Greetings! Happy Small Business Saturday to those celebrating.

Let’s get into today’s top stories.

🇹🇹 Trinidad’s leader reverses course on Marines and radar work. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirms American Marines are in the country, saying they are installing new airport radar to track drug flights. The admission came after days of insisting no foreign troops were present. Opposition figures accuse her of hiding details about the security deal, while American officials describe the deployment as a technical mission, not combat support. Some residents worry about the island becoming a staging ground for regional operations, as the flap shows how even radar hardware can ignite anxieties over sovereignty in smaller states.

🇵🇪 Peru’s migrant backlash prompts a northern state of emergency. Peru plans to declare a state of emergency in several northern regions, as President Jose Jeri declared an incoming state of emergency, saying thousands of migrants leaving Chile, many from Venezuela, are passing through. Authorities promise more checkpoints and joint patrols along highways and border towns, while human rights groups warn tougher rules could trap families in dangerous limbo. Chile’s government is also under pressure over its own deportation policies, as regional bodies urge coordination instead of reactive crackdowns, and an upcoming presidential runoff election looms ahead. The crisis turns Andean migration corridors into a stress test for Latin American solidarity.

🚫 Asylum decisions frozen nationwide after National Guard shooting. Federal officials have halted all asylum decisions and paused Afghanistan visas after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington this past Wednesday. The pause affects thousands of pending cases across immigration courts. Authorities say they are reviewing security procedures and possible vetting gaps; advocates argue that collective punishment will deepen backlogs already measured in years. Business and family reunification groups fear more uncertainty for workers and relatives. The move quickly became a flashpoint in the national migration debate, as for many people waiting on life-changing rulings, the policy shift feels like the calendar just stopped.

🎖️ West Virginia towns mourn National Guard member killed in Washington. Communities in West Virginia held vigils for National Guard members shot in the capital. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died, while Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains hospitalized at the time of this writing. Residents packed gyms and churches to hear names, stories, and unit tributes. Local officials called the soldiers hometown heroes who served overseas and at home. Families placed photos beside folded flags and military boots. Neighbors organized meal trains and scholarship funds in their memory. Clergy urged mourners to turn grief into support for other military families. The ceremonies shrank a distant headline into a very local, very personal loss.

🛍️ Black Friday spending surges despite economic jitters. Shoppers still poured billions into Black Friday deals. Malls reported heavy foot traffic from opening hours through late night; online retailers logged strong demand for electronics, toys, and winter clothing. Economists note household credit card balances remain elevated, as retailers leaned on discounts to clear excess inventory from sluggish months. Some chains emphasized curbside pickup and shorter lines to keep crowds moving, but the day showed consumers remain willing to spend even as they grumble about prices.

✈️ College freshman deported mid-trip despite court protection. Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, 19, a first-year Babson College student, was deported to Honduras while flying home to Texas from Boston for Thanksgiving. Her lawyers say a court order should have shielded her from removal; immigration officers sent her to her home country after a layover screening. Family members had planned a surprise airport reunion that never happened; advocates call the case proof that paperwork safeguards can fail in transit. University officials say they are working to support Belloza remotely; for many internationals, the story turned a holiday break into a cautionary tale.

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That’s all for today!

Much obliged and many thanks for reading and sharing today’s newsletter.

See you tomorrow!