Why the US has designs on Venezuela's oil

NEW YORK (AP) — Venezuela’s oil industry has been in the spotlight since President Donald Trump captured the country’s President Nicolas Maduro. The country sits on a vast supply of oil but only produces a small fraction of it because of damaged infrastructure. Trump has floated a plan for major U.S. oil companies to return and rebuild Venezuela's beleaguered oil industry. And Trump also says Venezuela has agreed to provide 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. The moves may be part of a long-term strategy to gain a foothold in a nation with vast oil reserves.

Trump says he wants to ban large investors from buying houses. It's part of his affordability plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he wants to block large institutional investors from buying houses, saying that a ban would make it easier for younger families to buy their first homes. The president is under pressure to address voters’ concerns about affordability ahead of November midterm elections. The ban would tap into long-standing fears that corporate ownership of homes pushes out traditional buyers, forcing more people to rent. But the overarching challenge for the housing market has been a shortage of home construction — and prices that have climbed faster than incomes. The president said he would discuss the issue further in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in two weeks.

Fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt a year after being burned down in LA-area wildfires

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A year after devastating fires in the L.A. area, fewer than a dozen homes have been rebuilt. Many homeowners find their insurance insufficient to cover rebuilding costs in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which killed 31 people and destroyed around 13,000 residential properties. Relief organizations are helping, but progress is slow. Many residents have left their communities, and hundreds of properties have been sold. It could take years before many more homeowners manage to rebuild. For now, about 900 homes are under construction, possibly on pace to be completed later this year. It's an encouraging sign for those still hopeful they can do the same.

The coolest technology from Day 2 of CES 2026

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Crowds flooded freshly opened showroom floors on Day 2 of CES, met by thousands of robots, AI companions, assistants, health longevity tech, wearables and more. Among the standouts: Imagine your plane lands and, when you look out the window, you see autonomous robots guiding it to the gate and then unloading the luggage. Oshkosh Corporation is pitching that future for airports big and small. Chinese robovac maker Roborock has introduced a new vacuum that literally sprouts chicken-like legs to navigate stairs and clean steps along the way. The show is a huge opportunity for companies large and small to parade products they plan to put on shelves this year. Here are the highlights from Day 2:

At CES, auto and tech companies transform cars into proactive companions

LAS VEGAS (AP) — As CES opened Tuesday to the public, auto and tech companies like Nvidia and Gentex showed how AI technology can transform cars into proactive companions that adapt and react to drivers and passengers in real time. Nvidia announced Alpamayo at the annual tech trade show in Las Vegas. CEO Jensen Huang says it's the company's new vehicle AI initiative that will help autonomous cars think through complex driving decisions. Smart vehicles on display across the show floor envision a future where cars that track heart rates and emotions is the norm. Experts say these technologies can offer real safety benefits but warn about privacy concerns as cars become major data collectors.

Trump immigration policies and aging population slow US growth projection, budget office says

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. population is projected to grow more slowly over the next 30 years. That's according to a report Wednesday by the Congressional Budget Office. The projected slowing in growth is due President Donald Trump's strict immigration policies and an aging population. The country’s total population is projected to stop growing in 2056 and remain roughly the same size as in the previous year. But without immigration, the population would begin to shrink in 2030. Trump has pushed for the largest mass deportation campaign in history. Immigration has fueled U.S. population growth this decade.

Why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security

Greenland's strategic location above the Arctic Circle makes it a focal point in global security and trade debates. The island is rich in rare earth minerals that are crucial for technology. It has been attracting U.S. interest to counter China's market dominance. Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark and has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in controlling the island. The U.S. operates the Pituffik Space Base there to support defense operations. Denmark is boosting its military presence with new naval vessels and drones. China and Russia are meanwhile increasing their influence in the Arctic which has raised security concerns.

Warner Bros rejects Paramount takeover again and tells shareholders to stick with Netflix bid

NEW YORK (AP) — Warner Bros. is again rejecting a takeover bid from Paramount and telling shareholders to stick with a rival offer from Netflix. Warner’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Skydance-owned Paramount’s overtures — and urged shareholders just weeks ago to support selling its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72 billion. Paramount, meanwhile, has made efforts to sweeten its $77.9 billion hostile bid for the entire company. Warner Bros. Discovery said Wednesday that its board determined Paramount’s offer isn’t in the best interests of the company or its shareholders and doesn’t meet the criteria of being a superior proposal. It still recommends shareholders support the Netflix deal.

Job openings slide to 2nd lowest level in 5 years as hiring remains sluggish

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. employers posted far fewer jobs in November than the previous month, a sign that employers aren’t yet ramping up hiring even as growth has picked up. The figures provide some critical measures of the job market after last fall’s government shutdown delayed the release of data on hiring and inflation. The report suggests that the “low-hire, low-fire” job market remains in effect, with workers enjoying some job security but those out of work struggling to find jobs.

Iran army chief threatens preemptive attack over 'rhetoric' targeting country after Trump's comments

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s army chief has threatened preemptive military action over the “rhetoric” targeting the Islamic Republic. The comments Wednesday by Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami likely refer to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that the United States “will come to their rescue" if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters.” Hatami's comments also are likely an effort to show strength as protests sparked by economic woes have grown into a direct challenge to its theocracy. Iran’s government separately began Wednesday paying the equivalent of $7 a month to subsidize rising costs for dinner table essentials like rice, meat and pastas. But shopkeepers warn prices for items as basic as cooking oil likely will triple.