Evening Brief: Trump Skips APEC Summit, King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of All Titles, Mass Ultra-Orthodox Protest in Jerusalem

  Pentagon Orders National Guard to Train for Domestic Unrest Missions by 2026 The Pentagon has ordered thousands of National Guard personnel to complete civil unrest training by early 2026, signaling a shift toward routine domestic military deployments under President Donald Trump. Internal Defense Department documents reviewed by The Washington Post show plans for a new 200-member “quick reaction force” equipped for riot control and ready for deployment by January 1. A larger National Guard Reaction Force of 23,500 troops across all states and territories is set to complete similar training by April. Traditionally used for disaster relief, these forces will now assist federal and local law enforcement in responding to civil disturbances. The move comes as Trump continues deploying Guard units to major US cities over local opposition, claiming authority to use active-duty troops if needed. Critics warn the plan risks politicizing the military and eroding constitutional checks on executive power. Breaking news: Up to 23,500 National Guard troops are being trained for civil unrest missions in cities, an indication that the Trump administration’s effort to send military forces into urban centers could become the norm. https://t.co/KIufcQKeUs — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 30, 2025 The Pentagon has not publicly commented on the initiative.   Trump’s Strategic Command Nominee Backs Nuclear Policy Review US Navy Vice Admiral Richard Correll, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), told senators Thursday he would provide independent military advice as Trump pushes to restart nuclear weapons testing after more than three decades. At his Senate confirmation hearing, Correll said he did not interpret Trump’s remarks as a plan to resume explosive nuclear tests, noting that neither Russia nor China has conducted one in recent years. He reaffirmed US adherence to the 1963 test ban treaty and emphasized confidence in the reliability of America’s existing nuclear arsenal, which is certified annually. U.S. Strategic Command Commander nominee, Vice Admiral Richard Correll, gives his assessment of the military’s readiness for nuclear weapons testing in the wake of President Trump’s order to resume testing of the country’s stockpile. pic.twitter.com/6rhVwWVela — CSPAN (@cspan) October 30, 2025 The US last conducted a nuclear test in 1992. Russia and China have since tested nuclear-capable weapons but not nuclear detonations. Correll, a career submariner and current deputy commander of Strategic Command, said the US maintains a robust testing program for nuclear-capable delivery systems such as missiles and submarines.   Russian Missile Barrage Hits Ukraine’s Power Grid, Killing Six and Causing Nationwide Blackouts Russia launched a massive wave of drone and missile attacks across Ukraine early Thursday, killing at least six people, including a 7-year-old girl, and injuring 18 others as it targeted energy infrastructure nationwide. The assault, which Ukrainian officials called “systematic energy terror,” caused blackouts and power restrictions in every region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia fired over 650 drones and 50 missiles, aiming to cripple utilities as winter nears. Strikes hit multiple regions, including Sloviansk, where three people died, and Zaporizhzhia, where two were killed and 17 were injured. In many of our regions, emergency and rescue operations are still underway after last night’s Russian attack. It was a complex, combined strike: the enemy used more than 650 drones and over fifty missiles of various types, including ballistic and aeroballistic ones. Many were… pic.twitter.com/UHBzWrUOoY — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 30, 2025 Energy facilities were also damaged in Lviv, near Poland’s border, prompting Poland and NATO to scramble jets as a precaution. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko urged allies for more air defenses and tougher sanctions, accusing Moscow of trying to plunge the country into darkness and break civilian morale.   NATO Tests AI-Linked Robotic Defense Plan for Future Eastern Front Conflicts NATO commanders have tested a new defense concept that envisions robotic forces taking the first hit in any Russian attack on alliance territory. The strategy, called the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, uses a network of sensors connected to an AI-based command system to coordinate early battlefield responses. During joint war games in Wiesbaden, Germany, all 32 NATO members participated in Article 5 defense simulations under exercises Steadfast Duel and Avenger Triad, which combined NATO and US Army Europe-Africa command structures. The approach aims to minimize troop casualties by deploying autonomous systems in an initial unmanned combat zone, preserving human forces for counterattacks. 💡@NATO_ACT & the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, & Education Centre (#JATEC) have completed the latest phase of testing for an innovative counter-guided aviation bomb solution. During the trials with 🇫🇷@DGA, teams validated an integrated system combining radar, AI-based… pic.twitter.com/JFeuY0F0eY — NATO ACT (@NATO_ACT) October 28, 2025 Commanders said the concept reflects lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and represents a shift away from mass infantry combat. While the defense line is operational, officials said NATO still faces challenges in scaling robotic capabilities across Europe.   