Morning Brief: Longest US Shutdown Nears End, G7 Ministers Meet in Canada, Indonesia and Australia Finalize Defense Pact

Both parties have faced voter frustration, with six in ten Americans blaming Republicans and a majority also faulting Democrats.   Veterans Honor Korean War Fallen at Washington Memorial Ceremony The Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation held a Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the 36,574 US troops who died in the conflict. Veterans, officials, and guests gathered for remarks from retired Army Colonel Seung Joon “Steve” Lee, Brig. Gen. Hyeong-jin Yoon of South Korea, and retired Army Colonel Robert de Marcellus. After speeches, attendees observed a wreath-laying ceremony featuring tributes from military, veterans, and allied organizations. “These wreaths connect us to the past, honor those who stand among us and inspire future generations,” Lee said. GALLERY | The Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation hosted a Veterans Day ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington. Dozens of veterans and attendees gathered to listen to remarks. Check it out:https://t.co/GljsNm8ZuE pic.twitter.com/VlhWVTGHnN — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) November 12, 2025   US Weighs Building Temporary 10,000-Person Base Near Gaza to Support Ceasefire Monitoring The US military is considering constructing a temporary base near Gaza capable of housing 10,000 personnel as part of early planning for an international stabilization force to help enforce the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, according to a Navy contracting document obtained and reported by Bloomberg News on Wednesday. The Navy’s Request for Information, issued October 31, seeks cost estimates for a self-sustaining 12-month base that would include housing, offices, and full logistical support. US officials said the base, if approved, would be located in southern Israel and would not host American troops. The US military is exploring whether to build a temporary base capable of housing 10,000 people near Gaza, according to an internal contracting document, as the US pushes for a stabilization force to monitor a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas https://t.co/Z54XmtTM7F — Bloomberg (@business) November 11, 2025 The White House denied that any formal plan had been approved, calling the document preliminary and unofficial. Israel’s military said it is working with US and international partners on Gaza’s future but has not confirmed details about the proposed facility. The request outlines a turnkey project covering everything from security and medical services to power and waste management.   G7 Ministers Meet in Canada Amid Tensions Over Trade, Defense Spending and Trump’s Ceasefire Plan Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations gathered in southern Ontario on Tuesday for talks focused on conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, trade frictions, and US demands for higher defense spending. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is hosting the two-day meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and counterparts from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and other invited nations, including Ukraine, India and Brazil. Anand said discussions will center on long-term peace in the Middle East and continued support for Ukraine. The UK announced 13 million pounds ($17 million) in new aid to help Ukraine repair energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Overnight into Wednesday, top diplomats from the G7 arrived in Canada’s Ontario, for a two-day meeting chaired by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Their discussions are expected to focus on peace efforts in Ukraine and Gaza, maritime security, supply chain resilience, and… pic.twitter.com/ZUzY8BxEtw — TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) November 12, 2025 The meeting comes amid strained relations between Washington and Ottawa following President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian imports and calls for NATO allies to spend five percent of GDP on defense. Canada and Italy remain below that target. Disagreements also persist among G7 members over recognizing a Palestinian state and approaches to Russia. Anand said despite tensions, dialogue with the US “must continue across a range of issues.”   Colombia Halts Intelligence Sharing with US Over Deadly Anti-Drug Strikes in Caribbean Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday ordered his country’s security forces to suspend all intelligence sharing with the United States until the Trump administration ends its deadly strikes on suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean. The move marks a sharp break in long-standing US-Colombian cooperation on counternarcotics. Petro announced the decision on X, saying the “fight against drugs must be subordinated to the human rights of the Caribbean people.” At least 75 people have been killed in US military strikes on vessels since August, according to US figures. The Trump administration says the attacks target smugglers, while Petro and others have condemned them as extrajudicial killings. Colombia suspended intelligence sharing with the US after recent American missile strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean 🇨🇴 President Gustavo Petro said the suspension will remain in effect ‘as long as missile attacks on boats in the Caribbean continue’… — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) November 12, 2025 Tensions escalated further after Washington imposed sanctions in October on Petro and his family, accusing them of links to drug traffickers. Petro has denied the allegations and accused President Trump of committing war crimes. The dispute unfolds amid a major US naval buildup in the Caribbean, which has alarmed Venezuela and fueled speculation of possible military action in the region.   Russia Says It’s Ready to Resume Peace Talks with Ukraine in Istanbul Russia is prepared to restart peace negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul, a Russian Foreign Ministry official told state news agency TASS on Wednesday. The official, Alexei Polishchuk, said Turkey has repeatedly encouraged both sides to return to talks, adding that “the ball is in the Ukrainian court.” JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇺🇦 Russia says it is ready to resume peace talks with Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/BHECSdZdUC — BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) November 12, 2025 No direct talks have occurred since July 23, when delegations met in Istanbul for 40 minutes. During that meeting, Ukraine proposed a summit between Presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, but Moscow insisted such a meeting could take place only in Russia — a condition Kyiv rejected. Ukraine denies being responsible for the breakdown in talks as the war nears its fourth year.   Spain and China Sign Cooperation Deals as King Felipe VI Meets Xi Jinping in Beijing Spanish King Felipe VI and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a series of agreements in Beijing on Wednesday to expand cooperation in language exchanges, trade, and the export of Spanish aquatic products to China. The visit, Felipe’s first state trip to China, reflects Spain’s effort to deepen economic ties with Beijing amid strained relations with the United States under President Donald Trump. During the meeting, Xi said China seeks a “more strategically steady and dynamic” partnership with Spain and pledged to import more Spanish goods. Felipe, joined by Queen Letizia and Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, was welcomed with full state honors before holding talks with Xi, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji. In Chengdu, King Felipe VI marked his first state visit to China with warm remarks on the 20th anniversary of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, celebrating deepening ties, mutual respect, and shared vision for the world. pic.twitter.com/Yed4uAlhfL — Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) November 12, 2025 Spain has maintained a more cooperative stance toward China compared with other European Union nations and is seeking balanced trade relations. The two countries are also exploring collaboration in renewable energy and artificial intelligence. Spanish companies have recently partnered with major Chinese firms on battery production and green hydrogen projects as part of Spain’s transition to clean energy.   All 20 Killed as Turkish Military Cargo Plane Crashes in Georgia All 20 people aboard a Turkish C-130 military cargo plane were killed when it crashed Tuesday in Georgia’s Sighnaghi municipality near the Azerbaijani border, Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Wednesday. The aircraft had taken off from Ganja, Azerbaijan, and lost contact shortly after entering Georgian airspace without issuing a distress signal. A Turkish investigation team arrived at the crash site early Wednesday to examine the wreckage alongside Georgian authorities. Debris was scattered across farmland surrounded by hills, according to Turkish broadcaster NTV. A Turkish C-130 military cargo plane with at least 20 personnel on board crashed in Georgia after taking off from Azerbaijan https://t.co/NAPEhoAkQT pic.twitter.com/D5tO5zWJCM — Reuters (@Reuters) November 11, 2025 The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Georgian officials, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack offered condolences. The C-130, commonly used for troop and logistics transport, was returning from Azerbaijan, where Turkish officials had recently attended Victory Day celebrations in Baku.   Australia’s High Court Upholds Russia Embassy Eviction, Orders Compensation Australia’s High Court on Wednesday unanimously upheld the government’s decision to cancel Russia’s lease on land near Parliament House in Canberra, citing national security concerns, but ruled that Moscow is entitled to compensation. The seven-judge panel also ordered Australia to pay half of Russia’s legal costs. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland welcomed the court’s confirmation that the lease termination was lawful and said the government would consider next steps regarding the compensation payment. The dispute stems from a 2008 lease granting Russia land just 300 meters from Parliament House to build a new embassy. Australia’s High Court blocked Russia’s plan for a new embassy near Parliament after Prime Minister Albanese cited “very clear security advice” on “the risk presented by a new Russian presence so close to Parliament House.” pic.twitter.com/PqMveUTBcZ — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 12, 2025 The Albanese government revoked the lease in 2023 after receiving intelligence warnings about security risks. Russia, which called the move “Russophobic hysteria,” argued the law was unconstitutional and lacked evidence of an actual threat. The site remains undeveloped except for a small consular building, while Russia continues to use its existing Soviet-era embassy elsewhere in Canberra.   Indonesia and Australia Finalize New Defense Treaty to Boost Security Cooperation Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Wednesday that the two countries have concluded negotiations on a new bilateral defense treaty aimed at strengthening security cooperation. Speaking in Sydney during Prabowo’s first state visit to Australia, Albanese said he expects to formally sign the agreement during his trip to Indonesia in January. The treaty will establish regular consultations between leaders and ministers on security issues, promote joint defense activities, and outline steps for cooperation if either nation’s security is threatened. Australia has struck an important security pact with Indonesia, the breakthrough deal setting out the blueprint if either country comes under threat. @Riley7NEWS #auspol pic.twitter.com/c1kia0m0Lh — 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) November 12, 2025 Prabowo called the accord an important milestone, emphasizing the value of mutual assistance between neighboring countries.   Sources: News Agencies