USA under Donald Trump US ambassador receives French right-wing populists +++ No "Mamdani effect" in New York
Donald Trump has been President of the United States again since January 20, 2025. All developments in his second presidency can be found here in the ticker.
The most important facts at a glance
- Donald Trump has been in power in the USA since January 20.
- The country is currently deeply divided.
- You can read about what was important beforehand here.
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2.45 pm
US Ambassador Kushner receives French right-wing populists Le Pen and Bardella
Against the backdrop of the French presidential election in 2027, the US ambassador in Paris, Charles Kushner, received Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella from the right-wing populist Rassemblement National (RN). He was pleased to learn more from both about the party's economic and social program and "their views on what France expects", Kushner wrote on Friday in the online service X.
A new president will be elected in France in spring 2027. Le Pen has so far run unsuccessfully three times as the RN's presidential candidate. If the 57-year-old is convicted again in her appeal proceedings for embezzling EU funds, Bardella will run in her place in the 2027 presidential election.
Kushner had previously received the possible presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe from the center-right Horizons party and spoke with him about his possible program. In mid-November, the US ambassador had met the leader of the conservative Republicans and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
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1 p.m.
Not the "Mamdani effect": more luxury apartments are being sold in New York
Before Zorhan Mamdani was elected mayor of New York, his opponents warned that if the Democrat won the election, wealthy residents in particular would leave the metropolis - and flee from the socialist to Florida, for example.
But there is no sign of this "Mamdani effect", reports "Newsweek", citing data from various estate agents. According to the data, the sale of luxury properties costing more than 4 million dollars increased by 31 percent from October to November for one provider, compared to 25 percent for a competitor.
![Zohran Mamdani need not fear a New York exodus.]()
Zohran Mamdani need not fear a New York exodus. Keystone/AP Photo/Seth Wenig"If there are people who want to move to Florida or another state to avoid taxes, and they're older or retired, maybe that will be a little push," says broker Donna Olshan, "but overall, most people will just stay put."
That people would flee New York, she calls "pretty ridiculous."
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11:33 a.m.
Cambodia closes border
In the conflict with Thailand, the Cambodian government has completely closed the joint border crossing. The measure includes all entries and exits and is valid with immediate effect, said a spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of the Interior. The measure was justified by the country's own national security.
![The situation in Cambodia (marked) and Thailand.]()
The situation in Cambodia (marked) and Thailand. Google EarthThe border conflict between the two Southeast Asian states has flared up again for the sixth day in a row. Thailand's Prime Minister Charnvirakul wrote on Facebook this morning that military action would continue "until we no longer see any danger or threat to our country and our people. I would like to make that clear".
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11.17 am
"No accurate understanding of the situation": Thailand makes Trump look old - and attacks
The fighting on the border between Cambodia and Thailand continues today. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense announced that Thai fighter jets had flown air strikes in the morning.
The Thai military reported that rockets had hit a civilian area in Sisaket province. Two civilians were seriously injured as a result.
Thailand stated that it had not agreed to a ceasefire - contrary to US President Donald Trump's claim that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said today that some of Trump's comments "do not reflect an accurate understanding of the situation". The Cambodian government has not yet commented on Trump's statements.
After talks with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet yesterday, Trump announced that an agreement had been reached to restart the ceasefire.
"They have agreed to stop all shelling as of tonight and return to the original peace agreement that was reached with me and them with the help of the great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim," Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.
The recent fighting was triggered by a skirmish on December 7. Two Thai soldiers were injured in the skirmish. The shelling broke a ceasefire that had ended five days of fighting in July. Trump had campaigned for the ceasefire brokered by Malaysia at the time.
Around two dozen people are said to have been killed in the latest fighting. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border. The Thai military reported that eleven Thai soldiers were killed.
Cambodia is estimated to have lost 165 soldiers. Cambodia itself has not given any figures on casualties among its military personnel. However, at least eleven civilians were killed and 76 wounded, it said.
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10.37 a.m.
Hairy Epstein survey
More than two-thirds of respondents to a US poll believe the government is not being honest about Epstein: 70 percent think the government is withholding information about the pedophile's accomplices, according to Ruters/Ipsos. Among Republican voters, the figure is 62 percent. 62 percent assume that information is generally being withheld. Among Republicans, the figure is still 56 percent.
