In a letter to the BBC, Trump’s attorney demanded a full retraction, public apology, and $1 billion in damages. Trump praised the resignations on social media, calling the incident “a terrible thing for democracy.”
The BBC said it will respond formally to Trump’s legal threat.
The scandal has intensified scrutiny of the 103-year-old broadcaster’s impartiality, already under fire for its coverage of politically sensitive issues and facing pressure from both conservative and liberal critics. The Labour government reaffirmed support for an “independent BBC” but urged it to act swiftly to maintain public trust.
Congress Moves Toward $153 Billion VA and Military Construction Bill to End Shutdown
Congress is preparing to vote this week on a $153 billion spending package that would reopen the federal government and fund the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as Pentagon construction projects, for fiscal year 2026.
The measure, which includes $133 billion for the VA and $20 billion for military construction, is tied to a stopgap bill that extends government funding through January 30. The Senate could vote as early as Monday, with the House expected to act later in the week.
The bill provides $263.7 billion in mandatory veterans benefits, $115.1 billion for medical care, and $52.6 billion to aid veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins. It allocates $1.4 billion for new VA hospitals and cemeteries and $19.7 billion for 300 military construction projects worldwide, including $1.9 billion for family housing, $1.3 billion for barracks, and $1.3 billion for schools and support facilities.
More than $7 billion would be allocated to modernize infrastructure critical to troop readiness, and $2 billion would support advanced technology facilities. The package also funds $1.5 billion for shipyard upgrades under the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, central to the Trump administration’s push to expand US shipbuilding.
U.S. Senate votes to end government shutdown, 60-40.
Goes now to the U.S. House of Representatives. pic.twitter.com/r8NsgB7Fqi
— CSPAN (@cspan) November 11, 2025
The Senate advanced the plan Sunday in a 60-40 vote with bipartisan support, but its passage in the House remains uncertain as lawmakers return from recess to resolve the nation’s longest-running government shutdown.
Shutdown Deepens Strain on National Guard and Active-Duty Forces as Pay, Training, and Discharges Stall
As the government shutdown extends into its second month, military advocates warn of mounting damage to National Guard readiness, troop morale, and active-duty personnel processing.
Francis McGinn, president of the National Guard Association, said the shutdown has hit the 433,000 Army and Air National Guardsmen especially hard, with more than 30,000 full-time technicians unpaid since September. These technicians are vital to training and equipment maintenance, both of which have been halted.
The Trump administration has continued active-duty pay by shifting funds but cannot prevent widespread disruptions. More than 2,300 National Guard members are deployed to Washington, D.C., and other cities under federal orders.
Advocates say the shutdown has already caused extensive training, schooling, and maintenance delays that will take months to recover, undermining readiness and retention.
Meanwhile, the military cannot process discharges or finalize paperwork required for benefits such as the GI Bill or VA disability pay. The Air Force, Navy, and Army confirmed they are offering temporary service extensions to affected troops.
. @PressSec “The 1.3 million men and women of America’s Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force who serve honorably and put their lives on the line to defend us all are NOT BEING PAID…” pic.twitter.com/uBp6G7UYXA
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) October 3, 2025
Military leaders and advocacy groups are calling on Congress to pass legislation preventing future shutdowns from disrupting military pay and operations.
US Coast Guard Seeks Site for New Training Center as It Expands by 15,000 Personnel
The US Coast Guard recently announced it is searching for a location to build a new training center to accommodate a planned expansion of up to 15,000 additional personnel.
The service issued Monday a “Request for Information” inviting communities to propose potential sites, marking the first step in a formal selection and contracting process.
Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday said the Coast Guard has exceeded its 2025 recruiting goal with 5,204 new active-duty members and now needs more capacity to train them. The new facility would require 150-250 acres and include lodging for 1,200 recruits, classrooms, medical and dining facilities, a six-lane pool, sports and fitness areas, and office space for 400 staff.
The site must also be within 30 miles of a commercial airport.
Transforming our workforce. Reshaping our training capacity.
Today, @USCG released a Request for Information in coordination with @DHSgov to identify possible locations for an additional training center. As the Coast Guard modernizes through Force Design 2028 and grows by up to… pic.twitter.com/fFgXqq4sik
— U.S. Coast Guard (@USCG) November 10, 2025
The Coast Guard said the expanded training infrastructure is essential to sustain growth and readiness as it modernizes and strengthens its workforce for future missions.
WWII Nurses May Finally Get Recognition with Congressional Gold Medal Push
A new bipartisan effort in Congress seeks to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the nurses who served during World War II, honoring their service eight decades after the war’s end.
The proposal, led by Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Elise Stefanik, would recognize tens of thousands of women who risked their lives treating wounded troops under fire, often without weapons or proper equipment.
