Rpt: 12,000+ Killed in Iran Protests; US, Denmark Disagree on Greenland | NTD Evening News (Jan. 14)

Welcome to NT Evening News. Our top story tonight, President Trump saying Iran has no plan for executions. That's amid fears over the fate of a detained anti-regime protester. This as the president's been weighing US military intervention in Iran. Mario at the White House. A London based news outlet says that over 12,000 people have been killed in Iran's protests. Meanwhile, the US announces the beginning of phase two of the Gaza peace plan. Jason Perry reports. The US freezing all visa processing for 75 countries. Somalia, Russia, Iran, and Thailand among those affected. A victory for an Illinois congressman who sued the state over a voting law that counts ballots 14 days after the election. The Supreme Court said he has a right to challenge it. Arley Richards has more on the case. This is NTV Evening News live from our global headquarters in New York City. Here's Tiffany Meyer. >> Good evening and thank you for joining us tonight. President Trump saying he's been told by important sources that Iran has stopped killing anti-regime protesters. This comes amid fears over the fate of a detained anti-regime protester and the president renewing his vow to acquire Greenland. We now go live to ENTD's Washington correspondent Mariosu at the White House. Mari, good evening. Tiff, good evening. That's right. And it's a slight, if momentary, posture shift from the president's escalating threats against uh the Iranian regime over the past few weeks. Uh that's as anti-Iranian regime protests have grown as has the regime's crackdown on protesters uh with horrifying footage of body bags at Tran's morgs and now showing us a glimpse of that uh of that bloody crackdown as authorities have also blocked uh the internet off there since Thursday. And President Trump has in recent weeks uh said that help is on the way at one point saying that the US is locked and loaded and ready to go uh urging protesters to keep protesting. Uh on Monday, the US State Department urged uh Americans to leave Iran. But now, President Trump saying he's been told on quote, "good authority that the killing has stopped." Take a look. >> We have been informed by very important sources on the other side and they've said the killing has stopped and the executions won't take place. There were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won't take place and we're going to find out. This comes a day after President Trump warned of very strong action in response to reports of the regime hanging those detained during the protests. He says he's watching Iran as the Pentagon today withdraws some troops from a key base in Qatar, echoing a move taken before US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities back in June. Meanwhile, President Trump calling anything less than Greenland in the hands of the US unacceptable, citing national security. And the problem is there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland. But there's everything we can do. You know, I can't rely on Denmark being able to defend themselves. They put an extra dog sled there last uh month. They added a second dog sled. That's not going to do the trick. >> This comes as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet with the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland. and we therefore still have a fundamental disagreement but we also agree to disagree and therefore we will however continue to talk. It is not a true narrative that we have you know Chinese warships all around the place. According to our intelligence we haven't had a Chinese warship um in in Greenland for for a decade or or or so. While top Danish officials say there are no Chinese ships near Greenland, major Chinese Communist Party media outlets echo these denials, alleging the US is acting out of self-interest rather than national security. President Trump draws attention to a Danish intelligence report released last month that starkly warns about China's military goals in the Arctic. >> If you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers. There are Chinese destroyers and bigger. Meanwhile, President Trump is announcing that what he calls a very bad leaker on Venezuela is now in jail. Uh, this is coming as the FBI searches the home of a Washington Post reporter as part of an investigation into a Pentagon contractor who allegedly leaked classified information that Attorney General Pam Bondi says posed a risk to the nation's national security. President Trump uh is also recently giving a readout of a call he had today uh with interim president of Venezuela, Deli Rodriguez. Uh he says that they discussed oil, minerals, trade and national security uh and touts the partnership between Venezuela and the US. And tomorrow the president's expected to meet uh with the Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado here at the White House. Tiff, back to you. >> All right, Mari, thanks for those updates. As Rubio and Vance meet with Greenland officials, what makes the island such a vital strategic location for the United States? Hear from Representative Scott Perry tonight on Capital Report with Steve Lance at 700 p.m. Eastern time. Disturbing numbers have been reported in Iran's protests. According to the Londonbased News Channel Iran International, at least 12,000 people have been killed. And in another development, US Envoy Steve Wickoff announces the beginning of phase two of the Gaza peace plan. NTD's Jason Perry has the update. A mass funeral was held in Thran on Wednesday for members of Iranian security forces who were killed during the protests. The US-based human rights