Overall, only 23 percent of respondents said they agreed with the way Trump is handling the case. That is a small number, but more than in July, when it was still 17%. Approval among Republican voters rose from 44 to 53 percent.
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8:21 a.m.
Is Greene messing with Johnson?
Marjorie Taylor Greene wants to resign her seat as a member of parliament in January, but the 51-year-old, who has fallen out of favor with Donald Trump, is reportedly planning one last coup that the president won't like.
"MS Now" (formerly MSNBC) reports that Greene is working on removing the Speaker of the House of Representatives. To do so, she would have to persuade nine Republicans to oppose Mike Johnson.
"Marjorie is reaching out to members to get to nine who will oust the Speaker," one of the sources said. "And if we don't get to work on codifying Trump's agenda, anything can happen.
Even if there is criticism of Johnson, the plan has relatively little chance of success, writes "MS Now". When asked, Greene said she was "not giving any interviews about it at the moment".
A party colleague confirmed to "MS Now" that "several Republicans are angry with Mike Johnson". Greene also told CNN, "You see Republican women directly attacking the speaker for sidelining us and not taking us seriously."
Republican Elise Stefanik tells the Wall Street Journal she doesn't think Johnson "would get the votes for the speaker job if there was a roll call vote tomorrow": "I think the majority of Republicans would vote for new leadership. That's how big the issue is already."
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Saturday, December 13, 2025 - 7:15 a.m.
Trump talks about an end to the fighting - Thailand's prime minister knows nothing about it
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to stop fighting, according to US President Donald Trump. Trump said that he had spoken to Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on the phone and that they had agreed to stop all fighting "as of tonight", Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
It remained unclear which time zone he was referring to. It was already night in the region at the time of the post. The two countries themselves did not initially confirm the agreement.
"Both countries are ready for PEACE and continued trade with the United States of America," Trump continued. He also wanted to thank Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his support in the talks.
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia on several fronts along the border has been going on for days. The background to this is a decades-long dispute over territorial claims. Both states accuse each other of first violating a recent ceasefire in the area along the approximately 800-kilometer-long shared border.
The fighting has driven more than 500,000 inhabitants of the region to flee and cost the lives of more than 20 people, including several civilians. Hundreds were also injured as a result of the fighting. The two countries had already agreed a ceasefire in July following heavy fighting.
At the end of October, they signed a joint declaration in the presence of Trump in Malaysia, which provided for steps towards a lasting peace. However, the agreed ceasefire was suspended for the time being in November following a new incident on the border. Since last Sunday, the situation has worsened once again.
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, however, contradicts the statement that there is a prospect of a ceasefire. After talks with US President Donald Trump, the head of government told journalists in Bangkok that Cambodia must first cease fire.
The party that had violated the ceasefire agreement was the one that had to correct its behavior - "not the party that was attacked", he continued, according to local media. Both sides accuse each other of having started the latest escalation.
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23.4
20 states sue US government over expensive work visas
California and 19 other mostly Democratic US states have sued President Donald Trump's administration over visas for workers that are subject to a $100,000 fee. This was announced by the Californian Attorney General Rob Bonta. The regulation clearly violates the law, as the massive fee exceeds what Congress has authorized.
The so-called H-1B visa enables companies to bring qualified employees such as doctors, programmers or nursing staff into the country. Previously available for a few thousand US dollars, it now costs 100,000 dollars (around 80,000 Swiss francs). The new fee would represent a costly hurdle for employers. Bonta explained that California knows that qualified skilled workers from all over the world help the state move forward. The "illegal $100,000 fee for H-1B visas" introduced by Trump creates unnecessary financial burdens for public employers and exacerbates labor shortages in key industries.
The visa fee is devastating for all states and also jeopardizes the quality of education, Bonta explained. There is a nationwide shortage of teachers in the United States, for example in the natural sciences and foreign languages. A few days ago, Trump announced an even more expensive entry ticket to the USA - the "Trump Gold Card" for one million US dollars (around 800,000 Swiss francs). This allows wealthy foreigners to buy a right of residence in the USA with immediate effect.
