Evening Brief: Trump Arrives in Japan, Israel Rejects Turkish Role in Gaza, North Korean Foreign Minister Meets Putin

  USDA Warns SNAP Food Aid Will Halt November 1 as Government Shutdown Persists The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that federal food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will stop on November 1 if the government shutdown continues, affecting roughly one in eight Americans. The USDA said it will not use $5 billion in contingency funds to extend benefits, citing legal restrictions and the need to reserve the funds for disaster response. The shutdown, now in its fourth week, began on October 1 and has become the second-longest in US history. The Trump administration blames Senate Democrats for refusing to reopen the government without renewed health care subsidies, while Democrats argue Republicans must negotiate first. 🚨We are out of band aids and duct tape. Democrats, STOP THIS MADNESS! 🛑 https://t.co/vKmg06FaKt — Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) October 26, 2025 Some states are exploring ways to cover SNAP payments temporarily, though the USDA has warned they would not be reimbursed. Lawmakers on both sides have expressed alarm over the looming cutoff, with Democrats urging the administration to use available funds to prevent a food aid crisis.   US Marines Fire HIMARS Near Mount Fuji in First Live Drill at Camp Fuji US Marines fired a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) for the first time Monday at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, near Japan’s Mount Fuji. The live-fire drill involved Okinawa-based Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, marking a key step in the Corps’ modernization efforts to strengthen long-range precision capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. Battalion commander Lt. Col. Frank Mastromauro said the training enhanced combat readiness and deterrence, while division commander Maj. Gen. Kyle Ellison called it vital for maintaining agility and projecting firepower in support of joint operations. 本日、静岡県の東富士演習場において、在日米海兵隊による高機動ロケット砲システム・ハイマース（HIMARS）の射撃訓練が成功裏に行われました。… pic.twitter.com/2bHBzzPUfm — 小泉進次郎 (@shinjirokoiz) October 27, 2025 The exercise followed earlier HIMARS training in Hokkaido during September’s Resolute Dragon drills, underscoring US efforts to refine artillery operations with regional allies amid growing security challenges.   Trump Says He’s Open to Meeting Kim Jong Un During Asia Trip US President Donald Trump said Monday he “would love” to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his current Asia trip, leaving open the possibility of extending his schedule. Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Japan, Trump also expressed optimism about reaching a trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet Thursday in South Korea. Trump’s remarks came as he began his visit to Japan, where he will meet newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss trade and security ties. 🗣 ‘I got along great with Kim Jong Un. If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea’ 🇺🇸 | 🇰🇵 US President Donald Trump says he is willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming South Korea visit https://t.co/ZfIusHGJO3 pic.twitter.com/R1eVK17yRH — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 27, 2025 South Korean officials have said there is a “considerable” chance Trump and Kim could meet later in the week when Trump travels to Busan for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Kim has indicated he would be open to talks if the US eases demands on denuclearization.   Trump Tells Putin to End Ukraine War, Warns US Has Nuclear Sub Off Russia’s Coast US President Donald Trump on Monday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine instead of testing new nuclear weapons, saying the United States has a nuclear submarine positioned near Russia’s shores. His comments came after Moscow announced a successful test of the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile capable of bypassing missile defenses. Trump criticized the test as unnecessary and said the war, now in its fourth year, “should have taken one week.” 🇺🇸 | 🇷🇺 Trump says Russia should end the war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles 🗣️ The US president warns Moscow that a nuclear submarine is stationed ‘right off’ Russian shores and ‘doesn’t have to travel far’ https://t.co/Eig1uEPKHY pic.twitter.com/LHtn7dE0y6 — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 27, 2025 The Kremlin downplayed his remarks, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the test was part of Russia’s effort to ensure its own security and would not strain relations with Washington. Trump also hinted at potential new US sanctions targeting key areas of Russia’s economy if Moscow continues to prolong the war.   Ukraine Battles Russian Troops in Pokrovsk as Fighting Intensifies in Donetsk Ukraine’s military said Monday that about 200 Russian troops have infiltrated the eastern city of Pokrovsk, sparking fierce street battles as Kyiv rushes to reinforce its defenses. The Ukrainian general staff reported small-arms clashes and heavy drone use, while Russia’s defense ministry said its assault groups were advancing near the train station. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed fighting inside and around the city, calling Pokrovsk a key defensive stronghold. The renewed Russian assault follows the collapse of US-led ceasefire efforts and aims to capture the remaining parts of Donetsk region. NEW: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov continue to make exaggerated claims of battlefield victories while demonstrating that the Kremlin remains committed to seizing the entirety of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia,… pic.twitter.com/ikJ9Jkal4P — Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) October 27, 2025 Ukrainian forces said the enemy seeks to disrupt logistics and push northward, while intelligence reports suggest Russian President Vladimir Putin has set a goal to seize all of Donbas by mid-October.   Ukrainian-Made Armor Outperforms Western Tanks, Study Finds Ukrainian-built armored vehicles are proving more effective on the battlefield than Western tanks like the US Abrams and German Leopards, according to a recent report by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). The study found that Ukrainian commanders prefer locally produced vehicles for their mobility, endurance, and ease of repair, while Western tanks are viewed as too heavy and difficult to maintain after damage. Researcher Jack Watling said NATO should prioritize repairability and modular design in future armored vehicle programs. The report details how a subset of Ukrainian units is developing novel concepts to fight on the modern battlefield, which have resulted in significantly reduced loss rates. — RUSI (@RUSI_org) October 23, 2025 The report also highlighted how drones and electronic warfare have reshaped combat, forcing Ukrainian and Russian forces to hide from constant aerial surveillance. Russian units are adapting with stealthier, small-scale reconnaissance tactics but still struggle to capitalize on battlefield gains due to weak infantry support, the study said. Ukrainian troops, meanwhile, rely heavily on drones to offset manpower and equipment shortages.   