Morning Brief: Trump Hints at Nuclear Weapons Tests, Putin Confirms Poseidon Nuke Torpedo Test, China Reaffirms 2030 Moon Landing Goal

Despite the statement, Trump later said he still supports “denuclearization and de-escalation.”   Colorado Sues Trump Administration Over Space Command Move to Alabama, Citing Political Retaliation Colorado officials filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging that President Trump’s decision to relocate US Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, was driven by political retaliation against Colorado’s mail-in voting system. The lawsuit, announced by Attorney General Phil Weiser, seeks to block the move as unconstitutional, arguing Trump punished the state for its election policies. AG @pweiser is suing the Trump admin. for its unconstitutional decision to move U.S. Space Command HQ from Colo. Springs to punish our vote-by-mail system. Colorado will not be bullied for protecting free and fair elections. Read more: https://t.co/jke7O4T1v9#defendingcolorado pic.twitter.com/piqjS7G37D — Colorado Attorney General (@COAttnyGeneral) October 29, 2025 Trump has publicly said Colorado’s voting system “played a big factor” in his relocation decision. The dispute follows years of political back-and-forth between administrations, with President Joe Biden later reversing Trump’s order in 2023 to keep Space Command in Colorado. The White House defended the Alabama site as strategically and logistically superior, while Alabama officials dismissed Colorado’s lawsuit as partisan. If Colorado insists on fighting a political battle in federal court, Alabama will meet them there, and win. Our focus remains on supporting our service members, strengthening national defense, and ensuring Space Command’s continued success in Huntsville. Full statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8b8T63WUvQ — Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) October 29, 2025 The command, which manages satellite communications and missile warning systems, is expected to move 1,400 jobs to Redstone Arsenal over five years if the relocation proceeds.   US to Share Nuclear Submarine Technology with South Korea, Trump Says President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will share nuclear-powered submarine technology with South Korea, marking an unprecedented step in military cooperation between the two allies. The announcement followed Trump’s meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who emphasized upgrading the alliance and boosting Seoul’s defense spending. Lee clarified that South Korea seeks nuclear fuel for submarines, not nuclear weapons, arguing that nuclear-powered vessels would enhance regional security and support US operations. Trump said construction would take place at the Philly Shipyard, owned by South Korea’s Hanwha Group, though project details and costs remain unclear. Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 06:03 PM EST 10/29/25 pic.twitter.com/WLrYlfBQ2r — Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) October 30, 2025 The plan comes as North Korea continues missile testing and China expands its naval power. The Pentagon has not commented on the announcement, which involves some of the US military’s most sensitive technology.   Trump, Xi Agree to Ease Trade Tensions as US Cuts Tariffs and China Resumes Key Exports US President Donald Trump called his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea a “roaring success,” announcing plans to cut US tariffs on Chinese goods and confirming that China will resume exports of rare earth elements and purchase American soybeans. Trump said tariffs imposed over fentanyl-related trade issues would drop from 20 percent to 10 percent, reducing the overall tariff rate on China from 57 percent to 47 percent. The two leaders also discussed US tech exports, with Nvidia expected to engage in talks with Chinese officials. Trump said a trade deal could be signed “pretty soon” and announced plans to visit China in April, with Xi to visit the US later. CHINA’S PRESIDENT XI before high-stakes meeting with President Trump: “I always believed that China’s development goes hand-in-hand with your vision to make America great again. Our two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together.” pic.twitter.com/OZ8N6eDbZN — Fox News (@FoxNews) October 30, 2025 Despite the upbeat tone, analysts cautioned that the agreement represents only a temporary stabilization in a broader strategic rivalry over technology, trade, and global influence. Markets reacted positively, while both governments face domestic and geopolitical pressure to manage the fragile economic relationship.   Putin Confirms Test of Poseidon Nuclear Super Torpedo Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia successfully tested its Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo, a weapon analysts say could devastate coastal areas by generating massive radioactive waves. Putin said the test, launched from a submarine, successfully activated its onboard nuclear power unit. The Poseidon, which can reportedly travel up to 10,000 km (6,200 miles) at 185 km/h (115 mph), is part of Russia’s new generation of strategic weapons. The announcement follows recent tests of the Burevestnik nuclear cruise missile and large-scale nuclear drills, signaling Moscow’s defiance of Western pressure over the war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells https://t.co/ph9P44d7ih pic.twitter.com/U8k9eLTLRd — Reuters (@Reuters) October 29, 2025 Putin said Poseidon’s capabilities surpass those of Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental missile, while US President Donald Trump criticized the move and urged Russia to end the conflict instead of testing new nuclear systems. Arms experts warn that Poseidon blurs traditional nuclear deterrence boundaries and could fuel a new global arms race involving the US, Russia, and China.   