest spread. Iranian government said it would not tolerate foreign interference and accused the US of propaganda. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON. The U.S. Labor Department reported initial jobless claims rose by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 208,000 for the week ended January 3, while the four-week moving average fell to 211,750. Continuing claims increased to 1.914 million for the week ended December 27. Third-quarter worker productivity grew at its fastest pace in two years, lowering unit labor costs, according to Labor Department data and economists. Analysts said firms produced more output with existing staff, with modest uptick in claims, reflecting a jobless expansion. Employers cited tariff uncertainty and AI adoption as factors. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

GLENDALE, Ariz. On Thursday, Miami defeated Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal at State Farm Stadium, advancing to the national championship. Carson Beck led a 75-yard, 15-play final drive and scored a 3-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left. Beck passed for 268 yards with two touchdowns. Ole Miss reached the Miami 35 on the final play but officials declined to flag pass interference. Miami will host the title game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The White House presented plans to the National Capital Planning Commission for a East Wing ballroom after demolition began months earlier. Officials said they submitted plans in December and described structural problems and cost analyses used to justify demolition and reconstruction. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued, alleging the administration violated federal review and public-comment requirements. Commissioners received an informational presentation; formal review with public testimony is expected in spring. Architects described a nearly 90,000-square-foot project including a roughly 22,000-square-foot ballroom with 40-foot ceilings and seating for about 1,000. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington. The US Senate advanced a resolution this week to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force in Venezuela, voting 52 to 47 to proceed toward a final war-powers vote. In a New York Times interview published Jan. 8, Trump said the United States could oversee Venezuela and control its oil revenue for years, and that Washington would extract oil to lower global prices while providing funds to Venezuela. Administration officials described plans for US management of Venezuelan oil sales. Lawmakers signaled concern and called for further congressional oversight measures. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The U.S. president renewed assertive statements about Greenland and NATO this week while the Senate advanced a bipartisan war-powers resolution restricting military action in Venezuela. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary-level briefings urged European partners to take U.S. Arctic security concerns seriously, prompting diplomatic meetings with Denmark and Greenland envoys. Reports emerged that U.S. officials have considered direct payments to Greenland residents as one option among several, and lawmakers warned of NATO and diplomatic consequences. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The U.S. administration this week outlined renewed efforts to acquire Greenland, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduling talks with Danish officials and the White House saying purchase, diplomacy or military options remain under consideration. Officials discussed offering direct payments to Greenlanders, with reported ranges between $10,000 and $100,000 per person, and noted historic and current U.S. military presence on the island. Congressional Republicans and Democrats raised objections, and Denmark and Greenland rejected sale requests. Public meetings, diplomatic engagement, and classified briefings sought to clarify intentions and prevent further alliance ruptures. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington House lawmakers voted Thursday on whether to override President Donald Trump's vetoes of two bipartisan bills that passed Congress quietly. The measures would fund a Colorado water pipeline and designate land in Florida's Everglades for the Miccosukee Tribe; both had passed previously by voice vote. Trump issued the vetoes on Dec. 31, citing cost concerns; Congress requires two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override. Some Republican members considered rebuking the president but ultimately declined to reach the two-thirds threshold this week, leaving the vetoes sustained. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.