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Good morning, it’s Thursday, October 9, 2025. The Senate pushes back on Trump’s military strikes in the Caribbean, the Pentagon faces heat over press restrictions, and a fired US diplomat sparks a China-linked scandal. Israel and Hamas reached the first phase of Trump’s Gaza peace deal as world leaders cheered the breakthrough. Meanwhile, the UN slashes peacekeeping forces after US funding cuts, a Russian lawmaker warns that Moscow would shoot down Tomahawk cruise missiles, Kim Jong Un hosts allies in Pyongyang, Taiwan expands anti-drone defenses, and US-Philippine warships sail together in the South China Sea.
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Senate Challenges Trump’s Use of Military Force Against Drug Cartels in the Caribbean
The Senate voted Wednesday on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s authority to use military force against drug cartels after his administration claimed wartime powers to destroy vessels in the Caribbean.
The measure, led by Senators Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff, would require congressional approval before any further strikes.
It follows US attacks that have destroyed four vessels and killed at least 21 people.
The White House insists drug traffickers are “armed combatants” threatening national security, while critics from both parties argue the strikes violate US and international law.
Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to back the resolution, warning against unchecked executive power.
🚨 BREAKING: US Senate REJECTS advancing a measure to stop President Trump and Pete Hegseth from unilaterally striking narco-terrorist boats coming through the Caribbean to poison and kill Americans, 48-51
JOHN FETTERMAN (D) votes NAY.
Republicans RAND PAUL and LISA MURKOWSKI… pic.twitter.com/MEGTdQECXn
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 9, 2025
The vote is unlikely to succeed, and Trump has vowed to veto it, but lawmakers said the move was necessary to assert Congress’s war powers and prevent unintended escalation in the region.
Pentagon Press Corps Faces Deadline to Sign New Reporting Restrictions
Journalists covering the US military are confronting a deadline next week to sign new Pentagon-imposed reporting restrictions or risk losing access, prompting a standoff with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Pentagon Press Association said negotiations to ease the rules have largely failed, calling the new policy “intimidating” and a threat to press freedom.
The Pentagon Press Association makes clear that the Pentagon’s updated rules for Pentagon correspondents “appear designed to stifle a free press and potentially expose us to prosecution for simply doing our job.” The full statement is below. pic.twitter.com/WzcJPnFZx4
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) October 8, 2025
The rules bar reporters from seeking information from Defense Department personnel without official approval and require escorts in most areas of the Pentagon. Although the Pentagon dropped a clause forcing reporters to “agree” with the policy, it still requires them to acknowledge “understanding” it in writing.
Media organizations and press freedom groups warn the policy could silence sources and impede military coverage.
Hegseth defended the restrictions as “common sense,” while the press association said they violate decades of precedent and the public’s right to know how the military operates.
Pentagon Launches Task Force to Fix Military Barracks Within 30 Days
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new Pentagon task force this week to address substandard living conditions in military barracks and deliver a strategy within 30 days.
Speaking at Naval Air Station Oceana, Hegseth said commanders will be empowered to act on quality-of-life issues and called poor housing “unacceptable.”
The initiative follows a 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that exposed severe issues, including mold, sewage leaks, and rodent infestations.
Hegseth said more than $1 billion has been allocated to improve troop housing as part of a broader effort to modernize aging facilities, particularly in Europe, where many installations date back decades.
Our warfighters deserve the best.
That is why we are announcing the new Barracks Task Force. pic.twitter.com/864b8q7nq9
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 7, 2025
Major construction projects are underway in Italy and Germany, but Hegseth acknowledged that lasting solutions will take time to complete.
WWII Soldier from Michigan Identified 82 Years After Death in Pacific
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has identified the remains of US Army Technician Fifth Grade Ell T. Simantz, 24, of Grand Haven, Michigan, who was killed in action in Papua New Guinea in December 1942.
Simantz served with the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division, during the Allied campaign in the Pacific. His remains, initially unrecovered after the war, were exhumed from a Manila cemetery in 2017 and identified this May using DNA and genome sequencing technology.
He will be buried in his hometown on October 17.
#USArmy Technician Fifth Grade Ell T. Simantz, 23, of #GrandHaven, #Michigan, killed in present day #PapuaNewGuinea during #WorldWarII, was accounted for on May 9, 2025. He will be buried in his hometown on Oct 17, 2025: https://t.co/Cjxm8BspCK #RememberHonorUnderstand pic.twitter.com/js1LNRcitV
— Pacific Historic Parks (@pacificparks) October 8, 2025
US Diplomat Fired for Concealing Relationship With Chinese Woman Linked to CCP
The State Department has dismissed an American diplomat for hiding a romantic relationship with a Chinese woman alleged to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), spokesman Tommy Pigott said Wednesday.
