U.S. aviation authorities halted all scheduled departures at airports nationwide on Friday afternoon, November 13, after detecting communications problems affecting several air traffic control centers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it took the action “due to extraordinary circumstances and for safety reasons,” adding that technicians were investigating the cause.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the communications problem affected all Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs). The FAA initially reported failures at “multiple” facilities before describing a technical problem affecting telecommunications at numerous control facilities nationwide. The United States has 22 such centers, responsible for flights operating above 18,000 feet and for coordinating aircraft movements between airports.

The first restrictions were reported at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports, where the FAA ordered ground stops because of an equipment failure linked to communications problems. Shortly afterward, the restriction was expanded nationwide. Flight crews and airline dispatchers reported disruptions to radio frequencies used by pilots and controllers in different parts of the country.

The suspension prevents aircraft on the ground from taking off, while flights already airborne may continue to their destinations. International flights bound for the United States are being handled case by case, potentially affecting connections with Latin America, including routes to and from Colombia. United Airlines said flights already underway would continue, but no additional domestic flights would depart while the order remained in effect.

As of publication, the FAA had not identified the cause of the failure or indicated when operations would resume. Agency operational notices included estimated lifting times for Friday evening, although restrictions could end earlier or be extended depending on the investigation and the condition of communications systems. The total number of affected flights and passengers was not yet known.

Nationwide flight ground stops are exceptional in the United States. The most recent occurred in January 2023, when a failure of the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system halted departures across the country, causing more than 10,000 delays and over 1,300 cancellations. That was the first nationwide ground stop since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

POLITICS | Chris Van Hollen Challenges Chuck Schumer for Senate Democratic Leadership

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced that he would challenge incumbent caucus leader Chuck Schumer for the position of Senate Democratic majority leader in the next Congress, following the party’s midterm election victory. Van Hollen said the results reflected voters’ demand for change and argued that the party needed new leadership. The internal election, the first contested race for the position in several decades, will take place in early December by secret ballot among Democratic senators.

His candidacy comes amid divisions within the caucus over Schumer’s continued leadership. While several lawmakers acknowledge his role in candidate recruitment and fundraising that contributed to the election results, progressive groups are calling for a change. Tensions date back to March 2025, when Schumer supported a Republican budget measure, drawing criticism from party members and allied organizations.

Van Hollen is positioning himself as an alternative to Schumer, although he has not yet detailed his leadership agenda. He has disagreed with the current Democratic leader over ties to Israel and certain interest groups and has raised the possibility of running for president. Schumer has a long record of supporting Israel, although he has also publicly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza.

Van Hollen has received support from Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed and independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats. El-Sayed said the new majority would need decisive leadership and highlighted Van Hollen’s experience, while Sanders announced that he would not support Schumer’s continuation. The Vermont senator said Democrats should prioritize working families and reduce the influence of major economic interests on party decisions.

Schumer, meanwhile, says he has the votes to remain leader and has secured public support from several caucus members, including Ohio Senator-elect Sherrod Brown, independent Senator Angus King and Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. King said he saw no reason to replace a leader after the party’s election performance, while Cortez Masto credited Schumer’s contribution to securing the new majority. Supporters also cite his legislative experience and leadership when Democrats controlled the Senate during Joe Biden’s presidency.

The December vote will determine who leads the Senate Democratic majority during the second half of Donald Trump’s term, when the party will have greater power to advance legislation and oversee the executive branch. Although Schumer has several declared supporters, many senators have not publicly announced their preferences, leaving Van Hollen’s candidacy as a contest over the party’s direction and priorities after regaining control of Congress.

POLITICS | Democrat Cindy Holscher Wins Kansas Governorship on Proposal to Pause New Data Centers

Democrat Cindy Holscher won the Kansas gubernatorial election, defeating Republican Ty Masterson in a traditionally conservative state. The state lawmaker made a proposed temporary pause on new data center projects part of her campaign, responding to community concerns about energy consumption, electricity costs and the facilities’ impact. Masterson conceded Thursday, while Holscher thanked voters and said serving as governor would be an honor.

Holscher’s proposal calls for a moratorium on approvals for new data centers until the state evaluates their economic and environmental effects and establishes protections for communities. During the campaign, she said concerns about the facilities repeatedly arose in conversations with residents. Communities want investment and economic development opportunities, she said, but not at the expense of their resources or their ability to make decisions independently of major technology companies.

