🇺🇸🇨🇳US could raise stakes in trade spat with China ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

The US is considering requiring companies exporting software to China to obtain a license — a move that could severely hurt Chinese industries, according to the Financial Times.

👉The measure may be implemented if the two sides fail to resolve their differences. Meanwhile, Chairman Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump are expected to meet in South Korea later this month.

Earlier, Trump threatened China with 100% tariffs, citing Beijing’s decision to expand export controls on rare earth materials, that may take effect in November.

💬"I want to emphasize that China's export controls are not export bans. All applications of compliant export for civil use can get approval, so that relevant businesses have no need to worry," a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Sunday.

China's move came after a provocative initiative by US lawmakers to impose broader bans — by Washington and its allies — on exporting chipmaking equipment to China. The proposed US restrictions also include tighter controls on components that could help China develop its own semiconductor manufacturing tools.

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🗣 Trump gives Milei his 'complete and total endorsement'

The US president backed Argentine President Javier Milei after their meeting, expressing hope that the people of Argentina "will support his work during the upcoming Midterms."

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🔊 We agreed to give peace a chance — Netanyahu

In an interview with CBS News, Israeli PM Netanyahu confirmed commitment to the 20-point Gaza deal, stating the terms are clear and extend beyond hostage return.

"Let's give a chance to do the second part [of the Gaza peace plan] peacefully," he said.

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📹 Federal agents use tear gas against protesters in Chicago

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☢️ US army plans to deploy nuclear reactors at military bases

The US Army and Energy Department have launched the Janus Program — a new initiative to place small, portable nuclear reactors at forward-operating bases worldwide.

▫️ Microreactors to provide “multiple megawatts of power” for years without refueling

▫️ Aims to reduce reliance on vulnerable diesel supply chains

▫️ First reactor expected to go critical by July 2026

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⚔️ Spain rejects NATO's 5% defense spending target

Spain will not increase military expenditure beyond 2.1% of GDP, despite NATO’s 2035 5% goal and pressure from the Trump administration.

PM Pedro Sánchez stated the armed forces lack capacity to absorb such a sharp budget increase.

Sánchez emphasized that security depends not only on military power but also diplomacy and reducing inequality.

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🚨 LA county declares state of emergency over the ICE raids

Los Angeles has officially declared a state of emergency to support residents impacted by ongoing federal immigration enforcement.

The move unlocks state funding for legal aid, rental assistance, and other services — with a rental aid portal set to launch within 60 days.

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📊 Macron falls out of France's top 50 most popular politicians

President Emmanuel Macron has dropped to 51st place in a national popularity barometer — the first sitting French president since 2003 not to rank among the top 50.

▫️ 78% of French people now view Macron negatively

▫️ New Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ranks 13th

▫️ Even convicted former President Nicolas Sarkozy places 4th

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🚨Putin to meet Syrian President al-Sharaa today

Russian President Putin will hold talks with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is visiting Russia on a working trip.

The agenda includes strengthening Russian-Syrian ties across political, economic, and humanitarian fields, as well as reviewing the latest developments in the Middle East.

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🚨 Syria building relations with Russia & China based on strategic interests — Al-Sharaa

💬 "Today, Syria is building peaceful relations with Russia and China based on strategic interests. Our relations with Russia do not conflict with our relations with the West or the United States," Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said in an interview with the CBS broadcaster.

Moscow and Beijing sent "positive signals" to Damascus, the leader said.

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⚡️🇷🇺 Russian Energy Week 2025 opens in Moscow with President Putin participating

The Russian Energy Week International Forum (REW) will take place from October 15 to 17 in Moscow, serving as one of the world’s leading platforms for dialogue on the future of global energy and fuel industries.

Notable international participants include:

🇰🇵 Kim Yu Il, Minister of Electric Power Industry of North Korea;

🇭🇺 Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary;

🇦🇫 Abdul Latif Mansour, Minister of Energy and Water of Afghanistan;

🇻🇪 Delcy Rodríguez, Vice President and Minister of Petroleum of Venezuela (joining via video link).

