Chapter 1: What recent actions has the U.S. taken against Venezuela?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump says the U.S. has struck a dock in Venezuela where he says drugs were being loaded onto boats. Trump also says he recently spoke with Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro. As NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports, this comes as the U.S. ramps up aggression towards Venezuela.
President Trump was about to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he confirmed to reporters that the U.S. had, quote, hit a Venezuelan dock.
There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs. They load the boats up with drugs, so we hit all the boats.
Chapter 2: How is President Trump addressing Iran's nuclear program?
Trump did not provide further detail, but such a strike likely indicates an escalation in aggression toward Venezuela. In recent weeks, Trump announced a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers coming in and out of Venezuela, And the U.S. has struck multiple boats off the coast of the South American country, alleging that they're carrying drugs. More than 100 people have been killed in those attacks.
Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.
President Trump is warning Iran against reconstituting its nuclear program, saying its enrichment sites were destroyed in U.S. airstrikes last June. Trump spoke as he welcomed Israel's prime minister to his home in Florida. Israeli officials have recently expressed concern about Iran's ability to strike their nation.
Chapter 3: What military activities is China conducting around Taiwan?
China has launched rockets on the second day of military exercises around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The Chinese war games are simulating the seizure and blockade of key parts of the self-governing island. The BBC's Stephen McDonald has more from Beijing.
According to journalists on Pingtan Island, which is close to Taiwan, volleys of rockets were fired into the air from mainland China this morning. As the People's Liberation Army exercises move into the second day, live fire operations have been increased on all sides of Taiwan.
The Chinese military says it's carrying out simulated strikes and a dress rehearsal for a blockade of the territory Beijing considers a rogue province. US President Donald Trump said he wasn't worried by the mass exercises as they'd happened before.
The BBC's Stephen McDonald in Beijing. Cities across the U.S. are ramping up security ahead of New Year's Eve.
Chapter 4: How are U.S. cities preparing for New Year's Eve security?
New Orleans Homeland Security Secretary Colin Arnold says the Coast Guard, National Guard and police will all be present to assist local and state law enforcement.
It appears that we're going to have close to 800 law enforcement downtown in the French Quarter, and I think that that's going to be outstanding. You're going to see an incredible visual presence in the French Quarter and throughout downtown over the rest of this week.
Some 14 people were killed last year during New Year's Eve celebrations in New Orleans when a man drove a vehicle into a crowd in the French Quarter. You're listening to NPR. A powerful weather system is threatening harsh conditions across much of the northern U.S. The so-called bomb cyclone is bringing strong storms and winds and heavy snow to the region, causing havoc on roads and highways.
An emergency declaration has been issued for New York State ahead of a major snowstorm there. The weather system has already caused thousands of power outages. that stretch from Michigan to New Hampshire and into Virginia.
Chapter 5: What severe weather conditions are affecting the northern U.S.?
A retired public school teacher is suing San Francisco and the city's police department over the use of flock safety license plate reader cameras. KQED's Rachel Miro reports the plaintiff alleges the practice amounts to unconstitutional mass surveillance.
The federal complaint argues San Francisco is feeding a surveillance dragnet accessible by federal agencies, including ICE. Similar lawsuits have been filed against Oakland and San Jose. If successful, the San Francisco suit could have implications far beyond the city, as license plate reader systems are now used by thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country.
plaintiff's attorney Ramzi Abadou.
We believe it's a violation of the Fourth Amendment to track everyone all the time without their consent and without a warrant.
In a statement, the chief communications officer for the company that makes the cameras, Flock Safety, wrote the lawsuit seeks to overturn longstanding nationwide legal consensus. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Miro.
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Chapter 6: What legal challenges are being raised against surveillance technology in San Francisco?
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