Only a handful of WWII nurses, including 106-year-old Alice Darrow and 107-year-old Elsie Chin Yuen Seetoo, remain alive. Advocates say time is running out to acknowledge their sacrifice. The legislation cites acts of bravery such as nurses landing under sniper fire in North Africa and serving in field hospitals, on hospital ships, and in prisoner-of-war camps.
A coalition of retired military nurses and others is pushing to award the Congressional Gold Medal to World War II nurses. https://t.co/otozIOb01m pic.twitter.com/dPVsIs89aq
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) November 11, 2025
Before the war, fewer than 2,500 nurses served in the US military; by 1945, that number had grown to over 70,000. Despite their contributions, many received little recognition upon returning home.
Supporters of the bill say the medal would correct that oversight and honor the diverse women, including Black, Japanese American, and Chinese American nurses, who broke barriers to serve.
Darrow, who met her late husband while nursing him after Pearl Harbor, said in an interview that receiving the medal “would be an honor” for her and the women who saved countless lives.
US-South Korea Tariff and Security Deal Stalls Over Nuclear Submarine Dispute
Two weeks after US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced they had resolved negotiations on trade and security issues, no formal agreement has been released.
South Korean officials say the delay centers on Seoul’s request for US approval to build a nuclear-powered submarine — a proposal Lee raised during his meeting with Trump at an Asia-Pacific forum last month.
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn said US departments are still debating details and adjusting the wording of a joint factsheet, even though Washington has agreed to allow South Korea to use nuclear fuel for the project.
Discrepancies also remain over where the submarine will be built, with Trump stating it would be constructed at a US shipyard, while Lee insists on domestic production in South Korea.
The stalled release has rattled markets, with the won falling 0.7% to a seven-month low.
Two weeks after US President Donald Trump and South Korea’s Lee Jae Myung met and announced they had resolved months of negotiations over tariffs and security issues, the two sides have yet to release any agreement on paper https://t.co/A95oVDb5s8
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 11, 2025
Negotiations on tariffs are reportedly complete, and a $350 billion South Korean investment plan in the US is ready but unsigned. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said Hyundai Motor is losing about 300 billion won ($211 million) monthly due to the delay, as the unresolved tariff deal continues to hurt exports to the US market.
Officials say the agreement is in its final stages but gave no timeline for its release.
Iran Signals Willingness for ‘Peaceful’ Nuclear Deal but Rejects US Demands on Enrichment
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said Tuesday that Tehran seeks a “peaceful” nuclear agreement with the United States but will not compromise its national security or abandon uranium enrichment.
Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, Khatibzadeh accused Washington of sending mixed messages through intermediaries and “betraying diplomacy” after nuclear talks collapsed following a June war between Iran and Israel.
The United States, European allies, and Israel allege Iran’s nuclear program is aimed at developing weapons, while Tehran maintains it is for civilian energy purposes.
Khatibzadeh said Iran is ready to provide assurances that it does not seek nuclear arms but defended its right to maintain a domestic enrichment program, rejecting US demands to end it entirely.
#Iran seeks peaceful #nuclearagreement with the U.S., but will not compromise on #nationalsecurity, says Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh, as tensions over uranium enrichment and diplomatic standoff persist. pic.twitter.com/rhvMtVanLm
— AnewZ (@Anewz_tv) November 11, 2025
Last week, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled out negotiations “under threat,” reinforcing Tehran’s stance that talks can resume only if Washington eases pressure.
The comments come after President Donald Trump said in October that the US remains open to reaching a deal “when Tehran is ready.”
Houthis Signal End to Red Sea Attacks as Gaza Ceasefire Holds
Yemen’s Houthi rebels indicated they have halted attacks on Israel and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, according to a letter from Houthi military chief Maj. Gen. Yusuf Hassan al-Madani published online by the group.
The statement warned that operations would resume if Israel renewed its assault on Gaza, marking the clearest sign yet that the Iran-backed rebels have paused their regional campaign.
Since the Gaza ceasefire took effect on October 10, no Houthi attacks have been reported. Their previous campaign, which began during the Israel-Hamas war, targeted shipping they claimed was linked to Israel but often struck unrelated vessels.
The attacks killed nine mariners, sank four ships, and severely disrupted Red Sea trade routes, cutting Egypt’s Suez Canal revenue by an estimated $6 billion in 2024.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels signal that they’ve stopped attacks on Israel and ships in the Red Sea corridor in letter to Hamas. https://t.co/MwgQe2vkMX
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 11, 2025
Israel declined to comment on the letter, though Defense Minister Israel Katz has previously threatened severe retaliation for Houthi strikes.
