CNN 5 Things Minneapolis Protests, Venezuela 'Control' Timeframe, Grok AI Sexual Imagery and more
Jan 8, 2026
Protests are heating up in Minneapolis following a tragic shooting, with tensions flaring between demonstrators and police. Meanwhile, President Trump discusses the U.S. timeline for controlling Venezuela, stirring political debate. Tragedy strikes in Salt Lake City as a church shooting leaves two dead. Russia escalates threats against any incoming Western troops in Ukraine. On a tech front, Elon Musk's Grok AI is under fire for being inundated with sexualized prompts, raising ethical concerns.
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Community Barricades After Fatal Shooting
- Protesters in Minneapolis built makeshift barricades using pallets, tires, cones, and garbage cans around the shooting site.
- Some community members said they acted to protect themselves from vehicles rather than waiting on law enforcement.
Uncertain U.S. Timeline For Venezuela Control
- President Donald Trump said U.S. control of Venezuela could last much longer than a year and that only time will tell.
- The U.S. Senate prepared to vote on limiting Trump's war powers regarding Venezuela amid uncertainty about interim governance.
Deadly Shooting Outside Church Memorial
- A shooting outside a Salt Lake City church killed two people and injured six during a memorial service at the parking lot.
- Police said the attacker wasn't believed hostile to a faith but also didn't view the shooting as random, and no suspect was in custody.