U.S. Coast Guard ramps up oil tanker interceptions off Venezuelan coast

We have an inside look into one of Ukraine's most rapidly evolving tools in its war with Russia. Small unmanned drones have come to dominate the frontlines, long-range strikes against power facilities and the waters of the Black Sea and Mediterranean. Special correspondent Volodymyr Solohub gained rare access to a military unit that's responsible for some of Ukraine's high-profile drone strikes. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, Denmark is pushing back against President Trump's move naming Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland, Trump announced plans for what he called a new 'Trump class' of warships, a car bomb killed a senior Russian general in Moscow and Jim Beam is pausing production at its main distillery in Kentucky for all of next year. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For millions of Jews around the world, Hanukkah ended Monday evening at nightfall. A holiday centered on dedication and perseverance, the Festival of Lights is particularly special in Israel, and especially for survivors of Oct. 7, their families and the families of the lost. The News Hour's producer in Israel, Karl Bostic, sent this report from two kibbutzes shattered by terror, and now reviving. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Trump's pressure on Venezuelan President Maduro mounted Sunday as the Coast Guard went after another oil tanker that U.S. officials accused of helping Venezuela circumvent sanctions. Last week, Trump announced a "total and complete blockade of all sanctioned tankers heading to and from Venezuela." John Yang speaks with Reuters national security correspondent Idrees Ali for more. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

From twinkling Christmas markets across Europe to vibrant displays of poinsettia in Mexico City, the Christmas spirit takes many forms. John Yang takes a look at how Christians around the world are celebrating the season. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Saturday, Russian attacks on Ukraine continued amid U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, the Israeli army struck a school in Gaza that was sheltering displaced people, U.S. Central Command released video of Friday's strikes in Syria, and an engineer from Germany became the first person who uses a wheelchair to go to space. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

The Trump administration has approved the largest single package of weapons sales to Taiwan in U.S. history. Many of the systems mirror those the United States has supplied to Ukraine. The move is part of a broader U.S. effort to help Taiwan deter, and if necessary, defend itself against China. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For weeks, the Trump administration has been escalating pressure on Venezuela and the government of Nicolás Maduro. Wednesday night, we heard from a critic of the approach. For a different perspective, Geoff Bennett spoke with Jimmy Story. He spent 25 years in the U.S. State Department and most recently served as the top U.S. diplomat to Venezuela. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, the surviving suspect in the shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach has been charged with 15 counts of murder, former special counsel Jack Smith testified privately to lawmakers that investigators found proof that President Trump criminally conspired to overturn the 2020 election and Warner Bros. urged shareholders to reject Paramount's hostile takeover bid. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump continued his rhetorical campaign against Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, as a large American Naval force sits in the waters off the coast. The U.S. will actively blockade and seize vessels it had already sanctioned, a move some critics have called an act of war. Nick Schifrin reports and Geoff Bennett discusses the latest with David Smilde. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy