Morning Brief: US Flies B-1 Bombers Near Venezuela, Lithuania Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation

  Senate Fails to Advance Troop Pay Bill as Shutdown Stalemate Deepens The Senate failed Thursday to advance a Republican bill that would have paid military personnel and Defense Department civilians during the ongoing government shutdown. The measure fell short in a 54-45 vote, with Democrats opposing it over concerns it would give President Donald Trump discretion to decide which federal workers receive pay. Three Democrats, including Senators John Fetterman, Jon Ossoff, and Raphael Warnock, joined Republicans in support. Democrats backed an alternative proposal to pay all federal employees, including furloughed workers, but Republicans blocked it. C-SPAN’s Word for Word: • Senate rejects GOP bill to pay some federal workers • Vance denounces Israeli vote on annexing the West Bank Plus, San Francisco, Putin, NBA, Xi, Binance and Adams READ: https://t.co/TK4TZJ6Pdr SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/SlbX8h76d0 pic.twitter.com/JxJDn16Nc1 — CSPAN (@cspan) October 23, 2025 The shutdown reached its 23rd day as both chambers remained gridlocked over broader funding and healthcare subsidy extensions. Troops have continued receiving pay after Trump redirected existing Pentagon funds, a move now under legal review. Lawmakers from both parties cited past bipartisan efforts to protect military pay during shutdowns, but have yet to agree on a new plan.   Veterans Group Launches Initiative to Modernize VA Health Care Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America launched the “Modernization of Veterans Healthcare Project” to push the Department of Veterans Affairs to reform key areas of veterans’ health care, including toxic exposure treatment, suicide prevention, and pain management. The initiative will gather input from clinicians, researchers, veterans, and policymakers to create actionable recommendations for VA improvement. Former VA Secretary David Shulkin chairs the project, which will publish findings in briefs and white papers shared with Congress and the VA. A nonprofit group advocating for post-9/11 veterans is convening a group of stakeholders and experts to push the VA to make improvements in critical areas of veterans health care that include toxic exposures, suicide prevention and pain management.https://t.co/CNbvimewC0 — Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) October 24, 2025 The effort focuses on seven VA program areas, including transparency, community care, and centers of excellence. The group emphasized the need for modernization as demand for VA services grows, driven by the PACT Act and upcoming Medicaid changes that could shift more veterans into the VA system.   Hegseth Expected to Visit Japan Next Week for Talks With New Defense Minister US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to visit Japan next week for talks with newly appointed Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Japanese officials said Friday. Koizumi confirmed that detailed arrangements are being made for a bilateral defense ministers’ meeting, which Kyodo News reported could take place Wednesday. The talks are expected to cover Japan’s plan to double its defense budget to two percent of GDP and develop long-range counterstrike capabilities amid regional tensions with China. This would be Hegseth’s second trip to Japan as defense secretary; his first in March focused on strengthening US-Japan military coordination. The visit would coincide with President Donald Trump’s trip to Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of regional summits in Malaysia and South Korea. US President Donald Trump will visit Japan from October 27-29 to meet Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said pic.twitter.com/iItwD6p0N6 — Reuters (@Reuters) October 22, 2025 US and Japanese officials are also expected to visit Yokosuka Naval Base and the USS George Washington (CVN-73) during the trip.   Lithuania Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation, Moscow Denies Breach Lithuania accused Russia of briefly violating its airspace Thursday evening, with President Gitanas Nausėda calling it a “blatant breach” of international law and territorial integrity. Lithuanian officials said two Russian military planes, a Su-30 fighter and an IL-78 refueling aircraft, entered Lithuanian airspace for about 18 seconds before returning to Kaliningrad. Two Spanish NATO jets were scrambled in response. This evening, Russian military planes violated Lithuanian air space. This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania. Once again, it confirms the importance of strengthening European air defence readiness.@LithuaniaMFA will summon Russian… pic.twitter.com/0GS6OrKaRx — Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) October 23, 2025 Russia’s Defense Ministry denied the claim, saying its aircraft followed flight routes within its own borders during training. The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Baltics following Russia’s war in Ukraine and recent drone and airspace incursions that have raised concerns over NATO’s readiness.   Hungary Seeks Way Around US Sanctions on Russian Oil Firms, Orban Says Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Friday that his government is exploring ways to bypass new US sanctions on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft, imposed by President Donald Trump to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Orban did not provide details but said Hungary’s energy company MOL is assessing options to maintain supplies. MOL and its Slovak unit Slovnaft rely heavily on Russian crude delivered through the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies both countries’ refineries. 🇭🇺 Orbán seeks ways to bypass U.S. sanctions on Russian oil companies Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that Budapest is “working on finding a solution” that would allow it to circumvent the new U.S. sanctions imposed on Lukoil and Rosneft. He did not reveal any… https://t.co/upXqzBZuRc pic.twitter.com/2GwbzNOPAE — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 24, 2025 The sanctions, set to take effect in late November, have raised concerns in Hungary and Slovakia, the European Union’s largest remaining importers of Russian oil. Orban’s remarks came as oil prices climbed and regional refiners evaluated potential disruptions similar to those seen last year when Ukraine sanctioned Lukoil.   