A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced new proposals to require congressional approval before any potential military action by the Trump administration against Venezuela. Senators Tim Kaine, Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff, and Rand Paul issued a joint statement warning that unauthorized military intervention would be a costly mistake risking American lives. The lawmakers plan to invoke the War Powers Resolution to ensure debate and voting in Congress before any use of US forces in or against Venezuela. In the House, Representatives Jim McGovern, Joaquin Castro, and Thomas Massie submitted a similar proposal. The move follows reports of at least 21 US-led strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific regions since September, allegedly targeting drug trafficking linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government. Critics accuse Trump of bypassing constitutional requirements for congressional authorization of major military actions. Recent reports of possible violations of international law have prompted congressional committees to announce investigations into US operations in Venezuela.

The United States has indefinitely suspended all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries, citing national and public security concerns. The Trump administration stated that the decision aims to strengthen immigration controls and reassess potential security risks. The affected nations include Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen, among others. Officials referenced recent incidents involving immigrants, including the arrest of an Afghan national linked to an attack on the National Guard in Washington, as factors prompting the move. Since returning to office, President Trump has intensified enforcement of immigration laws, expanding crackdowns on illegal immigrants and tightening rules for legal immigration as well. The new directive calls for a comprehensive review of all pending cases, with possible re-interviews to reassess applicants’ security profiles. Critics argue the policy disproportionately targets Muslim-majority countries, while supporters claim it reinforces national safety.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States may launch a military operation in Venezuela at any time, targeting drug trafficking networks and their infrastructure. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on December 2, Trump claimed that large quantities of fentanyl produced in Venezuela are smuggled into the US, causing nearly 200,000 American deaths last year. He stated that the upcoming campaign would include ground operations, complementing previous naval missions in the Caribbean. Over recent months, the US has increased its military presence in the region, deploying warships and troops. Several naval attacks on alleged drug-carrying vessels have already taken place, sparking criticism after leaked videos showed fatal assaults on survivors. Despite the controversy, Trump reaffirmed his stance, vowing to eliminate those involved in drug trafficking. The US has long accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of facilitating drug smuggling, allegations Maduro has consistently denied.

The U.S. Department of Defense has publicly supported Admiral Mitch Bradley, who ordered a strike on a suspected 'narco-terrorist' vessel in the Caribbean Sea on September 2. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson confirmed that the White House approved the operation, emphasizing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fully endorsed Bradley’s decision. A Washington Post report had alleged that Hegseth personally ordered a second strike after the first failed to eliminate all targets, but the White House clarified that Bradley acted on his own authorization. Wilson stated that 21 such operations have been conducted in the Western Hemisphere, resulting in 82 deaths, all deemed lawful and necessary for U.S. national security. Hegseth reiterated that the campaign against drug traffickers at sea would continue, asserting that field commanders were making tough but justified decisions. The Pentagon dismissed the Washington Post report as false, noting that The New York Times had already refuted it.

The White House has confirmed that the US Navy has been authorized to conduct a second round of strikes on drug-carrying vessels linked to Venezuela. Admiral Frank Bradley approved the new operation following authorization from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt stated that the actions were taken within legal boundaries and denied claims that the strikes were intended to kill. The first attack caused an explosion on one vessel, leaving two survivors. Bipartisan lawmakers in Congress have expressed concern and announced a review of the military operations. Levitt added that President Donald Trump and Hegseth consider drug-trafficking groups supported by Venezuela’s leadership as legitimate wartime targets under international law. The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, targeting suspected drug boats near Venezuela and Colombia since September, with over 80 reported deaths. The Trump administration maintains that the operations are part of anti-narcotics and self-defense efforts.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the suspension of asylum applications in the United States will be extended indefinitely following the fatal shooting of a National Guard member in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan immigrant. Trump said he is also considering a permanent ban on immigration from third world countries. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the suspension will apply to citizens of 19 countries already under travel restrictions, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who entered the U.S. in 2021 through a resettlement program, was previously part of a CIA-backed special unit in Afghanistan. Trump blamed the Biden administration’s “weak vetting” during the Afghan airlift for allowing Lakhanwal’s entry and vowed to tighten immigration controls in response to the attack.

A powerful winter storm has swept across the US Midwest, bringing over a foot of snow and causing major disruptions from South Dakota to New York. More than 53 million people were under winter weather alerts as heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms created hazardous conditions. Des Moines recorded 10.9 inches (28 cm) of snow by midnight Sunday, marking its heaviest two-day snowfall since January 2024. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport saw 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday, setting a new November snowfall record for the city. Illinois State Police reported around 500 vehicle accidents in the Chicago area on Saturday alone. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as cleanup and recovery efforts continue amid freezing temperatures and ongoing weather warnings.

