Seized tanker was head for Cuba
The Venezuelan oil tanker seized by the U.S. military was headed to Cuba and carrying about two million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil according to CNN. Previously named Adisa, the tanker, which is now called Skipper, was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 for facilitating oil trades for Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. Skipper had hidden its true location while docked at a Venezuelan oil terminal last month, according to satellite and shipping data reviewed by CNN. The tanker was flying a Guyana flag, despite not being registered in Guyana, the country’s Maritime Administration Department said. President Trump said he knows nothing about the seizure and believes the U.S. can keep the oil the tanker was carrying.
Trump administration again promises to disclose its health plan
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says that the administration will share details on its health plan for the U.S. population “very soon.” Her statement came after President Trump said that he believes Democrats and Republicans will soon work together on health care. Trump years ago began saying that his administration would reveal its health plan to replace Obamacare in two weeks. The Senate this week rejected health care proposals from both parties. Millions of Americans are facing loss of health insurance or having to pay higher premiums beginning next month if premium subsidies for Obamacare are allowed to lapse as the Republicans intend..
Indiana Republicans block redistricting
Indiana Republicans have defied President Trump’s pressure campaign to redraw the state’s congressional maps ahead of next year’s midterm elections. On Thursday, 21 Republicans joined 10 Democrats to vote down a proposed map, which would have positioned the GOP to sweep all nine of the state’s U.S. House seats — and potentially help the party retain control of the House of Representatives. Several lawmakers who refused to vote for the map argued their constituents opposed the redistricting. Trump said he hopes Republicans who voted against redrawing the map will face primary challenges from loyal MAGA supporters.
Trump blocks artificial intelligence action by states
President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that blocks states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence (AI) regulations and instead aims to create a “single national framework” for AI. Silicon Valley leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have argued that a patchwork of state rules could slow innovation and undermine America’s competitiveness in the global AI race with China, with potential consequences for the economy and national security. Critics, however, worry that the move toward deregulation could let AI companies avoid accountability if their software harms consumers.
Deportation setback for Trump administration
A federal judge on Thursday ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE custody. The Salvadoran man was mistakenly deported earlier this year, prompting a legal battle that has included tense confrontations between the judge and the Justice Department over the department not being honest with the judge. His case has also come to embody the Trump administration’s aggressive posture of deporting people without proving they are criminals or are in the U.S. illegally. His release comes after the administration claimed it could not find a country willing to accept him.
Record floods in Washington State
Record flooding in Washington State has triggered widespread evacuations and water rescues. Several rivers in the western part of the state are overflowing their banks and are inundating towns with fast-moving floodwater. Dozens of people were rescued in Sumas as water levels reached up to 15 feet on Thursday. Around 100,000 residents statewide face potential evacuations as flood threats intensify, officials said. Many are in Skagit County, where the entire 100-year floodplain has been ordered to evacuate. Meteorologists say a new atmospheric river next week could send even more rain to areas already devastated by floods.
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