activist news agency said over 140 people have been killed who are affiliated with the Iranian regime. A woman at the funeral procession shared her thoughts. >> People who shoot others from their own country are not one of us. That's a foreign way of thinking. they should be identified through intelligence services of Iran and receive the death penalty. >> However, members of the Iranian regime have been accused of shooting thousands of peaceful protesters in the country. According to the Londonbased news channel, Iran International said at least 12,000 people have now been killed in the protests. The news outlet said it reached the conclusion after receiving information from, but not limited to, sources in Iran's presidential office, data linked to hospitals, and information provided by nurses and doctors across the country. Iran's exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi shared the same death toll in a recent interview on Fox News. >> Four times the number of people who were dead as a result of the 911 terrorist attack. >> We're trying to get our head around that. What what is the number that >> about 12,000 plus >> 12,000 plus? >> That's what we get so far. It might be more, but that's the minimum number that we know so far. >> And the US-based human rights activist news agency estimates that over 18,000 protesters have been detained. Iran's top judge implied that there will be fast trials and executions for those who have been detained in the nationwide protests. However, President Trump said on Wednesday that based on information he's received, he believes there is currently no plan for large-scale executions. And what happens if the Iranian regime falls? A former Iranian diplomat said it's possible for the country to slip into a state of chaos during a transfer of power. ordinary Iranian citizens have always been cognizant of the fact that they do not want to be in a situation that the people of Syria or Iraq for example found themselves in. >> And speaking of a transfer of power in a related development, US Envoy Steve Witkov announced the beginning of phase two of the Gaza peace plan. He said phase two will establish a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in the Gaza Strip and the full disarmament of the Hamas terrorist group and other unauthorized personnel. He also called for Hamas to comply with its obligations and return the body of the final deceased hostage. Jason Perry, NTD News. >> Lawmakers weigh in on the situation in Iran. The regime has reportedly killed thousands of protesters and the Trump administration has warned it will take action against the regime. Our Washington correspondent Luis Martinez has more on the story. House Republicans have backed the Trump administration on any potential military action against the Iranian regime amid protests in the country that have reportedly left more than 2,000 people dead. We stand in solidarity with the people of Iran who clearly want change after what 50 years of absolute disaster. Defer to the president and his capacities commander-in-chief and he and and secretary Rubio and their engagement with with Iran and with our allies and continue to put pressure on them and people are getting slaughtered and you've got a regime that's been all they do is export terrorism and they've killed Americans. So, um I wait to see what the president does. anything he does will be very strategic and we'll just see what happens. I think he he knows the constitution and what he can do. >> Well, I think he's a man of his word and he said he's going to I think we're position positioning troops and assets. Uh so I expect it sooner rather than later. Uh the brutality that's we're hearing underground coming out of Iran is truly horrific. Well, the president said it that he was going to protect the protesters and I certainly hope the Ayatollah get the message just like Maduro did not get it. So I I am in favor of the protesters. Let them let them speak their mind. >> Some House Democrats support the Trump administration putting pressure on the Iranian regime but through diplomatic means. We should work with our international partners and uh exert our leverage and pressure them to stop the violence. I'm glad to see that uh SpaceX is considering offering Starlink uh to uh people in Iran so they have internet access, but we should not be going to war. Others have called on a war powers resolution to limit the president's powers to act militarily against the Iranian regime. We we need to have a a war powers resolution that covers all of these situations. It is time for the United States Congress to retake its constitutional power and reestablish the balance, right? And and don't don't get me wrong, this is not just about Donald Trump alone. This is a problem that has been 20 years in the making. On the Senate side, Senator John Federman, the Democrat from Pennsylvania, has backed President Trump in the case that the Trump administration takes military action against the Iranian regime. have that poisonous regime now in spiral. So why why wouldn't we want to support that and those those brave protesters? I think we can all agree that the world would be better, safer, and more just if you could break that regime. >> The US government has begun evacuating personnel from the Aluid air base in Qatar, the closest military air base the US has to Iran. Reporting from Washington DC, Luis Eduardo Martinez, NTD News. As President Trump warns against the execution of protesters in Iran, what kind of message does this send to the Islamic terrorist regime entities Sam Wong was out on the streets of DC to hear from the people. >> President Trump is warning Iran against killing protesters, saying there will be severe consequences if they continue to do that. So, what are your thoughts on that? What kind of message do you think this is sending to the Iranian regime? >> I think the Iranian regime needs to know they can't just kill people because they don't agree with them. They can't hang people. so they can't imprison them, take away their rights, take away their Wi-Fi. I think he needs to send that message. >> Well, I'd like to think it's a wakeup call, but it's it's hard to say because they've already from reports have already executed uh at least 10,000, which is mindboggling. So, uh you know, it almost seems like empty words. >> I don't like to see those people killed and they have every right to protest in my opinion. And if he has to go in and stop the government over there, then I understand. Well, I would hope it sends a strong message because it's a brutal, horrible, terroristic regime that exports terror around the world and kills its own citizens for going out to protest. >> What do you think about the possibility of a military intervention in Iran? President Trump hasn't really ruled that out yet. >> I think military intervention is a very strong point to make. Um, I think sometimes that's what you have to do. Sometimes it's necessary to take that step. I mean, there's no other option, especially with what they're doing to the people who are there. >> It's probably a good time for the regime to fall, but I think that's something they have to decide. We have a history, and it's not a good history of being involved with regime change. So, we probably need to let the people of Iran, the Iranians, handle it. >> I favor strong action. I don't know that I favor actual um American ar uh American forces in Iran. Whatever we can do to help out those brave people that are putting their lives on the line by going out on the street, I'd be in favor of. >> We don't want to see boots on the ground anywhere really. But if that's what it has to be, I guess I agree with it. The US is pausing all visa processing for 75 countries including Somalia, Russia, Nigeria, and Thailand. The pause on visas will begin January 21st and continue indefinitely. That's according to a memo from the State Department first obtained by Fox News. In the meantime, the department will reassess its screening and vetting procedures. The White House later posted the Fox News report. It's part of an effort to make sure the visa applicants don't become a public charge, meaning someone who relies on welfare. Other countries affected include Afghanistan, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Iran, Pakistan, and Syria. The change comes amid nationwide attention on alleged welfare fraud in Minnesota. Many of those accused are immigrants from Somalia. A majority of Supreme Court justices rule that an Illinois congressman has a particular interest in a state election law and that he therefore has a constitutional right to challenge it. NTD's Arlene Richards has more. >> The Supreme Court said Wednesday that a congressman and other candidates for office could sue the state of Illinois over its mail-in voting law. The law allows for the counting of ballots received up to 14 days after election day. Chief Justice John Roberts writing the opinion for the court said the law could injure a candidate for office in several ways like causing him to lose an election. Illinois Republican Congressman Mike Boast and two other political candidates had filed a lawsuit claiming the rule violated federal law. His attorney Paul Clement argued last October that counting those ballots is unlawful. >> Those unlawful ballots could cost Congressman Boss the election or at least reduce his margin of victory. and he has to pay his campaign staff for two extra weeks. >> The state of Illinois argued the case should be dismissed because the congressman didn't have standing to sue. The legal doctrine requires someone to show he's been individually injured by the law. They said he focused only on possible future harm. >> Boston used the words if and may without any explanation when referring to the possibility of an election loss or reputational harm. These conclusory and incomplete statements describe the mere theoretical possibility of injury. They are not evidence of a substantial risk of harm. Lower courts agreed with the state and dismissed the case. Chief Justice Roberts stated in the opinion that political candidates have a personal stake in the rules that govern the counting of votes and therefore they have standing to challenge the rule. Justices Katangi Brown, Jackson, and Sonia Sotomayor disagreed with the majority's opinion and said in a dissenting opinion that the congressman should have been required to show that he had in fact been harmed. Arlene Richards, NTD News. Coming up, the January 6th pipe bomb case is back in the spotlight. Some members of Congress say the FBI had enough evidence to make an arrest long ago and question whether the delay was due to more than just a lack of resources. At least 32 people killed after a construction crane fell onto a moving train in Thailand. But the tragedy has to do with China's Belt and Road initiative. And House lawmakers highlight the importance of keeping ahead of the Chinese Communist Party's ambitious AI agenda. Jason Blair reports when we come back. Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer. The pipe bomb case tied to the January 6th capital breach is under scrutiny once again on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers on the newly formed House Judiciary January 6th subcommittee are questioning why it took so long to arrest a suspect and whether there's more to the overall story. Entities Washington correspondent Jack Bradley has the details. >> How did the previous FBI go five years without even a lead using the exact same data? Is there political bias involved in the decision or is it just uh a lower priority? >> Back under the microscope, pipe bombs placed outside the Republican and Democrat National Committee headquarters in DC prior to the January 6, 2021 capital breach. On Capitol Hill on Wednesday, members of Congress probed why the case remained unsolved for over four years while the FBI allegedly had enough information to make an arrest. Under the Ray FBI, this case was allowed to languish. It started to lose energy over time. There was a split of resources. There was a split of attention. And what happened? >> It looked like that happened within the first couple of months. Would that be standard at the FBI in a case of a pipe bomb being left outside the Republican National Committee headquarters and the Democrat National Committee headquarters? Does that make sense? >> No. It's highly unusual. But they did have the larger events that happened on January 6th that they diverted attention, energy, resources to. >> Brought in a new team of investigators and experts, re-examined every piece of evidence, sifted through all the data, something that the prior administration refused and failed to do. As a result of that, we generated numerous investigative leads. >> Earlier this month, the Justice Department has since charged Brian Cole Jr. in the attempted bombings ahead of the January 6th stop the steel rally. Cole allegedly placed the bombs outside the DNC and RNC headquarters. Neither of them detonated. Later the next day, law enforcement responded to the discovery of the pipe bombs. The chairman of the committee says the timing of the discovery of the bombs was suspicious as it was discovered while protesters were breaching the capital, thereby diverting officers. The Capitol police chief had to split his team, sending significant resources to handle two pipe bomb incidents. The placement and timing of the pipe bombs discover discovery proved critical in blurring the lines between public space and restricted capital grounds and therefore made it easier for protesters to enter the capital building on January 6th. >> As Congress will continue to hold such hearings, the suspect involved faces a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted. Reporting from Washington DC, Jack Bradley, NTD News. >> Tragedy in Thailand. At least 32 people have been killed after a construction crane fell onto a passenger train. The project is part of the Chinese regime's Belt and Road Initiative. Here's more. >> Mangled carriages and hanging debris. This scene came from the site of a train derailment in Thailand on Wednesday. A construction crane fell into traveling passenger carriages, killing at least 32 people and injuring another 66. >> I heard the noises screeching and then bam, bam, bam all the way over there. When the dust settled, I saw the top of the train carriage. >> The accident occurred in central Thailand, some 140 mi northeast of Bangkok. The train was traveling northeast from the capital with 195 people on board. The search for more bodies and possible survivors was ongoing. Thailand's prime minister visited the site of the disaster. He vowed to investigate the cause and compensate the victims. We have always been concerned about safety. But I think we have to investigate whether they have done this in accordance with the design and methods of construction or not. But it's the that no matter what it has already happened. So we need to to make sure that we take care of every issue. >> Thank you very much. >> Intensively. Yeah. >> The construction crane was above the existing rail line. It was working on a high-speed rail project that aims to connect Bangkok with China via Laos. The $16 billion project is a key part of the Chinese regime's ambitious belt and road initiative. Construction began in 2017, but the segment within Thailand wouldn't be completed until 2030. Italian Thai Development was contracted to build that segment, and a Chinese company was responsible for design and construction supervision. Think each contract has its own working conditions and established safety supervision measures. The authorities will review whether any parties neglected or failed to carry out their assigned duties. If such negligence is found, legal action will be taken against those involved. >> Italian Thai Development expressed regret for the accident and said it would provide compensation for families of victims. The same company was also involved in the construction of a 30story building in Bangkok that collapsed last March following an earthquake. In the House, both sides of the aisle express agreement that keeping ahead of China in the so-called AI arms race is crucial in all areas of national and economic security. NTD correspondent Jason Blair has more from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. >> Winning the AI arms race is key to America's national security and our economic security. The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a full committee hearing on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance for the US to stay ahead of the Chinese Communist Party with AI technology. >> In an environment where it seems that Democrats and Republicans can't agree on much, there seems to be an overwhelming consensus that America must lead the AI race. >> China sees us as the enemy. It's high time we do the same. the outcome of this race, it directly affects military competitiveness of the United States of America versus China. It