Authorities in Stockton, California, reported that four people were killed and ten others injured after gunfire erupted during a family celebration at a banquet hall on Saturday evening. The shooting occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said the victims included both children and adults, describing the incident as 'unfathomable' given that young children were harmed. Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee confirmed the event was a children’s birthday party. Investigators are still working to identify the suspect, and officials believe the attack may have been targeted. It remains unclear whether the shots were fired inside or outside the venue. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are assisting in the investigation. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office stated that he has been briefed on the 'horrific shooting' and that the state’s emergency services are coordinating with local authorities as the situation continues to be monitored.

The United States has suspended issuing visas to Afghan citizens following a recent shooting incident in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan national. The U.S. State Department has instructed all embassies and consulates worldwide to stop processing Afghan visa applications immediately. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio announced on social media that the decision was made to prioritize national security and public safety. The move comes after Rahmanullah Laknwal, an Afghan citizen and former CIA agent during the U.S.-NATO operations in Afghanistan, allegedly opened fire on National Guard members, killing one and injuring another. Following the attack, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services canceled all pending Afghan citizenship and residency applications. The new directive, issued under President Trump’s administration, reinforces a stricter immigration stance toward Afghan nationals amid growing security concerns.

At 38, Lionel Messi continues to make history, breaking a 59-year-old world record for the most career assists in football. During Inter Miami’s 5–1 victory over New York City FC, which secured the club’s first-ever Major League Soccer Eastern Conference title, Messi provided his 405th career assist. The record surpasses the previous unofficial mark of 404 assists held by Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás since 1966. Although Messi’s impact in the match was limited to a single assist, it proved decisive in both the game and football history. Among active players, Thomas Müller follows with 352 assists, while Luis Suárez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ángel Di María, and Cristiano Ronaldo trail behind. Messi’s career tally now stands at 896 goals, further cementing his status as the player with the most combined goals and assists in football history.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Venezuelan and surrounding airspace should be declared off-limits, escalating tensions with President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The statement, made on Truth Social, comes amid increased US military presence in the Caribbean, officially aimed at combating drug trafficking. However, Caracas accuses Washington of attempting regime change. Since early September, US forces have attacked over 20 alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 80 people, though no evidence has been released to substantiate the drug trafficking claims. The US Federal Aviation Administration has also warned of deteriorating security and heightened military activity in Venezuelan airspace, prompting six major South American airlines to suspend flights. In response, Venezuela banned several airlines, accusing them of supporting US “state terrorism.” Reports suggest Trump and Maduro recently spoke by phone and discussed a possible meeting in the US, further complicating the geopolitical situation.

US President Donald Trump has announced the cancellation of all executive orders issued under former President Joe Biden that he claims were signed using an autopen. In a social media post on November 28, Trump asserted that nearly 92 percent of Biden’s executive orders were executed through the device, which replicates a person’s signature. He declared such documents void and without legal effect. Trump reiterated his long-standing claim that Biden, due to his age and declining mental fitness, was not in control of the executive office. He also threatened legal action if Democrats deny his assertions. The use of autopen in the White House, however, is a long-established practice dating back to the early 19th century, and Trump himself reportedly used it during his first term. The move underscores Trump’s ongoing hostility toward his Democratic predecessors, including Biden and Barack Obama.

According to a report by The Telegraph, former U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing a peace proposal that would recognize Russia’s control over Crimea and other occupied Ukrainian territories as part of a deal to end the ongoing war. Trump has reportedly sent his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner to Moscow to deliver the proposal directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite concerns from European allies, the plan is expected to move forward, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine. Kremlin sources confirmed receiving a revised peace strategy following emergency talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Geneva. The initial 28-point plan includes U.S. recognition of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk as Russian territories, as well as acknowledgment of Russian control behind the front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia if a ceasefire is reached.

The United Nations has called on the United States to maintain access to asylum and ensure due process for migrants after President Donald Trump announced plans to halt migration from so-called 'Third World' countries. The move follows a shooting near the White House that investigators say was carried out by an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021. Speaking in Geneva, U.N. human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence emphasized that asylum seekers are entitled to protection under international law. U.N. refugee agency spokesperson Eujin Byun reiterated that individuals seeking protection must be allowed entry and fair asylum procedures, noting that most refugees are law-abiding members of their host communities. The U.N. appeal underscores growing concern over the potential human rights implications of Washington’s proposed migration freeze and its impact on global refugee protection standards.

A Chilean national, Mario Bustamante Leiva, 50, has admitted to stealing a Gucci purse belonging to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a Washington, D.C. restaurant. The stolen bag contained Noem’s ID, passport, badge, and $3,000 in cash. Leiva, who has prior convictions for theft in both Chile and the United Kingdom, also confessed to stealing from two other women in April—one from Spain and another from Massachusetts. According to his plea agreement, Leiva pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and one count of first-degree theft. He has been in custody since his arrest in April and is scheduled for sentencing in March. Upon completion of his sentence, he will be subject to deportation from the United States. Authorities said Leiva used Noem’s stolen credit card at a Georgetown restaurant before being apprehended. His criminal record includes multiple theft convictions dating back to 1995.