🌍 Featuring over 70 sessions and discussions, REW 2025 will center on multilateral cooperation in energy and explore Russia’s role in the evolving multipolar energy landscape.

Sputnik serves as the forum’s official media partner. Follow for exclusive coverage, expert commentary, and interviews directly from the event!

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⚔️ NATO chief signals possible new arms deliveries to Ukraine 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte does not rule out an announcement by the alliance on new arms deliveries to Ukraine — including air defense systems — following Wednesday's defense ministers’ meeting.

💬 “We will probably discuss ramping up support for Ukraine even further under the leadership of the two defense ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom,” Rutte said.

He highlighted the new program launched in August, under which the United States provides essential lethal and non-lethal military support to Ukraine, funded by allies. $2 billion in military equipment has already been purchased since June, the NATO chief underscored, and expressed confidence that many other countries will join.

💬 “This is crucial stuff, including air defense systems and particularly, interceptors important for Ukraine to make sure that their civilian population their crucial infrastructure is as much protected as possible,” said Rutte.

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker also hinted at "big announcements" to be made by European countries on October 15 to boost weapons purchases for Ukraine through the PURL program, as reported by Bloomberg.

The initiative allows European funding to flow directly to US arms manufacturers supplying Ukraine. 

Russia maintains these weapons deliveries prolong the conflict and make NATO direct participants, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warning all arms shipments are legitimate targets.

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◻️ Putin to meet Syrian President al-Sharaa today

◻️ Russia delivers JFK files to the US — Rep. Luna

◻️ Trump awards posthumous Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk

◻️ US could raise stakes in trade spat with China ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

◻️ Federal agents use tear gas against protesters in Chicago

◻️ US army plans to deploy nuclear reactors at military bases

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🇨🇳👉 🇺🇸 China to US: You can’t threaten us and demand talks

The United States cannot demand talks with China while simultaneously threatening new restrictive measures, and Washington must correct this "erroneous" approach, the Chinese Embassy in the US said.

💬 "The past four rounds of economic and trade consultations have fully demonstrated that China and the United States can find solutions to problems based on mutual respect and equal consultation. The two sides have maintained communication within the framework of the China-US Economic and Trade Consultation Mechanism and held working-level talks on Monday. I would like to point out that the US cannot demand talks while simultaneously threatening and intimidating new restrictive measures," embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said.

🗣 The spokesperson added that "China urges the US to correct its erroneous practices as soon as possible, demonstrate sincerity in talks, and work with China halfway."

China and the United States must safeguard the outcomes of bilateral consultations and resolve concerns through dialogue to promote healthy trade relations, Liu Pengyu told Ria Novosti.

💬 "Regarding tariff and trade wars, China's position is consistent. If there's a fight, we'll fight to the end; if there's a talk, the door is open. China and the United States share extensive common interests and vast space for cooperation. Cooperation benefits both sides, while conflict hurts both," the embassy spokesperson said.

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❌ Ukrainian command dumps own unit composed of draft dodgers

The command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 71st Jaeger Brigade decided to get rid of its own assault unit composed of forcibly mobilized militants, revealed a POW captured by the Russian army.

According to the militant, he spent over a day with a severed arm hiding in a wooded area in the Sumy region before Russian fighters rescued him and provided first aid.

All his requests for evacuation were deliberately ignored by his Ukrainian commanders.

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⚔️ Zelensky craves Tomahawks – But who’s picking up the tab?

On the eve of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, Zelensky is grappling with how to pay for the Tomahawk cruise missiles he has been begging for, reports Welt.

Zelensky is scrambling to fund these Tomahawks since the Americans want payment upfront if the missiles are delivered, noted the channel.

↔️ As for the European allies, they are just as divided on who should foot the bill, while the White House’s true intentions remain murky.

Russia has underscored that Tomahawk missiles won’t alter the frontline and that operating such complex weapons would require US specialists, potentially escalating the conflict.

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