Morning Brief: Border Patrol Arrest Sparks Protest, Israel Says Body Not Among Hostages, Nordics Fund Ukraine Arms

Activists have also rallied in Springfield to push for stronger sanctuary protections under Illinois’ Trust Act.   Los Angeles County Declares Emergency Over Financial Impact of Immigration Raids The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to declare a local state of emergency in response to federal immigration raids that officials say have left many residents unable to pay rent. The declaration allows the county to provide rent relief and legal aid to those financially affected, with an online application system expected within two months. Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn said the raids, which have led to more than 5,000 arrests since June, have spread fear and destabilized communities across the county, where about one-third of residents are foreign-born. LA County DECLARES state of emergency over ICE Potentially giving Newsom power to provide financial assistance for residents ‘effected by the RAIDS’ ‘A local state of emergency can also funnel state money for legal aid and other services’ https://t.co/4kKdv3sofC pic.twitter.com/V5InA74zjI — RT (@RT_com) October 15, 2025 Supervisor Kathryn Barger opposed the measure, arguing the situation does not meet emergency criteria and warning of possible legal challenges similar to those over pandemic-era eviction bans. Landlords and housing groups criticized the move, saying another rent moratorium would worsen financial losses and harm the housing market. The declaration marks one of the first local government responses to the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement in Southern California.   US Lawmakers Move to Curb Academic Ties with China Over Research Security Fears US lawmakers are pushing to restrict federally funded research collaborations with Chinese institutions linked to the Chinese military, citing growing concerns that open academic partnerships are helping Beijing advance its military technology. Senator Tom Cotton introduced legislation targeting universities working with “adversarial” nations, while the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party released reports urging tighter visa screening, more research safeguards, and an end to joint US-China academic programs that could aid China’s military modernization. A report by Strider Technologies found that over 500 American universities have collaborated with Chinese military researchers, producing nearly 2,500 joint scientific papers in 2024. Officials warn such cooperation risks transferring sensitive knowledge and aiding espionage. Any company that assists in skirting American export laws to aid Communist China should be investigated. I’m urging @CommerceGov to look into this issue. pic.twitter.com/0rMFB3cmbr — Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) October 14, 2025 Critics of new restrictions argue that open research also benefits the US and that overregulation could hinder innovation and drive talent away. About 80 percent of US economic espionage prosecutions involve alleged Chinese actors, according to the Justice Department, which ended its controversial “China Initiative” in 2022 after criticism of racial profiling.   Trump Administration Revokes Visas of Six Foreigners Over Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Killing The Trump administration revoked the visas of six foreigners from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa for making online remarks that mocked or downplayed the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The State Department said the decision followed a review of their social media activity. The move coincided with President Trump posthumously awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him a “martyr for freedom.” Officials said the action reflects efforts to protect US citizens and enforce immigration laws against those “celebrating” attacks on Americans. The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans. The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Here are just a few examples of aliens who are no longer welcome in the U.S.: — Department of State (@StateDept) October 14, 2025 The administration has also expanded visa reviews and expulsions of foreigners accused of promoting unrest or criticizing US or Israeli policies, including the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador and denial of entry to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Civil rights groups condemned the policy as a violation of free speech protections that apply to all individuals in the United States.   Israel Says One of Four Bodies Returned by Hamas Is Not a Hostage The Israeli military said Wednesday that one of the four bodies handed over by Hamas a day earlier under the ceasefire deal is not that of a hostage held in Gaza. Forensic tests confirmed the mismatch after Hamas transferred the bodies Tuesday to ease pressure on the fragile truce. The other three were identified as Israeli hostages: Uriel Baruch, Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi. BREAKING: The IDF have said that the fourth body returned does not match any of the hostages https://t.co/G8gDzyqv3Q 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/LctpmQGqfO — Sky News (@SkyNews) October 15, 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded Hamas meet all terms of the US-brokered ceasefire, which required the return of all living and deceased hostages by Monday. Hamas said it was working to locate the remaining bodies but accused Israel of violating the deal with recent attacks in Gaza. The handovers followed the earlier release of 20 living hostages and Israel’s freeing of about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Two of the deceased hostages were to be buried Wednesday as Israelis gathered to honor them.   Israel Frees Dozens of Detained Gaza Medical Workers, but Kamal Adwan Director Remains Imprisoned Israel released dozens of detained medical workers under the Gaza ceasefire deal, but over 100, including Kamal Adwan Hospital director Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, remain imprisoned. Abu Safiya, held without charge for nearly 10 months, became a symbol of Gaza’s collapsing health system after leading his hospital through an 85-day siege. Rights groups report he has suffered harsh conditions and weight loss during detention. Israel killed his son and injured him with a drone but Gaza doctor Hussam Abu Safiya refused to abandon patients at Kamal Adwan Hospital during the military siege in which he was illegally detained without any charge. Now calls are growing for his releasehttps://t.co/BVZd1AdwrC — TRT World (@trtworld) October 15, 2025 The Health Workers Watch group said 55 medical personnel were freed Monday, while at least 115 remain in custody, including four who died in Israeli prisons. Israel says it detained hospital staff for alleged links to Hamas, which health officials and aid groups deny. Freed al-Awda Hospital director Ahmed Muhanna vowed to rebuild his damaged facility after nearly two years in Israeli custody.   