King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of All Titles and Evicts Him Amid Epstein Scandal King Charles III has formally stripped Prince Andrew of his remaining royal titles and honors and ordered him to leave his Royal Lodge residence, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday. Andrew, now to be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, will move into private accommodation after losing the title of “Prince” he has held since birth. The move follows weeks of public pressure over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and renewed scrutiny after emails showed he stayed in contact with Epstein longer than he claimed. BREAKING: King Charles has now initiated the formal process to remove Prince Andrew’s titles. He will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. https://t.co/G8gDzyr2To 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/eklNkrBK3U — Sky News (@SkyNews) October 30, 2025 The release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, which detailed allegations of sexual encounters with Andrew when she was 17, intensified calls for action. Andrew has denied all allegations but stepped back from public duties in 2019 and paid Giuffre a multimillion-dollar settlement in 2022. Buckingham Palace said the king’s decision was made “out of respect for victims and survivors of abuse.”   Germany’s Merz Calls for Stronger Partnership with Turkey German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for a deeper strategic partnership between Europe and Turkey during his first official visit to Ankara on Thursday, emphasizing cooperation in a shifting global landscape. Standing alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Merz highlighted Turkey’s key role in mediating conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and said Europe “cannot avoid a deepened partnership” with Ankara. The visit follows Germany’s approval of Turkey’s purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets and reports of Berlin’s support for Turkey joining the European Union-linked 150-billion-euro SAFE (Security Action for Europe) defense initiative. ❝Türkiye is a very important actor in all foreign policy and security matters that concern us❞ 🇹🇷|🇩🇪 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, said Berlin desires to see Ankara in the EU, noting Türkiye’s role… pic.twitter.com/4KbxzZUQHQ — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 30, 2025 Greece opposes Turkey’s inclusion, citing unresolved sea boundary disputes. Tensions surfaced over human rights and Gaza, with Merz urging respect for rule-of-law standards amid Turkey’s detention of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, while Erdogan defended his judiciary’s independence. On Gaza, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s support for Israel’s security but criticized aspects of its campaign, saying Hamas could end the war by disarming. Erdogan accused Israel of “genocide” and condemned Germany for ignoring what he called the war’s “imbalance.”   Mass Ultra-Orthodox Protest in Jerusalem Challenges Netanyahu Over Military Draft Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men blocked Jerusalem’s main entrance Thursday to protest plans to draft them into Israel’s military, vowing to go to jail rather than serve. The demonstration, which shut down highways and halted public transport, left one teenager dead after a fall from a nearby building. 🚨 Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered in West Jerusalem to protest compulsory military service, calling it a threat to their religious identity ⏩️ Ultra-Orthodox parties in Knesset vowed to keep pressing for repeal of the conscription law, calling preservation… pic.twitter.com/dePjDt1qWl — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 30, 2025 The protest marks a major challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose coalition depends on ultra-Orthodox parties demanding permanent draft exemptions. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled such exemptions illegal in 2017, but the government has delayed action. The draft issue has reignited public anger during the war in Gaza, where over 900 soldiers have been killed and manpower shortages persist. The protest followed the Knesset’s decision to discuss new enlistment legislation next week. Analysts say failure to resolve the dispute could collapse Netanyahu’s coalition and trigger early elections.   Israel Receives Remains of Two Hostages as Ceasefire with Hamas Holds Despite Strikes Israel’s military said Thursday that Palestinian militants handed over the remains of two hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza, marking continued progress under the ceasefire deal despite renewed Israeli strikes. The remains were taken to Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification. Hamas has so far returned 15 sets of remains and is expected to hand over 13 more under the agreement. 🛑 Hamas said it will hand over remains of two Israeli hostages this evening under ceasefire agreement 👉 Group’s armed wing, Qassam Brigades, said in statement on Telegram that bodies will be transferred at 4 pm local time (1400GMT) https://t.co/wbL3ck7oTL pic.twitter.com/CEcpMPaaah — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) October 30, 2025 Meanwhile, at least 40 Palestinians were injured in overnight Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, which the army said targeted militant infrastructure posing threats to troops. The strikes followed the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that Israel would respond forcefully to ceasefire violations. He said Israel remains committed to disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, either through foreign forces or by its own means. The ceasefire, in place since October 10, aims to end the most destructive phase of the Israel-Hamas conflict.   