![Immigration made easy for wealthy foreigners: the Trump Gold Card gives them the right to stay in the USA for one million dollars.]()
Immigration made easy for wealthy foreigners: the Trump Gold Card gives them the right to stay in the USA for one million dollars. Alex Brandon/AP/dpa -
22:33
First immigrant from the USA deported to Kosovo
For the first time, a migrant from a third country has been deported from the USA to Kosovo. "A person has arrived in the Republic of Kosovo and has been granted temporary protection in accordance with the applicable legislation," the Kosovar Interior Ministry told the AP news agency.
Kosovo had agreed in June to temporarily accept up to 50 migrants who are to be deported from the United States due to new, stricter US immigration regulations. According to the agreement, they are to be allowed to return safely to their home country from there.
The country of origin of the deported person was not disclosed. It was also unclear when the other agreed deportations could follow. The US government had also deported some migrants from third countries to African states in recent months.
![Since the start of Trump's second term in office, the USA has been taking rigorous action against migrants who are also deported to third countries.]()
Since the start of Trump's second term in office, the USA has been taking rigorous action against migrants who are also deported to third countries. Alex Brandon/AP/dpa -
20:54
Admiral resigns command after deadly US attacks
A US Navy admiral has relinquished command of attacks on suspected drug transports from Venezuela. Admiral Alvin Holsey, who led US military operations in Latin America, resigned after a year in office. Normally, commanders remain in this position for three to four years. Holsey handed over command duties to his senior deputy, Lieutenant General Evan Pettus of the Air Force, during a ceremony at the headquarters of the US Southern Command near Miami.
In his farewell speech, Holsey did not mention the attacks on the boats or the reasons for his premature resignation. He appealed to his successor to preserve the long-standing partnerships in the region and to stand up resolutely for the shared values of democracy and the rule of law. "To be a trustworthy partner, we must be credible, present and committed," said Holsey.
![Admiral Alvin Holsey (center) at his farewell ceremony.]()
Admiral Alvin Holsey (center) at his farewell ceremony. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell/KeystoneHolsey's surprise resignation was announced by the Pentagon in October, more than a month after the attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific began. At least 87 people have died in the missions so far. The ceremony was more subdued than previous farewells. It took place outdoors in front of a small audience and without Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth because President Donald Trump has not yet nominated a successor for Holsey, who must then be confirmed by the Senate.
The US Congress has launched bipartisan investigations into the attacks on boats. In one of them, a boat was initially sunk. As two survivors clung to the wreckage, they were killed in a second attack. Holsey briefed members of Congress on the operation this week. Law of war experts, human rights groups and even some of Trump's allies in Congress question the legality of the attacks. In the past, such suspicious shipments have been stopped at sea, the occupants detained by the US Coast Guard and brought to the US for prosecution.
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19:47
Government lifts sanctions against Brazilian federal judge
The US government has lifted its sanctions against the Brazilian federal judge Alexandre de Moraes and his wife Viviane Barci de Moraes. Their law firm, which manages the family's real estate, has also been removed from the sanctions list, according to a statement. It was initially unclear why the measures were lifted. Previously, assets belonging to the individuals in the United States had been frozen due to the sanctions.
De Moraes had led criminal proceedings against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro was subsequently sentenced to a long prison term.
![Will no longer be sanctioned: Brazilian federal judge Alexandre de Moraes.]()
Will no longer be sanctioned: Brazilian federal judge Alexandre de Moraes. Marcelo Camargo/Agencia Brazil/dpa (Archivbild)US President Donald Trump - an important ally of Bolsonaro - was furious about this: In recent months, he imposed tariffs of 50 percent on numerous products from the South American country in response and imposed sanctions on de Moraes and people close to him.
"Alexandre de Moraes is responsible for a repressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary arrests and politicized prosecutions - including against former President Jair Bolsonaro," said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at the time. Bolsonaro's son, MP Eduardo Bolsonaro, regretted the decision to lift the sanctions, as the news portal G1 reported.
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18:36
Lawsuit against US President Trump over ballroom in the White House
US President Donald Trump is facing a lawsuit over his plans to build a grand ballroom in the White House. In its lawsuit, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which campaigns for the preservation of historic buildings, demanded a review of the project's designs with an opportunity for public comment and approval by Congress. Until then, construction work should be halted.
Trump had the east wing of the White House demolished for the new building. The National Capital Planning Commission, which is responsible for construction work on government buildings, had not given its approval. It is due to receive plans of the new building before the end of the year.
