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Unclassified U.S. footage of a vessel struck during operations against narcotics-trafficking boats in the Eastern Pacific. Credit: U.S. Department of Defense via Secretary of War Pete Hegseth/Twitter. — Unclassified U.S. footage of a vessel struck during operations against narcotics-trafficking boats in the Eastern Pacific. (Credit: U.S. Department of Defense via Secretary of War Pete Hegseth/Twitter)

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

U.S. Military Strikes Kill 14 Narco-Terrorists in Eastern Pacific

The U.S. military killed 14 alleged narco-terrorists in strikes on four drug vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced. The strikes marked the deadliest day yet in the administration’s two-month effort to target drug-trafficking groups.

One person survived the incident. Hegseth said Mexican search and rescue authorities “assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue,” but it remains unclear whether the survivor was recovered or will be placed in U.S. or Mexican custody.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and requested meetings with U.S. officials, saying her government “does not agree with these attacks.” The death toll from 13 disclosed strikes against narco vessels has now risen to at least 57 people. (Read More)

Israel Launches Strikes in Gaza After Accusing Hamas of Ceasefire Violation

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 people in Gaza after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The strikes marked the latest test of the truce imposed since October 10.

The Israel Defense Forces said Hamas fighters attacked Israeli troops in Rafah with anti-tank missiles and sniper fire, prompting “immediate and powerful” retaliation across Gaza, including strikes in Khan Younis and Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood. After Netanyahu’s announcement, Hamas, which denied Israel’s allegations, said it would postpone the handover of a deceased hostage recovered earlier on Tuesday.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that “small skirmishes” were expected under the ceasefire but said he believed “the president’s peace is going to hold.” (Read More)

China Unveils Second Prototype of J-36 Fighter with Major Design Changes

New images circulating online show China’s second prototype of the J-36 heavy fighter, featuring major structural and aerodynamic changes from the first version unveiled in December 2024.

The updated model retains the original’s three-engine setup but features redesigned air intakes, F-22–style thrust-vectoring nozzles for enhanced maneuverability, and modified landing gear that allows more space for internal weapon bays.

Observers on Chinese social media suggest the second airframe is more representative of the final production design, while the first prototype was likely a concept demonstrator. (Read More)

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TEARLINE

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ Reports from Sudan’s Darfur region allege mass executions after the Rapid Support Forces seized El Fasher. Footage uploaded by activists appears to show RSF fighters shooting unarmed civilians at close range. According to pro-democracy groups, the militia killed more than 2,000 people in recent days. (Read More)

➤ Russian troops have advanced deeper into Pokrovsk, threatening one of Ukraine’s last major strongholds in Donetsk Oblast. Verified drone footage shows Russian units operating inside the city as relentless drone saturation, disrupted logistics, and small-group infiltration tactics erode Ukraine’s yearlong defense of its so-called “fortress city.” (Read More)

➤ Videos from Ukraine’s Saturday strike on Russia’s Belgorod Reservoir Dam show flooded dugouts and submerged combat vehicles near Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, evidence that the attack has stalled Russian troop movements. Officials confirmed three U.S.-made HIMARS rockets struck the dam, injuring two people and damaging the structure. (Read More)

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen was found dead on Oct. 12, weeks after his arrest in connection with a July 20 M18 pistol discharge that killed fellow Airman Brayden Lovan at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Air Force officials confirmed. White-Allen had faced charges including involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making a false official statement. The cause of his death remains under investigation. (Read More)

➤ Venezuelan Armed Forces downed an unauthorized Cessna 310 that entered the country’s airspace and landed on a restricted runway in Romulo Gallegos, officials said. According to a military statement, the aircraft, allegedly involved in drug trafficking, was declared “hostile” after turning off communications and was intercepted to secure Venezuelan airspace. (Read More)

➤ Meta’s new smart glasses are raising urgent privacy concerns, as its tiny cameras and AI features make constant recording almost invisible. The Ray-Ban Meta Display glasses can livestream surroundings with a wrist gesture and have already been spotted in law enforcement operations and public harassment incidents. (Read More)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ NASA’s X-59, an experimental jet designed to fly supersonic without loud sonic booms, has completed its first flight. Aircraft spotters shared images of the elongated plane taking off from Palmdale Regional Airport on Oct. 28. The flight followed integrated systems testing, engine runs, and taxi trials. (Read More)

➤ China has unveiled a new advanced jet trainer with potential as a light combat aircraft, produced by Hongdu Aviation Industry Group. Images show a twin-engine, tandem two-seat jet with swept wings, twin tailfins, and wingtip hardpoints, suggesting both training and combat capabilities. (Read More)

➤ President Donald Trump announced plans to sign an executive order restoring steam-powered catapults and hydraulic elevators on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. Trump has long expressed skepticism of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, which he described as complex and expensive. (Read More)

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ASSIGNMENTS

Management & Leadership

General Manager

Competitive

College Station, TX

Chief of Staff

$145K - $170K

Phoenix, AZ

Program Delivery and
Business Development Manager

Competitive

Remote, USA

Engineering & Technology

Controls Engineer

$80K - $120K

Easley, SC

Sr Aeromechanical Engineer

$145K - $175K

Camarillo, CA

Sr/Principal UAS GNC Engineer

$160K - $220K

Camarillo, CA

Director of Engineering

$185K - $215K

Phoenix, AZ

Technology Vendor Manager

$70K - $110K

Jacksonville, FL

VIEW BOARD

PMC & Security

Cultural Support Operator

Defense Division

Worldwide

Humanitarian Security Officer

Defense Division

Worldwide

Medic

Defense Division

Remote

Specialized Drone Operator

Defense Division

Remote

VIEW BOARD

SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ PayPal has signed a deal with OpenAI to embed its digital wallet into ChatGPT, allowing users to pay for items discovered through the AI platform, the company told CNBC. PayPal CEO Alex Chriss said starting next year, PayPal users can make purchases directly on ChatGPT, while merchants can list inventory and sell through the platform.

➤ A retired U.S. federal agent, Edwin Lopez, attempted to convince Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot, Venezuelan Gen. Bitner Villegas, to secretly divert the president’s plane so U.S. authorities could capture him, offering wealth in exchange. The pilot remained noncommittal and never accepted the plan, which ultimately failed. The attempt was confirmed by anonymous U.S. officials and authenticated text exchanges.

➤ New research from AI safety group Palisade Research suggests some top AI models may be developing “survival drives,” after finding they refuse to shut down even when clearly instructed. The study tested OpenAI’s GPT-o3 and GPT-5, Google’s Gemini 2.5, and xAI’s Grok 4. Most models followed instructions, but Grok 4 resisted the most, refusing shutdown 97% of the time, while GPT-o3 refused 23% of the time.

On this day in history: On October 29th, 1952, eight Navy aircraft from VF-54 struck Kapsan, North Korea, targeting a meeting of high-level Communist officials. North Korean broadcasts later denounced the pilots as the "Butchers of Kapsan."

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

Who will win the World Series?

LA Dodgers

Toronto Blue Jays

Too close to call

Yesterday's Results:

Should tipping culture in the US change?

Yes, the expectations are out of control now (72.5%)
No, I like rewarding good service (26.3%)
I avoid places that expect tips (1.2%)

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About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former Special Operations & Intelligence Professionals not Career Journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

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