is that black and white. >> I think all of us here and I think most people at at home can recognize that no matter how you feel about AI, we want the United States to lead. >> Expert witnesses were invited to share their expertise and recommendations. >> Cinping talked about AI in his New Year's address this year. uh he he he understands that this is a fulcrum, right? This is this is the pivotal technology that allows all these other technologies of the of of the future and the in the near future. He sees this as so important um that he is pulling out all the stops. My primary message to the committee is this advanced AI compute is essential to the AI era, enabling both economic dynamism and novel military capabilities. Denying our foreign adversaries access to this resource then is a matter of both geostrategic competition and national security. >> And in the Senate chamber, the Senate Aging Committee highlighted the Chinese Communist Party's involvement in scams targeting American seniors. >> Scams targeting seniors are stealing billions of dollars from hardworking Americans. And we here in Congress have a responsibility to confront them head on. >> Scott says in 2024, older Americans lost over $4.8 8 billion to fraud >> compounds built and staffed by trafficked workers forced to carry out scams targeting our friends, Americans. Not only is this a disgusting display of international failures to protect human rights, dignity, and security, it's also another way communist China is undermining our country and targeting the American people. State backed scamming has emerged from China, just like statebacked industrial espionage efforts. China plays a leading role in scams that originate both in China itself and outside in hotspots across Southeast Asia for example. >> The caric says these efforts by the Chinese Communist Party are part of a broader approach to great power competition. Reporting in Washington DC, Jason Blair, NTD News. >> Coming up, people across the globe show support for demonstrators in Iran. Arian Pdar has what people in different continents say about the protests and the role of Iran's Islamic regime. And as President Trump is set to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Marina Corino Machado tomorrow, what does the future of the nation look like now that dictator Nicholas Maduro has been ousted, what would it take to rebuild? Venezuelan immigrant and founder of the dissident project, Daniel D. Martino, joins us to discuss when we come back. Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer. As the death toll in Iran keeps rising, people across the globe show support for the demonstrators in Iran. Current estimates indicate that as many as 12,000 people have died while protesting the Islamic regime. NTD's international correspondent Aaron Pastar has the latest. >> But I haven't been able to reach any of my family members or friends. the owner of a cafe in New York City, saying she's concerned that she can't reach her family in Iran because of the internet blackout in the country. >> I can't think straight and I can't even work. >> And she's far from the only Iranian abroad thinking about the situation in her home country. >> Protests in support of the people in Iran continue spreading across the globe. A demonstrator in Australia says he's making his voice heard so the people in Iran know they have international support. >> My biggest regret is not being the industry to support them. >> Protesters in Germany raising awareness about the ongoing internet blackout in Iran. >> Internet shut. >> A woman at the demonstration saying people can't take the brutal status quo in Iran anymore. People are put under pressure. People are murdered in the streets if they oppose their government. People just want to live. >> International leaders continue condemning the Iranian regime for the violence it is committing against its own people. >> The contrast between the courage of the Iranian people and the brutality of their desperate regime has never been clearer. >> The European Union is working to levy additional sanctions on Iran. President Trump recently announced he'd impose an additional 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran. However, Russia says it will keep working with the Iranian regime. >> I do not think that any third party can change the nature of Russian Iranian relations. This relationship is based on agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and Iran. He added that the relations between Russia and Iran serve both countries and will therefore continue. Arian Pastar, NTD News. President Trump is expected to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Karina Machado tomorrow according to a White House official. That's the State Department says multiple Americans who were detained in Venezuela have been released. Joining us now is Daniel D. Martino. He's a fellow at Manhattan Institute and founder of the Dissident Project. Daniel, thank you so much for joining us. It's great to have you move. News is moving so fast right now. Of course, with the attention focus on Iran, there's still a lot happening with Venezuela though. Big picture first as the founder of the dissident project. What are you hearing in terms of hope from people oppressed by regimes around the world? Is there a real sense of that now with President Trump in office? >> Well, I do think that the president has created a lot of hope for people around the world because he has taken action, right? He actually bombed the Iranian nuclear facilities. He went into Venezuela and arrested the narco tyrant that was oppressing, you know, the Venezuelan people. And Venezuelans are very happy about it. They're very hopeful. They're also scared because the regime is still in power. Same as the Iranians, right? The Iranian regime is still in power, killing people. And and I can tell you, every Iranian I've also met uh is interested in the president helping them and actually doing military strikes on the on the facilities. I think a lot of people uh make the mistake of thinking that the regimes will just fall because of mass protest and unpopularity. But the reality is that in these authoritarian countries, the population is unarmed and the armies are criminal organizations who are happy to kill thousands of people to remain in power. So there is actually no way to overthrow these regimes and turn these countries into prosperous American allies without external help. And we saw President Trump on Sunday issue a warning to Cuba actually saying no more oil or money from Venezuela. How did that relationship work between Caracus and Havana? How are Cubans likely viewing all of this? >> Yes. So, the Cubans have been sending spies and military agents and protectors to Venezuela, which were actually one-third of the deaths of the US uh capture of Maduro in Karacas were Cubans uh Cuban soldiers who were in his presidential palace. And in exchange for these security and intelligence services, Cuba sent Cuba receives barrels upon barrels, hundreds of thousands uh a day from Venezuela for free that then they sell in the international market and that's how they subsidize the regime. Cuba went through this period in the 90s called the special period between the fall of the Soviet Union when their Soviet subsidies ended and when Hugo Chavez rose and and enacted socialism in Venezuela in 99. So they actually can survive for a period we know of of eight years without external subsidies. The problem with that period is that they just let the people starve. That's why it's called a special period. It's just a fancy word for starvation. So it's not enough to starve Cuba of the oil revenues with this embargo. We would actually need and this is why I think a free Venezuela is so useful because a free Venezuelan government would actually collaborate to liberate Cuba. >> A lot to watch for there. Now, in terms of Venezuela, many point to it as an example of failed socialist policies. You actually have personal experience with this, having lived through the change. What was Venezuela like before socialism? Venezuela was such a wonderful country. Um, you know, my all my family was there. We had two cars. We had an apartment. Normal life like many Americans. And then we didn't have water. And then we didn't have electricity very often. And then we had to line up for food. And that's the consequence of the government nationalizing businesses. It's the consequence of them putting price controls. It's the consequence of them printing to pay for government spending. Right? They cause hyperinflation. So your money loses all value. I had to carry big stacks of cash to buy anything anywhere. Uh your ID for the rationing. You put your fingerprint in a scanning machine so the government tells you what you can buy. All of these problems continue to this day in Venezuela. the regime hasn't changed which is why you know Venezuelans are hopeful that Maduro is gone but now the US needs to force a transition if not you know we haven't really achieved anything yet zooming out a bit first besides countering threats from socialist and communist regimes here in the western hemisphere President Trump's Don Row doctrine as he likes to say seems to want to push out foreign influence from communist China especially do you see this as a campaign to root out Marxism in our hemisphere. >> Absolutely. And what's important about Venezuela's specifically is that Venezuela because of the oil and the drug uh trafficking revenue, they use that to finance Marxist parties all over Latin America. That's how Gustavo Petro, the current president of Colombia got got elected. The Kchnerist in Argentina, the opposition to MLE, the leftist, they were big friends and received money from Hugo Chavez. Lula in Brazil, the current president, who's a big enemy of President Trump. even the Mexican government under Claudia Shinbal and her predecessor, all allies of the of the Venezuelan Madura regime and and Evo Morales in Bolivia. So, every single left-wing party in Latin America has been funded and aided by the Madura regime and now Deli Rodriguez and her allies in Venezuela. And that's why rooting out Venezuela is going to be so wonderful for the region, not just for America or for Venezuela. And it's going to lead to, believe me, a lot of indictments and a lot of people in jail because a lot of crooks when Venezuela is a free country, we're going to reveal a lot of information of people who were taking Venezuelan money in order to act on their behalf, even in the United States. >> I want to dig into that. when it comes to, you know, the Vene Venezuelans themselves, when it comes to improving the economy and standard of living there in Venezuela, what do you see as the next steps for that? >> Yeah. Well, in the short run, we're going to see probably Chevron specifically, which is the only American oil company producing in Venezuela, increase its production just through efficiency gains and allowing new equipment going to Venezuela. The Venezuelan oil industry is the most inefficient in the world. They even burn their natural gas as a byproduct of oil extraction. So Venezuela is very bright from the night sky uh for a bad reason because they waste natural gas. And so I think Chevron is going to be able to improve a lot of those processes. I think other American companies will