Her position created disagreements with labor organizations that endorsed her Republican opponent, including the state’s leading transportation and railroad workers’ union and a local electricians’ organization. Masterson defended data centers as a source of investment and economic activity, while Holscher maintained her proposed pause despite initial advice from some Democratic leaders. The unions’ support for Masterson marked a departure from their usual electoral preferences, driven by the jobs associated with the projects.

Kansas has become a destination for technology infrastructure investment in the Midwestern region known as the “Silicon Prairie.” Approximately $46 billion in data center projects have been announced in the state, mainly in the Kansas City area. As investment grows, the debate over economic benefits and infrastructure requirements has gained political importance, while technology investors including Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz support initiatives to promote these facilities.

Holscher’s victory accompanied Democratic gains in other statewide contests. Kansas elected pastor Adam Hamilton to the U.S. Senate over Republican Roger Marshall, making him the first Democrat elected to represent the state in that chamber in nearly a century. Chris Mann also defeated Republican Kris Kobach in the attorney general’s race. The outcomes represent a shift in several statewide offices, although Kansas has historically favored Republicans in national elections.

Data centers were also an issue in elections in Texas, Ohio, Georgia and Nevada, where candidates from both parties proposed restrictions or tighter oversight of their expansion. Concerns include rising electricity demand, use of natural resources and impacts on rural communities. Holscher’s election creates an opportunity to revisit approval conditions in Kansas, although any moratorium will depend on her administration’s decisions and state regulations.

POLITICS | Democratic Congress Prepares Greater Oversight of Trump’s Justice Department

The U.S. Department of Justice will face increased congressional scrutiny after Democrats won both chambers in the midterm elections. The incoming majority is preparing investigations into the department’s conduct during the first two years of President Donald Trump’s second term, including investigations targeting political opponents, dismissals of career officials and administration legal positions challenged by courts.

Among the matters potentially under review are investigations involving individuals regarded as presidential adversaries. In the weeks before the elections, the Justice Department unsuccessfully sought an indictment of former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, intensified an investigation into Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar and filed a new criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey. It also charged two former FBI officials in a complaint subsequently dismissed by a judge.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would cooperate with Congress but warned that legislative investigations would not change the administration’s priorities. In a Fox News interview, he said the department would “not back down” and would continue implementing its agenda over the remaining two years of the presidential term. His remarks come as Democrats seek to expand oversight of executive decisions and federal agencies.

Aakash Singh, a senior Blanche adviser, asked federal prosecutors to prepare to operate under “wartime” conditions in an internal communication that also raised the possibility of further departures. The Justice Department clarified that the expression referred exclusively to public safety and said some recently elected state and local leaders were no longer willing to cooperate with federal authorities.

The department is also undergoing leadership changes after the heads of its National Security, Civil and Civil Rights divisions announced their resignations following the elections. Although acting officials will lead those divisions, the Democratic Senate majority could complicate confirmation of permanent replacements. Former Nevada U.S. Attorney Greg Brower warned that the situation could delay major decisions normally made by Senate-confirmed officials.

Despite their new majority, Democrats face limits in compelling executive branch cooperation. Court proceedings can take years, and enforcing congressional subpoenas can be complicated. Criminal contempt referrals would also fall to the Justice Department itself. Stan Brand, a former House counsel, said there was still no clear answer to how such an institutional confrontation would be resolved.

Tensions have already surfaced in exchanges between lawmakers and administration officials. White House legal adviser Will Scharf warned that certain congressional investigations could constitute criminal conduct, while Houston federal prosecutor Aaron Reitz criticized Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal’s inquiry into financing for a White House ballroom. Blumenthal rejected the warnings and said he would not be intimidated. Blanche, meanwhile, said no investigations had been opened over Democrats’ statements and reiterated that the department would focus on fraud, violent crime, drug trafficking and cartels.

POLITICS | Federal Court Rejects Trump Administration’s Withholding of New York Highway Funds

A U.S. federal appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump’s administration exceeded its legal authority by withholding $73.5 million in funding for New York highway infrastructure. The ruling stems from a dispute between federal and state officials over New York’s refusal to revoke certain commercial driver’s licenses issued to foreign drivers.