Ukraine Imposes Nationwide Power Cuts After Russian Strikes Damage Energy Facilities Ukraine restricted electricity across the country Thursday after Russian missile strikes damaged energy infrastructure and injured 13 people, including six children, in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia. The attacks hit five apartment buildings and critical facilities, prompting concerns ahead of winter. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Russia of trying to create a “humanitarian catastrophe” by targeting the energy sector. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk confirmed new infrastructure damage, while regional officials reported widespread outages. 🔴 Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia overnight, injuring at least 11, including six children, local authorities report. 📷: Suspilne, Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration pic.twitter.com/pXWumxpKZZ — UNITED24 Media (@United24media) October 30, 2025 The state railway company said power cuts in Mykolaiv caused train delays, forcing the use of reserve locomotives. Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid as temperatures drop, temporarily cutting power to hundreds of thousands of residents.   Five More Arrested in $102 Million Louvre Jewel Heist as Hunt for Missing Treasures Continues French police arrested five additional suspects in connection with the $102 million jewel theft from the Louvre museum’s Apollo Gallery, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said Thursday. The arrests followed coordinated raids across Paris, with one suspect identified through DNA evidence. Two men detained earlier in the week had partially confessed, one of whom was caught trying to flee France. Beccuau said investigators remain hopeful the latest arrests will lead to the recovery of the missing jewels. On October 19, a group of thieves stole a collection of Napoleonic-era jewels from the Louvre in Paris while it was open to the public. As audacious as the heist was, it isn’t the first such attempt. In fact, the museum has a long history of daring thefts. 🔗… pic.twitter.com/6CoWHSwQF9 — National Geographic (@NatGeo) October 20, 2025 The high-profile heist, carried out by four main perpetrators, has exposed serious security flaws at the world-renowned museum, and authorities are investigating whether a larger criminal network orchestrated the robbery.   Israel Installs Nearly 1,000 New Barriers in West Bank, Deepening Movement Restrictions for Palestinians Since the Israel-Hamas war began more than two years ago, Israel has installed nearly 1,000 new gates, barriers, and walls across the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. The group says 916 structures have been erected since October 2023, severely limiting Palestinian movement and daily life. Israel’s military says the measures are for security and to monitor movement, but Palestinians and the United Nations report that the closures restrict access to work, schools, and healthcare. Israel has erected nearly 1,000 barriers in cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, further stifling movement for Palestinians and hindering daily lives. 🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/6XqjLuLVy7 pic.twitter.com/ZQ5aSujphY — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 30, 2025 The barriers—often metal gates with irregular opening times—have forced residents to take long detours, sometimes turning short commutes into hour-long journeys. Local businesses report heavy losses, and residents say the restrictions have disrupted daily life and increased uncertainty.   Israeli Airstrikes Test Fragile Gaza Ceasefire as US Pushes to Keep Truce Intact A brief surge of violence in Gaza this week marked the most serious test yet of the fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. More than 100 Palestinians, including civilians, were killed in Israeli strikes after an attack that killed one Israeli soldier. The fighting subsided by Wednesday, restoring the truce that began on October 10. US President Trump defended Israel’s right to retaliate but emphasized that the ceasefire must hold, calling it central to his Middle East diplomacy. 🎯STRUCK: A terrorist infrastructure site in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, storing weapons and aerial means intended for an imminent attack on IDF soldiers and the State of Israel. IDF troops in the Southern Command remain deployed under the ceasefire agreement and continue to… pic.twitter.com/WYhRwdAU2k — Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 29, 2025 The US has deployed top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to help sustain the deal and coordinate aid deliveries. Israeli leaders, under pressure from domestic hard-liners, vowed strong responses to any violations, while deep mistrust between Israel and Hamas continues to stall progress on the next phases of the agreement, including prisoner exchanges and Gaza’s future governance.   China Reaffirms 2030 Moon Landing Goal, Announces New Crew for Space Station Mission China confirmed Thursday that it remains on track to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, highlighting progress on key technologies including the Long March 10 rocket, lunar landing suits, and a moon exploration vehicle. The announcement came as officials introduced the next three-member crew for the Tiangong space station: Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang. They are set to launch Friday night from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center for a six-month mission to conduct experiments and station maintenance. The crew will also bring four mice to study the effects of weightlessness. China is holding firm to its goal of landing astronauts on the moon before 2030, outlining a packed schedule of development and testing for its ambitious crewed lunar program pic.twitter.com/X4uCbbek3A — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) October 30, 2025 China built its Tiangong station after being barred from the International Space Station due to US security concerns over its military-linked space program.   Sources: News Agencies