President Trump said Wednesday that U.S. authorities have seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela. The action comes as relations between Washington and Caracas remain tense. Officials have not released details about the vessel, its crew, or the reason for the seizure. U.S. officials have previously imposed sanctions and increased pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. (Story URL)
The Department of Homeland Security has signed a contract to buy six Boeing 737 aircraft for deportation flights. The deal will allow ICE to run its own fleet instead of relying on chartered planes. The funding comes from the $170 billion Congress approved earlier this year for President Trump’s immigration enforcement plans. DHS said in October it had deported nearly 600,000 people in 2024. (Story URL)
The Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate by a quarter point on Wednesday, marking its third cut this year. The move aims to strengthen hiring as inflation rises and job growth slows. The benchmark rate now ranges between 3.5% and 3.75%, down sharply from its 2023 peak but still above pandemic-era lows. Three of the 12 voting members opposed the move, the most dissent since 2019. (Story URL)
The Trump administration has proposed new entry rules for citizens of 42 visa waiver countries. Under the plan, travelers would need to provide five years of social media history before entering the United States. Applicants would also submit ten years of email history and contact details for close relatives. Critics warn the policy could discourage tourism ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (Story URL)
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., has filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Stevens announced the move Wednesday, calling Kennedy “the biggest self-created threat to our health and safety.” In a social media video, Stevens said Kennedy has “turned his back on science and the safety of the American people.” (Story URL)
