🎧 She Took Her Triplets Back to China. She Returned With 2.

Welcome back to the Morning Brief——brought to you by one of America’s largest independent newspapers—The Epoch Times. 

It’s Friday October 30th, and I’m Keegan Billings.

Let’s jump right in.

Good morning! It’s Friday. Here are today’s top stories.

• A Uyghur mother recounts the nightmare that began at a Chinese airport. That cost her one of her babies and stole years of her youth. Meanwhile, the State Department warns Americans about the risks of traveling to China.

• The Secret Service ordered missile systems and counter-drone technology to be positioned in and around President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate

• The U.S. economy recorded its best quarter in a year as consumer spending and business investment lifted growth above expectations.

• British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for his roles in the “Star Trek” franchise and  “X-Men” films, has died at age 86.

• And on ThursdayOfficial preliminary results from Israel’s election still showed no clear winner, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing another round of difficult coalition negotiations

NOW, BACK TO OUR TOP STORY:

She Took Her Triplets Back to China. She Returned With 2.

Uyghur mother Mihrigul Tursun Meer-uh-gull Tur-soon needed help. She was two months into motherhood, juggling three breastfeeding infants.

Now, she was at a Chinese airport, the triplets in her arms.

Two strangers appeared, a man and a woman. They offered to hold her newborns.

Tursun was only too grateful. But as soon as she handed her babies to them, their faces changed.

Follow us, they instructed.

They were the Chinese police.

Thus began an ordeal that cost Tursun one of her babies and stole years of her youth.

She didn’t know whether she would get out alive. And the memories of what came after haunt her as she rebuilds her life in the United States. It’s why she can’t stay silent, she told The Epoch Times.

For Beijing’s political targets, going back to China carries a real risk.

The communist regime has a program called Operation Fox Hunt that’s dedicated to capturing political dissenters abroad. A network of unofficial Chinese police stations discovered in the United States and other countries also helped the regime track down overseas critics. Each human rights group has its share of horror stories, be it practitioners of Falun Gong, Christians in underground churches, democracy activists, or as with Tursun, Uyghurs.

The U.S. State Department in October warned Americans—especially those of Chinese heritage—of “serious risk of wrongful detention” when traveling to China. Even a private message critical of the regime sent from outside China could put them at risk.

In 2015, Tursun didn’t know that large-scale repression was shaping up in her home region of Xinjiang. She was 26 and just starting a family in Egypt, where she had studied and married.

When she gave birth to the triplets, her parents in China started calling her with a new level of intensity. They wanted to see the kids and care for them. She had to go back. 

Tursun thought returning was a good idea. After all, it wasn’t easy looking after three babies.

Never did she expect that she would be heading to a Chinese jail straight from the airport. (More)

The police first put her through three hours of interrogation.

There was no sympathy. After the grilling, the officers duct-taped her mouth, put a black hood over her face, handcuffed her from the back, and shoved her into a car.

The interrogation continued—for three days and nights

The next time she saw her babies was in a hospital. Her eldest son, Mohaned, was behind a glass window in an intensive care unit. All three had the marks of an operation on their necks.

The next day, the authorities handed her a piece of paper to sign. It was a death certificate for Mohaned.

The year her parents pressed her to return, the suppression in Xinjiang was escalating. The authorities had launched a “Strike Hard” campaign, setting the policy framework for mass detention in the name of combating religious extremism.

Tursun remembered sensing the urgency in her parents’ voices during calls from Egypt. They were persistent. Thinking back, she said, she believes they were under pressure.

Losing her son wasn’t the end of the torment.

The police arrested her twice afterward, first in April 2017 and then in 2018. She went back and forth between the detention center and the hospital.

In late 2017, officials sentenced Tursun to death. They gave her two options: death by drugs or death by bullets

Tursun was ready to die, but she wanted her children to be freed. They were Egyptian citizens and should have been allowed to go back to Egypt, she told the authorities.

All this time, Tursun had no communication with her husband. The authorities had her phone.

She didn’t know that her husband had applied numerous times to go to China, only to have his visa application rejected each time.

After many twists and turns, he made it to China through the help of the Egyptian Embassy. Seeing each other for the first time in three years. He took her and the children away from the country she had once turned to. He saved her life.

Her final ordeal was to sign a statement denying that the detention and torture ever happened and declaring her love for China, and she was required to read that twice in front of a camera.

Tursun’s two children had been taken from her during the days she was in Chinese custody. When they were finally reunited, she found the boy and girl, Moez and Elina, wearing red clothes emblazoned with the word “China.”

