Morning Brief: Court Partly Lifts National Guard Ban, Ukraine Braces for Winter Blackout, Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Premier

Senate Republicans Rally Behind Trump as Government Shutdown Enters Fourth Week The US government shutdown entered its fourth week on Tuesday with no signs of a breakthrough as Senate Republicans planned a White House meeting with President Donald Trump to show unity and reject Democratic demands. Democrats continue to block a House-passed bill to reopen the government, insisting on renewing Affordable Care Act subsidies before negotiations. The stalemate has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and disrupted key programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Head Start. Both parties are warning of looming deadlines in November for government funding and health care enrollment, yet neither side appears willing to compromise. 🇺🇸 The agency responsible for safeguarding the US nuclear stockpile began placing most staff on enforced leave Monday, US media reported, as the government shutdown dragged into a fourth week. ➡️ https://t.co/bEUDxk3WOK pic.twitter.com/fTJxjd5RVJ — AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 20, 2025 Republican leaders, including Senator John Thune, said they will not discuss health subsidies until the government reopens, while Democrats, led by Senator Chuck Schumer, criticized the White House meeting as a “pep rally.” Trump dismissed Democratic demands as “crazy,” signaling the shutdown could continue indefinitely.   Trump Predicts ‘Fantastic’ Trade Deal with Xi Despite Rising Tensions Over Rare Earths President Donald Trump said that the US will reach a “fantastic” trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping despite Beijing’s expanded export controls on rare earth materials critical to global industries. Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the White House, Trump said his tariff threats had earned “great respect” from China and confirmed he will meet Xi later this month during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Trump warned he would impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods on November 1 if no agreement is reached but said he prefers negotiation. He dismissed concerns over a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan, citing US military superiority. President Trump again said he’d hike Chinese tariffs if there isn’t a deal by Nov. 1 but still plans to meet with President Xi. “I think when we finish our meetings in South Korea, China and I will have a really fair and really great trade deal together” https://t.co/vxL583xJPb pic.twitter.com/4bLqi4rThu — Bloomberg (@business) October 20, 2025 Meanwhile, Beijing replaced its top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, amid tensions with Washington, following US complaints about his conduct. Both countries plan further talks to prepare for the leaders’ summit.   Marine Corps Identifies Pilot Killed in California Helicopter Crash as Maj. Tyler Braconi The US Marine Corps has identified Major Tyler R. Braconi, 35, as the pilot killed in an AH-1Z Viper helicopter crash on October 16 in Imperial County, California. A second pilot was injured and has not been named. Braconi, a California native and member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 at Camp Pendleton, was conducting routine flight operations in support of a training course hosted by MCAS Yuma when the mishap occurred. 📸: The Marine who recently lost his life in the line of duty from the AH-1Z Viper aviation mishap on Oct. 16, 2025, has been identified. He was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and was based at… pic.twitter.com/wTVTG1MatM — Kagan.Dunlap (@Kagan_M_Dunlap) October 21, 2025 Commissioned in 2012, Braconi was a decorated Marine and former exchange pilot with the Australian Army. His commanding officer, Lt. Col. Christopher Hart, called him a “brave aviator and leader.” The cause of the crash remains under investigation.   Veteran Urges VA to Recognize Gulf War Illness for Disability Benefits After CDC Approval Gulf War veteran Ronald Brown has formally asked the Department of Veterans Affairs to add Gulf War illness to its list of service-connected medical conditions eligible for disability compensation and VA health care. The request follows the Centers for Disease Control’s recent decision to officially recognize Gulf War illness as a distinct condition affecting tens of thousands of veterans. In his letter to VA official Margarita Devlin, Brown urged swift action to provide affected veterans with “recognition, compensation and support.” A Gulf War veteran is formally requesting the Department of Veterans Affairs add Gulf War illness to the list of service-connected medical conditions that qualify veterans for monthly, tax-free disability compensation and enrollment in VA health care.https://t.co/3wdmXBH23d — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) October 20, 2025 The VA confirmed receipt but said the ongoing government shutdown would delay a response. More than 700,000 US troops served in the Persian Gulf War, and roughly one-third developed chronic symptoms linked to toxic exposures such as sarin gas and oil fire smoke. Veterans and advocates say official recognition would streamline claims, improve treatment access, and enhance medical research.   Slovak Court Sentences Man to 21 Years for Attempted Assassination of Prime Minister Fico A Slovak court on Tuesday convicted 72-year-old Juraj Cintula of a terror attack for the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico and sentenced him to 21 years in prison. Cintula shot Fico in May 2024 as the prime minister greeted supporters in Handlová, critically injuring him. Prosecutors said the attack targeted the government itself, citing Cintula’s political motives and his calls to oppose Fico’s administration. 