Vigils in West Virginia honored Beckstrom, remembered as compassionate and dedicated. Governor Patrick Morrisey and local officials praised her service, calling her a “favorite daughter of Webster County.” Wolfe continues to receive treatment as his family and community await updates.
Congress Launches Bipartisan Reviews of Alleged US Strike Order in Caribbean
Lawmakers from both parties said Sunday they support investigations into US military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels after a report alleged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered all crew members killed during a September 2 attack in the Caribbean.
The Washington Post report prompted calls for congressional oversight, with Senator Tim Kaine saying the alleged order would constitute a war crime if true.
Members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, including Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed and Representatives Mike Rogers and Adam Smith, announced bipartisan reviews of the incident. Representative Mike Turner said Congress lacks confirmation of a follow-up strike on survivors but called the allegations serious.
Exclusive: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an order to “kill everybody” in the first strike on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. After two men survived, the mission commander ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions, according to two sources.…
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 28, 2025
Hegseth dismissed the report as “fake news,” insisting US operations comply with domestic and international law.
The controversy comes amid President Donald Trump’s expanded anti-narcotics campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. On Saturday, Trump declared the airspace around Venezuela “closed in its entirety,” drawing condemnation from President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Troops Fear Pentagon May Restrict Religious Beard Waivers Amid New Grooming Rules
Service members who wear beards for religious reasons are concerned the Pentagon may soon restrict their shaving waivers after new Defense Department directives ordered stricter grooming standards.
Following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s September announcement that medical shaving waivers would be phased out within a year, the Pentagon instructed each military branch to revise its religious waiver policies—limiting them to non-deployable roles and requiring annual gas mask fit training.
NEWS: Shaving Waivers Out, Clean-Shaven Faces In
Read more⬇️https://t.co/xeW1xCM3tK pic.twitter.com/cXJ5qgdziu
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) September 19, 2025
The US Army began reviewing all religious shaving waivers in July, raising alarm among groups like the Sikh Coalition, which says the changes could violate service members’ rights to practice their faiths.
The military currently allows beards for adherents of several religions, including Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Heathenism.
Advocates warn the revisions could especially affect minority troops and those with pseudofolliculitis barbae, a shaving-related skin condition common among Black service members.
Troops who rely on religious waivers say facial hair is integral to their identity and spiritual expression, urging the Pentagon to preserve long-standing accommodations.
US Navy Officer and Flight Instructor Presumed Dead After Plane Crashes Into Lake Pontchartrain
Lieutenant David Michael Jahn, a 30-year-old Navy officer and expectant father from Grayslake, Illinois, was identified as one of two people presumed dead after a Cessna Skyhawk crashed into Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana.
The US Coast Guard ended its search Wednesday for Jahn and flight instructor Taylor Dickey, also 30, as recovery teams continued operations. The United Cajun Navy later reported finding a large section of the wreckage.
Jahn, stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi, was a civil engineer corps officer with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1. He and Dickey had been on a training flight from Gulfport to New Orleans when air traffic control lost contact about four miles north of Lakefront Airport.
The 30-year-old private pilot presumed dead aboard a Cessna Skyhawk that plunged into Lake Pontchartrain, La., was an expectant father and Navy officer stationed in Gulfport, Miss. https://t.co/odMtiYxvs0
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 1, 2025
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining the crash.
Apollo Flight Training said the Cessna had passed inspections and that weather conditions were “marginal” at the time.
Global Arms Sales Hit Record $679 Billion as Wars Drive Demand
Global arms sales rose 5.9 percent in 2024 to a record $679 billion, driven by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and rising military budgets, according to a Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report.
US and European defense firms led the surge, while sales in Asia and Oceania fell due to disruptions in China’s arms industry.
US companies, led by Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics, earned a combined $334 billion, up 3.8 percent. European arms makers saw a 13 perecnt revenue increase to $151 billion, with major gains for the Czech Republic’s Czechoslovak Group and Ukraine’s defense industry.
Russian firms Rostec and United Shipbuilding reported a 23 percent rise to $31.2 billion, fueled by domestic demand despite sanctions.
Revenues from the world’s 100 largest arms companies hit a record $679bn in 2024, spanning firms from Israel to major US and European manufacturers, according to a new SIPRI report https://t.co/bZODWUtTJr pic.twitter.com/2ARtR0nF2i
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 1, 2025
Middle Eastern sales also climbed, with Israeli defense companies recording a 16 percent increase to $16.2 billion.
