Latvia orders 841 Russian citizens to leave by October 13 after they failed to meet new residency rules—including Latvian language tests and security checks.

Around 30,000 Russians live in Latvia; most complied or left voluntarily.

Those who stay past the deadline face deportation and loss of benefits.

Ukraine’s VAMPIRE/APKWS system successfully intercepted a Russian Kh-69 cruise missile—its first confirmed kill of this advanced weapon.

The laser-guided APKWS rocket, normally used against drones, struck the low-flying missile midair.

At roughly $20K per shot versus a $1–3M missile, the event highlights a major cost-effective win for Ukraine’s layered air defenses.

White House says President Donald Trump underwent a semiannual physical at Walter Reed and was found to be "in exceptional health."

His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, reported strong heart, lung, and neurological performance, noting that Trump’s “cardiac age” is roughly 14 years younger than his actual age of 79.

Minor findings included mild leg swelling from venous insufficiency and hand bruising attributed to frequent handshakes and daily aspirin use.

Algeria: Government approves a record $25 billion defense budget for 2026, the highest in its history, amid heightened Sahel tensions.

Puntland commander Cabdi Hayaan was killed and several soldiers wounded in a night attack near Walisoor by ISIS militants.

BIG: The SDF has agreed in principle to hand over oil production in Deir ez-Zor fields to the Syrian government.

The deal allows Damascus to take control of Deir ez-Zor’s oil, while the SDF retains a share of production for the local market.

The integration of northeastern Syria will reportedly begin in Deir ez-Zor, covering oil fields, civil institutions, and security forces in the first phase.

Source: Syria TV

YPG/SDF terror group ringleader Mazlum Abdi:

A military committee will soon travel to Damascus to discuss integrating SDF forces into the Syrian army.

Pakistan & the Taliban: From Allies to Adversaries

Since 2021, ties have unraveled over militancy, border clashes, and refugee expulsions.

Now the Taliban is courting India, China, and Russia; drifting from Islamabad’s orbit.

DR Congo: The Interior Ministry accused Rwanda-backed M23-AFC of mass killings, rapes, and forced connoscriptions.

It warned the group is building parallel administrations to dismantle traditional rule in Kivu.

🇵🇸 Gaza, today.

Berlin to Athens: Drop the Block on Türkiye

German FM Johann Wadephul will visit Greece to urge Athens to drop its veto on Türkiye’s participation in the EU’s €150 billion SAFE defense program.

Only France and Greek Cyprus back Greece’s position.

Most EU members — especially Eastern and Nordic states — support Türkiye’s inclusion, citing its large defense industry and military value for Europe.

Source: Kathimerini

Rheinmetall will supply Ukraine with new Skyranger 35 air-defense systems mounted on Leopard 1 tanks, under a hundreds-of-millions-euro deal funded by an EU member state using profits from frozen Russian assets — a first-of-its-kind move.

The mobile, cannon-based system can shoot down drones and cruise missiles up to 4 km away, using advanced airburst ammo.

Satellite images confirm China has deployed GJ-11 “Sharp Sword” stealth combat drones to Shigatse Air Base in Tibet, near the India border — marking their first known operational use.

The flying-wing UCAVs, capable of stealth strikes, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare, were stationed there from August to September 2025 for operational testing.

This signals that the GJ-11 has reached near-combat readiness and highlights China’s growing high-altitude airpower presence in the Himalayas, alongside J-20 fighters and WZ-7 drones.

Source: TWZ

The Gaza Municipality has begun clearing the main streets of rubble.

Cities Under Trump’s Troop Orders — A breakdown of where National Guard and federal troops have been deployed (or attempted deployments) in 2025, and the next cities reportedly under consideration.

Legal challenges have already blocked or overturned several deployments.

UPDATE: Death toll from RSF El-Fasher drone strike rises to 60.

Madagascar: Army contingent urges security forces to “refuse orders to open fire.”

NOW: Trump is on a phone call with Zelensky.