30 September 2025
US
Washington is braced for a government shutdown, as Republicans and Democrats appear unlikely to reach an agreement that would extend funding past a midnight deadline. Ahead of that midnight deadline, the Senate is scheduled to vote at least once more on a GOP funding plan that Democrats have already rejected. The Trump Administration is expected to use the shutdown to carry out mass layoffs.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed the hundreds of high-ranking officers in Virginia. He declared the end of “politically correct” leadership and also hinted that there would be a loosening of disciplinary actions and a rollback on hazing protections.
President Trump discussed how he would not use an autopen, but would prefer to use a “beautiful gold pen” when signing a commission for a general or admiral. How he vows to end wars, and how tariff is his favourite word. And how the US might look into building battleships. It was definitely not a prepared speech.
Russia
Russia has warned that the supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would be a steep escalation of the conflict. Putin has previously warned that Russia reserves the right to strike at military installations in countries that let Ukraine use their missiles to hit Russia. Andrei Kartapolov, head of the Russian parliament’s defence committee, said that any U.S. military specialists who helped Ukraine to launch Tomahawks against Russia would become targets for Moscow.
Israel and the War in Gaza
President Trump proposed a Gaza peace plan to Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House. Netanyahu agreed to the 20-point peace plan that will end the war, disarm Hamas and bring the hostages back home. The Palestinian Authority has also agreed to the plan and vows to do its best to implement it. There is no word from Hamas leadership.
Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht sustained substantial damage after an explosive device detonated in the Gulf of Aden. It appears that it was a missile attack from Houthi rebels, and the crew was forced to abandon ship.
Hungary-Ukraine
Tensions continue to grow between Hungary and Ukraine after drones from Hungary entered Ukrainian airspace this weekend. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been quoted saying: “I believe my ministers, but let’s say it would have actually flown a few metres there, so what? Ukraine is not an independent country. Ukraine is not a sovereign country, Ukraine is financed by us, the West gives it funds, weapons.”
Afghanistan
The Taliban have cut the fibre optic cable providing internet to the country. Flights in Afghanistan have been cancelled and now there is also no phone or internet for its citizens, leaving them blind. The Taliban started doing this a few weeks ago, but it was not until now that it has hit Kabul.
Germany-China
A Dresden court sentenced a former assistant to a German lawmaker to jail for spying on behalf of China. The Chinese-born German national, identified as Jian G, was sentenced to four years and nine months in jail for aggravated spying. An accomplice was handed a suspended sentence. Jian G was found to have worked for a Chinese intelligence agency since at least 2007 and had identified and monitored dissidents in Europe, putting them at physical risk.
Social Media Wires
Cope cages have been seen over at least one refinery in Russia.
Footage of the JARI-USV-A “Orca” – a large, high-speed, stealth unmanned surface combat vessel (USV) developed by China
Feature Photo: “Trump & Netanyahu at Israel Museum, c. 2017” – Wikimedia Commons, 2025
The Wires Brief is a weekly breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates.