Pentagon Investigates Senator Kelly Over Video, Venezuela Sanctions, and Tulsa Massacre Survivor Dies

Pentagon Investigates Senator Mark Kelly

• 🇺🇸 The Pentagon is investigating Arizona Senator Mark Kelly over a video where he and other lawmakers urged U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders.
• ⚖️ Defense officials stated Kelly's comments could have negatively impacted the loyalty, morale, and discipline of the armed forces.
• 🛡️ Senator Kelly, a retired Navy captain, would need to be recalled to active duty for any disciplinary action.
• 🗣️ Kelly responded by stating he would not be silenced by those prioritizing power over the Constitution.

Venezuela Sanctions and 'Cartel de los Soles'

• 💰 The Trump administration has formally designated Venezuela's 'Cartel de los Soles' as a foreign terrorist organization.
• 📈 This designation is part of a broader pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's government, with President Trump considering military action.
• 🌐 While Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the group of terrorist violence, the Maduro government denies its existence, and experts describe it as a nickname for high-ranking officials profiting from drug trafficking.

Gaza Humanitarian Operations and Conflict

• 💔 The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is permanently ending its operations in the territory, claiming to be the sole provider of free meals.
• ⚠️ The group's operations were reportedly marred by violence, with hundreds of Palestinians allegedly killed by Israeli troops seeking aid.
• 🕊️ This occurs amidst ongoing conflict, with hospital officials reporting at least 24 deaths in Israeli strikes over the weekend, which Israel states were in response to gunfire on its troops.
• 🕯️ In Lebanon, thousands attended the funeral of Hezbollah's top military commander, killed in an Israeli strike.

EPA and Pesticide Regulations

• 🧪 The EPA is beginning to permit the use of pesticides containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) on food crops.
• 🌱 This move is part of an effort to roll back regulations on these 'forever chemicals,' which do not easily break down in the environment.
• 🥦 Farmers may soon be able to use these approved pesticides on crops like romaine lettuce, broccoli, and potatoes.
• ⚠️ Concerns exist regarding the long-term impact of PFAS, which have been linked to health issues including certain cancers and birth defects.

Other News and Obituaries

• 📈 Wall Street stocks saw significant gains at the start of the Thanksgiving holiday week, with the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 all posting strong increases.
• 🎬 Actor Dharmendra, a major star of Indian cinema known for his roles in the 1970s, passed away at 89.
• 🕯️ Viola Fletcher, the oldest known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, died at 111, having become a prominent witness to history and advocate for reparations.