A U.S. military aircraft crashes near Japan with six people on board killing at least one. And, former President Jimmy Carter makes a rare appearance to honor his late wife. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.
U.S. military osprey aircraft with 6 aboard crashes in ocean near Japan
A U.S. military Osprey aircraft with six people on board has crashed into the ocean near an island off southern Japan. Japan’s Coast Guard recovered the body of one person, but the conditions of the others on the aircraft were not immediately known. There is no word yet on the cause of the crash.
According to Japanese officials, the aircraft crashed near the island of Yakushima around 2:45 pm local time. U.S. and Japanese officials say the aircraft belonged to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.
The Yakushima Airport Management Office said it received a call from the U.S. military requesting an emergency landing before the crash, but it was not confirmed if the call came from the Marines or Air Force.
The Osprey, a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter but can fly like an airplane, has been involved in at least five fatal crashes involving the U.S. Marines since 2012. In August, three people were killed when an Osprey with 23 Marines on board crashed in Australia during a routine training exercise.
More hostages to be released amid talks to extend cease-fire
On Wednesday, Nov. 29, Israel and Hamas are expected to release more hostages and prisoners on the final day of the extended truce in the Middle East. Diplomats and intelligence officials from Egypt, Israel, and the United States, including CIA Director William Burns, traveled to Qatar in an effort to extend the temporary pause in fighting.
According to multiple sources, the CIA director was meeting with Qatar’s prime minister to discuss a broader hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, expanding beyond the release of only women and children to include men and military personnel. Burns is also seeking the immediate release of an estimated eight to nine American hostages taken by Hamas.
According to the New York Times, Hamas has released a total of 85 hostages throughout the five-day cease-fire. Israel has released 180 Palestinians from its prisons.
CIA warns staff against sharing political social media posts
The CIA sent an internal email to staff warning them not to post anything political on social media after a senior analyst shared a pro-Palestinian picture on Facebook. A U.S. official told NBC News that the email was just a reminder of the agency’s existing policy.
The CIA’s warning came after its deputy director for analysis posted an image of a man waving a Palestinian flag that has been used in various reports criticizing Israel’s role in the violence in the Middle East. A person familiar with the situation told the Financial Times, who first broke the story, that the senior analyst has not been disciplined and that they have “extensive background in all aspects of the Middle East.” adding the post was “not intended to express a position on the conflict.”
Still, this comes as there has been division in the federal government over the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack, which killed 1,200 people.
Former President Jimmy Carter attends memorial service for Rosalynn Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter made a rare public appearance on Tuesday, Nov. 28, as he attended the memorial service of his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, at a church in Atlanta. Carter, who is 99, has been in hospice care since February. The former president was seen in the front row wearing a blanket draped over his legs with an image of Rosalynn stitched on it.
Dozens of political leaders were also in attendance to pay tribute, including President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.
The Carters’ marriage of 77 years was the longest of any first couple in U.S. history. The two were well known for their humanitarian work outside the White House. Rosalynn Carter died on Nov. 19, 2023, at the age of 96.
Charlie Munger dies at age 99
Charlie Munger, the Vice Chair of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett’s right-hand man for nearly six decades, died Tuesday, Nov. 28; he was 99 years old. Munger and Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway, a New England textile mill, in 1965 and turned it into a conglomerate worth more than $785 billion that owns brands like Geico, Dairy Queen, and Fruit of Loom and has stakes in companies like Apple and Coca-Cola.
In a statement, Buffett said, “Berkshire Hathaway could not have been built to its present status without Charlie’s inspiration, wisdom, and participation.”
At the age of 99, Munger also served on the boards of directors of Costco and the Daily Journal Corporation. Ahead of what would have been his 100th birthday in just a few weeks, Munger remarked on his busy schedule during a recent interview with CNBC.
“I like it that way. That’s my idea of a proper old age for me. I didn’t plan it. It just happened. When it happened, I welcomed it,” Munger said.
National Christmas Tree toppled by high winds
Don’t blame the Grinch. He wasn’t the reason why the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C. toppled on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 28. You can blame a strong gust of wind for that.
The wind caused the 40-foot tree near the White House to fall over and a cable to snap. At first, the National Park Service was not sure the already-decorated tree would be back up for Thursday’s, Nov. 30, lighting ceremony, saying, “The show must go on.” By Tuesday evening, Nov. 28, though, the agency said the snapped cable was replaced, and the tree was upright once again.
President Biden, the first lady, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the second gentleman are scheduled to attend the tree lighting ceremony, a holiday tradition since 1923.