The firing marks the first enforcement of a ban introduced late in President Joe Biden’s term prohibiting US personnel in China from having romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens.
The diplomat’s dismissal followed a review by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the conduct violated national security protocols.
US diplomat DISMISSED over relationship with woman – DoS
Cites a ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP with a Chinese woman allegedly having ties to the Chinese Communist Party
First violation of this kind of ban that was introduced last year under the Biden admin pic.twitter.com/wbFAlhoqnT
— RT (@RT_com) October 9, 2025
The unnamed diplomat and his partner appeared in an undercover video circulated online earlier this year.
China’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the case but criticized the US for “smearing China.”
Colombia Says Citizens May Have Died in US Strike on Boat Off Venezuela
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Wednesday that there are “signs” Colombian citizens were killed in the latest US military strike on a small boat off Venezuela’s coast.
Petro, who shared the claim on social media, provided no evidence and urged families of possible victims to come forward.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated Wednesday that the most recent strike by the United States against an alleged narco-terrorist vessel in the Southern Caribbean Sea targeted a boat from Colombia with Columbian citizens not Venezuelan, with Petro claiming in a statement,… pic.twitter.com/gne3jT7Hwy
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 9, 2025
The US has not identified those aboard the targeted vessel, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said was carrying drugs. The September 27 strike killed four people and followed three earlier US attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean this month.
President Donald Trump has defended the strikes as part of a campaign treating traffickers as unlawful combatants.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino accused Washington of using drug allegations as a pretext for “regime change” and warned of possible escalation.
Israel and Hamas Agree to First Phase of Trump-Backed Peace Plan
Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, which includes a pause in fighting, the release of hostages and prisoners, and an initial Israeli troop withdrawal from much of Gaza.
Trump announced the breakthrough Wednesday on social media, saying all hostages would soon be freed and that the agreement marks the first step toward “a strong, durable, and everlasting peace.”
“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan… BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/lAUxi1UPYh
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 8, 2025
Hamas confirmed the deal would allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and lead to Israeli withdrawal, while sources said the group plans to release all 20 surviving hostages this weekend.
The agreement, reached after days of talks in Egypt, represents the most significant progress since early-year negotiations but leaves unresolved key issues such as Hamas’ disarmament and Gaza’s future governance.
The moment the ceasefire agreement was announced outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. pic.twitter.com/enlT9EnrPS
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 9, 2025
The war, now in its second year, began after Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel and has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
World Leaders Praise Israel-Hamas Truce as ‘First Step’ Toward Lasting Peace
Global leaders welcomed US President Donald Trump’s announcement Thursday of an Israel-Hamas deal marking the “first phase” of peace in Gaza.
The agreement calls for Hamas to release 20 remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and for Israel to withdraw troops from most of Gaza.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres pledged UN support for humanitarian relief and reconstruction, urging progress toward a two-state solution.
Leaders from Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Pakistan expressed relief and called for swift implementation. Argentina’s President Javier Milei said he would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, while other leaders credited Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for mediating the talks.
#BREAKING Agreement reached to implement ceasefire, end war in Gaza after 2 years of suffering, in accordance with US President Trump’s plan, says Egypt’s President Sisi pic.twitter.com/6ckTNOnZCy
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 9, 2025
Many said the deal offered the best chance in years to end the war and begin lasting peace.
UN to Cut 25% of Peacekeeping Force After Major US Funding Reduction
The United Nations will reduce its global peacekeeping force by about 25 percent, sending home up to 14,000 soldiers and police officers after the US slashed funding under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, a senior UN official said Wednesday.
The cuts will affect operations in countries including Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, and the Central African Republic, and reduce the peacekeeping budget by roughly 15 percent.
The decision follows a meeting between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and US Ambassador Mike Waltz, who said Washington would contribute $680 million this year—down from $1 billion in 2024.
UN to slash global peacekeeping force by 25% amid US funding strains
➡️ https://t.co/iGrqLkYFrr pic.twitter.com/W2eC5Jh542
— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) October 9, 2025
The US and China together fund about half of the UN’s peacekeeping budget.
Guterres called peacekeeping one of the world’s most effective tools for stability but faces broad job and budget cuts across UN agencies amid the funding shortfall.
Russia Threatens to Shoot Down Tomahawks, Strike Launch Sites if US Supplies Missiles to Ukraine
A senior Russian lawmaker warned Wednesday that Moscow would shoot down US Tomahawk cruise missiles, bomb their launch sites and carry out “asymmetrical” retaliation if the United States supplies the weapons to Ukraine.
Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament’s defense committee and a former deputy defense minister, told state media Russia knows how to intercept Tomahawks from experience in Syria and would target both users and suppliers.
Kartapolov said he does not expect Tomahawks to change battlefield dynamics if delivered in limited numbers but added that Russia would destroy any identified launchers with drones and missiles.
“Russia will shoot down Tomahawk cruise missiles and bomb their launch sites if the US decides to supply them to Ukraine and find a way to retaliate against Washington that hurts,” — warns Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament’s defence committee.
Russia’s Deputy… pic.twitter.com/u7JRNdRRkf
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 8, 2025
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also warned Washington that providing Tomahawks would be a “serious escalatory step.”
US President Donald Trump has said he wants to know how Ukraine would use the missiles before approving any transfer.
Kim Jong Un Marks Party Anniversary as China, Russia, and Vietnam Send Delegations to Pyongyang
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised his country’s ruling Workers’ Party ahead of its 80th anniversary, highlighting its revolutionary legacy and pledging to preserve its ideological purity.
Foreign delegations from China, Russia, and Vietnam arrived in Pyongyang for the celebrations, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam.
The visits underscore North Korea’s deepening ties with Beijing, Moscow, and Hanoi.
Kim’s speech at the Party Founding Museum honored his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and called on citizens to continue advancing the socialist cause.
National Fine Art Exhibition Opens in DPRK
A national fine art exhibition opened to celebrate the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea pic.twitter.com/BgMObnLPeB
— KFA-UK (@Korea_Friend_UK) October 4, 2025
South Korean officials believe Pyongyang may hold a military parade to mark the anniversary, though it has not been confirmed.
Taiwan Expands Anti-Drone Training and Weapons Procurement
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday that it is training troops to shoot down drones and accelerating the purchase of new anti-drone systems in response to escalating Chinese incursions.
The report said Taiwan has developed a detection-and-intercept strategy, with soldiers on outlying islands conducting live-fire and night training.
Defense ministry spokesperson Major General Sun Li-fang said counter-drone capabilities are a top priority given China’s rapid drone development and use in “gray-zone” operations short of war.
China has increased military drills, blockades, and coast guard patrols around Taiwan.
9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/73bSeKh8fg
— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) October 9, 2025
Defense Minister Wellington Koo reaffirmed plans to boost defense spending to five percentage of GDP, while officials emphasized ongoing cooperation with the US, including a $761 million deal for an American-made air defense system to combat drones.
US and Philippines Launch 2025 Sama Sama Naval Drills Amid South China Sea Tensions
The United States and the Philippines began the 2025 Sama Sama (Tagalog for ‘together’) naval exercises earlier this week near the western Philippine province of Palawan, close to disputed areas in the South China Sea.
The drills, running from October 6-17, bring together forces from 10 countries, including Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and France, for maritime combat, anti-piracy, and humanitarian operations.
Participating vessels include the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), USS Cincinnati (LCS-20), and Japan’s JS Ōnami (DD-111), which will conduct tactical anti-surface warfare exercises.
Exercise Sama Sama 2025 is happening now! Here is a #throwback, with some images from last year’s event.
Personnel from the Philippines and the United States worked alongside naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft, while specialized teams (including diving and… pic.twitter.com/74t5ue9GW9
— Indo-Pacific Defense FORUM (@IPDefenseForum) October 8, 2025
This year’s event is the first under the Philippines’ new Western Naval Command, part of Manila’s broader defense strategy to strengthen security in its exclusive economic zone.
Philippines Escorts Fishermen Near Disputed Shoals as China Deploys Warships and Aircraft
The Philippines recently sent 15 coast guard and fisheries vessels to protect and resupply local fishermen near the disputed Scarborough and Sabina shoals in the South China Sea, where they encountered a large Chinese fleet of 34 cutters, militia ships, and military assets.
The Philippine Coast Guard said the operation, part of its Kadiwa Initiative to support fishermen amid Chinese interference, proceeded despite “intimidation tactics” by Chinese forces. Around 100 Filipino boats received fuel and supplies.
China’s Navy reportedly issued a live-fire drill warning and flew a Z-9 helicopter at low altitude near Sabina Shoal, moves Manila described as intimidation. Analysts warned that Beijing’s military actions risk accidental escalation.
PCG and BFAR Successfully Deliver Supplies to Filipino Fishermen in West Philippine Sea Amidst Chinese Illegal Presence and Intimidation
In a significant demonstration of the Philippine government’s unwavering support for its fishermen, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the… pic.twitter.com/pJw02K11G3
— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) October 8, 2025
The confrontation follows months of tensions and repeated incidents near Scarborough Shoal, where both countries assert sovereignty claims.
Sources: News Agencies
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English (US) ·