AND MORE ON POLITICS:

• The Secret Service ordered short-range surface-to-air missile systems and counter-drone technology to be positioned in and around President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida,

officials declined to provide details about the decision to increase security there, where he is expected to return for the Halloween weekend.

according to local media Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) Systems have been positioned on a floating barge near Trump’s Palm Beach estate and at the Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, used by Air Force One, 

A (NORAD) spokesperson said.

“These assets add a complementary layer of technology to enhance protection,” 

No details were released of a specific threat.

according to the Army.

The Avenger Air Defense System is a surface-to-air missile system used by the military as mobile defense protection against cruise missiles, drones, low-flying aircraft, and helicopters. 

• The Department of Justice has charged 18 aliens, including one illegal immigrant, in North Carolina for allegedly illegally voting in the 2024 election.

Twelve people were previously indicted for the same charge in the state’s Eastern District, bringing the statewide total to 30 this year.

The new indictments charge Selvin Porfidio Gonzalez Escobar, 43, an illegal alien from Guatemala living in Robeson County, with one count of falsely claiming citizenship to vote and one count of voting by an alien. He registered in 2020 and then voted in the 2020 and 2024 general elections, according to the DOJ.

Others indicted include lawful permanent residents from Bermuda, Colombia, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Those charged are accused of registering to vote from 2000 to 2024 and allegedly voting in multiple elections.

A false claim of U.S. citizenship to register or vote carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Voting by an alien carries a maximum of one year and a $100,000 fine.

• House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) has launched an investigation into allegations that Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign attempted to recruit a candidate with a similar name as Sen. Dan S. Sullivan (R-Alaska) to take votes away from the incumbent

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, also said he is investigating Peltola, citing a report from the New York Times that her campaign sought to “manipulate Alaska’s elections” by allegedly finding a candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, to enter the race.

Peltola’s campaign has denied the allegations in statements to media outlets.

Comer said he is seeking testimony from Democratic Party operatives, including Elisa Rios, the former manager of Peltola’s campaign, and Jerid Kurtz, a operative who was reported as allegedly being involved in recruiting individuals named Dan Sullivan to enter the race.

Dunleavy’s order and Comer’s announcement came as President Donald Trump called for the criminal prosecution of Peltola and her campaign and said the former House lawmaker should resign.

Peltola’s campaign didn’t respond to a request for comment on Thursday. But during a campaign stop in Soldotna, Peltola suggested the Times’ report was a “distraction” from issues such as Sen. Sullivan’s support of the war in Iran.

• War Secretary Pete Hegseth recently removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, a senior general responsible for military strategy planning, amid claims that he had leaked classified military information.

A Pentagon official, who confirmed Sylvia’s removal to us, said he is suspected of leaking information about the war with Iran, the Russia–Ukraine war, and other matters to members of the press.

the official said.

“Due to the Pentagon’s media policy requiring journalists to have escorts in the building, Sylvia began meeting with journalists outside of the Pentagon in order to leak classified information,” 

The Pentagon official said Sylvia failed three polygraphs in which he was questioned about leaking classified information.

the official said.

“The investigation into him remains ongoing and has been referred to the DOJ for further action,” 

According to the Pentagon official, the scope of the alleged leaking was of such critical concern that Hegseth sought more immediate action by removing Sylvia. The official did not identify the news stories and reporters that Sylvia is suspected of having supported through information leaks.

The Atlantic was the first to report Sylvia’s ouster.

At the time of his removal, Sylvia was the director of the Directorate for Strategy, Plans, and Policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, known as the J5.

• The U.S. economy recorded its best quarter in a year as consumer spending and business investment lifted growth above expectations.

according to Bureau of Economic Analysis data released on Oct. 29.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 3.4 percent in the third quarter, up from 2.2 percent in the previous three-month period, 

the bureau said. Consumer spending surged by 3.8 percent for the second consecutive quarter, 

Consumers have been a key theme for the U.S. economy. Despite their downbeat view of current economic conditions, consumers have been resilient since the COVID-19 pandemic.

But public- and private-sector data have diverged over the past month.

Retail sales jumped by 0.8 percent in September, but gasoline station receipts drove the better-than-expected rise. Stripping out gas and automotive dealerships, retail sales ticked up by just 0.2 percent.

However, Bank of America said credit and debit card spending per household—excluding gasoline—rose by 5.1 percent year over year. Additionally, looking ahead to the holiday-driven fourth quarter, the National Retail Federation forecasts record spending, topping $1 trillion for the first time.

Business investment was the top factor for the better-than-expected expansion, climbing by almost 13 percent from July to September.

With 21 percent growth in equipment and 8.4 percent in intellectual property products, artificial intelligence investments were a sizable contributor.

