Greetings! Happy Black Friday to those celebrating.

Let’s get into today’s top stories.

🇹🇷 Pope’s unity prayer returns to ancient Nicaea in modern Turkey. Pope Leo XIV joined patriarchs from Eastern and Western churches at Iznik, the site of the first Council of Nicaea nearly 1,700 years ago. The gathering took place in a historic church now used as a museum. Leaders prayed for Christian unity while wars and nationalism fracture communities across regions. A small group protested outside, accusing the meeting of disrespecting Turkish sovereignty. Security was tight but unobtrusive. Organizers cast the visit as a spiritual summit rather than a political negotiation. The setting underlined how old doctrinal rifts now meet new geopolitical ones.

🇺🇦 Russian drones turn Kherson’s streets into a “human safari”. Residents of Kherson describe Russian first-person-view drones hunting civilians as they fetch water, pensions, and groceries. Videos show quadcopters diving low over courtyards and riverbanks. Local officials report dozens of noncombatants killed or maimed in recent months. Volunteers now string nets and wires above some walkways as improvised shields. Doctors say blast and shrapnel injuries arrive in irregular but frequent waves. Military analysts argue the cheap drones are meant to exhaust nerves and defenses. For many families, every errand feels like entering a live firing range.

🏠 Santa Fe links wages to rents in a first-of-its-kind move. Santa Fe approved a “living rent” plan that ties future minimum wage hikes to local housing costs. The city already has a higher floor than most states. Under the proposal, hourly pay will rise automatically as fair market rents and inflation climb. Officials say about 9,000 workers, roughly one-fifth of the workforce, could benefit from the measure. Local landlords have complained about alleged knock-on effects for small property owners. Supporters counter that stagnant wages and rent jumps over 30 percent have irreparably broken old models. The experiment will become a national test case for rent-driven wage policy.

⚖️ Guard shooting suspect now faces a first-degree murder count. Prosecutors upgraded charges against the man accused of shooting two District of Columbia National Guard members in Washington. Authorities say one of the service members has now died of injuries. The suspect was arrested after a chase and earlier faced assault allegations. Court filings describe surveillance footage and ballistic evidence tying him to the scene. Investigators have not released a clear motive. The case now intersects with a wider political fight over crime and migration. For the Guard and families, it remains a story about vulnerability close to home.

🌧️ Holiday travelers trade pumpkin pie for plows and de-icer. Forecasters warn that post-Thanksgiving trips will run into more rain, snow, and cold from the Great Lakes through New England. A new storm system could drop several inches to possibly a foot in some lake effect zones. Strong winds may briefly ground flights or force reroutes. Major airports have staffed up after last year’s snarls. Highway agencies are pre-treating key interstates before temperatures dip. Travelers are urged to build extra hours into already crowded return days. The projected weekend weather pattern adds one more variable to an already delicate holiday logistics puzzle.

🇦🇫 Afghan allies program becomes a target in Trump’s criticism. President Donald Trump attacked Operation Allies Welcome, which brought tens of thousands of Afghans who fought the Taliban to American soil. He linked the vetting effort to broader fears after the National Guard shooting. Homeland Security data show a small fraction of evacuees have faced criminal charges. Veterans’ groups argue that many arrivals risked their lives for American forces. Human rights advocates warn against casting an entire community as suspect. The White House says security checks remain strict and ongoing. For Afghan families, the rhetoric feels like a second test after surviving war.

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That’s all for today!

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See you tomorrow!