Patricia Zengerle

Hundreds of Cubans continued attempting the dangerous 90-mile crossing to Florida despite a US policy change requiring refugees intercepted at sea to be taken to Guantanamo Bay. The Coast Guard reported rescuing 900 people that day, following a record 1,293 rescues the previous day, and said more than 11,000 Cubans had been rescued during the year. US officials warned of deaths at sea and said several Caribbean countries might offer safe havens, while those reaching Florida were held at a detention center near Miami.

A continuing exodus of Cubans toward Florida persisted despite the US decision to turn away refugees, with the Coast Guard rescuing hundreds from makeshift rafts and reporting record numbers for the month and year. US officials warned that many more could die during the 90-mile crossing. The United States was taking people intercepted at sea to Guantanamo Bay while detaining those who reached Florida, and several Caribbean countries were expected to offer safe havens.

Hurricane Georges may become the most expensive single disaster-relief operation in American Red Cross history, surpassing the $81.5 million record set by Hurricane Andrew. After crossing the Caribbean and striking the US Gulf Coast, the storm caused widespread flooding and at least 468 deaths, with the Dominican Republic and Haiti suffering the highest fatalities. The Red Cross was assisting affected areas in the United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The Senate is expected to advance Jay Clayton’s nomination to become director of national intelligence, with final confirmation likely later in the week because Republicans hold a 53–47 majority. Clayton’s nomination narrowly cleared the Senate Intelligence Committee after he declined to directly acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election and faced questions over subpoenas targeting New York Times journalists who reported security concerns about Trump’s proposed Qatari-donated Air Force One. The Trump administration later indicated that the subpoenas would be withdrawn. Democrats, led by Ron Wyden, questioned Clayton’s honesty and independence, while committee chair Tom Cotton called him highly qualified. The nomination was also previously delayed when Trump sought leverage over Congress on voting-rule changes.

Senate Democrats blocked a procedural vote on the $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act, arguing that approving it would endorse President Donald Trump’s decision to launch war with Iran without congressional authorization, a clear strategy, or an exit plan. The vote failed 50–46, short of the 60 votes required, in a rare setback for legislation that has passed annually with broad bipartisan support for more than six decades. The bill funds military personnel, weapons, ships, aircraft, missile systems, and Pentagon priorities, while Trump is seeking an additional $350 billion in military spending through budget reconciliation. Republicans accused Democrats of putting politics ahead of national security. The legislation remains alive and must pass separate House and Senate versions before returning to both chambers and ultimately the president.

The Senate approved a 50–48 war powers resolution directing President Donald Trump to halt U.S. military action against Iran, with four Republicans joining Democrats and one Democrat opposing. The House had already passed the measure, marking the first time both chambers have approved a resolution under the 1973 War Powers Act directing a president to withdraw forces from hostilities. Trump and the White House dismissed the vote as poorly timed, symbolic, and legally nonbinding, while supporters including Senators Tim Kaine and Representative Gregory Meeks argued that Congress must reassert its constitutional authority over sustained military engagements. The resolution’s enforceability is disputed and may lead to litigation, while the administration’s possible request for additional Iran-related funding could intensify the conflict with Congress.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that he had never heard of Bill Pulte in the context of the intelligence community. President Donald Trump had selected Pulte, the 38-year-old federal housing regulator, as acting director of national intelligence. Democrats and at least one Republican questioned the appointment because Pulte lacks national security experience and has reportedly used confidential information in investigations targeting Trump’s perceived opponents. Trump defended Pulte, citing his experience handling sensitive matters.

The Republican-led US Senate voted 54–46 to end unauthorized US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, including targeting assistance for Saudi air strikes. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in backing the war powers resolution, citing Congress’s constitutional authority and Yemen’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Opponents argued that ending limited US involvement could strengthen Iran, reduce Washington’s leverage over Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and hinder efforts toward a political settlement. The resolution still required House approval and faced a threatened veto from President Donald Trump, whose support for Saudi Arabia was also under scrutiny after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

At a Senate confirmation hearing, Republican and Democratic lawmakers condemned Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and civilian harm caused by the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Marco Rubio and Ron Johnson called Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “full gangster,” while nominee John Abizaid supported accountability and human rights but argued that the United States should preserve its strategic partnership with Riyadh and continue backing the coalition. The hearing also highlighted congressional opposition to that support and ongoing US concerns about Iran and ISIS.

The US Senate confirmed Gina Haspel as CIA director by a 54-45 vote, making her the first woman to lead the agency. Her nomination faced strong opposition because of her role in the CIA’s post-9/11 interrogation program, including waterboarding at a secret prison in Thailand and her involvement in ordering the destruction of interrogation videotapes. Haspel was supported by President Donald Trump, intelligence officials, most Republicans, and several Democrats, including Intelligence Committee ranking member Mark Warner. Human rights advocates and Senator John McCain criticized the confirmation, arguing that it failed to adequately confront the use of torture.

Stormy Daniels told CBS News’ 60 Minutes that an unknown man threatened her and her infant daughter in 2011, warning her to stop discussing her alleged 2006 sexual relationship with Donald Trump. Daniels said she later signed repeated denials and a $130,000 nondisclosure agreement after feeling intimidated. Trump and the White House deny the affair, while his lawyer Michael Cohen acknowledged making the payment but also denied the relationship. Watchdog groups have asked the Department of Justice and Federal Election Commission to investigate whether the payment violated campaign-finance rules.