The dispute began in April, when the U.S. Department of Transportation suspended the funding following an audit that the agency said identified recurring irregularities in commercial licenses issued to foreign drivers. Federal officials demanded that certain licenses be canceled, but the state refused and sued over the funding freeze.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit concluded that the Transportation Department exceeded its statutory authority because its demands on New York did not conform to applicable regulatory requirements. The judges said the measure violated adequate-notice principles and departed from the language of existing provisions, while underestimating the complexity of the obligations federal officials sought to impose on the state.

New York officials had warned that withholding the money could harm highway safety and maintenance, while license revocations would affect industries dependent on commercial transportation. The state also said the action could cause school bus driver shortages, affecting families and schools. The Transportation Department had additionally threatened to withhold another $147 million annually.

The decision limits federal authority to condition infrastructure funding on compliance with particular state administrative demands. Neither representatives of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy nor those of New York Governor Kathy Hochul had commented when the ruling became public. The decision adds to legal disputes over federal policy implementation during Trump’s second term.

POLITICS | Democrat Scott Colom Wins Mississippi Senate Seat and Receives Recognition From Trump

District Attorney Scott Colom, the Democratic candidate, won Mississippi’s U.S. Senate election against Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, who had held the seat since 2018. The result emerged Wednesday, November 11, after several days of counting mail-in and provisional ballots, with a margin of 4,669 votes. Colom will be the first Democrat elected to Mississippi’s Senate delegation since 1982 and the state’s first Black senator since the post-Civil War Reconstruction era.

President Donald Trump commented on the result in an interview on commentator Stephen A. Smith’s podcast, acknowledging Colom’s achievement while saying he did not know him personally. Trump recalled that the Democratic candidate had campaigned among people waiting to enter one of his events in the state. During an October rally in Corinth supporting Hyde-Smith, Trump had sharply criticized Colom.

In the same interview, Trump attributed the midterm results to the fact that his name was not on the ballot, despite having urged voters to act as though it were. He also said the Republican presidential nominee in 2028 would be the person he chooses.

Vice President JD Vance, for his part, attributed the party’s defeat to the war in Iran. Although both agreed the conflict affected the election results, Trump told reporters at Palm Beach International Airport that he would make the same decision again, arguing that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon would be remembered as one of America’s most important actions.

Colom’s campaign focused on economic issues, including lowering families’ cost of living, supporting state hospitals and creating jobs. He also criticized fuel price increases associated with the war in Iran and the effects of tariffs on Mississippi farmers, while avoiding personal attacks on Trump and his supporters.

Colom’s victory expands the Democratic Senate majority and adds to the party’s gains in traditionally Republican states such as Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. Mississippi, where Trump won by nearly 23 percentage points in 2024, had been considered a safe Republican seat by most analysts.

IMMIGRATION | U.S. Supreme Court to Review Trump’s Restrictions on Asylum at Mexican Border

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Friday that it would review the legality of President Donald Trump’s restrictions on access to asylum at the Mexican border, a central component of his immigration policy. The justices agreed to hear the administration’s appeal of a ruling that found the president had exceeded his authority by preventing migrants who entered the country unlawfully from seeking international protection. Arguments are expected in the coming months, with a decision anticipated by the end of June 2027.

Announced on January 20, 2025, hours after Trump began his second term, the restrictions imposed new limits on people seeking asylum at the southern border. The policy bars applications from migrants detained after crossing unlawfully and also imposes restrictions on people arriving at official ports of entry without certain medical information or criminal background records. Migrant rights organizations have criticized the requirements as difficult for people fleeing violence to meet.

The presidential proclamation also provided for expedited deportation procedures and specified that the restrictions would remain in effect until Trump declared an end to what he called an “invasion at the southern border.” The measure expanded asylum limitations previously imposed by former President Joe Biden, whose administration had restricted eligibility for some migrants to reduce unlawful crossings. Since returning to office, Trump has pursued other measures to tighten immigration enforcement and seek changes to international rules protecting asylum seekers.

The legal dispute began when migrant advocacy organizations filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of people who said they had been denied interviews to determine whether they had a “credible fear” of persecution before deportation. Such interviews assess risks based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. A federal judge in Washington ruled for the plaintiffs in July 2025, and an appeals court upheld that decision in April 2026, although it stayed much of the ruling to allow the government to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The high court, with a six-justice conservative majority and three liberal justices, has reviewed other Trump administration immigration measures during his second term. In June 2026, it upheld federal authority to reject asylum applications when officials deem border crossings overwhelmed. In September, it allowed deportations to third countries to resume without first giving migrants an opportunity to demonstrate the risks they could face there.