SIPRI researchers warned that supply chain strains and shortages of critical materials could slow future production growth.
US and Ukraine Hold Peace Talks Ahead of Planned Putin Meeting
US and Ukrainian officials met for four hours Sunday in Florida to advance peace discussions aimed at ending the war with Russia.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the talks were “productive” but emphasized that work remains on securing a deal that ensures Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty and prosperity. The meeting precedes US envoy Steve Witkoff’s scheduled visit to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The US delegation, which included Rubio, Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, discussed revisions to a US-drafted peace plan criticized as too favorable to Russia. Ukrainian officials, led by security chief Rustem Umerov, expressed appreciation for US support but revealed no specific progress.
“It’s about ending the war and making Ukraine sovereign and independent”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds peace talk plans with Ukrainian officials in Florida
📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube
📱 https://t.co/uX9kb5xf8l pic.twitter.com/IOMQWzFpiY
— Sky News (@SkyNews) November 30, 2025
US President Donald Trump said he was briefed on the talks and expressed optimism about reaching an agreement despite Ukraine’s ongoing corruption scandal involving $100 million in embezzled energy funds.
The proposal under discussion includes a Ukraine Development Fund to rebuild infrastructure and expand US-Ukraine commercial cooperation. Meanwhile, Russia continued heavy drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, killing and injuring civilians near Kyiv.
The Kremlin confirmed Putin would meet Witkoff before leaving for India later this week.
Netanyahu Asks Israeli President for Pardon in Corruption Case, Sparking Political Uproar
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally requested a presidential pardon Sunday to end his corruption trial, arguing it would help unify the nation.
The unprecedented move, submitted to President Isaac Herzog’s office, drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders and legal experts, who warned it would undermine the rule of law and democratic checks on power.
Netanyahu, charged with fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in three cases, maintains his innocence and claims the prosecution is politically motivated. He said the ongoing trial, which requires frequent court appearances, hinders his ability to govern.
Herzog’s office called the request “extraordinary” and said it carries “significant implications.” Legal experts noted that pardons before conviction are exceedingly rare and unlikely to halt the proceedings.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the country’s president for a pardon in his long-running corruption trial, arguing that criminal proceedings were hindering his ability to govern https://t.co/Za2xQtnrMj pic.twitter.com/4ONkrr58Vp
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 30, 2025
The request follows US President Donald Trump’s public call for Israel to pardon Netanyahu, describing the charges as politically driven. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said a pardon without admission of guilt or resignation would set a dangerous precedent.
Netanyahu’s move rekindled debate over his 2022 judicial overhaul plan, which opponents saw as an attempt to weaken Israel’s legal system amid his ongoing trial.
Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 70,000 as Ceasefire Holds Amid Humanitarian Crisis
Gaza’s health ministry said over the weekend that more than 70,000 people have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began over two years ago, marking one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history.
The announcement came as a fragile US-brokered ceasefire continued, though both sides accused each other of violations.
Officials said 354 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began on October 10, and about 300 previously uncounted bodies were recently verified and added to the total.
The United Nations, observing the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, called the war a test of international norms and urged full respect for the ceasefire. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the high civilian death toll and repeated displacement of Gaza’s population.
BREAKING: Gaza’s Health Ministry said Saturday that the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 70,000 since the Israel-Hamas war began. https://t.co/SMSaXhNIs0
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 29, 2025
The conflict began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed 1,221 people in Israel and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. Since the start of the current ceasefire, Hamas has released all remaining living hostages and returned 26 bodies, while Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and repatriated hundreds of bodies.
Despite the truce, Gaza remains in a severe humanitarian crisis.
Arctic Becomes New Front in Global Space Race as Nations Build Satellite Hubs
The Arctic is emerging as a strategic hub for satellite communications as the US, China, and other nations expand ground station networks to strengthen links with polar-orbiting satellites.
Deadhorse, Alaska, once known for its oil infrastructure, has become a key site thanks to its fiberoptic connections. RBC Signals operates multiple antennas there and plans to expand, joining companies like Amazon’s AWS Ground Station in building Arctic capabilities.
Rising global competition and climate change have intensified focus on the region. China is increasing its polar satellite activity and developing a “Polar Silk Road” trade route, while the US is investing billions in Arctic-focused defense satellites under its Golden Dome program.
Similar expansions are underway in Canada, Sweden, and Greenland, as operators seek redundancy against risks to subsea cables and restricted access at Norway’s Svalbard station, where treaty limits ban military use.