The Trump administration was preparing to withdraw some or all US security assistance to Pakistan after accusing Islamabad of failing to act against the Haqqani network and Afghan Taliban. Congressional aides said the State Department had warned lawmakers that an announcement was imminent, but the amount, type and duration of the cuts remained unclear. The developments followed Nikki Haley’s announcement that the United States would withhold $255 million in assistance and Donald Trump’s accusation that Pakistan had repaid years of US aid with “lies and deceit.” Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders rejected the US claims and summoned the American ambassador, highlighting the deterioration in bilateral relations.

Former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page acknowledged under oath that he met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich during trips to Moscow in 2016. Page said he had informed senior Trump campaign officials, including Jeff Sessions, Hope Hicks and Corey Lewandowski, about the July trip and later shared what he called valuable insights. His admissions contradicted earlier denials and drew criticism from House Intelligence Committee Democrat Adam Schiff. Page maintained that the trips were private and benign, while congressional and FBI investigations examined possible links between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee subpoenaed former national security adviser Michael Flynn for documents related to Russia and alleged interference in the 2016 election after he declined an earlier request. Flynn, who resigned in February after failing to disclose conversations with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak and misleading Vice President Mike Pence, had sought immunity before agreeing to an interview. The subpoena followed testimony from former acting attorney general Sally Yates that she had warned the White House Flynn might be compromised, and came one day after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, prompting accusations that the Russia investigation was being obstructed. The Trump administration denies collusion with Russia, which also denies meddling in the election.

Vnesheconombank confirmed that its executives met Jared Kushner in December 2016 during a US roadshow, adding detail to congressional investigations into contacts between Trump associates and Russian officials. Kushner, who also met Ambassador Sergei Kislyak and VEB chairman Sergei Gorkov, agreed to testify to the Senate Intelligence Committee. Investigators are examining whether the meetings involved possible investment in Kushner or Trump properties in exchange for lifting sanctions, although meeting a sanctioned entity is not itself illegal. The story also covers Michael Flynn's resignation over his Kislyak contacts and the growing dispute over Devin Nunes's handling of intelligence related to Trump's unsupported claim that Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower.

President Barack Obama called for an orderly and genuine democratic transition in Egypt as mass protests placed President Hosni Mubarak under intense pressure after 29 years in power. CIA Director Leon Panetta told Congress there was a strong likelihood Mubarak would resign, possibly transferring authority to Vice President Omar Suleiman, although officials stressed that the reports were unconfirmed. Egypt’s military said it had intervened to safeguard the country and would meet protesters’ demands. U.S. officials warned that a successful transition could promote regional stability, while a disorderly outcome could create serious problems, and noted that extremist groups including al-Qaida, Hamas and Hezbollah were watching the crisis closely.

President Barack Obama nominated Jacob Lew, a former Clinton budget director and current State Department deputy secretary, to lead the White House Office of Management and Budget. Obama highlighted Lew's experience and role in overseeing the Clinton administration's $237 billion surplus as assets in addressing the U.S. deficit and debt while supporting economic growth. Lew would replace Peter Orszag, and his confirmation was expected to benefit from bipartisan support, although his previous position managing hedge-fund and private-equity investments at Citigroup could draw scrutiny.

President Barack Obama proposed revisions to his healthcare reform plan to make insurance coverage more affordable and sought to advance the legislation at a bipartisan congressional summit. The White House indicated it might pursue passage without Republican support, potentially using a Senate procedure requiring a simple majority rather than 60 votes. Republicans rejected the proposal as a repackaged version of previously passed Democratic bills, while Democratic leaders worked to reconcile the House and Senate legislation after losing their 60th Senate vote in Massachusetts.

A 31-year-old man was rescued alive from a collapsed building in Port-au-Prince 14 days after Haiti’s magnitude-7.0 earthquake, despite severe dehydration and a broken leg. The rescue came as hundreds of thousands of displaced Haitians continued to face shortages of food, water, shelter and medical care, with some distributions requiring tear gas and armed crowd control. International agencies reported delivering millions of meals, while cash-for-work programs began clearing rubble and waste. Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive warned that the emergency would last for months and reconstruction could take four to five years. The United States deployed thousands of military personnel but anticipated gradually reducing its role as other organizations assumed greater responsibility.

A third uninvited person entered the November 24 White House state dinner after passing security with an Indian delegation traveling from a Washington hotel. The U.S. Secret Service said the individual was not on the guest list, was not seated or known to have approached any guests, and left early. The disclosure followed the unauthorized appearance of Tareq and Michaele Salahi, prompting a review of White House security procedures and a criminal investigation.

During the first major speech of his nine-day Asian tour, Barack Obama called himself America’s “first Pacific president” and pledged deeper engagement with the region. He reaffirmed the U.S. alliance with Japan, welcomed China’s expanding global and economic role while stressing its responsibilities, and defended Washington’s commitment to human rights. Obama also urged North Korea to return to multilateral nuclear talks and offered Burma the prospect of improved U.S. relations if it implemented democratic reforms and released political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.