![An excavator during demolition work on part of the East Wing of the White House.]()
An excavator during demolition work on part of the East Wing of the White House. Jacquelyn Martin/AP/dpa (Archivbild)The National Trust argued in its lawsuit that Trump had violated several laws by fast-tracking the project, while also exceeding his constitutional powers by not seeking congressional approval for a project of this magnitude.
The East Wing of the White House has traditionally housed the offices of the First Lady and her staff. The ballroom that is to be built in its place has an area of around 8360 square meters and is therefore significantly larger than the White House itself. According to Trump, the hall will be able to hold 999 people. The estimated costs amount to around 300 million dollars - more than originally assumed.
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11:41 a.m.
Second lawsuit against Trump foe James also fails
The US Department of Justice has suffered another rebuff in its action against New York Attorney General Letitia James.
A jury panel in the US state of Virginia yesterday rejected a new indictment against James, two sources told the AP news agency. Just a few days ago, another grand jury in Norfolk had refused to bring charges against the lawyer, who has incurred the wrath of President Donald Trump.
James won a civil case last year in which the current president and his Trump Organization were convicted of financial fraud. However, appeal proceedings are still ongoing.
The Department of Justice accuses James of bank fraud because she falsely listed her new property as her primary residence when buying a house in 2020. As a result, she is said to have obtained favorable loan conditions. James rejects this and speaks of an act of revenge by Trump.
US District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the charges in November because Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor appointed by the Department of Justice, had been appointed unlawfully. However, the Ministry can apply for an indictment again.
A grand jury, which examines the evidence, decides on the admission. A rejection is extremely rare. James' attorney Abbe Lowell said the second dismissal of charges within a week shows that the Justice Department should have kept its hands off the allegations.
"This case was already a stain on the department's reputation and raises troubling questions about its integrity," he said. "Any further attempt to revive these discredited charges would be a mockery of our legal system."
Whether the Department of Justice will make a third attempt initially remained open.
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10.54 am
Danish secret service sees Trump's America as a security risk
The Danish secret service has published its "Outlook 2025": In the report, the Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste, or Defence Intelligence Service, states that the USA under Donald Trump is strongly prioritizing its own interests and "using its economic and technological strength as an instrument of power".
"The United States is using economic power, including threats of high tariffs, to impose its will and no longer rules out the use of military force, even against allies," it continues, referring to Greenland.
"The increasing concentration of the USA on the Pacific Ocean is also leading to uncertainty about the country's role as the main guarantor of security in Europe," it continues. "The change in US policy places high demands on armaments and cooperation between European countries in order to strengthen deterrence against Russia."
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8.08 am
Iran and Russia skeptical about oil tanker seizure
In the conflict between the USA and Venezuela, Iran has accused Washington of "state piracy" in the Caribbean. Tehran was reacting to the seizure of a tanker that was allegedly carrying oil from Venezuela.
The case represents a "blatant disregard for international law" and a flagrant violation of the principles of maritime security and navigation, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai in a statement issued by his ministry. Iran and Venezuela are considered allies.
Russia's foreign minister also expressed skepticism: "I really hope that the United States, although it considers itself entitled to carry out such operations, will somehow explain out of respect for other members of the world community what facts prompted it to take such actions," Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying.
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions against the Venezuelan oil sector yesterday. The previous day, the US Coast Guard and other units had stopped an oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
Authoritarian Venezuela is heavily dependent on exports, has large oil reserves and, like Iran, supplies these mainly to US rival China. President Nicolás Maduro accuses Washington of primarily targeting the oil and pushing for a change of power in Caracas.
Iran's naval forces have also repeatedly detained foreign oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a 55-kilometre-wide strait between Iran and Oman.
It is considered one of the most important shipping routes for global oil exports. The extent to which Iran can support Venezuela in the conflict against the USA is unclear. There are more than 6000 nautical miles and around 12,000 kilometers as the crow flies between the two countries.
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7.53 a.m.
Letterman: Late-night hosts defend democracy
David Letterman is happy to no longer host a late-night show. "I'm so glad to be out of this mess," the US host said on "Jimmy Kimmel Live". Letterman hosted the "Late Show with David Letterman" for decades.