Israeli Raid in Southern Lebanon Kills Municipal Worker, Sparks Outrage Israeli soldiers entered a municipal building in the southern Lebanese border town of Blida early Thursday, killing an employee, according to Lebanese state media. Israel said the troops targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and fired after identifying a suspect who posed a threat. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the victim, municipal worker Ibrahim Salameh, was killed while on duty. Residents said Salameh was shot after looking out a window when soldiers entered the building around 1:30 a.m. local time. At the same time that Israeli troops were executing a Blida municipality worker and father of four in southern Lebanon, another Israeli force entered the nearby border town of Adaisseh and detonated a hall used for religious ceremonies at dawn, Lebanon’s National News Agency… https://t.co/eyRRBAls0j pic.twitter.com/f42KuTEA6S — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) October 30, 2025 The raid, one of few ground incursions since the US-brokered ceasefire last November, drew condemnation from Lebanese officials and protests from residents who accused the army and United Nations peacekeepers of failing to protect civilians. UNIFIL called the raid a “blatant violation” of Lebanon’s sovereignty and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Lebanon’s leaders urged the UN and international mediators to pressure Israel to halt violations and withdraw from Lebanese territory.   Paramilitary Seizure of Sudan’s El-Fasher Sparks Mass Killings and Refugee Crisis Thousands of Sudanese fled on foot from El-Fasher after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) captured the city in Darfur, leaving roads strewn with bodies and reports of mass killings, sexual assaults, and ethnic targeting. Aid groups said hundreds were killed, including 460 at the city’s Saudi Hospital, though communications blackouts have made verification difficult. Satellite analysis by Yale researchers confirmed evidence of killings near an RSF-built earthen wall used to trap civilians. 🚨HUMAN SECURITY EMERGENCY🚨 El-Fasher has fallen to RSF. HRL finds evidence of mass killings including door-to-door clearance operations and objects consistent with reported bodies on berm entrapping El-Fasher.#KeepEyesOnSudan 🛰️@AirbusSpace @Maxarhttps://t.co/1HApllgNL5 pic.twitter.com/yrCbM5HxeP — Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at YSPH (@HRL_YaleSPH) October 27, 2025 The UN Security Council held an emergency session as humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher condemned global inaction. Over 36,000 people have fled the city, but few reached Tawila, a nearby camp already overcrowded with refugees. Witnesses described women and children hiding from attacks, men missing or killed, and survivors foraging for food under drone fire. The US accused the RSF of genocide and called for halting foreign support. Sudan’s ambassador accused the United Arab Emirates of arming the RSF, a charge the UAE denied while pledging $100 million in aid. The conflict, now two years old, has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced 14 million, raising fears that Sudan may split between RSF-controlled Darfur and military-held Khartoum.   Pakistan and Afghanistan Set to Resume Istanbul Peace Talks After Border Clashes Pakistan and Afghanistan are expected to resume peace talks in Istanbul to revive dialogue that broke down earlier this week, officials and state media from both countries said Thursday. The Turkey- and Qatar-mediated negotiations aim to ease tensions following deadly border clashes earlier this month that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. A ceasefire has largely held since October 19, but key border crossings remain closed, stranding hundreds of trucks and refugees. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said the decision to continue talks came at the request of Turkey and Qatar. Islamabad reiterated its demand for Kabul to take verifiable action against militant groups using Afghan territory for attacks, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, said Islamabad seeks peaceful relations but will not tolerate cross-border terrorism. NEW: Afghanistan and Pakistan, mediated by Türkiye and Qatar, agreed to keep the ceasefire, set up monitoring with penalties for violations, and will finalize details at a Nov 6 meeting in Istanbul. pic.twitter.com/zc3wsfkt7c — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 30, 2025 Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military reported killing 22 militants in separate operations Thursday, including senior TTP commander Mufti Muzahim.   South Korea and Japan Pledge Closer Cooperation in First Summit Under Takaichi South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Thursday in Seoul for their first summit, vowing to deepen cooperation despite historical tensions. The leaders agreed to continue “shuttle diplomacy,” alternating summit locations to strengthen dialogue. Their meeting followed visits from US President Donald Trump, who urged both allies to finalize massive investment pledges in the United States. Lee and Takaichi emphasized the importance of trilateral coordination with Washington amid shifting global trade conditions and security challenges from North Korea. PM TAKAICHI held a meeting with H.E. Mr. LEE Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea, during her visit to Gyeongju, #ROK. #APEC #APEC2025KOREA @Jaemyung_Lee https://t.co/vJH76KaN1X pic.twitter.com/35qVSt02ah — MOFA of Japan (@MofaJapan_en) October 30, 2025 Takaichi’s election had raised concerns in Seoul due to her nationalist stance on Japan’s wartime history, but both sides signaled pragmatism, focusing on shared economic and strategic goals. Seoul and Washington announced progress on a $350 billion South Korean investment package in the US, while Trump’s trip to Tokyo secured up to $490 billion in Japanese-backed energy and technology projects.   Sources: News Agencies