Bradley, a decorated Navy SEAL recently promoted to admiral, commanded the mission and has received bipartisan respect, though lawmakers insist anyone responsible for unlawful orders must face accountability.
The strike was one of several in a Trump administration campaign against drug cartels, which has killed more than 80 people and raised questions about the legality of US military actions in international waters.
US Marine Killed in Vehicle Mishap at Camp Pendleton
A US Marine with 1st Marine Expeditionary Force died on Wednesday after a tactical vehicle accident at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in Southern California, officials said.
The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. Pacific Time, and no additional details—including the type of vehicle, circumstances, or whether others were injured—have been released.
The Marine’s identity will remain withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Marine dies in training exercise at Camp Pendleton https://t.co/NtjU35M45P pic.twitter.com/hE9rL5wZlb
— The Independent (@Independent) December 4, 2025
1st MEF, the Marine Corps’ largest air-ground task force, is based at Camp Pendleton and includes personnel from several major commands across California and Arizona.
Charles Shay, Native American D-Day Hero and Medal Recipient, Dies at 101
Charles Shay, a Penobscot Native American and decorated US Army medic who saved lives during the D-Day landings in Normandy, died Wednesday at age 101 at his home in Bretteville-L’Orgueilleuse, France.
Shay earned the Silver Star for rescuing wounded soldiers from the surf at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and later received France’s Legion of Honor in 2007.
A lifelong advocate for honoring Indigenous veterans, Shay conducted annual remembrance ceremonies overlooking Omaha Beach and inspired the Charles Shay Memorial honoring roughly 500 Native Americans who served in Normandy. He had lived near the D-Day beaches since 2018.
World War II hero Charles Shay, a member of the Penobscot Nation from Indian Island, Maine, died Wednesday morning at the age of 101. As a 19-year-old Army medic, Shay jumped into the ocean and carried several wounded soldiers to safety on D-Day. https://t.co/KRQ6ghdUIt pic.twitter.com/AuG5D8gfCy
— WMTW TV (@WMTWTV) December 3, 2025
Shay’s family and friends described him as a humble hero whose legacy embodied courage, service, and love.
Remains of Thai Hostage Returned to Israel, Leaving One Still Unrecovered Under Ceasefire Deal
Israel and Thailand confirmed Thursday that remains returned by Gaza militants were those of Thai agricultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak, leaving one final hostage to be recovered under the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire.
Rinthalak, 42, was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Kibbutz Be’eri and his body was taken by Islamic Jihad.
Rinthalak was one of 31 Thai nationals abducted during the attack, the largest group of foreign hostages; 28 were freed alive and three were killed. His return brings to 20 the number of living hostages and 27 the number of remains handed back to Israel since the ceasefire began in October, in exchange for the return of hundreds of Palestinian bodies.
Body of Thai citizen Sudthisak Rinthalak returned to Israel https://t.co/BNoqg3qFzH pic.twitter.com/ZrfWU61wEr
— New York Post (@nypost) December 4, 2025
Israeli police officer Ran Gvili remains the last hostage whose body has yet to be recovered.
The ceasefire plan envisions future governance of Gaza under an international stabilization force and a potential path toward Palestinian statehood, though both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the truce.
Houthis Free 11 Mariners Seized in Deadly Red Sea Attack, Oman Facilitates Return
Yemen’s Houthi rebels released 11 mariners Wednesday who had been held since a July attack on the Red Sea cargo ship Eternity C, which killed four crew members and sank the vessel.
The Iranian-backed group said Oman took custody of the mariners, from India and the Philippines, for their return home. However, the Houthis published images showing only 10 of the men, and the reason for the discrepancy was unclear.
⚡️The Houthis have released the crew of the Liberian flagged Eternity C cargo ship seized in July in the Red Sea.
The sailors were flown from Sana’a to Oman after mediation with Oman handling the transfer on humanitarian grounds. pic.twitter.com/YtFznwR5Sc
— War Intel (@warintel4u) December 3, 2025
A Royal Oman Air Force jet transported the mariners from Sanaa to Muscat, where Filipino and Indian diplomats met them. The Philippines earlier said nine of its nationals were among those held “hostage” by the Houthis.
The rebels have attacked more than 100 ships with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war began, killing at least nine mariners. Their latest release comes amid a Gaza ceasefire and follows a lull in Houthi strikes after US-led air raids earlier this year.
EU Unveils Plan to Use Frozen Russian Assets for Ukraine Aid; Belgium Rejects Proposal Over Risks
The European Union (EU) proposed using billions of euros in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s financial and military needs through 2027, but Belgium opposed the plan, warning it carries major legal and economic risks.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the proposal would provide 90 billion euros ($105 billion)—about two-thirds of Ukraine’s projected needs—through a “reparations loan” backed by Russian funds.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the plan could expose his country and the Brussels-based Euroclear financial clearinghouse, which holds most of the 170 billion euros ($197 billion) in frozen Russian assets, to lawsuits and retaliation. He urged the EU instead to borrow on international markets.
The EU has scaled back a plan to use Russia’s frozen assets to make a massive loan to Ukraine, seeking to address Belgian concerns and leaving room for the U.S. to use the funds as a lure for Moscow https://t.co/3hVZgKiv9a
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 3, 2025
Von der Leyen said safeguards had been added to address Belgium’s concerns, but the dispute highlights divisions among EU members as they seek ways to sustain support for Ukraine while managing financial and political risks.
China and France Pledge Closer Ties as Macron Presses Xi on Ukraine Ceasefire
French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday pledged to deepen cooperation on global and trade issues during Macron’s three-day visit to China.
Macron urged Xi to help pressure Russia toward a ceasefire in Ukraine, warning of growing risks to global stability. Xi said China supports “all efforts that work towards peace,” but did not endorse France’s proposal directly.
Both leaders emphasized expanding economic collaboration in sectors such as aerospace, nuclear energy, green technology, and artificial intelligence, signing 12 new agreements. Xi also announced $100 million in aid for Gaza’s humanitarian recovery.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet in Beijing.
Macron’s visit to China comes as Xi seeks France’s support in a rising dispute with Japan over Taiwan. https://t.co/RgffYtkMlD pic.twitter.com/mgq7I3BrUh
— Bloomberg (@business) December 4, 2025
The visit comes as France seeks to strengthen its diplomatic role ahead of assuming the G7 presidency next year, while China looks to boost trade and repair strained ties with Europe amid economic headwinds and ongoing trade disputes.
Japan Denies Plans to Sell Missiles to Philippines, Weighs Easing Arms Export Rules
Japan’s Defense Ministry denied reports that it plans to sell Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines, saying no discussions on exporting the Chu-SAM system are underway.
The statement followed a Kyodo News report claiming informal talks had taken place between the two US allies.
While rejecting the report, the ministry confirmed it is reviewing rules that restrict defense exports to rescue, transport, surveillance, and similar equipment.
The clarification comes amid heightened regional tensions, as the Philippines shifts its military focus toward external defense and Japan faces growing friction with China over Taiwan and the East China Sea.
Sources: News Agencies
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Morning Brief: Admiral to Brief Congress on Controversial US Strike, EU Plans Ukraine Aid Using Frozen Russian Assets, China and France Pledge Closer Ties
Hegseth scrutiny deepens as Congress probes strike, Houthis free mariners, EU splits on Russia assets. Here’s your Thursday morning brief, December 4, 2025.
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