Today, Canada, Finland, & the U.S. built on ICE Pact commitments by signing a joint statement of intent to further strengthen Arctic icebreaking capabilities. We’re safeguarding sovereignty, creating jobs, reinforcing supply chains, and investing in our shared industrial future. pic.twitter.com/2iGUP3oqPT
— Kirsten Hillman (@KirstenHillmanA) November 18, 2025
Analysts say Arctic ground stations are vital for tracking satellites and potential missile launches, though emerging inter-satellite communication technology could eventually reduce reliance on remote ground networks.
For now, demand continues to grow as nations race to secure a stronger presence in the far north.
Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Death Toll Rises to 146 as Investigators Probe Safety Violations
The death toll from last week’s massive blaze at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court apartment complex climbed to 146 on Sunday after investigators recovered more bodies from the burned-out high-rises in Tai Po.
Authorities said about 100 people remain missing and 79 others were injured. The fire, one of the city’s deadliest in decades, began Wednesday on scaffolding covered with nylon netting and foam panels used during building renovations. Police said faulty fire alarms and flammable materials contributed to the rapid spread of flames across seven of the eight 31-story buildings.
Three construction company executives were arrested for manslaughter and later rearrested along with eight others, including subcontractors and project managers, amid corruption and negligence probes. Officials have suspended 28 projects by the same contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering, for safety audits.
The death toll from Hong Kong’s housing complex fire rose to at least 146 as crowds gathered to mourn; Beijing warned it would use a national security law against any ‘anti-China’ protest https://t.co/sV4Vuwbqbm pic.twitter.com/Ewmfp7gxK9
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 30, 2025
Mourners gathered at the site to pay tribute as donations and petitions called for a full investigation. Hong Kong’s government, backed by China’s national security office, vowed to punish any “disruptive” actions tied to the disaster.
Beijing also ordered a nationwide inspection of high-rise buildings to address similar fire hazards.
Taiwan Moves to Buy US Air Defense System as China Increases Military Pressure
Taiwan is preparing to purchase weapons for its new T-Dome air-defense system, signaling urgency to strengthen defenses amid growing Chinese military threats.
According to the United Daily News, the Defense Ministry is working with the US to acquire Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System, which links sensors and weapons for rapid targeting. The deal reportedly includes additional Patriot PAC-3 systems and upgrades to existing batteries.
Defense Minister Wellington Koo declined to confirm the report, and the American Institute in Taiwan said it does not comment on arms sales before congressional notification.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced the T-Dome initiative in October to create a “multi-layered defense” against aerial attacks.
BREAKING: Taiwan’s Lai Ching-te unveils $40bn defense budget to deter Chinahttps://t.co/871j6jpadS pic.twitter.com/IIzHAMtbTg
— Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) November 26, 2025
The planned US purchases are expected to draw from a new $40 billion supplementary defense budget as Taiwan accelerates its deterrence efforts against Beijing’s mounting military activity.
Japan Weighs Missile Sale to Philippines Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Japan is considering selling its Type 03 surface-to-air missiles (SAM) to the Philippines as part of broader efforts to ease defense export restrictions and respond to regional security threats, Kyodo News reported Monday.
The talks center on the Chu-SAM system, currently deployed on Japan’s Ishigaki Island to counter China’s growing military presence near Taiwan and the East China Sea.
The potential deal aligns with Manila’s shift toward external defense following repeated confrontations with China over disputed waters. The Philippines recently activated its Indian-made BrahMos missile batteries and has expressed interest in acquiring Japan’s Type 03 system for air and missile defense.
Japanese press reported that informal talks were held on possible export of 🇯🇵Type 03 Chu-SAM to the 🇵🇭Philippines once Japanese limits on arms exports have been lifted.
The Type 03 Chu-SAM, updated lately to Kai standards, is a medium-range GBADS with range >50km.
📷Wikipedia pic.twitter.com/I84lYph1Io
— Max Montero (@MonteroMax) December 1, 2025
Analysts say the sale would mark a significant step in Japan’s evolving defense posture but could strain relations with Beijing. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently warned that any Chinese blockade of Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response, drawing sharp criticism from China.
Tokyo’s ruling party supports loosening export restrictions, though political and public opposition remains strong in Japan’s pacifist-leaning society.
Sources: News Agencies
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Morning Brief: Trump Honors Fallen Guard Member, Congress Probes US Strike Orders, Global Arms Sales Surge
Trump honors fallen Guard member, Congress probes strike order, Gaza toll soars, and more. Here’s your Monday Morning Brief, December 1, 2025.
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