Addressing presenter Jimmy Kimmel, the 78-year-old added that "people like you and like Stephen and like Seth" were doing "such an outstanding job defending our democracy". Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers, like Jimmy Kimmel, host late-night shows in the USA.
"I think that's the way it has to be in a democracy that seems to be so broken," Letterman said. He previously called his host the "leader of the resistance", to which Kimmel replied: "a totally ineffective leader of the resistance, yes".
The interview appeared just a few days after the news that Jimmy Kimmel had extended his TV contract. There had been a forced break of around one week in September: The Disney corporation, which owns the ABC channel, had put the show on hold indefinitely due to Kimmel's comments about the fatal attack on right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
The reason given was to avoid further inflaming a tense situation in the country. The temporary suspension fueled a debate about freedom of speech and freedom of the press in the USA.
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7.36 am
Trump signs executive order against AI rules
US President Donald Trump wants to issue an executive order to prevent states from enacting their own regulations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI).
A patchwork of different rules could hinder the emerging industry while it competes with China for technological supremacy, Trump said as he signed the decree yesterday.
Members of both parties in Congress, as well as civil rights and consumer protection groups, had previously called for more regulation, arguing that there were not enough checks and balances in place for the powerful technology.
Trump countered that there would be "only one winner" in the global race for AI supremacy. He emphasized that China was giving its companies an advantage through central approval bodies. "We are facing major investments," he explained, but obtaining 50 different permits from 50 different states was simply impossible.
The order directs the Attorney General to form a task force to crack down on federal AI laws. The Department of Commerce is also to draw up a list of problematic rules. States that enact their own AI laws must therefore fear restrictions on funding from the broadband expansion program and other funding programs.
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6.57 am
Trump allegedly wants to break these 4 states out of the EU
According to "Defense One", there has been a version of the new US National Security Strategy (NSS) that has not been made public. In it, the USA allegedly states that it wants to break four states out of the European Union.
According to the paper, Austria, Italy, Poland and Hungary are Washington's candidates: "We should support parties, movements and intellectual and cultural figures who seek sovereignty and the preservation/restoration of traditional European ways of life while being pro-American," the paper quotes.
The reorganization and reduction of the G7 is also a goal of the White House. The aim is to create a new G5 with the USA, China, Russia, India and Japan as members. However, the USA denies the veracity of this report.
"There is no alternative, private or secret version," spokeswoman Anna Kelly told "Defense One". "President Trump is transparent and has put his signature on an NSS that clearly directs the US government to implement the principles and priorities he has established."
Kelly adds that ""all the other so-called 'versions' have been leaked by people who are distant from the president and who, like this 'reporter,' have no idea what they're talking about."
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4:30
Customs negotiations: More leeway for the Federal Council?
According to "Tamedia", the Federal Council could be given more leeway in the customs negotiations with Trump. The paper on the negotiating mandate, which is currently before the Foreign Affairs Committee, states that Guy Parmelin's Department of Economic Affairs should be "authorized" to "include further topics in the negotiations if this is appropriate for achieving the negotiating objectives". This would require the agreement of the other department heads. Parliamentarians would be informed, but would no longer be able to comment on the matter, the statement continued.
![Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin in the Council of States in Bern on December 11, 2025.]()
Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin in the Council of States in Bern on December 11, 2025. Image: Keystone/Anthony Anex -
3.39 a.m.
Release of the Salvadoran Kilmar Ábrego García
Salvadoran Kilmar Ábrego García has been released following a US court order. Ábrego García was released shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday (local time), his lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg told the AP news agency. He plans to return to Maryland, where his US-American wife and child are waiting for him. Sandoval-Moshenberg said he was prepared to defend his client against further attempts to deport him, even if the future was uncertain. However, he assumes that the US government will take further steps to deport him.
A court had previously ordered the immediate release of the Salvadoran, who became known through President Donald Trump's deportation practices. The immigration authority ICE must release Ábrego García, who was allegedly deported to El Salvador by mistake in March and was only able to return months later, while a decision is made on his appeal against renewed deportation, Judge Paula Xinis ruled. "Since Ábrego García's return from unlawful detention in El Salvador, he has been detained again without lawful authority," the judge wrote. "For this reason, the court will grant Ábrego García's request for immediate release from ICE custody."
