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Congress is investigating reports that the Pentagon committed a war crime in the Caribbean.

On Friday, The Washington Post alleged that on September 2, Secretary Hegseth ordered a SEAL team to “kill everybody” on a vessel ferrying drugs from Venezuela, prompting a Navy admiral to order a second strike after the first left two survivors. The alleged double strike—illegal if targeting shipwrecked, defenseless people—was the first attack in the maritime campaign that’s since killed over 80 alleged “narcoterrorists.”

The White House confirmed the admiral ordered the second strike but said he was “well within his authority” and denied that Hegseth gave the “kill” order.

The report has prompted bipartisan concern from Congress. Members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees have promised a full investigation and are hearing closed-door testimony from the admiral tomorrow.

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Verse to consider whether a controversial headline leaves you angry, defensive, or confused… “The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:7-8 (CSB) (read full passage)

Three powerful cyclones (think: hurricanes of the South Pacific) collided with monsoon rains across South and Southeast Asia this week, killing more than 1,350 people and displacing millions. 

Entire Sri Lankan towns were submerged, prompting President Dissanayake to call it the “largest and most challenging natural disaster” in the country’s history. But it was Indonesia that was hit hardest, with tsunami-like flooding killing 700+ people and leaving thousands of people without food, water, and communication, and millions more displaced. 

As rescue teams struggle to reach remote areas, critics say the governments were unprepared and have been too slow in distributing food aid.

Meteorologists note that while monsoons happen every year, this season was intensified by La Niña (El Niño’s colder temperature cousin) and a rare equatorial cyclone, which warmer oceans can make more severe.

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PRAY WITH US
All-powerful God, we lament the loss of life and unfathomable destruction these storms have caused. King Jesus, bring your Kingdom! Comfort the grieving, give food to the hungry, give rest to the exhausted, bring peace to the horrified, give safety to the vulnerable, and give discernment and wisdom to all leaders and authorities. Amen.

Sad, heavy news often leaves us overwhelmed and speechless. Praying the News, TPO’s new Sunday newsletter, offers a Scripture-focused prayer over one headline every week. Join us in prayer.

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Russia and Ukraine are sitting at separate negotiating tables this week.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s been making his rounds in Europe—France on Monday, Ireland yesterday—to discuss Ukraine’s desire to keep all its land (Uncle Sam’s proposed peace plan includes Ukraine ceding some) and snag security guarantees from its continental allies. Zelenskyy said the deets “still need to be worked out,” but some European leaders have shown support for Ukraine’s war-ending wishlist. 

Russian President Putin called the terms “not acceptable” ahead of a peace-negotiating meeting with a U.S. delegation at the Kremlin; Putin also raised some eyebrows by warning Moscow was “ready” to defend itself in the event of war with Europe.

Meanwhile, on the frontlines, Russia said it had captured Pokrovsk, a key city in eastern Ukraine; Kyiv denies it, saying fighting is ongoing. 

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CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Pray for the peaceful end to all conflicts worldwide, even as we wait for God’s kingdom to come in full—for the day when God’s reign of peace will settle every dispute, and all nations will walk in His paths. 

“He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war.” 
Micah 4:3 (CSB) (read full passage)

The TSA will still let non-REAL ID folks fly… for a fee. Starting February 1, 2026, travelers with IDs that don’t meet stricter federal guidelines (see the list) must pay $45 to cover domestic travel for a 10-day period. The blue-uniformed agency said the process will vary airport to airport, and encouraged people to schedule that DMV appointment ASAP.

Zootopia 2 Hopps to the front of the box office. Disney’s animal-city sequel earned an elephant-sized $556M at the global box office last week, marking the highest international opening for an animated movie ever and proving itself even more… well… popular ♪… than Wicked: For Good.

Bitcoin’s wallet’s feelin’ a little cold. The cryptocurrency lost more than $18,000 in value in November—its biggest loss since May 2021, which deepened the “crypto winter” it’s been in since peaking at over $125K on October 7. On Monday, prices briefly dipped below $86K (its worst day since March), but rallied yesterday, topping $92K. Check its ever-changing price here.

Michael and Susan Dell celebrated Giving Tuesday with a $6.25B pledge to American kids. The billionaire pioneer of direct-to-consumer computer sales will donate $250 directly to 25 million “Trump Accounts” for kids 10 and under. The Treasury will launch the tax-exempt accounts in 2026 (details TBD) as part of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” encouraging parents and philanthropists to contribute.

Pope Leo XIV completed international trip I, flying to Turkey and Lebanon as a “messenger of peace,” meeting with (and praying with… watch here) some local leaders as a commemoration of the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. On the papal plane home, the pontiff also offered advice for the U.S.’s military activity near Venezuela: find “another way.”

CSI: Playroom Edition

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One last thing…

Still Googling good gift ideas? We’ve got 40 of them in one curated guide to save ya some trouble. Explore TPO’s Christmas Gift Guide here!