Trump news at a glance: Seizure of oil tanker marks new level of tensions between US and Venezuela

María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, stated that Nicolás Maduro's political downfall is inevitable, emphasizing that the transition to a new political era in Venezuela is irreversible. This declaration followed her perilous escape from Venezuela, aided by U.S. support, and her recent public appearance in Oslo, Norway, where she received the Nobel Prize.

President Trump addressed a Congressional ball following the Senate's rejection of two healthcare proposals aimed at extending Obamacare subsidies, highlighting the urgency of bipartisan cooperation on healthcare as premium rates are expected to rise.

Scottish rock band Primal Scream has defended its decision to display an image of a swastika inside a Star of David during a concert at London's Roundhouse, following accusations of antisemitism from concertgoers. The band stated that the image was intended to provoke debate rather than promote hate.

US President Donald Trump has expressed significant frustration with both Russia and Ukraine, as reports indicate that the US is continuing to pressure Ukraine for major territorial concessions in ongoing peace negotiations aimed at resolving the nearly four-year conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly acknowledged this pressure, highlighting the contentious nature of the discussions.

Indiana Republicans voted against a proposal to redraw the state's congressional map, which aimed to add two Republican-friendly seats, resulting in a 19-31 defeat. This decision is seen as a significant rebuke to former President Donald Trump's influence over the party's direction.

Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Europe, labeling it as 'weak' and 'decaying' during a recent podcast, where he warned of a potential 'civilisational collapse' on the continent due to immigration. This rhetoric aligns with the Trump administration's newly released national security strategy, which appears to prioritize different values than previous U.S. administrations.

The United States has expanded sanctions against Venezuela, targeting six oil supertankers and three nephews of Nicolás Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores. This move follows the U.S. military's seizure of the Skipper, an oil tanker carrying 1.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, which President Trump confirmed as part of an intensified pressure campaign against Maduro's regime.

Elon Musk is collaborating with the government of El Salvador to introduce the Grok chatbot, developed by his artificial intelligence company xAI, to over 1 million students in more than 5,000 public schools as part of an AI-powered education initiative. This announcement was made on December 11, 2025, by xAI, highlighting a significant move towards integrating AI in education.