🇸🇰 SLOVAKIA PM’S ATTACKER FOUND GUILTY OF TERRORISM, SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS A Slovak court has convicted Juraj Cintula, 72, of terrorism for the 2024 assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico, sentencing him to 21 years in prison. Cintula shot Fico 5 times at close… https://t.co/hlAyikqb63 pic.twitter.com/soBQRAytDw — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 21, 2025 Cintula admitted to wanting to harm the prime minister but denied intending to kill him. He may appeal the ruling. The attack deepened political tensions in Slovakia, where Fico’s pro-Russia stance and policies have sparked widespread protests and divided public opinion.   Ukraine and European Leaders Reject Land-for-Peace Deal, Accuse Putin of Stalling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and eight European leaders accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday of dragging out diplomatic efforts to end the war and rejected any proposal requiring Ukraine to surrender occupied territory for peace. In a joint statement, the leaders reaffirmed their support for using frozen Russian assets to aid Kyiv and insisted that “international borders must not be changed by force.” The declaration followed US President Donald Trump’s shifting stance after calls with Putin and Zelenskyy, with Trump recently suggesting negotiations begin along current battle lines. We’re united in our desire for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position – before, during, and after any ceasefire. We strongly support @potus position that fighting should stop immediately and that the current line oof contact… pic.twitter.com/2due070JIJ — Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) October 21, 2025 Ukraine and its allies warned such a deal would leave occupied regions vulnerable to future Russian aggression. The leaders pledged to tighten sanctions on Moscow and increase economic pressure ahead of an European Union summit in Brussels and a meeting of the 35-nation Coalition of the Willing in London later this week.   Ukraine Braces for Winter Blackouts as Russia Intensifies Regional Energy Strikes Millions of Ukrainians are preparing for another winter of power cuts as Russia renews attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, shifting tactics to target specific regions and gas facilities instead of the national grid. Cities like Shostka and Chernihiv are enduring daily blackouts and limited access to electricity and water, forcing hospitals, businesses, and homes to rely on costly, unreliable generators. Residents fear for their survival, particularly those dependent on power for medical care. Ukrainian officials say Russia’s drone assaults have tripled in scale this year, overwhelming air defenses with more precise and concentrated strikes. Putin pretends to be ready for diplomacy and peace negotiations, while in reality this night Russia launched a brutal missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s Chernihiv and Sumy regions. Energy infrastructure was under heavy strikes once again. Many communities have been left… pic.twitter.com/4EEU64sBPX — Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) October 21, 2025 Repair crews face constant danger near the front lines, repeatedly restoring damaged systems under fire. Authorities warn that conditions could worsen as winter approaches, with vulnerable regions in the east and north enduring the harshest impact.   Israel Identifies Hostage’s Body as Hamas Vows to Uphold Gaza Ceasefire Israel confirmed Tuesday that the body of Tal Haimi, a 42-year-old hostage killed during Hamas’s October 2023 attack, was among those released overnight as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya said the group remains committed to implementing the Sharm el-Sheikh accord to permanently end the two-year war, crediting assurances from mediators and US President Donald Trump. Heartbroken but relieved Tal Haimi is home – after 745 days in Hamas captivity. 💔 Tal Haimi, 41, was killed defending Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023. His body was kidnapped into Gaza and held for over 2 years. A mechanical engineer and member of the kibbutz’s response… pic.twitter.com/FURQ0TiNrv — Israel ישראל (@Israel) October 21, 2025 The ceasefire remains fragile after recent clashes in Rafah and Gaza City that killed two Israeli soldiers and 45 Palestinians. Meanwhile, Gaza health officials accused Israel of returning bodies showing signs of torture, calling for a United Nations investigation — allegations Israel’s prison service denied. US Vice President JD Vance is expected in the region to reinforce the truce, while Qatar’s emir condemned Israel for ceasefire violations and continued West Bank settlement expansion.   Sanae Takaichi Becomes Japan’s First Female Prime Minister After Forming Right-Wing Coalition Japan’s parliament elected Sanae Takaichi as the country’s first female prime minister on Tuesday, following a new coalition deal between her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (Ishin no Kai). Takaichi, 64, replaces Shigeru Ishiba, who resigned after his party’s defeat in July’s election left a three-month political vacuum. Her coalition, which excludes the LDP’s longtime centrist partner Komeito, lacks a majority in both houses and may face instability. Breaking News: Sanae Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister. She’s a heavy metal drummer and hard-line conservative. https://t.co/vfyRnftmfc pic.twitter.com/f17GPcm71o — The New York Times (@nytimes) October 21, 2025 Known for her nationalist and conservative stances, Takaichi opposes same-sex marriage, supports male-only imperial succession, and has drawn criticism for revisionist views on Japan’s wartime history. A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, she is expected to pursue his policies of military strengthening and constitutional reform while prioritizing economic measures to address rising prices. Takaichi will announce her Cabinet later Tuesday and hold talks with US President Donald Trump later this week.   Sources: News Agencies