Capital expenditures have accelerated to their highest levels on record, according to Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh. Much of this is concentrated in the ongoing AI infrastructure buildout, with companies investing billions of dollars in everything from data centers to semiconductors.

The fourth quarter is expected to record similar growth, with the busy holiday season contributing to the expansion.

• The Federal Trade Commission is demanding information from some of the nation’s largest airlines, retailers, and gig-economy companies about whether and how they use consumer data to set personalized pricing.

The regulator said that it sent information requests to nine companies: Walmart, Target, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and JetBlue Airways.

The inquiry will examine whether prices for airline tickets, rides, food deliveries, and other goods or services vary from one person to another based on information such as loyalty-program participation, browsing habits, or other personal data.

The FTC is also asking ride-hailing and delivery companies whether similar information is used to determine which jobs workers are offered and how much they are paid.

 FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said.

“We intend to scrutinize the opaque methodology that some companies in these industries may be using to determine how much consumers pay or how much gig workers are paid for the same product or service,”

He said

“Consumers deserve to know whether companies use their web surfing habits or other personal data to estimate the highest price they can charge each consumer.”

• DoorDash is offering $17 billion to buy grocery delivery company Instacart, potentially bringing together two of the biggest names in U.S. food delivery as they look to strengthen their position against larger online retailers.

The $17 billion offer represents a 26 percent premium to Instacart’s closing share price on Oct. 22, the last trading day before media reports of a possible deal emerged.

The companies said the merger would allow them to offer local grocers and retailers a wider range of delivery, advertising, and artificial intelligence tools to compete with large online shopping platforms.

DoorDash mainly delivers restaurant meals, while Instacart focuses on grocery shopping. Together, they said they could help stores reach more customers while keeping sales with local businesses rather than large national platforms.

DoorDash Chief Executive Tony Xu said grocery delivery remains one of the hardest parts of online shopping because customers expect fresh food, accurate substitutions, and fast delivery.

Xu said. “Together, we could give stores of every size more of those tools and unlock the potential of grocery delivery,” 

The companies said customers will gain access to a much larger selection of stores.

DoorDash also plans to combine the benefits of its DashPass subscription with Instacart+.

Instead of paying for two separate memberships, customers would pay a single fee.

• The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to bar Chinese laboratories from testing electronics for U.S. regulatory approval, citing security concerns and difficulties overseeing foreign testing facilities.

The restrictions will take full effect on Dec. 1, 2028.

Before smartphones, wireless routers, computers, and other electronic devices can enter the U.S. market, they must be certified.

Manufacturers must demonstrate that covered devices meet FCC technical requirements, including limits designed to prevent harmful radio interference.

China dominates that testing process. According to figures presented at Thursday’s meeting, Chinese laboratories were associated with 82.3 percent of FCC equipment-authorization applications in 2025, up from about 13 percent in 2007.

• British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, best known for his roles in the “Star Trek” franchise and  “X-Men” films, has died at age 86.

Stewart died on Oct. 28 at his home in Los Angeles, according to his longtime spokesperson Kelly Bush Novak. He had been living with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.

With a career spanning more than six decades, millions came to know him as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” but his roots began in the theater.

Born in 1940, in Mirfield, Yorkshire, England, Stewart developed his craft through classical training and, in 1966, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he spent years performing the works of Shakespeare and other major playwrights.

His international breakthrough came in 1987, when he was cast as Picard, commander of the starship Enterprise. Stewart’s performance helped establish the television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” He went on to reprise the character in feature films and the series “Star Trek: Picard.”

wrote fellow Star Trek actor George Takei in a Facebook tribute said

“He inspired a whole next generation of star-gazers who looked longingly ahead to a brighter future for all humanity,”

In 2000, Stewart entered another cultural universe as Professor Charles Xavier in “X-Men.” His portrayal of the wise mentor to a community of mutants confronting prejudice and fear became a central part of the film franchise. Stewart was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 for his services to drama. He also used his public platform to support causes beyond entertainment. His advocacy against domestic violence was shaped in part by his childhood experiences.

–

A Delaware judge ruled that French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, can continue ​their defamation lawsuit against the companies of American conservative podcaster Candace Owens, but not ‌against Owens herself.

The Macrons sued Owens and two businesses associated with her in July 2025 over her podcast series alleging France’s first lady is a male. They allege Owens amplified these claims, which first emerged in France, “to promote ​her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money.”

Superior Court Judge Sheldon Rennie ⁠ruled on Tuesday that his court did not have jurisdiction over Owens, who lives in Tennessee, ​but that the case against Candace Owens LLC and Georgetom Inc. may proceed because those businesses ​were registered in Delaware.

The decision means that Owens, who has a following of more than 7.7 million on X and more than 6 million on YouTube, will not be held personally liable if a judge ultimately finds in favor of the Macrons.