The deputy head of the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, sharply criticized the judge's decision. She spoke of "blatant judicial activism" by a judge appointed under the Obama administration. She said that the order lacked any valid legal basis and that they would continue to fight it in court with all means at their disposal.
Sandoval-Moshenberg said the judge had made it clear that the government could not detain anyone indefinitely without legal authority and that his client had "endured more than anyone should ever have to endure".
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2.16 am
After tanker storming: Trump talks again about land operations soon
Following the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela by the US military, US President Donald Trump has once again announced imminent ground operations without giving specific details. "It will soon begin on land as well," said the Republican in the White House. However, he did not mention Venezuela or other countries by name. Trump also left open what kind of US operations could be involved. Immediately before that, he had spoken indirectly about the deadly US attacks on boats carrying alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean, which have been going on for weeks.
![US President Donald Trump speaks at the "Congressional Ball" in Washington on December 11.]()
US President Donald Trump speaks at the "Congressional Ball" in Washington on December 11. Image: Keystone/AP Photo/Alex BrandonThe Republican had responded in detail to a journalist's question about the background to the seizure of the oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela the previous day. In recent weeks, the US President had already spoken of land operations in the region that were to begin "very soon". Most recently, in an interview with the news portal "Politico", he responded to a question about a possible American ground invasion in Venezuela by saying that he neither wanted to confirm nor rule out anything. Some time ago, Trump had already publicly confirmed that he had also authorized covert operations by the CIA foreign intelligence service in Venezuela.
The US Coast Guard and other units took control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday. The authoritarian president of the South American country, Nicolás Maduro, accuses the USA of targeting this oil in particular in the escalation of the conflict and of wanting to force a change of power in Caracas. Trump recently said that Maduro's days as president were numbered.
When asked by the journalist whether the background to the oil tanker seizure was drugs or oil, Trump also replied: "It's about many things." He again accused Venezuela of allowing "millions" of people from prisons, gangs, the drug-dealing milieu and mental institutions into the USA. The US government is pursuing a tough deportation policy in Trump's second term. Trump also said of the country - without elaborating: "They treated us badly, and I guess we're not treating them very well now either."
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1:48 p.m.
Trump: Speech with China and Russia on denuclearization
US President Donald Trump has said that he has spoken to China and Russia about denuclearization, i.e. nuclear disarmament. "I talked to China about it. I've talked to Russia about it. And I think it's something that we would like to do, and they would like to do it, and I think Russia would like to do it," Trump said at a meeting in the White House.
When a reporter pointed out that Russia had said it would be impossible to renegotiate the New Start disarmament treaty in time for its expiry in February 2026, Trump replied that he had been told otherwise. The nuclear disarmament treaty concluded between the USA and Russia in 2010 was last extended for five years in 2021. It provides for a reduction in nuclear warheads and delivery systems.
![Russian nuclear submarine from which the alleged wonder weapon "Poseidon" can be fired. (November 1, 2025)]()
Russian nuclear submarine from which the alleged wonder weapon "Poseidon" can be fired. (November 1, 2025) Image: IMAGO/SNA/Vadim SavitskiiAt the end of October, Trump caused a stir with his surprise announcement of an immediate resumption of nuclear weapons tests. But even then he stated that talks were being held with Russia about denuclearization. At the time, Trump said that if anything was done in this direction, China would be consulted.
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1.14 pm
Republicans in Indiana stand up to Trump
Despite strong pressure from US President Donald Trump, the Republican-dominated Senate in the state of Indiana has rejected redistricting in favor of the conservative party. The Senate voted 31 to 19 against a corresponding bill from the House of Representatives, which would probably have allowed the Republicans to secure more seats in the House of Representatives in Washington in future elections.
Trump reacted with disappointment: the redistricting had worked in other states, but not now in Indiana, he lamented at a meeting in the White House shortly after the vote. The President had campaigned strongly for the politically controversial project and threatened several Republican senators publicly - and by name - that he would support opposing candidates in the next primaries if they did not vote his way. The Republican governor of Indiana, Mike Braun, wrote on X that he was very disappointed that "a small group of misguided senators" had allied themselves with the Democrats in the Senate against Trump's leadership.
In other states such as Texas and North Carolina, Republicans had bowed to the president's will and approved redistricting. In this way, the Republicans want to strengthen their position in the House of Representatives. They currently have narrow majorities in both chambers of the US Congress - the Senate and the House of Representatives. In November 2026, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for grabs in the midterms.
