Trump's call to resume nuclear testing after decades revives a Cold War debate

President Trump explained the order by saying other, unnamed nations were testing their own nuclear weapons, even though no country has tested since 2017.

President Trump's unexpected declaration on Thursday that he was ordering the US military to resume nuclear testing prompted visions of a return to the worst days of the Cold War, when the United States, Russia and China were regularly detonating new weapons, first in the atmosphere and outer space, then underground.

It was an era of terrifying threats and counter threats, of dark visions of Armageddon and theories of deterrence by mutually assured destruction. That age supposedly ended with the arrival of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty that nations agreed to in the mid 1990s. But not enough of the signatories ratified it for the treaty to formally come into force.

Moscow restarts military flights to Syrian air base amid efforts to strengthen Damascus alliance

Russia and Syria have unexpectedly maintained ties following the US and Israeli backed regime change in Damascus last year.

Russia has resumed military flights to the Hmeimim Air Base in Syria after a hiatus of nearly six months, as the two countries move to establish closer relations, Bloomberg reported on 30 October. Citing the flight tracking website Flightradar24, the newspaper said that at least two Russian aircraft flew to the Russian air base in Latakia Governorate, on the Syrian coast.

A Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il 62M transport plane flew from Libya to Latakia, then to the Moscow region on 26 October. Antonov An 124 100 Ruslan heavy cargo planes have arrived at the airport on three occasions since 24 October. Bloomberg also cited an anonymous source close to the Kremlin as saying that Russia is resuming flights to Hmeimim...

A narrow Pacific waterway is at the heart of US plans to choke China's vast navy

The US has deployed troops and anti ship missiles into the northern Philippines as part of almost continuous, joint war drills throughout the country. One goal is to block the Bashi Channel and deny Chinese warships access to the Pacific Ocean if Beijing launches an attack on Taiwan. As a former Philippine military chief told Reuters: You can't invade Taiwan if you don't control the northern Philippines.

The ability to conduct operations deep into the Pacific would be vital for the Chinese navy if it wanted to counter US and Japanese attempts to intervene in a Taiwan crisis. Chinese naval and air forces would also need to operate in the Western Pacific to stymie any counter measures by the US and its allies if Beijing imposed a blockade on Taiwan. "We should have the ability to deny the Chinese control of the Bashi Channel," retired Rear Admiral Rommel Ong, told Reuters in an interview.

BREAKING: A large crowd of teens outside of the Navy Yard metro station in Washington DC have gathered once again, starting fights with members of the National Guard.

Massive police response in the DC Navy Yard neighborhood as a result.

*NEWS INTERRUPTION*

UPDATE: Disorderly groups have dispersed.

Roads remain closed as MPD maintains a large presence in throughout Navy Yard.

DC Police Department

Emergency services are responding to a stabbing incident on a train near Huntingdon, where “multiple people” were attacked.

Cambridgeshire Police say two suspects have been arrested.

The number of victims and the severity of their injuries have not yet been confirmed.

SOUTHCOM’s Joint Task Force-Bravo, the LA County Fire Department, and the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team have been deployed to Jamaica as part of U.S. State Department disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Melissa, ensuring rapid delivery of emergency supplies to affected communities.

An explosion occurred early Saturday morning on the fourth floor of Harvard’s Goldenson Building at the Longwood Medical Campus in Boston.

The Harvard University Police Department reported that two individuals were seen fleeing the scene.

The Boston Fire Department’s Arson Unit confirmed the blast was deliberate, found no additional devices, and the HUPD is investigating with local, state, and federal authorities, including the FBI.

The U.S. State Department condemned reported mass atrocities by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher, North Darfur, expressing serious concern for civilians and those fleeing nearby areas.

It urged the RSF to stop ethnic violence and retribution, calling on all parties to seek a negotiated solution, emphasizing that military action and external support only prolong the conflict.

SOUTHCOM releases new footage of U.S. Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting training operations in Puerto Rico.

UNBELIEVABLE: Police bust massive "Baby factory" operation while investigating child abuse.

Human traffickers are now abusing surrogacy as a legal loophole to gain custody of infants only to sell them to the highest bidders.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a meeting with Chinese National Defense Minister at ASEAN Defense Ministers meeting:

Today, I met with China’s Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus.

It was a good and constructive meeting. I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized U.S. concerns about China’s activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and towards U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

United States does not seek conflict, it will continue to stoutly defend its interests and ensure it has the capabilities in the region to do so.
Today’s meeting followed the our September 9 video teleconference call with Admiral Dong. We will continue discussions with the People’s Liberation Army on matters of mutual importance.

🔗 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar)

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on nuclear testing:

“America will ensure that we have the strongest, most capable nuclear arsenal so that we maintain PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.”

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the strikes against the known narcoterrorists in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific:

“One thing that has been highly misconstrued here is that in some way we don't know who precisely we are striking and why...

We know how to map networks and hunt enemies of our country.”

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the US policy for Taiwan (Republic of China):

“Our position on Taiwan remains unchanged. President Trump has said that as well.

The conversation (with China’s Minister of National Defense) was constructive. It was candid.”