The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear arguments on December 9 over the legality of third-country deportations in another case involving executive immigration authority. The new asylum case will determine whether the administration may bar certain people from seeking international protection based on how they entered the United States, defining the scope of presidential authority and immigration officials’ obligations toward asylum seekers at the southern border.

DIPLOMACY | Secretary Rubio Discusses Security and Economic Cooperation Priorities With Honduran President

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Honduran President Nasry Asfura in Washington on Friday to discuss bilateral cooperation priorities in defense, security, migration and economic relations. Rubio thanked the Honduran leader for his country’s cooperation in these areas and emphasized the importance of close coordination on challenges shared by both nations.

On security, Rubio highlighted Honduras’s participation in the regional Shield of the Americas and Americas Coalition Against Cartels initiatives, designed to strengthen cooperation against transnational criminal organizations. He also acknowledged Honduras’s decision to designate Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 as terrorist organizations, part of the Central American country’s measures against these groups.

On economic issues, the officials discussed opportunities to expand bilateral trade and encourage additional U.S. investment in Honduras. Although the State Department announced no specific trade commitments or new investment projects, the meeting provided an opportunity to address deeper economic ties as part of the cooperation agenda.

Rubio also reaffirmed U.S. support for Hondurans affected by drought conditions associated with El Niño. At the conclusion of the meeting, both leaders expressed a commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation and continue joint initiatives on security, economic development and regional stability, according to the State Department.

ECONOMY | U.S. Postal Service Announces 11% Rate Increase Starting January 2027

The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced an 11% increase in certain postal rates effective January 17, 2027, after making a temporary fuel surcharge permanent and adding a further 3% increase. Approved by the agency’s Board of Governors, the decision responds to higher operating costs and financial challenges facing the independent federal agency.

The adjustment makes permanent an 8% fuel surcharge first introduced in April 2026, alongside a general 3% increase in selected rates. USPS said the change is intended to generate additional revenue and support the financial sustainability of its operations. The agency also said it would review the surcharge in July 2027 based on fuel price movements during the first half of the year.

Increases will vary by service. Domestic package rates will rise by an average of 5.9%, including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select, used for expedited shipments, standard parcels and commercial deliveries. International services will see an average increase of 7.9% across several categories of mail and packages sent abroad.

One major factor is the rise in diesel prices, which reached a national average of $6.10 per gallon on November 12, 2026, compared with $3.76 a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). CBS News reported that higher global oil prices resulting from the war in Iran have increased the Postal Service’s transportation and distribution costs.

The rate changes also come as USPS faces financial pressures from the sustained decline in traditional mail volume and high operating expenses. On November 10, the agency reported a $6.5 billion loss for fiscal 2026, down from $9 billion the previous year. Despite the smaller loss, USPS continues implementing a 10-year financial transformation plan aimed at reducing costs and restoring profitability.

The Board of Governors said the new rates would help maintain the Postal Service’s competitiveness and provide additional operating resources. USPS clarified that the 11% increase would not apply uniformly to all products because each service has a different cost structure. Specific rates will be published in the relevant pricing schedules, and the July 2027 review will assess potential changes to the fuel surcharge.

SANCTIONS | United States Sanctions Two Guatemalan Criminal Organizations Over Links to Mexican Cartels

The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions against Guatemalan organizations Los Mendoza and Los Huistas, accusing them of providing logistical support to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), both groups control strategic drug trafficking corridors along Guatemala’s borders with Honduras and Mexico, facilitating narcotics shipments to the U.S. market and other international destinations.

The Treasury Department said the organizations receive, store, protect and transport drug shipments across borders through cooperation networks in Central and South America. U.S. officials maintain that these alliances allow Mexican cartels to sustain supply routes for fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and other illegal drugs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions aim to disrupt criminal networks that facilitate narcotics entering the United States.