![Discussion about the allocation of constituencies in the Republican-dominated Senate in the state of Indiana. (December 12, 2025)]()
Discussion about the allocation of constituencies in the Republican-dominated Senate in the state of Indiana. (December 12, 2025) Image: Keystone/AP Photo/Michael ConroyTargeted gerrymandering - known as "gerrymandering" in the US - involves drawing constituency boundaries in such a way that one party pools many of its own votes and splinters those of the opposing party. Both parties use this tactic to systematically gain advantages in elections. Under Trump's administration, however, the dispute over this approach has intensified once again.
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0.10 am
White House links oil tanker to Revolutionary Guards
According to the White House, the tanker that the US has beached off the coast of Venezuela is known to be supplying black market oil to the Revolutionary Guards in Iran as part of a shadow fleet. The ship is on a sanctions list and the Department of Justice has requested the seizure of the vessel, said White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.
It remained unclear in the statement why Venezuela should supply oil to the Revolutionary Guards. Iran produces oil itself and has considerable oil reserves of its own.
When asked whether US President Donald Trump's operations in the Caribbean are about the fight against drugs or about oil, Leavitt said: "The president has taken a new approach that no administration has taken for some time, which is to actually focus on what's going on in our own backyard." For decades, the USA had regarded Latin America as its backyard.
Leavitt also did not rule out the possibility of further actions against oil tankers. The USA would not stand idly by while sanctioned ships carrying black market oil sailed the seas and the proceeds were used to "finance the drug terrorism of rogue states and illegitimate regimes around the world".
![U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the Dec. 10 storming on X.]()
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the Dec. 10 storming on X. Image: Keystone/U.S. Attorney General's Office/X via APThe US Coast Guard and other units had taken control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday. Venezuela has huge oil reserves, is heavily dependent on export revenues and supplies its oil mainly to US rival China. The authoritarian president of the South American country, Nicolás Maduro, accuses the USA of targeting this oil in particular as the conflict escalates and of wanting to force a change of power in Caracas.
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0.05 am
New US sanctions against Venezuela - nephews and ships affected
The US Treasury Department has imposed further sanctions in the smouldering conflict between the United States and Venezuela. Three nephews of the wife of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro have been sanctioned, mainly in connection with drug allegations. The measures are also aimed at the Venezuelan oil sector, which continues to finance the illegitimate regime, the ministry announced. This includes six shipping companies whose ships transport Venezuelan oil. Sanctions were also imposed on six ships - one day after the USA seized a tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
The men Franqui Flores and Efrain Campo, described by the government as "narco-nephews", are accused of drug smuggling. The third, Carlos Flores, is subject to sanctions for his work as a government official, as the ministry's press release also states. All three individuals would now no longer have access to property and assets located in the USA. In addition, US companies are prohibited from doing business of any kind with them.
The US government is thus continuing to build up pressure on the government in Caracas: As recently as Wednesday, the US Coast Guard and other units took control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Venezuela has huge oil reserves, is heavily dependent on export revenues and supplies its oil primarily to US rival China. Venezuelan President Maduro accuses the USA of targeting this oil in particular as the conflict escalates and of wanting to force a change of power in Caracas.
In mid-December 2017, two of the now sanctioned nephews of Venezuela's First Lady Cilia Flores - Franqui Flores and Efrain Campo - had already been sentenced to long prison terms in the USA for drug trafficking. They were actually due to serve 18 years each. However, Flores and Campo were released in October 2022 - in exchange for seven US citizens imprisoned in Venezuela being allowed to leave.
![Lawyers for Francisco Flores and Efrain Campo at the 2016 trial in New York.]()
Lawyers for Francisco Flores and Efrain Campo at the 2016 trial in New York. Image: imago/Agencia EFE -
Friday, December 12, 2025, 0:01 a.m.
US Treasury Secretary accuses Caracas of importing drugs into the USA
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has once again accused Venezuela of "flooding" the USA with drugs. However, the country is not considered a producer of drugs, but a transit country - especially for the European market. Drugs usually reach the USA via other routes: The synthetic opioid fentanyl, which has led to massive problems, is mainly produced in Mexico using raw materials from China and smuggled into the USA from there.
