Today is Wednesday, December 17.

We'll tell you about the latest escalation from the U.S.

that could be a step toward war with Venezuela.

Also, the most powerful aid in the White House is sharing her blunt views on President

Trump's first year.

Plus, what Americans are being told to watch out for this flu season, why workers

in their 40s are going back to school, and how more social media is moving from smartphones to TVs.

Those stories and even more news to know coming up.

Welcome to The Newsworthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes.

I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.

President Trump has now ordered a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.

Blockades are considered an act of war under some international treaties.

And some lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say this qualifies.

Remember, the U.S. already seized one oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

last week, and it sanctioned six more ships. Trump accuses the Venezuelan government of using stolen

oil to finance drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping. But Venezuela just accuses the

U.S. of trying to steal its resources. Venezuela is home to some of the world's largest

proven oil reserves. Now, to be clear, there's one exception to the blockade that we know of.

Chevron says it can keep operating in Venezuela and exporting oil since it has an exemption from

sanctions. But already shipping data shows other vessels making U-turns rather than risk getting

close to Venezuela, and Venezuela

accuses the U.S. of being behind a cyber attack against the country's state-run oil exporter.

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