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By Sallee Ann Harrison

January 28, 2026

By Sallee Ann Harrison

January 28, 2026

 
 

Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends President Donald Trump’s military operation in Venezuela; the U.S. prepares for another winter storm; and a growing list of companies are cutting jobs.

 

UP FIRST

Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Capitol on Wednesday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rubio defends Trump on Venezuela while trying to allay fears about Greenland and NATO

Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a full-throated defense Wednesday of President Donald Trump’s military operation to oust and arrest then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, while also using his wide-ranging congressional testimony to touch on Greenland, NATO, Iran and China. Read more.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

  • FBI agents execute search warrant at Fulton County elections office near Atlanta
  • Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged even as Trump continues to press for lower rates
  • Man arrested in the attack on Ilhan Omar has a criminal history and made pro-Trump posts
  • Trump signals interest in easing tensions, but there's little change in Minneapolis
  • Florida Everglades detention center accused of punishing detainees seeking legal help
  • Your baby could qualify for $1,000 with a Trump Account. Here’s what to know
  • Bruce Springsteen takes aim at Trump in new song ‘Streets of Minneapolis’
 

TOP STORIES

It’s one storm after another for much of the US, but the next one’s path is uncertain

Winter’s brutal grip on the U.S. East is not letting up, with coming days bringing subfreezing temperatures that will plunge deep into what had been a toasty Florida peninsula and a powerful blizzard forecast that may strike the Atlantic coast. Read more.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

  • Mississippi sending 135 snowplows to help clear ice and snow from traffic-clogged highways
  • Common sense and slowing down are the keys to avoiding icy weather accidents
  • Eating snow cones or snow cream can be a winter delight, if done safely
  • WATCH: Want to walk safely in icy conditions? Walk like a penguin

Layoffs are piling up, heightening worker anxiety. Here are some of the biggest job cuts recently

In the U.S., economists have said that businesses are largely at a “no-hire, no fire” standstill, leading many to limit new work, if not pause openings entirely amid economic uncertainty. But a growing list of companies are also cutting jobs. Employers have initiated layoffs across sectors — with many pointing to rising operational costs that span from President Donald Trump’s barrage of new tariffs, stubborn inflation and shifts in spending from consumers. Read more.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

  • Amazon cuts about 16,000 corporate jobs in the latest round of layoffs
  • IRS faces stiff challenges in 2026 tax season due to workforce cuts and new laws, a watchdog says
  • Holidays and a viral bear cup drive strong quarterly sales at Starbucks
 

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IN OTHER NEWS

Aerial view of the village of Niscemi on Tuesday where severe storms provoked a landslide. (Alberto Lo Bianco/LaPresse via AP)

Aerial view of the village of Niscemi on Tuesday where severe storms provoked a landslide. (Alberto Lo Bianco/LaPresse via AP)

1,500 people evacuated: Huge landslide leaves Sicilian homes teetering on cliff edge
Spiritual leader: Sarah Mullally confirmed as archbishop of Canterbury, first woman to lead the Church of England

‘Heated Rivalry’: Gay ice hockey drama becomes a surprise hit in Russia despite anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Organ donation: Medicare proposes new transplant system rules that might spur use of less-than-perfect organs

Figure skating: Maxim Naumov takes his dream to Olympics to honor his parents and those killed in airline crash
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Bill Belichick’s snub is criticized by voters and NFL fans
WATCH: Senegal beach gym offers hope and healing through exercise in the waves

 

TRENDING

A model wears a creation as part of the Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection presented in Paris on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

A model wears a creation as part of the Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection presented in Paris on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Haute couture highlights from Paris, in photos