Morning Brief: Trump Plan Would Bar Ukraine From NATO, Arrests Will Continue in Charlotte, Donor Nations Support Palestinian Authority Reform

Critics in Washington and Europe called the plan a concession to Moscow, with Representative Don Bacon labeling it “a 1938 Munich.” The White House says the goal is to end the war through enforceable terms, though European leaders insist Ukraine must drive any final agreement.   Sanctioned Russian Tanker Turns Back After US Warship Intercepts Near Venezuela A sanctioned Russian oil tanker bound for Venezuela reversed course after the US Navy destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) crossed its path near the Venezuelan coast, according to Bloomberg tracking data. The vessel, Seahorse, had been delivering naphtha fuel to Venezuela when it abruptly turned toward Cuba on November 13 and has since made two failed attempts to reach Venezuelan ports, now idling in the Caribbean. The USS Stockdale, deployed as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-narcotics operations, has been operating in the region since late September alongside other US warships. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) declined to comment on the encounter. ❗️As reported by Bloomberg, U.S. sanctions against Russian oil companies have officially taken effect, potentially leading to delays for 48 million barrels of Russian oil at sea. pic.twitter.com/5WEcIeJFLa — 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) November 21, 2025 The Seahorse, sanctioned by the United Kingdom and European Union, is one of four Russian tankers supplying fuel to Venezuela, which relies on Moscow for energy imports after US sanctions halted Chevron shipments under Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy. The White House, Kremlin, and Venezuelan officials have not commented on the incident, which underscores growing US efforts to counter Russian influence in the Caribbean.   US Navy Clears Environmental Hurdle for First East Coast Drone Refueling Squadron The US Navy has concluded that establishing its first East Coast carrier-based drone squadron at Naval Station Norfolk will not significantly impact the environment, according to a memo released Thursday. The finding allows the project to proceed without a full environmental impact study. The new unit will operate MQ-25A Stingray drones, which provide aerial refueling for fighter jets and support surveillance missions. A draft environmental assessment was released earlier this year, and only two public comments were submitted following a May 20 hearing. Construction and facility upgrades are scheduled to begin between 2026 and 2029, with aircraft and personnel arriving in phases through 2035. The Navy has determined that its proposed drone squadron won’t significantly affect the environment, according to a memo released Thursday.https://t.co/WOYJx39OUZ — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) November 21, 2025   Confusion Over North Carolina Immigration Crackdown as DHS Says Arrests Will Continue Local officials in North Carolina said Thursday that a federal immigration operation focused on Charlotte appeared to be winding down, but the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) insisted it remains active. The enforcement surge, called Operation Charlotte’s Web, began last weekend and has led to about 370 arrests. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and Charlotte police said they were told the crackdown had ended, though DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said it is still underway and will continue targeting criminal noncitizens. The operation is part of President Donald Trump’s broader national deportation campaign that has involved military and immigration agents in major cities. “Charlotte’s Web” Over | U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation ends, ICE remains operational in Mecklenburg County, Sheriff says 📸 Getty#clt #charlottenc #cbp #ice #northcarolina Details >> https://t.co/wEZTPkSKjw pic.twitter.com/rk4rmF0wD4 — Queen City News (@Queen_City_News) November 20, 2025 The arrests have spread fear in immigrant communities, leading to protests, school absences, and business closures. A new federal operation, Swamp Sweep, is set to begin in New Orleans in early December with about 250 agents deployed.   NTSB Finds Cracks in Wing Mount of UPS Plane That Crashed in Kentucky, Killing 14 Federal investigators released photos Thursday showing an engine breaking away from a UPS cargo plane moments before it crashed in Louisville, Kentucky, killing 14 people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said its preliminary findings indicate cracks in the left wing’s engine mount, which caused the engine to detach and ignite midair. The MD-11 aircraft reached only 30 feet off the ground before crashing near Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 4. The NTSB said the plane, last inspected in October 2021, was not yet due for a detailed examination of the fractured parts. Photos and images from the NTSB preliminary report on its investigation into the Nov. 4 crash of a UPS Boeing MD-11F airplane in Louisville, Kentucky: https://t.co/r107Qqt0P1 pic.twitter.com/3Ecrwd4Dd2 — NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) November 20, 2025 All MD-11s operated by UPS, FedEx, and Western Global have been grounded pending inspections. Aviation experts said fatigue cracks can develop over time due to vibration and called for the FAA to reassess maintenance intervals. The crash revived concerns about the safety of MD-11 and DC-10 aircraft, which have higher accident rates than most commercial planes. UPS officials said they are cooperating with investigators to determine the cause and inspection requirements before returning the fleet to service.   Donor Nations Back Palestinian Authority Reform as EU Plans Gaza Police Training More than 60 international delegations met Thursday in Brussels to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction, security, and governance under a US-backed peace plan that calls for reforming the Palestinian Authority. Co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, the meeting focused on measures to prepare the Palestinian Authority (currently governing parts of the West Bank) for a potential administrative role in postwar Gaza. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa urged unifying Gaza and the West Bank under one government and said Israel should help fund Gaza’s reconstruction. The European Union, Gaza’s largest donor, said it will train 3,000 Palestinian police officers, with France contributing 100 trainers, as part of efforts to stabilize the territory. Today is an important day for the future of the Palestinian people. With 60 delegations and international partners, we launched the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels. It will support the path toward a fully reformed, functional, and accountable Palestinian Authority. We… pic.twitter.com/9BuFHr07m0 — Dubravka Šuica (@dubravkasuica) November 20, 2025 The US plan envisions Israel gradually ceding control of Gaza to the trained Palestinian police and an international stabilization force overseen by a new “Board of Peace.” Brussels supports the reforms but is pushing the Palestinian Authority to end controversial payments to prisoners, update its school curriculum, and improve governance before assuming control. Hamas has rejected the UN-approved plan, calling it a bid to serve Israeli interests.   South Korea’s Ousted President Yoon Indicted Again for Alleged Cover-Up in Marine’s Death Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted Friday on charges of abusing power to manipulate an investigation into the 2023 drowning of Marine Corporal Chae Su-geun. Prosecutors allege Yoon and senior officials pressured the Marine Corps to alter its report to remove a division commander from blame and retaliated against the lead investigator who refused to comply. Eleven others, including Yoon’s former defense minister, were also charged. The special counsel investigating allegations of abuse of power and a cover-up in the death of Marine Cpl. Chae Su-geun indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol and 11 other former government and military officials on Friday.https://t.co/csKo5ZC4B3 pic.twitter.com/OUgRodOVsh — The Korea Herald 코리아헤럴드 (@TheKoreaHerald) November 21, 2025 The indictment marks another case against Yoon, who was removed from office earlier this year after being indicted for rebellion over his December 2023 martial law decree. He remains jailed and faces multiple trials, including one for allegedly ordering drone flights over North Korea to heighten military tensions. If convicted of rebellion, Yoon could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.   Sources: News Agencies