A look at the US military's unusually large force near Venezuela

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. military has amassed an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, when the Trump administration first began to shift assets to the region as part of its anti-drug trafficking operations.

 

Turning Point showcases the discord that Republicans like Vance will need to navigate

PHOENIX (AP) – The next presidential election is three years away, but Turning Point USA already knows it wants Vice President JD Vance as the Republican nominee. Erika Kirk, leader of the powerful conservative youth organization, endorsed him on opening night of its annual AmericaFest convention, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Farmers block roads in Brussels to protest South American free-trade deal

BRUSSELS (AP) – Farmers in tractors blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels on Thursday outside a European Union leaders’ summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against a major free-trade deal with South American nations.

Powerball jackpot climbs to $1.6 billion, among largest lottery prizes ever in U.S.

The Powerball jackpot now stands at an estimated $1.6 billion, making it one of the largest lottery prizes in U.S. history, Powerball officials said Sunday. No ticket matched all six winning numbers on Saturday – white balls 4, 5, 28, 52, 69 and red Powerball 20. That sets up the fifth largest U.S. jackpot ever for Monday’s drawing, according to a news release from Powerball.

Trump demands Venezuela pay for seized US oil assets after calling for blockade

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump demanded Wednesday that Venezuela return assets that it seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, justifying anew his announcement of a “blockade” against oil tankers traveling to or from the South American country that face American sanctions.

Stocks rise on Wall Street as AI stocks turn higher again

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks gained ground on Wall Street as AI stocks like Nvidia turned higher again. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% Friday, erasing its losses for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 183 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1.3%. Oracle rose sharply after joining a new joint venture for TikTok in the U.S. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.

Some sanctioned oil vessels divert from Venezuela as Trump threatens blockade

MIAMI (AP) – Some oil vessels are diverting away from Venezuela after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a “blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving the South American country, a dramatic escalation in the White House’s pressure campaign on leader Nicolás Maduro.

 

Coast Guard is pursuing another tanker helping Venezuela skirt sanctions

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday was pursuing another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration appeared to be intensifying its targeting of such vessels connected to Venezuelan government.

Italy may not support EU-Mercosur free trade deal without changes

BRUSSELS (AP) – Italy signaled on Wednesday that it might not support a massive transatlantic free trade deal between the European Union and South American countries, casting further doubt on the agreement as European leaders gather for a summit in Brussels and farmers enraged by the trade pact descend on the capital.