The US had launched airstrikes against the rebels earlier this year, later halted by President Donald Trump before his Middle East trip. Despite the apparent pause in maritime attacks, the Houthis continue to hold dozens of UN and aid workers in Yemen, accusing them (without evidence) of espionage.
Drone Debris Found in Romania After Russian Strikes Near Ukraine Border
Romania’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that possible drone fragments were recovered inside its southeastern border region after Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube River ports overnight.
Radar detected drone formations near Romanian airspace just after midnight, prompting local alerts. Poor weather conditions prevented fighter jet deployment, but recovery teams found debris about 5 kilometers (3 miles) inside Romania’s border with Ukraine.
The ministry said breaches of Romanian airspace have grown more frequent as Russia intensifies strikes near the Danube, where Ukrainian ports sit across from NATO territory.
Officials noted that recovered fragments are consistent with drones used by the Russian military.
Drone debris has been found in Romania, likely from Russia’s attack on Ukrainian Danube ports. Poor weather prevented Bucharest from scrambling jets, but residents were warned to take shelter. Romania has repeatedly discovered Russian drone fragments since the invasion of… pic.twitter.com/2GPKO6aeHZ
— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) November 11, 2025
In response to repeated incursions, Romania and Poland have begun deploying new air defense systems to counter Russian drones and strengthen NATO’s eastern defenses.
Russian Drone Attack Damages Energy and Rail Infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa Region
A Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region overnight damaged energy and transport infrastructure, injuring one person and igniting fires at several energy facilities, regional governor Oleh Kiper said Tuesday.
The attack also struck a depot belonging to the state-run Ukrainian Railways.
Kiper said emergency centers had been opened and critical infrastructure was operating on generators as crews worked to contain the fires and restore power.
Massive russian drone attack on Odesa region last night targeting energy infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/MEKxs8Z52f
— EMPR.media (@EuromaidanPR) November 11, 2025
The assault is the latest in a series of Russian attacks targeting Ukraine’s southern infrastructure amid ongoing pressure on the country’s energy grid.
Car Bomb Kills Five Outside Islamabad Court as Pakistan Battles Rising Militancy
A car bomb exploded Tuesday outside a district court in Islamabad, killing at least five people and injuring 13 others, according to state-run media.
The blast, which damaged several vehicles and was heard miles away, struck an area typically crowded with court visitors. Authorities have not identified the perpetrators, though Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and other extremist groups.
The explosion came hours after Pakistani security forces foiled an overnight assault by suspected militants on an army-run cadet college in Wana, near the Afghan border. Troops killed two attackers and cornered three others after a suicide bomber tried to storm the facility.
The Pakistani Taliban denied involvement in the raid, which officials said resembled the group’s 2014 Peshawar school massacre that killed 154 people.
🚨 BREAKING: Suicide Bomb Hits Islamabad District Court:
A powerful car bomb exploded outside Islamabad’s district court, killing at least 12 and wounding more than 20. Authorities say no group has claimed responsibility yet. https://t.co/46Ynajvi1P pic.twitter.com/SCJpXh2ncY
— WAR (@warsurveillance) November 11, 2025
Pakistan’s military has blamed the TTP for escalating violence and accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of sheltering its fighters.
Recent cross-border tensions have worsened following drone strikes in Kabul and failed peace talks in Istanbul, as both countries struggle to contain resurgent militancy along their shared border.
Deadly Car Blast Near India’s Red Fort Investigated as Possible Terror Attack
Indian police launched an anti-terrorism investigation Tuesday after a car explosion near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort killed at least eight people and injured several others late Monday.
Authorities registered the case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, India’s main counterterrorism law, which grants investigators expanded detention powers.
Police said the blast originated from a Hyundai i20 car stopped at a traffic light, destroying nearby vehicles and setting several on fire. Forensic teams are examining whether explosives were used, while officers work to identify the car’s owner and determine if the explosion was intentional, accidental, or mechanical.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking from Bhutan, vowed to bring those responsible to justice.
The investigation is also probing potential links to a separate discovery in nearby Haryana, where police seized 360 kilograms of ammonium nitrate and firearms hours before the blast.
#BREAKING – High alert sounded across the national capital after car blast near the Red Fort.#RedFort #CarBlast #News pic.twitter.com/muHqG9Zeoj
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 10, 2025
Security was heightened across major transport hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Uttar Pradesh following the explosion. The Red Fort, a key Mughal-era landmark and national symbol, remains under tight guard as investigators analyze surveillance footage and await forensic results.
Sources: News Agencies
Morning Brief: Trump Threatens Suit Over BBC Film, Houthis Signal End to Red Sea Attacks, India Probes Red Fort Blast as Terror Act
Trump sues BBC, Congress nears shutdown deal, blasts rock Pakistan and India. Here’s your Tuesday Morning Brief rundown, November 11, 2025.
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