Rejecting the claims against Owens as an individual, Rennie said the Macrons failed to establish that she formed her businesses specifically to ​defame the couple.

Rennie will ‌consider ⁠whether to dismiss the lawsuit entirely after lawyers for both sides brief him on whether France’s statute of limitations required the Macrons to sue within three months or one year of the alleged defamation.

In an X post following the ruling, Owens thanked the judge and called the case “one of ⁠the ​grossest, legal overreaches by a foreign government leader in ​human history—a sitting President’s attempt to personally bankrupt a single podcaster from outside the nation in which he governs.”

Owens released an eight-part series, titled Becoming Brigitte, in January 2025. Viewed tens of millions of times across YouTube and other platforms, the series examined the claim that Brigitte Macron was born Jean Michel Trogneux, which is the name of her brother, and that she and her brother are one and the same and that Jean-Michel Trogneux doesn’t exist as a separate person.

The lawsuit, however, states that Trogneux lives in northern France and attended both of Emmanuel Macron’s presidential inaugurations in 2017 and 2022.

It also accuses the podcaster of alleging that Macron and his wife are blood relatives—her series claimed they are uncle and nephew—and that the president was installed in office by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

NOW MOVING ONTO WORLD NEWS:

• Official preliminary results from Israel’s election showed no clear winner on Thursday, leaving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing another round of difficult coalition negotiations, after his Likud Party fell well short of a parliamentary majority.

Israelis voted on Oct. 27 to elect the country’s 26th parliament, known as the Knesset, with voter turnout reaching about 77.7 percent, the highest turnout rate in more than two decades.

To form a government, a party or coalition must secure the support of at least 61 members in the 120-seat Knesset.

Official preliminary results released on the morning of Oct. 29 showed that Netanyahu’s Likud Party remained the largest, with 20.56 percent of the vote, but well short of a parliamentary majority.

Israel elects lawmakers through a nationwide system of proportional representation, meaning that governments are often formed through coalitions rather than by a single party.

Addressing supporters after the vote, Netanyahu said Israel must form “a strong, national, right-wing government” and warned against any coalition relying on what he described as “anti-Zionist Arab parties.”

Netanyahu’s main rival, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, and his Straight Up alliance came second with 16.09 percent of the vote, ahead of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Together Party on 9.24 percent, fragmenting the anti-Netanyahu camp.

The combined support for the Arab parties Joint List and Ra’am stood at about 15 percent, giving them one of their strongest showings in years.

Joint List leader Yousef Jabareen said after the vote that his alliance was prepared to help replace Netanyahu’s government.

The preliminary results suggested that neither bloc was assured of the 61 seats needed to govern, pointing to potentially difficult coalition negotiations.

The preliminary results come in amid allegations of election fraud and suspected foreign interference.

Netanyahu alleged on Oct. 28 that Arab parties were involved in widespread election offenses.

In a statement, Netanyahu said Likud was submitting evidence to police, the Shin Bet domestic security agency, and the Central Elections Committee. He called for a full criminal investigation into what he described as election theft.

Chair of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Solberg, on Oct. 28 instructed Shin Bet chief David Zini to investigate

He asked the Shin Bet to use its powers to gather evidence either substantiating or disproving the allegations and requested any findings within a week because of the legal deadlines for filing election appeals.

• El Salvador has stated that it will send more than 2,000 troops to Haiti to rescue four missing soldiers, while Haiti’s electoral council has postponed presidential elections planned for December.

The four men, who were working as aviation technicians as part of a U.N.-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti, were ambushed on Oct. 18 by a gang in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, a suburb of the capital of Port-au-Prince. The gang set the soldiers’ armored vehicle on fire.

El Salvador—along with Jamaica, Guatemala, and Chad—was providing troops to the Gang Suppression Force after the U.N. approved it in October 2025.

On Oct. 28, the Salvadoran Foreign Ministry said Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele spoke by phone with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, whose office issued a statement that the two leaders “reaffirmed their engagement to reinforce bilateral coordination and operational cooperation in the framework of the Gang Suppression Force, notably to support rescue operations and respond to security challenges.”

And before we leave, here are some words of wisdom to start the day…Today’s quote is from Walt Disney,

He said

“Once a man has tasted freedom he will never be content to be a slave.” 

—Walt Disney

Thanks for listening to the Epoch Times Morning Brief. 

Just a final reminder, if you enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a 5 star review on your podcast platform or visit www.RateThisPodcast.com/morningbrief, link in show notes.  This was Keegan, I’ll see you tomorrow / on Monday.

This was Keegan, I’ll see you tomorrow / on Monday.