Venezuelan tanker, Epstein files, Absentia removals : NPR
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Today’s best stories
The Trump administration says the U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker linked to Venezuela. This action is the latest in the pressure campaign led by the Trump administration against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The move is also part of the administration’s efforts to impose a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.
President Trump boards Air Force One as he departs Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport in Elm City, North Carolina, after holding a political rally on December 19, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 A U.S. official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, informed NPR yesterday that the Coast Guard was “actively pursuing a vessel.” The official described the tanker as a Dark Fleet ship that was trying to illegally evade sanctions. Dark Fleet ships use deceptive practices, like flying fake national flags to hide where they have been and where they are going, NPR’s Carrie Kahn said. First. Last week, President Trump threatened Venezuela with a total blockade and said additional military pressure would be applied unless the country returned assets, including oil, that it stole from the United States. Venezuela denies stealing anything and says Trump only wants the country’s natural resources and vast oil reserves.
The Justice Department continued the partial release of files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein this weekend.revealing previously redacted information. Lawmakers have criticized the DOJ for missing the release deadline, and some are threatening contempt of Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- 🎧 The DOJ has released two other data sets, but NPR’s Luke Garrett says that after a careful reading of the 119-page documentthere were no major revelations. The names of the co-conspirators remained largely redacted, despite the fact that Epstein’s crimes and plot were described in brutal detail. The DOJ removed more than a dozen files from their original versions over the weekend. Indeed, a New York judge has asked the agency to listen to the concerns of victims and victims’ rights groups about what content it should make available to the public.
Thousands of immigrants without legal status avoided immigration court this yearand NPR found that these absences are leading to an increase in “in absentia” deportations. This comes as immigration courts face intense pressure: the administration has fired judges, the government has deported some people to countries they have never lived in, and more.
- 🎧 If a person who is in the country illegally fails to appear in immigration court, the government can issue a removal order in absentia to remove them.according to NPR’s Ximena Bustillo. Based on an initial analysis conducted between January and November, NPR found that almost all U.S. immigration courts issued more of these orders for failure to appear, Bustillo says. Orders increased around June, coinciding with when ICE agents began making arrests inside courthouses. Immigrants were hesitant to go to court after learning of the arrests, said Ruby Powers, an immigration attorney in Texas.
Listening of the day
Irma Thomas; Grand Freedia; Tarriona “Tank” Ball
Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Nelson Cosey; Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence
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Sean Gardner/Getty Images; Nelson Cosey; Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Essence
When you imagine New Orleans music, Christmas carols probably aren’t the first genre that comes to mind. You probably associate the Big Easy with marching bands and bouncing, but many local musicians have deep roots in the church. This Christmas, NPR station WWNO’s Rosemary Westwood chatted with some of the city’s favorite stars, from jazz singer John Boutte to New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia, to find out what holiday songs they like to listen to around this time. Listen to samples of these songs or read the transcription here.
Life advice
Anxiety, distraction and vulnerability can increase during the last-minute rush of Christmas gift shopping and travel. In a recent AARP survey of nearly 2,000 U.S. adults, nearly 9 in 10 adults said someone targeted them or they were victims of some sort of scam during the holiday season of the past year. Common schemes include fake shipping notifications, stolen packages, and fake donation requests. Amy Nofziger, fraud specialist at AARP, shares with Life kit the best schemes she’s seen this season and tips for protecting herself.
- 🎁 Before using a provider who is new to you, search their name along with “scam,” “fraud,” and “complaint” to see other customers’ experiences. Use this information as a guide.
- 🎁 Avoid fake gift cards by buying ones that are near the front of the store and have more eyes on them. You can also purchase electronic gift cards instead of physical cards.
- 🎁 If an unexpected text message from UPS or FedEx asks for your personal information, contact the company’s customer service separately and confirm that a package is indeed arriving to you.
To learn more about holiday scams to be aware of this season, listen to this episode of NPR Life kit. Subscribe to THE Life kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
3 things to know before you leave
New Carolina State Representative and Chairman of the Lumbee Tribe John Lowery (right) is comforted by Rob Jacobs as they join other tribal members in celebrating Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, after the passage of a bill granting the tribe federal recognition.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
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Jacquelyn Martin/AP
- The U.S. government has granted the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina full federal recognition. Its members have been searching for this historic milestone since 1888.
- Cartagena, Colombia, a city famous for its horse-drawn carriages, is moving to ban the iconic carriages. The decision divides the city over concerns about tradition, tourism and animal welfare.
- Comedian Bowen Yang is gone Saturday evening live halfway through its eighth season. He made his final appearance on SNL this weekend in an episode hosted by Wicked star Ariana Grande.
This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.
