Military strikes, set to expand, kill 83 people and destroy 22 vessels amid war crimes accusation

An Afghan national was arrested in Texas for allegedly planning to detonate his vehicle as a bomb, a plot he shared on social media platforms TikTok and Facebook. This incident follows a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were critically injured, raising concerns about security and immigration policies. President Trump has responded to these events by pausing immigration from Afghanistan.

Republican Matt Van Epps secured a victory in Tennessee's 7th Congressional District special election, winning by a margin of 52% to 46% against Democrat Aftyn Behn. This election, held on December 2, 2025, was closely watched due to its implications for both parties ahead of the midterms. Van Epps' win, although significant, was less decisive than the 20-point margin achieved by President Trump in the previous election.

The House Homeland Security Committee is holding a hearing on the increasing violence against law enforcement, following a recent targeted shooting incident that critically injured two members of the West Virginia National Guard near the White House. This incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of law enforcement personnel amid ongoing tensions in the capital.

Hamas has announced plans to hand over the remains of a hostage, coinciding with Israel's decision to allow Palestinians to exit Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. This development indicates that the U.S.-backed ceasefire is holding, despite previous complications regarding the return of remains.

Ukraine and its European allies have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of feigning interest in peace negotiations following a five-hour meeting with U.S. envoys, which yielded no significant breakthroughs. The discussions were intended to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine but ended without resolution on key issues, particularly territorial disputes.

Iran's rial has plummeted to a record low of 1.2 million to the U.S. dollar, reflecting the severe impact of ongoing nuclear sanctions on the country's economy. This decline highlights the financial struggles faced by Tehran amidst international pressures.

U.S. and Russian officials described recent peace talks as 'constructive,' although no specific agreements were reached, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts amidst tensions. Lawmakers are also seeking clarity regarding a recent deadly U.S. boat strike, which has raised questions about military engagement protocols. Meanwhile, Republicans successfully retained a House seat in Tennessee during a special election.

Lawmakers in Congress are demanding answers from the Trump administration regarding a U.S. military strike on a boat in the Caribbean that resulted in fatalities. This incident, which occurred in September, has raised significant concerns about the administration's military actions in the region.