Turkey Buys 20 Eurofighter Jets from Britain in $10.7 Billion Deal Turkey signed an 8 billion euro ($10.7 billion) deal with Britain on Monday to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, strengthening defense ties between the NATO allies and modernizing Ankara’s air force. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan finalized the agreement in Ankara, which includes options for future purchases and potential joint defense projects. Turkey’s defense ministry said it also plans to buy 12 additional Typhoons each from Oman and Qatar, including some lightly used jets for near-term needs. The first batch of new aircraft from Britain will arrive in 2030. Turkey signs major airpower deal! 🇹🇷 UK 🇬🇧: 20 Eurofighter Typhoons (£8B/$10.7B) — first jets 2030 Qatar: 12 jets Oman: 12 jets Total 44 fighters — a massive boost for the Turkish Air Force. pic.twitter.com/wYsHc4Y92f — Defence Index (@Defence_Index) October 27, 2025 Analysts described the price as unusually high, though the package may include weapons, training, and spare parts. The purchase aims to fill a gap in Turkey’s fleet as it awaits delivery of new F-16s from the US and the development of its domestically built KAAN fighter jet, amid growing regional tensions and Israeli air operations across the Middle East.   Israel Rejects Turkish Role in Planned International Gaza Force Israel said Monday it will not permit Turkish troops to join a proposed international force overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hostility toward Israel. The force, outlined in a US-brokered 20-point ceasefire plan, would stabilize Gaza as Israeli forces gradually withdraw and Hamas disarms. The plan envisions cooperation with Jordan and Egypt but does not specify participating nations. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel has conveyed its position to Washington. Erdogan previously expressed readiness for Turkey to contribute to peacekeeping or humanitarian roles, but Israel opposes Ankara’s involvement due to its support for Hamas and strained bilateral ties. Israel will not allow Turkish troops to take part in an international peace force that the US is seeking to create to oversee the ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says.#Israel #Turkey pic.twitter.com/2KdPYWWB21 — Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) October 27, 2025 The United States has said no American troops will enter Gaza but is seeking a United Nations mandate to authorize the multinational mission. Around 200 US personnel are already in Israel coordinating reconstruction and security planning through a joint operations center.   UN Peacekeepers Shoot Down Israeli Drone Amid Tensions on Lebanon Border UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon shot down an Israeli drone over the weekend, but the United Nations and the Israeli military offered conflicting accounts of the incident. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the drone flew “aggressively” over a patrol near Kfar Kila, prompting peacekeepers to use “defensive countermeasures.” It said Israel later dropped a grenade and fired a tank shell near the site, though no injuries were reported. The Israeli military said the drone was conducting routine reconnaissance and denied targeting peacekeepers, claiming troops threw a grenade after the drone was downed. 📹: Footage released by the Israeli army of what it says are military drills at the border with Lebanon. Israel Accuses UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon of Downing IDF Intelligence Drone! Read More: https://t.co/f5ahCKaeV2 pic.twitter.com/kC8xTnc9lJ — Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) October 27, 2025 The episode comes as Israeli strikes in Lebanon intensify and efforts continue to maintain the fragile ceasefire that ended last year’s war with Hezbollah. UNIFIL’s mandate is set to expire in 2026, with plans for a full withdrawal the following year.   RSF Claims Capture of El-Fasher as UN Warns of Atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said over the weekend that it had seized El-Fasher, the last state capital in Darfur still under army control, following an 18-month siege. The army-aligned Darfur governor Minni Minnawi called Monday for civilian protection and an independent investigation into reported massacres. Pro-democracy activists said fighting continued near the city’s airport, with no air support for trapped residents amid a communications blackout. The UN warned of an “extremely precarious situation,” citing risks of ethnic violence and atrocities, while 2,500-3,000 people fled the city over the weekend. The RSF has faced accusations of ethnic cleansing and mass killings in earlier assaults across Darfur, including a 2023 massacre in El-Geneina. The Rapid Support Forces have invaded the Sudanese city of el-Fasher after 18 months of siege, food blockade, sexual violence, mass displacement and killing. pic.twitter.com/iXgtuF633C — AJ+ (@ajplus) October 27, 2025 The UN estimates around 260,000 civilians remain trapped in El-Fasher without aid, many facing starvation. The RSF’s advance gives it control of all five Darfur capitals, effectively splitting Sudan between the army-controlled north and the RSF-held west and south, as the country’s two-year war deepens its humanitarian catastrophe.   North Korean Foreign Minister Meets Putin in Moscow to Bolster Wartime Alliance North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Monday, deepening military and political ties between the two countries. The talks followed last month’s meeting between Putin and Kim Jong Un in Beijing. Putin praised his “warm” discussions with Kim and asked Choe to relay his regards. Earlier, Choe met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who thanked North Korean troops for fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region after a Ukrainian incursion. Putin held a meeting with North Korea’s foreign minister at the Kremlin. pic.twitter.com/wYUrzTpdRJ — Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) October 27, 2025 Choe reaffirmed Pyongyang’s “unwavering” support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. South Korea estimates North Korea has sent about 15,000 troops and large quantities of artillery and missiles to aid Moscow, along with plans to deploy military workers and deminers to Russia’s border region.   Sources: News Agencies