Zelenskyy Meets European Leaders in London to Discuss Ukraine’s Defense and Postwar Security Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London on Friday for talks with European leaders focused on strengthening Ukraine’s defenses and planning postwar security guarantees if a ceasefire takes hold. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the meeting, attended in person by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and several European leaders, with others joining virtually. The talks aim to boost Ukraine’s air defenses, protect its power grid from Russian attacks, and explore providing longer-range missiles. Leaders also discussed forming a “reassurance force” to secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and train its forces, with the headquarters rotating between Paris and London. The meeting follows new Western sanctions targeting Russia’s oil and gas revenue as Moscow continues its invasion and resists peace negotiations. 2/ Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 23, 2025: https://t.co/ijrsAjb1vF pic.twitter.com/yhpr1wtcXo — Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 24, 2025 Meanwhile, Russian drone and artillery attacks overnight killed civilians in Ukraine and disrupted infrastructure, underscoring the conflict’s ongoing intensity.   Nigerian Military Kills 50 ISWAP Militants Using Armed Drones in Northeast Battles Nigeria’s military said it killed at least 50 insurgents during coordinated attacks by drone-equipped militants on army bases in Borno and Yobe states early Thursday. The army reported that troops, backed by airstrikes, engaged fighters in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko, identifying the attackers as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants. Several soldiers were wounded, and parts of the defenses in Mafa and Dikwa were briefly breached before troops regained control. The clashes also destroyed vehicles and buildings as insurgents used modified commercial drones and rocket-propelled grenades. Heavy Defeat for ISWAP: 5 Commanders and 50 fighters were neutralized in their attempt to overun troop locations in Dikwa, Mafa and Katarko in the early hours of Thursday. pic.twitter.com/7hcomJhgZR — Defense News Nigeria (@DefenseNigeria) October 23, 2025 A United Nations-linked security report said militants entered from Cameroon, raided the Mafa base, and looted supplies despite losing five commanders. The conflict in Nigeria’s northeast has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced about two million since 2009, with ISWAP showing renewed capacity to strike military targets.   Erdogan Urges US to Pressure Israel With Sanctions to Enforce Gaza Ceasefire Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called on the United States and other nations to take stronger action to ensure Israel complies with the Gaza ceasefire, including imposing sanctions or halting arms sales. Speaking after a regional tour, Erdogan said Hamas was adhering to the ceasefire while Israel continued to violate it. Turkey, now a mediator in the talks, has offered to join a task force overseeing the truce and contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction, though the scope of its involvement remains under discussion. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled opposition to any Turkish security role in Gaza. 📍 Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara will ‘take this step together with the Gulf countries,’ noting that rebuilding Gaza will not be an easy task 🗣️ Israel must be pressured with sanctions and arms bans to keep its promises, the president said… pic.twitter.com/IpJeYXOdfQ — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 24, 2025 Erdogan avoided direct criticism of Netanyahu but urged Gulf countries to help finance rebuilding efforts. Relations between Turkey and Israel remain strained, with Ankara accusing Israel of genocide, claims Israel denies.   China Outlines 5-Year Plan to Boost Tech Independence and Domestic Demand China’s Communist Party (CCP) unveiled a new five-year blueprint emphasizing self-reliance in advanced technology and stronger domestic demand amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The plan, released after a high-level meeting in Beijing, calls for reducing dependence on foreign tech while maintaining China’s position as a global manufacturing power. Officials said the country faces “high winds” from global competition but remains confident its international influence will grow. The plan focuses on expanding advanced manufacturing in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and clean energy while encouraging consumer spending to offset weak demand and a struggling property sector. Despite overcapacity and slowing growth, 4.8 percent last quarter, China aims to double its economic size by 2035 and reach mid-level developed nation status. The meeting also reinforced President Xi Jinping’s control over the party, with several senior officials purged in recent anti-corruption campaigns.   Speculation Grows Over Possible Trump-Kim Meeting During South Korea Visit As US President Donald Trump prepares for his first Asia trip since returning to office, speculation is rising that he may meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his stop in South Korea. The visit, set around the October 31 to November 1 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, would mark their first encounter since the 2019 Panmunjom meeting. Officials have not confirmed any plans, but analysts note recent developments, including Kim’s positive remarks about Trump and restricted civilian access to the border area, suggest renewed diplomatic possibilities. ‘Considerable’ chance for Trump-Kim meeting next week, S Korea says ➡️ https://t.co/jModrKcdau pic.twitter.com/pxwH4Q1udl — FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) October 24, 2025 Experts remain divided: some see a potential reopening of talks in coming months, while others doubt quick progress given North Korea’s larger nuclear arsenal and stronger ties with Russia and China. Observers say Kim now holds greater leverage and may seek recognition as a nuclear power, a move the US continues to reject. Even if no meeting occurs, analysts believe both leaders could pursue future talks for strategic and political gains.   Sources: News Agencies