Los Mendoza, which emerged in the 1980s, is identified by U.S. authorities as one of the Sinaloa Cartel’s main logistical intermediaries in Guatemala and Honduras. OFAC said the group provides access to border crossings, clandestine airstrips, storage facilities and local protection networks in San Marcos, Huehuetenango and Petén. Treasury officials also attribute money laundering, contract killings and asset accumulation through cattle, agricultural and real estate businesses to the organization.

Los Huistas, active since the 1990s, maintains operational links with both the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, particularly in transporting cocaine from South America through Mexico to the United States. OFAC, which previously sanctioned the group in March 2022, said its relationships with businesspeople, police officers and local political leaders have enabled it to consolidate its presence in northwestern Guatemala. The agency said those connections also allegedly facilitated its operations and impeded law enforcement.

The measures follow the United States’ February 20, 2025, designation of the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Both groups were already subject to U.S. drug trafficking sanctions, but the new classifications expanded the legal framework for action against their support networks. In this round, OFAC sanctioned Los Mendoza for supporting the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Huistas for links to both Mexican organizations.

The sanctions form part of U.S. measures against international drug trafficking and support networks for designated terrorist organizations. Separately, the State Department announced the designation of Los Lorenzanas, another Guatemalan criminal organization, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Washington is thus expanding measures against groups that U.S. authorities say participate in regional narcotics distribution networks and facilitate operations by major Mexican cartels.

HEALTH | U.S. Surpasses 5,400 Measles Cases as Elimination Status Comes Under Review

The United States is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in more than three decades, with 5,412 confirmed cases as of November 12, 2026, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The figure marks the highest number of infections since 1991. The federal agency confirmed six deaths linked to the disease this year, twice the number recorded in 2025. Cases are rising in a country that declared measles eliminated in 2000.

Pennsylvania accounts for a significant share of the outbreak and reported its seventh measles-related death Friday, along with 1,542 confirmed cases and 305 hospitalizations. Additional deaths were reported in Wisconsin, where an infant died, and New York, which recorded its first measles-related death in more than 30 years. State records therefore show at least nine deaths, exceeding the six officially recognized by the CDC.

The discrepancy between federal and state figures reflects a change in how deaths are counted. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC began using National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data instead of relying directly on state health department reports. The agency is also working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to establish consistent criteria for classifying and recording measles-related deaths.

Measles is a highly contagious airborne viral disease whose early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash. The virus can remain suspended in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an enclosed space. Although many patients recover, measles can cause severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in children under five, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

Amid rising infections, the CDC reiterated that vaccination is the primary preventive measure. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is approximately 93% effective after one dose and 97% effective after two. The usual schedule calls for a first dose at 12 to 15 months and a second at ages four to six, although health authorities may recommend adjustments during outbreaks or before international travel.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), meanwhile, is preparing to determine whether the United States retains its measles elimination status, which it has held since 2000. The assessment considers whether the virus has circulated continuously for at least 12 months, which could lead to the designation being withdrawn. Mexico is also included in the review, while U.S. health authorities continue monitoring outbreaks and vaccination coverage in affected communities.

SECURITY | U.S. and Colombian Armies Expand Cooperation Against Regional Threats

The U.S. and Colombian armies held their 17th Army Staff Talks in Bogotá on November 10, a bilateral planning forum at which they agreed to expand cooperation commitments against regional security threats. According to U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, the meeting represented a substantial expansion of commitments undertaken by both institutions.

The talks were co-chaired by Major General Brey Hopkins, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command, and Brigadier General Carlos Alberto Padilla, chief of operations of the Colombian Army. The meeting followed Exercise Southern Vanguard 27, which the U.S. command said underscored the importance of maintaining the partnership between the two forces.

Under the updated plan, the armies will work together to counter transnational criminal organizations and illegal armed networks. The roadmap also calls for progress on multidomain interoperability across land, cyber and information environments, along with stronger theater sustainment logistics to ensure high readiness levels for critical combat platforms.

Hopkins said that although geography and borders separate the countries, their security is closely interconnected. He emphasized that the two armies are committed not only to training together today but also to operating in coordination in the years ahead. He also said Colombia is at the forefront of hemispheric defense against complex transnational threats.

The U.S. officer added that as these threats expand and evolve, bilateral talks help the countries’ land forces remain adaptable, interoperable and ready to defend the hemisphere. According to the command, the meeting reaffirms a partnership built over decades on mutual trust and shared commitment and consolidates the relationship between the two armies as a pillar of regional stability and collective defense.