Russia Intensifies Precision Drone Strikes on Ukrainian Railways Russia has sharply increased drone attacks on Ukraine’s railway infrastructure, using upgraded long-range drones equipped with live video feeds for greater accuracy. A recent strike on the Shostka train station near the Russian border killed one person, injured at least eight, and damaged trains and infrastructure. Ukrainian officials say such assaults have doubled since mid-summer to two or three a week, targeting locomotives and key transport links vital for freight, military logistics, and exports. Ukraine’s government estimates more than 300 railway-related attacks since August. The photo shows the railway station in Kostiantynivka before and after a Russian attack. Reports say Russia has struck Ukraine’s rail network nearly 300 times just since August. Since the full-scale invasion began, Russia has killed 37 railway workers and injured 221. pic.twitter.com/ZF5TboeufH — UNITED24 Media (@United24media) October 12, 2025 The new drone technology allows operators to guide drones up to 200 kilometers (124 miles) into Ukraine while streaming video, making rail targets more vulnerable. Despite the strikes, Ukrainian crews continue rapid repairs to keep trains running, though freight and passenger traffic have declined this year. Officials warn that sustained attacks could cripple rail operations, a lifeline for Ukraine’s economy and defense efforts.   Finland and Sweden to Buy US Weapons for Ukraine as NATO Aid Declines Finland and Sweden announced plans to purchase more US weapons for Ukraine through NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, following a sharp drop in Western military aid. The program allows European allies and Canada to buy American arms for Kyiv, with about $2 billion already allocated. Finland said it joined PURL to provide critical US weaponry, while Sweden pledged to increase its own contributions and coordinate further support with other Nordic and Baltic nations. ⚡️🇫🇮 Finland is joining NATO’s PURL initiative to jointly procure US weapons for Ukraine, Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen announced ahead of the NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels. He also confirmed a new Finnish aid package will be announced this week. https://t.co/IKDMd6JeRf pic.twitter.com/dI1Mq0myJ3 — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) October 15, 2025 The move comes as data from Germany’s Kiel Institute showed foreign military aid to Ukraine fell 43 percent in July and August compared to early 2025. NATO officials have urged allies to boost contributions as European stockpiles run low. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on countries to expand purchases to sustain Ukraine’s defense. Some NATO members, including France and Italy, have faced criticism for limited aid amid financial pressures, with France opposing the use of European funds to buy US-made weapons.   Chinese Airlines Oppose US Plan to Ban Flights Through Russian Airspace China’s major state-owned airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, have filed formal objections to a US proposal that would bar them from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States. The US Department of Transportation argues that Chinese carriers gain an unfair advantage because US and European airlines have been barred from Russian airspace since 2022, forcing them to take longer, more expensive routes. In filings this week, Chinese airlines said the proposed ban would harm travelers and raise ticket prices by increasing flight times and operating costs. Air China estimated the restriction could affect at least 4,400 passengers during the holiday season. Major Chinese airlines urged the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to abandon a plan that would bar them from flying over Russia on U.S. flights, saying it could raise fares and disrupt some routes. https://t.co/OskU014DTb — The Japan Times (@japantimes) October 15, 2025 China’s foreign ministry criticized the US move as punitive and harmful to global travel. The US is reviewing public comments before finalizing the order, while European carriers have raised similar complaints about unequal competition.   Border Clashes Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Kill Dozens, Leave Over 100 Wounded Heavy fighting between Pakistani and Afghan forces along their shared border early Wednesday killed more than a dozen Afghan civilians and wounded over 100 others, according to officials from both countries. The clashes, centered near the border village of Chaman, mark an escalation of violence that began Saturday and has left scores dead on both sides. Afghanistan claims to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliation for alleged airspace violations, while Pakistan says 23 of its troops were killed in earlier exchanges. Pakistan’s military accused Afghan troops of launching “unprovoked fire” and reported killing 30 Taliban fighters in retaliatory strikes, while Afghanistan’s Taliban government said its forces destroyed Pakistani positions and captured weapons. 🇵🇰 #Pakistan – 🇦🇫 #Afghanistan: Reports are emerging of heavy clashes between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban militants, with Taliban fighters reportedly blowing up the gate at the Spin Boldak–Chaman border (a disputed crossing between the two countries). Video footage… pic.twitter.com/TQWZHbhBuJ — POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) October 15, 2025 Witnesses described mortar fire hitting villages and families fleeing the area. Despite brief pauses following mediation by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, border crossings remain closed. The renewed clashes highlight rising tensions as Pakistan accuses Kabul of harboring the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a charge the Taliban government denies.   Sources: News Agencies