go but there's a limit, right? Oil production may rise from 1 million in to the most optimistic scenario to one and a half million barrels of oil in the next year and a half. However, Venezuela will not see its pre-ocialism oil peak, which was three and a half to four million barrels of oil a day without a transition to capitalism and democracy because oil companies are investing in the oil industry in a long run, right? They are not going to just invest for the next three years of the Trump administration. They know that after Trump is gone, if the regime is still in place, the regime is taking their business. So this is why a transition is so important because it's the only way to actually increase oil production, increase investment in other sectors, and have America reaping the benefits of less drug trafficking and more oil exports. >> Speaking of transitions, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Karina Machado is visiting the White House tomorrow. What are you watching for in that meeting? >> Well, I think we we should watch to see a few things. Number one, will it be in the Oval Office? uh will the president and her make a joint statement? Will she only make a statement or will he only make a statement? Right? Um who will be in that meeting? Will it only be the president and the secretary of state on her? So these are all important factors. Um you know will the secretary of state make a statement? I expect him to uh but you never know. So so all of these things matter. I think it also matters what he says. you know, will they announce new sort of transition steps or will is or is this just an initial meeting? And then finally, where will she go after this? Uh, is she going to stay in the United States for some time? Will there be a plan like the Secretary of State already laid out for her to go back to Venezuela soon? These are the things that I'm looking for. >> Well, Daniel D. Martino, as always, thank you so much for joining us. >> Of course, great to see you again. And in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills are suddenly short on healthy receivers while preparing for the league's second ranked defense. A Martin joins us to discuss when we come back. Welcome back. I'm Tiffany Meyer. Saks Global, parent company of Saks Fth Avenue, is seeking bankruptcy protection. The move has cast uncertainty over the future of US luxury fashion barely a year after a takeover that brought Saks Fifth Avenue, Burgdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus under the same roof. Entities Shawn Marshall has more. >> High-end department store conglomerate Sachs Global filed for bankruptcy protection late on Tuesday in one of the largest retail collapses since the pandemic. >> I shopped at Sachs. My wife shops at Sachs. My mother shopped at Sachs. My grandmother shopped at Sachs. >> There are two profiles of customers that we need to keep in mind. One is the luxury customer and one is the discount customer. Sax Global not only owns their luxury department stores where frankly the luxury customers have spoken really loudly that they can shop elsewhere, which is why we're in this situation. There are also customers that shop in the outlet stores off Sax Avenue. And initially, they're going to be really excited because they're going to see more merchandise in their stores. They're going to see liquidations. Long-term, they're going to see those stores close and less opportunity. Sax Global will contract because they will be exiting the discount space as they attempt to shore up their debt. >> Sax Fifth Avenue, an affiliate of Sax Global, listed 1 billion to10 billion in assets and liabilities. According to court documents filed in US bankruptcy court in Houston, Texas, >> Sachs made a decision to solve their market share issue by acquisition. The unfortunate thing is that they acquired Neiman Marcus who was buried under debt. When you yourself as a business are in a significant debt situation, the last thing that you want to do is acquire more debt. And so what they did is they did that and then they didn't have a plan. So businesses that are looking for acquisition, my best recommendation for you is do it from a position of strength. You know your model is working well and you're acquiring a business that can move into your model and accelerate your growth long term. >> When SAK said that it would buy Neiman Marcus for 2.65 billion in the summer of 2024, the goal was to create a powerhouse in a luxury sector that had grown more fragmented. But the entanglement with Neiman Marcus only worsened sex debt situation as luxury sales weakened. >> Personality. It has a it has a personality. It has a history. It has a value. Uh the things that they present are beautiful and thoughtful and they still have that. Sax Global said the new financing deal would provide an immediate cash infusion of $1 billion through a debtor in possession loan from an investor group. Financing worth 240 million would be available through an asset bankked loan provided by the company's assetbased lenders. The luxury retailer will have access to $500 million of financing from the investor group once it successfully exits bankruptcy protection expected later this year. Sean Marshall, NTD News. And now for your sports news. We're joined by NTV's Dave Martin. Dave, plenty going on. We have baseball, basketball, and some golf news. But let's turn in the NFL as the Buffalo Bills announced yesterday they lost two receivers in Sunday's win. Both suffering torn ACLs. What does or who does that leave them with? >> Uh not much tip. A big void. Probably a big headache for the head coach. That's for sure. I mean it's the two receivers