A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F-18 fighter jet, both operating from the USS Nimitz, were lost in the South China Sea on October 26th, 2025, within approximately 30 minutes of each other. The incidents occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time, and all personnel involved were safely recovered, according to statements from the Pacific Fleet and multiple X users. The cause of both crashes is currently under investigation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated a one-year reprieve from potential Chinese rare earth blackmail, as reported by The Washington Post. This development comes amid ongoing trade talks and aims to provide stability for American industries reliant on these critical materials. Secretary Bessent’s assessment suggests a temporary de-escalation of trade tensions related to rare earths. Additionally, Congressman Jared Golden's stance on the ongoing government shutdown was highlighted by Congressman Don Bacon on X. Bacon stated that Democrats are driving the shutdown to appease “Far Left groups,” citing Golden’s honesty and political courage in a linked Wall Street Journal article. This commentary adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the causes and motivations behind the shutdown. In a separate development, GameStop released a statement regarding the end of the 20-year “Console Wars,” as shared on X. The statement, simply titled "NUMBER 9," suggests a significant shift in the video game industry landscape, potentially signaling new market dynamics or consolidation. Previous reporting indicated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced SNAP benefits would not be issued on November 1st due to the government shutdown. In New Jersey, early voting data showed a Democratic lead, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent labeled Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy, a "Russian propagandist." Trade agreements with Cambodia and Malaysia, and frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam, were also announced by the Trump administration. Senator Lindsey Graham reiterated the U.S. would employ military force against foreign drug cartels. Lawyers in a Chicago case contested a DHS statement on Border Patrol's use of tear gas, and the State Department announced visa revocations for individuals supporting terrorism.
