Trump orders blockade of 'sanctioned oil tankers' into Venezuela, ramping up pressure on Maduro
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is ordering a blockade of all “sanctioned oil tankers” into Venezuela, ramping up pressure on the country’s authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro. The moves comes after U.S. forces last week seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast, an unusual move that followed a buildup of military forces in the region. In a post on social media Tuesday night announcing the blockade, Trump alleged Venezuela was using oil to fund drug trafficking and other crimes. Venezuela’s government accused Trump of “violating international law, free trade, and the principle of free navigation” with “a reckless and grave threat.”
Rob Reiner’s son Nick set to appear in court on 2 counts of murder in killing of his parents
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner, is expected to appear in court Wednesday as he faces charges of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges Tuesday. The 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead from stab wounds in their Los Angeles home Sunday. Nick Reiner was arrested hours later. Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and a special allegation of using a knife, which could lead to a greater sentence. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killings.
Jack Smith set for private interview with lawmakers about Trump investigations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith is set for a closed-door interview with House Republicans after lawmakers rebuffed his offer to testify publicly about his investigations into President Donald Trump. The private deposition set for Wednesday is part of an ongoing investigation by the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee into the Justice Department’s criminal inquiries of Trump during the Biden administration. Smith was subpoenaed earlier this month to provide both testimony and documents, and his lawyers indicated that he would cooperate with the congressional demand despite having volunteered more than a month earlier to answer questions publicly before the committee.
Trump expands travel ban and restrictions to include an additional 20 countries
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has announced an expansion of travel restrictions to include 20 more countries. This move doubles the number of nations affected by previous limits on travel and immigration to the U.S. The administration cites national security concerns, including the arrest of an Afghan national suspect, as reasons for the expansion, among others. Critics argue it unfairly targets a broad range of countries. The restrictions exempt those with visas, lawful permanent residents and certain visa categories. It's unclear when these new restrictions will take effect. The expansion includes full bans and partial restrictions on various countries.
Investigators release additional video of possible Brown gunman as search continues
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities are asking the public for any footage they might have of the gunman who fatally shot two students and wounded nine others at Brown University. They released a new video timeline and a slightly clearer image of a possible suspect Tuesday. Investigators provided no indication that they were any closer to zeroing in on his identity. In all of the videos made public, the suspect’s face was masked or turned away. Authorities have only been able to give a vague description of him as being stocky and about 5 feet, 8 inches tall.
Louvre workers vote to extend a strike as the museum partially reopens
PARIS (AP) — Employees at the Louvre Museum have voted to extend a strike that has disrupted operations at the world’s most visited museum. The Louvre partially opened before noon to allow visitors to enjoy the Mona Lisa and other highlights. The museum said that visitors have started entering the building, where they had access to a limited “masterpiece route” which includes Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and the famous Venus de Milo. Union workers are protesting chronic understaffing, building deterioration and recent management decisions. The decision came during a morning general assembly, after workers had adopted the walkout unanimously earlier this week.
Accused gunman in Bondi Beach shooting charged with 15 counts of murder
SYDNEY (AP) — An accused gunman in Sydney’s Bondi Beach massacre has been charged with 59 offenses including 15 charges of murder as hundreds of mourners gathered in Sydney to begin funerals for the victims. Two shooters slaughtered 15 people on Sunday in an antisemitic mass shooting targeting Jews celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, and more than 20 other people are still being treated in hospitals. All of the victims identified so far were Jewish. A police official said that Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old suspected shooter, was charged in a Sydney hospital on Wednesday, where he has been since police shot him and his gunman father at Bondi. His 50-year-old father Sajid Akram died at the scene, a police official said.
House Speaker Johnson rebuffs efforts to extend health care subsidies, pushing ahead with GOP plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republican leaders are determined to push ahead with a health care bill that excludes efforts to address the soaring monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act recipients. The enhanced tax credits for people who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at year’s end. Speaker Mike Johnson had discussed allowing more politically vulnerable Republicans lawmakers a chance to vote on their plan that would temporarily extend the pandemic-era subsidies. But leadership ultimately sided with conservatives who assailed the subsidies as propping up Obamacare. The outcome all but guarantees that many Americans will see substantially higher insurance costs in 2026.
What Americans think about giving cash as holiday gifts, according to a new AP-NORC poll
NEW YORK (AP) — A new AP-NORC poll finds that most U.S. adults are on board with giving cash or gift cards as holiday presents. Only 30% find secondhand gifts acceptable. The poll also shows that nearly half of Americans plan to be asleep before midnight on New Year's Eve. About 44% of adults won't stay up to greet 2026, and that's especially true of those over age 45. Additionally, 35% of adults plan to leave holiday decorations up after New Year's Day. About one-quarter of U.S. adults say they’re planning to watch sports on Christmas Day. Only 5% say they’ll go see a movie in a theater.
Warner Bros asks investors to reject takeover bid from Paramount Skydance
NEW YORK (AP) — Warner Bros. is telling shareholders to reject a takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, saying that a rival bid from Netflix will be better for customers. It said Wednesday that it “strongly believes” a merger with Netflix will allow it to reach a broader audience. Paramount went hostile with its bid last week, asking shareholders to reject the deal with Netflix favored by the board of Warner Bros. Paramount’s bid isn’t off the table altogether. While Wednesday’s letter to shareholders means Paramount is not the offer favored by the board at Warner Bros., shareholders can still decide to tender their shares in favor of Paramount’s offer for the entire company — including cable stalwarts CNN and Discovery.
