September 13, 2025
Headlines

Evening Brief: Trump Says Kirk Suspect Likely Caught, UAE Summons Israeli Envoy Over Qatar Hamas Strike

World War 3 News014 mins
President Trump and Charlie Kirk


Evening rundown for Friday, September 12, 2025.

 

Trump Says Suspect in Charlie Kirk Killing Likely Caught

President Donald Trump said Friday he is “highly certain” authorities have caught the suspect in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University.

Investigators had released images and video of the suspected shooter, who fired from a rooftop as Kirk spoke about social issues, killing him in front of a crowd.

Officials said they received over 7,000 tips but have not named the suspect or identified a motive.

The attack sparked panic on campus and drew bipartisan condemnation amid rising political violence.

Trump announced he will award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom and plans to attend his funeral.

 

UAE Summons Israeli Envoy Over Strike on Hamas Leaders in Qatar

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) summoned Israel’s deputy envoy on Friday to condemn Israel’s recent strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar.

Emirati Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem bint Ebrahim al-Hashimy called the attack a “blatant and cowardly” act that threatens regional and global security, warning it escalates tensions and undermines stability.

The rare diplomatic rebuke comes five years after the UAE normalized ties with Israel and precedes an emergency Arab and Islamic nations meeting in Qatar next week.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, is in Washington to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after telling the United Nations Security Council that Israel is trying to “rearrange the region by force.”

 

Israeli Soldiers and Mothers Push Back Against Gaza Call-Ups Amid War Fatigue

As Israel calls up 60,000 reservists for its Gaza City offensive, small but growing groups of soldiers and mothers are publicly refusing to serve, citing exhaustion, dwindling morale, and fears the war endangers hostages for political aims.

Groups like Soldiers for Hostages and Parents of Combat Soldiers Shout Enough (SOS) say the conflict has lost purpose and claim Netanyahu is prolonging it to avoid a deal with Hamas.

Some mothers are urging their sons to refuse duty despite the risk of imprisonment, while protests have spread as public frustration mounts over heavy casualties and the government’s failure to draft ultra-Orthodox men.

Over 450 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the 2023 military operations, and polls show most Israelis now support a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, though Netanyahu has rejected it.

Analysts warn deepening divisions could erode Israel’s military readiness, even as military service remains a core national duty.

 

France Sends Jets to Poland, UK Imposes New Sanctions After Russian Drone Incursion

France will deploy three Rafale fighter jets to Poland and Britain has announced new sanctions on Russia in response to this week’s Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the jets will patrol alongside NATO aircraft to bolster Poland’s air defenses, while Britain sanctioned 70 vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and 30 individuals and companies accused of supplying weapons components.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski visited Kyiv to show support for Ukraine, with Poland also planning anti-drone defense training with Ukrainian forces.

The drone strike on Polish soil has heightened fears of a wider conflict and pushed NATO allies to reinforce their eastern defenses as Russia launched joint military drills with Belarus and downed over 200 Ukrainian drones in one day.

 

Drone Incursion Tests NATO as Europe Braces to Defend Itself Without US

Russia’s drone flights over Poland this week have escalated tensions and forced NATO to bolster defenses along its eastern flank, with France, the Netherlands, and the UK sending more air defense assets. The incident highlighted concerns that Europe may need to defend itself without direct US military support, as the Trump administration pressures allies to take greater responsibility.

European leaders condemned the drone incursions, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged stronger US backing.

Analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is testing NATO’s resolve and trying to divert air defense resources from Ukraine to Poland.

NATO is reinforcing its eastern borders, but experts warn Europe may struggle to defend both itself and Ukraine without deeper integration of their air defense systems.

 

Russia and Belarus Begin ‘Zapad 2025’ Military Drills Amid Regional Tensions

Russia and Belarus launched their joint “Zapad 2025” military exercises on Friday, involving thousands of troops and running through Tuesday in both countries and parts of the Baltic and Barents seas.

The drills aim to demonstrate their defense cooperation and Russia’s military strength as it continues its war in Ukraine. The maneuvers follow Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace earlier this week, which European leaders called a provocation, heightening fears of a wider conflict.

Belarus said about 7,000 troops will now participate, mainly near Barysaw, with some operating close to the Polish and Lithuanian borders.

The exercises will include planning the use of Russian nuclear weapons and the new nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles that Moscow plans to deploy to Belarus in late 2025.

Belarus has invited OSCE members and NATO military attaches to observe the drills, while President Alexander Lukashenko has recently signaled interest in easing tensions with the West, releasing political prisoners and engaging in US-brokered talks.

 

Taiwan Plans Record $33 Billion Special Defense Budget to Counter China

Taiwan’s defense ministry is preparing a special budget of up to $33 billion over seven years to boost its defenses against a potential Chinese attack, according to senior lawmaker Wang Ting-yu.

The plan would fund integrated air defense systems, advanced drone and missile detection technology, and expanded domestic ammunition production. Taiwan aims to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2030, amid growing pressure from the US, its main arms supplier, to strengthen its military.

The proposal comes as Taiwan negotiates with Washington over arms sales and seeks relief from US tariffs.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party hopes the opposition-controlled parliament will approve the plan, while opposition lawmakers have signaled cautious consideration, citing resource constraints despite acknowledging the threat from China.

 

General Kim Sung-min Becomes New Deputy Commander of US-South Korea Combined Forces

General Kim Sung-min assumed his post Thursday as deputy commander of the US-South Korea (USFK) Combined Forces Command, which oversees 600,000 active duty troops defending Seoul.

The ceremony took place at Camp Humphreys, the largest US overseas base and headquarters for US Forces Korea.

Appointed by President Lee Jae Myung, Kim succeeds General Kang Shin Chul and brings experience from roles including commander of South Korea’s 5th Corps and director of the wartime operational control transition group.

Kim pledged to strengthen the alliance, while USFK commander General Xavier Brunson highlighted the command’s readiness to deter aggression and, if necessary, fight and win.

 

Sources: News Agencies





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