Nora Rahm

Leslie Eiler Thompson reports.

Thousands gathered at Stonehenge in southwest England this morning to welcome the winter solstice.

They arrived before dawn, some in costume, and cheered and danced at sunrise.

The historic site was built to align with the sun's movement on the winter and summer solstices.

Today is the shortest day of the year north of the equator.

It's seen by some as a time of renewal as the days get longer.

I'm Noor Rahm, NPR News in Washington.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Rahm.

The Venezuelan government is denouncing the U.S.

interception of a second oil tanker, saying it will take the issue to the U.N.

Security Council.

The U.S.

Coast Guard stopped the tanker yesterday.

NPR's Quill Lawrence reports on the escalation of the Trump administration's pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.

Turning Point USA is wrapping up its annual conference in Phoenix today.

NPR's Elena Moore reports on the largest event the group has held since its founder, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated three months ago.

The Israeli Security Cabinet today approved 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank.

This comes days after the UN said the expansion of Israeli settlements there had reached its highest level in eight years.

The BBC's Shaima Khalil reports from Jerusalem.

The BBC's Shaima Khalil reporting from Jerusalem.