Evening Brief: European Union Leaders Seek Bigger Role in Gaza, Trump to Meet China’s Xi Jinping During Asia Trip

  US Air Force Orders Weeklong Dorm Inspections After Pentagon Crackdown on Substandard Housing The US Air Force will inspect all unaccompanied airmen dormitories within seven days under a new Pentagon directive aimed at addressing poor living conditions across the military. The order, confirmed by the Pentagon, requires 100 percent of dorm rooms to be certified as “clean, comfortable, and safe” by October 29. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a barracks task force earlier this month to develop a plan to improve troop housing after reports of mold, sewage leaks, and pest infestations in some facilities. Commanders must immediately relocate airmen living in unsafe conditions and submit improvement projects for funding. The inspections will cover building exteriors, common areas, maintenance rooms, and individual quarters. Every member of our Joint Force deserves clean, comfortable and safe housing. That is why we are announcing the new Barracks Task Force, which is charged with developing a Department-wide barracks investment plan. pic.twitter.com/lk81bLP5M0 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 9, 2025 Hegseth said substandard housing is “unacceptable” and undermines troop readiness, echoing findings from a 2023 Government Accountability Office report that criticized the quality of military housing and its oversight.   US Plans New Munitions Facilities for F-35A Operations at RAF Lakenheath The Air Force is planning three new munitions-related facilities at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom to support its F-35A fighter program, according to British defense officials. The proposed projects—a conventional munitions site, an inspection facility, and a precision-guided missile area—are awaiting local government approval from the West Suffolk Council. If approved, construction contracts are expected to be awarded within weeks, with completion targeted for mid-2029. Officials have emphasized that the projects involve only conventional weapons, not nuclear arms. The plans are part of a broader modernization effort at the base, which houses the first permanent US F-35A squadrons overseas. Recent reports have noted expanded security infrastructure at Lakenheath amid speculation about potential US nuclear weapon storage, though neither Washington nor London has confirmed such deployments.   Trail Blazers Coach and Heat Player Charged in Mafia-Linked Gambling and Betting Scandals Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were arrested Thursday along with more than 30 others in two major criminal cases alleging schemes to fix poker games and rig sports bets tied to US Mafia families. Federal prosecutors in New York said Billups joined a conspiracy to cheat high-stakes card games backed by organized crime, while Rozier participated in a separate plot using insider NBA information to manipulate betting outcomes. Both face money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Prosecutors described the investigation as one of the most extensive sports corruption cases since the legalization of online betting, involving tens of millions of dollars. FBI Director Patel: “Individuals such as Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones and Terry Rozier were taking into custody today, former,current NBA players and coaches…this is an illegal gambling operation and sports rigging operation that spanned the course of years.” pic.twitter.com/L5vLj1XtvM — CSPAN (@cspan) October 23, 2025 The NBA placed both men on leave, pledging full cooperation with authorities. The poker scheme allegedly used hidden cameras and rigged equipment to defraud victims, with Mafia families enforcing debts through violence. In the betting case, players reportedly altered performances to profit from prop bets, including one game where Rozier left early citing an injury.   Trump Weighs Urging Israel to Release Imprisoned Palestinian Leader Marwan Barghouti President Donald Trump said he is considering asking Israel to release jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, a potential move aimed at shaping leadership in postwar Gaza. In an interview with Time, Trump confirmed that discussions about Barghouti’s release are taking place within the White House. 🔻 Trump says he will soon decide whether to release Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti He adds that Mahmoud Abbas will “probably not” lead the future Palestinian government https://t.co/K2A0xC3X2Y pic.twitter.com/x3RYSQUoQt — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 23, 2025 Barghouti, 66, is serving multiple life sentences for attacks that killed five Israelis but remains one of the most popular and unifying Palestinian figures, often compared to Nelson Mandela. Israel considers him a terrorist but many Palestinians view him as a credible successor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Barghouti was not included in the recent prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire deal. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance said reconstruction in Gaza areas free of Hamas could begin soon, estimating it would take two to three years to rebuild the devastated city of Rafah.   Vance Condemns Israeli Annexation Vote, Outlines US Gaza Reconstruction Plans US Vice President JD Vance criticized Israel’s symbolic parliamentary vote supporting the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, calling it an “insult” and a “stupid political stunt” that contradicts Trump administration policy. The 25-24 preliminary vote, driven by hard-liners, is unlikely to advance further but has drawn international condemnation, including from Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who opposes the measure, dismissed it as a provocation by his political rivals. Before leaving Israel, Vance said US-backed reconstruction of “Hamas-free” areas of Gaza could begin soon, estimating Rafah could be rebuilt within two to three years at a cost of about $53 billion. 🇺🇸 After a successful trip, @VP Vance departs Israel: “So far, the ceasefire is actually holding, the peace is actually holding, and now we’re trying to figure out how to make it stick over the long term.” pic.twitter.com/3KmDzMviCE — The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 23, 2025 The US is also coordinating with allies to form a stabilization force and train Palestinian security units. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization confirmed the first medical evacuations since the October 10 ceasefire, as aid agencies continue to struggle with limited access and destroyed health infrastructure in Gaza.   US and EU Impose New Sanctions on Russia Targeting Oil Giants and Energy Exports The United States and European Union announced new sanctions against Russia aimed at cutting off revenue from oil and gas exports that fund its war in Ukraine. The measures target major Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil, with US Treasury warnings that their customers in India and China could also face penalties. The EU will phase out Russian liquefied natural gas imports by late 2026 and expand restrictions on cryptocurrency platforms used to bypass sanctions. The sanctions, taking effect November 21, give energy traders time to end dealings with Russia. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move is intended to pressure President Vladimir Putin into accepting a ceasefire proposal from President Donald Trump. Analysts said the sanctions could disrupt Russia’s oil exports and potentially prompt broader measures if Moscow resists negotiations. 🇪🇺 The EU passes its latest package of sanctions on Moscow, targeting Russian entities in India and China 🗣️ ‘It is increasingly harder for Putin to fund this war,’ says the bloc’s foreign policy chief https://t.co/3BTX79kOXF pic.twitter.com/NzUbzTamiO — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 23, 2025 Russia has lost about $100 billion in energy revenue since 2022 but continues to rely on oil sales to fund its military. Putin called the new sanctions an “unfriendly act” and vowed to continue the war.   Power Restored to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant After Monthlong Outage Off-site power to Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been restored after a monthlong outage, Ukrainian officials and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Thursday. Repairs to the key 750-kilovolt Dniprovska transmission line were completed under a local ceasefire agreed by both Russian and Ukrainian forces — a rare instance of cooperation since the war began. Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk said a secondary 330-kilovolt line running through Russian-held territory is still being repaired. Off-site power has been restored to Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after a month-long outage, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirms. Repairs to the Dniprovska 750 kV line were completed under a local ceasefire. Restoration of the Ferosplavna 330 kV line is still being… pic.twitter.com/K5mhwLpHrF — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) October 23, 2025 The IAEA called the restoration of external power “a key step for nuclear safety,” as the plant had been relying on emergency diesel generators since September 23 to cool its six inactive reactors. The facility, Europe’s largest nuclear power station, remains shut down but still requires stable electricity to prevent a potential nuclear disaster.   EU Leaders Seek Bigger Role in Gaza and West Bank After Being Sidelined from US Ceasefire European Union leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday signaled plans to take a more active role in postwar Gaza and the occupied West Bank after being excluded from the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The 27-member bloc, long the largest donor to the Palestinians and Israel’s top trading partner, is divided over how to handle Israel amid strained relations. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously proposed sanctions and partial trade suspensions to pressure Israel toward peace, but momentum faded following the US deal. Some EU nations, including Ireland and the Netherlands, want sanctions on Israeli officials and settlements kept on the table as leverage. ❝We will never remain passive in the Middle East. We want the peace process in Gaza to hold ❞ 🇪🇺 EU Parliament chief Roberta Metsola says Europe has a ‘role to play’ in Gaza peace https://t.co/2EPgW4Pc4k pic.twitter.com/GGWhBCCQBE — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 23, 2025 The EU is seeking a seat on the ceasefire’s “Board of Peace” and aims to assist with Gaza’s stabilization and reconstruction, including potential police support. Denmark and Germany have already joined the US-led effort in southern Israel. Meanwhile, individual member states such as Spain and Slovenia have taken stronger unilateral actions, imposing arms embargoes and formally recognizing a Palestinian state.   Syrian Forces Clash with French-Led Militant Camp in Idlib Amid Tensions Over Foreign Fighters Syrian government forces clashed this week with militants at Al-Fardan camp in Idlib province, led by French extremist Omar Diaby, also known as Omar Omsen, who is wanted internationally for terrorism. The confrontation began after residents accused Diaby’s group of kidnapping a girl and other “grave violations.” Fighting erupted overnight Tuesday with heavy gunfire and drone strikes before a truce was reached, under which Diaby agreed to surrender heavy weapons. Les forces gouvernementales syriennes ont lancé une opération contre des jihadistes français dirigés par Oumar Diaby, alias #OmarOmsen, et retranchés dans un camp du nord-ouest de la #Syrie. Le récit d’Étienne Paponaud ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/79YLxmmwe6 — FRANCE 24 Français (@France24_fr) October 23, 2025 The incident highlights Syria’s growing dilemma over thousands of foreign Islamist fighters who helped topple former President Bashar Assad but now pose political and security challenges for the new interim authorities. Diaby, a Senegal-born French national and former al-Qaeda affiliate recruiter, has long been accused of radicalizing French jihadists through online propaganda. Analysts say his case underscores the difficulty Syria faces in balancing Western relations while managing the remnants of foreign militant groups entrenched in its territory.   Pakistan Bans Islamist Party TLP After Deadly Clashes Over Pro-Palestinian Rally Pakistan’s government banned the hard-line Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on Thursday following violent clashes near Lahore that left one police officer and four civilians dead. The decision, approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Cabinet under anti-terrorism laws, came after thousands of TLP supporters tried to march to Islamabad to hold a pro-Palestinian rally, injuring more than 100 police officers. Authorities accused the group of engaging in extremist and violent activities and have shut its offices, frozen its bank accounts, and arrested hundreds of supporters. #Exclusive | The immediate catalyst for the renewed government action was the TLP’s massive protest march—dubbed the ‘Gaza solidarity’ march@manojkumargupta https://t.co/aqYfw5YzeH pic.twitter.com/abABNE0w8h — News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2025 Police are searching for TLP leader Saad Rizvi, who went into hiding after the unrest. It marks the second ban on TLP, which was first outlawed in 2021 but later reinstated after a deal with former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government. The party rejected the new ban, calling it politically motivated.   Trump to Meet China’s Xi Jinping During Asia Trip Next Week President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next Thursday during a visit to South Korea as part of his upcoming trip to Asia, the White House announced Thursday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will depart for Malaysia late Friday before traveling to South Korea for the meeting with Xi. President Trump expressed optimism about reaching agreements with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade, agriculture, and possibly nuclear issues during their upcoming meeting in South Korea https://t.co/nGilOeR3a5 pic.twitter.com/34G9l9sENP — Reuters (@Reuters) October 23, 2025   Sources: News Agencies