US forces stop oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as Trump follows up on promise to seize tankers
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces have stopped a second oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela in international waters. That action Saturday has been confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. A U.S. official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the tanker stopped voluntarily and allowed U.S. forces to board it. The move comes days after President Donald Trump announced a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of the South American country. And it follows the Dec. 10 seizure by American forces of an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast.
At least 16 files have disappeared from the DOJ webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein
NEW YORK (AP) — The Justice Department’s webpage for documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is missing at least 16 of its files a day after they were released. The files, which were no longer available Saturday after being uploaded to the site Friday, included photographs showing paintings of nude women and a credenza holding various photos of people including President Donald Trump. The discrepancies fueled online speculation about whether they were intentionally removed and why the public wasn’t notified — questions the Justice Department didn’t immediately answer. The missing files contributed to the long-simmering intrigue about Epstein and the powerful people who surrounded him, which wasn’t quelled by the Justice Department’s much-anticipated release of records Friday.
Russian strike on Odesa kills 8 as US hosts a Kremlin envoy for talks on peace plan
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa has killed eight people and wounded 27, according to Ukraine’s emergency service. The attack occurred late Friday, with ballistic missiles hitting the port and damaging vehicles. Meanwhile, a Kremlin envoy is set to travel to Florida for talks on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the nearly four-year war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of the U.S. response after discussions with Russia. Additionally, Ukraine and Portugal have signed an agreement to jointly produce maritime drones, enhancing defense cooperation.
San Francisco outages leaves 130,000 without power
A massive outage has knocked out power to 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco. The outage Saturday represents roughly one-third of Pacific Gas and Electric Co’s customers in the city. The power failure left a large swath of the northern part of the city in the dark, beginning with the Richmond and Presidio neighborhoods and areas around Golden Gate Park. PG&E did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the cause of the blackouts. Fire officials said at least some of the blackouts were caused by a fire that broke out inside a PG&E substation.
Trump’s ‘A+++++’ economy collides with reality in a Pennsylvania city critical to the midterms
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Idalia Bisbal moved from New York City to Allentown, Pennsylvania, hoping for a cheaper life. Three years later, she feels disappointed by high prices for essentials like food and gas. Vice President JD Vance recently visited the area and blamed the Biden administration for the affordability crisis. This economic anxiety affects both political parties, especially in competitive districts such as Allentown. Many residents, including business leaders, agree prices are too high. The area remains a political battleground, with Republicans and Democrats vying for control. The economy remains a key focus for voters heading into 2026 and midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.
How surveillance technology and the ‘Reddit Detective Agency’ helped search for a killer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than a decade ago, a frenzied 5-day search for the Boston Marathon bombers left some lessons in its aftermath. One was that increasingly pervasive surveillance technology could help catch the culprits. Another was that amateur online sleuths on Reddit could not. But the intense search this week for a suspect in a Brown University shooting that killed two students and wounded nine other people turned the tables on those expectations. Only after a Reddit tipster cracked the case could police tap into mass surveillance of the suspect’s car.
Combat training is a rite of passage for police recruits. It’s left a trail of deaths and injuries
Combat training drills are a rite of passage for police recruits nationwide, and an Associated Press investigation finds they’ve left a trail of deaths and injuries. The drills are frequently referred to as RedMan training for the brand and color of protective gear participants wear. They’re among the most challenging tests at police academies, intended to teach recruits to defend themselves against combative suspects. Critics say they can put recruits at risk of physical and mental abuse. AP found that since 2005, the drills have been linked to at least a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries. Academies have wide latitude to design the drills, given a lack of national standards governing police training. One drill last year for Texas game warden recruits left at least 13 injured.
Australian state plans tougher laws against displaying extremist flags after Bondi shooting
SYDNEY (AP) — The Australian state of New South Wales is proposing a ban on public displays of Islamic State group flags and extremist symbols. This follows a mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach that killed 15 people. The draft laws, to be debated Monday, include penalties of up to two years in prison and fines. Premier Chris Minns says chants like “globalize the intifada” will also be banned. Police will have more power to demand protesters remove face coverings. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged to curb radicalization and hate, including broadening hate speech definitions and toughening punishments. Albanese said “Australia will not allow these evil antisemitic terrorists to divide us.”
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles win their second NFC East title in a row by beating the Commanders 29-18
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have won their second straight NFC East title. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley led the Eagles to a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday night. The game included a late brawl after Barkley tacked on a 2-point conversion to increase the Eagles’ lead to 19 points. Hurts completed 22 of 30 throws for 185 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. Barkley had a 12-yard TD run as part of his 21-carry, 132-yard performance. It wasn’t a terrific performance by the Eagles, who had a fumble on the opening kickoff and a pair of penalties on the tush push.
WWII Navy veteran Ira ‘Ike’ Schab, one of last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, dies at 105
Pearl Harbor survivor and U.S. Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab has died. He was 105. His daughter says he passed away at home early Sunday. There remain only about a dozen survivors of the 1941 surprise attack, which killed just over 2,400 troops and propelled the United States into World War II. Schab joined the Navy at age 18, following in his father’s footsteps. He was serving as a tuba player in the USS Dobbin’s band when the attack happened. In recent years Schab has traveled to an annual observance at the Hawaii military base to commemorate the fallen servicemen.