who suffered torn ACL Sunday. Terrell Shavers and Gabe Davis. Now amazingly Shavers suffered the injury in the first half still somehow played in the second half. Pretty incredible there. Now, in addition to those two, the week before they put fellow receiver Joshua Palmer on the injured reserve with an ankle injury. So, that leaves them with just three healthy receivers right now. It's Brandon Cooks, Kilo Sha, and Keon Coleman. Now, they might get back veteran receiver Curtis Samuel, whom they just activated off of injured reserve yesterday, and he did practice. That could be a good sign for this Saturday. Now, other than that, they may have to add maybe someone from their practice squad. We'll have to see here. Now, meanwhile, their opponent Saturday, the Denver Broncos. Now, they had the number two ranked defense in the NFL this past season. Only Houston allowed fewer yards per game, and we saw what Houston did to Pittsburgh Monday night. That was pretty ugly there. So, not a great situation for Buffalo to be in, but it could be worse. >> All right, let's leave it at that. Shifting gears to golf, though. Live golf announced they've resigned former PJ star Dustin Johnson to a multi-year extension. Do you think this is in response to Brook Kepka's recent decision to return to the PGA? >> You know, at first I actually thought it was, you know, but the program that allowed Kepka to return, that was the returning members program, it was called, only allowed for former PGA members who've been away for two years and have won either a players championship or one of the four majors since 2022. So, the criteria were very specific. Now, Dustin Johnson is close, but he hasn't won a major actually since 2020. So, he wouldn't qualify. In fact, besides Kepka, only three other golfers qualified based on those criteria. That's Bryson, Duchambo, Cameron Smith, and John Rem. But those three announced yesterday that they were sticking with live golf and would not be following Kepka back to the PGA. And that window of opportunity here closes on February 2nd for the PGA to welcome them back. Now, if you remember, Kepka paid quite a hefty price return, really forfeiting a lot there. He forfeited any equity shares for the next five years while also not being eligible for the $100 million pool that is the FedEx Cup championship. Plus, he actually had to make a $5 million to a donation. Now, all told, that's probably more than $50 million in giving up in forfeitures there to return to the PGA. So, I guess that whole PGA live merger that was supposed to happen a couple years ago, it just is not going anywhere. So, this is this what they're resorting to, seems like, >> and it's uh hitting people in the pocket. >> A new tug of war. >> Well, looking at baseball news, the Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to a 5-year contract with free agent pitcher Ranger Suarez. >> Yeah, Suarez w was an all-star pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024. He was arguably even better this past year, going 12-8 with a 3.2 year in 26 starts. That was scored for nearly five wins above replacement. All very good numbers for a starter. Now, this deal is reportedly for five years worth $130 million. That's according to multiple reports. It certainly makes sense for Boston. They came into this offseason needing more starting pitching. They already traded for Sunny Gray from the Cardinals and now it looks like they will be signing Ranger Suarez. I would think the next order of business now for Boston is going to have to be finding a new replacement for third base after Alex Bregman reportedly left for the uh Chicago Cubs over the week uh over the weekend. You know, other than Bob Bashette, though, it's hard to see any obvious answers in free agency, so I'm not quite sure what to expect next, but I think Boston still got more work to do here. >> All right. Well, you'll be busy watching that. Moving to NBA news, though. Yesterday, we discussed the injury to Anthony Davis and ESPN's report that he would miss the rest of the season after having surgery. Do we have any updates on this? Yeah, about two minutes after we talked about this last night, Tiff Davis's team that the Dallas Mavericks announced he would not be having surgery on his injured hand. They said he would they they think he would could be healed in about 6 weeks without going through surgery surgery. So that would target a late February date for him to return, which would be well before the season ends, which is midappril for those teams who are not in the playoffs. And right now, Dallas is not heading toward the playoffs where their record is now. David Davis was injured last Thursday against Utah. Now the 10 he's a 10 time all-star center, but he's missed already 20 of the team's 40 games this season. He's been a differencemaker in those 20 games. The team is 10 and 10 with with him on the court, just 5 and 15 in the games without him. And they played tonight against Denver. Meanwhile, Denver is out without their all-star center in Nicola Joic. But that's one of seven games on tonight, Tiff. So, in case you're looking for something to do, you can watch a game between two teams who don't have their All-Star centers anymore. All right, >> we'll see how the the teams play. >> Yeah, it it might be a late game though out west, so you could be up late >> or you can be up very early. >> There you go. I'll get up at midnight. >> Hey, it's a new day anyway. Dave, as always, thanks for joining us. >> Thank you, Tiff. >> And that's all for today's news. For roundtheclock coverage, visit us at ntd.com/live or download our NTD app. Thanks for tuning in. I'm Tiffany Meyer. Good night.