People line up behind the barricades to attend the hearing about the upcoming sentence for pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, in Hong Kong, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/May James)

President Donald Trump says he is inclined to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after its top executive was skeptical about oil investment efforts in the country after the toppling of former President Nicol獺s Maduro. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump told reporters as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida that he didnt like Exxons response. He says, Theyre playing too cute. During a meeting Friday with oil executives, Trump tried to assuage the concerns of the companies and said they would be dealing directly with the U.S., rather than the Venezuelan government. Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, the largest U.S. oil company, called the country uninvestable.

Policemen check on the barricades as people line up to attend the hearing arguments about the upcoming sentence for pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, in Hong Kong, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/May James)

Policemen check the identification info of those who attend hearing arguments about the upcoming sentence for pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, in Hong Kong, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/May James)

A Hong Kong court will begin hearing arguments about the upcoming sentence for pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai on Monday. His conviction under a national security law could lead to life imprisonment. Lai, 78, was found guilty of conspiring with others to collude with foreign forces and publish seditious articles. His case has raised concerns about press freedom, drawing criticism from the U.S. and Britain. Judges ruled Lai was the mastermind behind the conspiracies. Lai pleaded not guilty, but his co-defendants entered guilty pleas. Sentencing will occur later. Lai's daughter says he would focus on family and faith if released.

A man sleeps overnight outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts as he tries to attend a hearing of sentencing submissions in the national security case of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, in Hong Kong, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/May James)

People sleep overnight behind a barricade setup outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of a hearing of sentencing submissions in the national security case of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, in Hong Kong, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/May James)

People sleep overnight behind a barricade setup outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts ahead of a hearing of sentencing submissions in the national security case of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, in Hong Kong, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/May James)