After being questioned, Milstein said the message had been sent to the broader guest list by mistake and told invitees: “Please know we cannot accept gifts of any kind.”

The episode raised counterintelligence concerns. One intelligence official called Milstein “a giant walking counterintelligence red flag” and said the solicitation was “absolutely jaw dropping.”

Milstein has not been accused of a crime or of improperly accessing intelligence.

Source: POLITICO

Our targets will no longer necessarily be the previous targets; we actually have new targets that have not yet been attacked, and in the event of an aggression, we will indeed strike these new targets.

According to Stern, tensions had already erupted earlier at CDU headquarters, with several premiers strongly opposing Merz’s push for tougher reforms and warning that public resistance could not be ignored.

The CDU leadership meets again today, followed by the federal executive board and the parliamentary group tomorrow.

Source: Stern

Trump and Xi Jinping both have great respect for each other.

In Xi Jinping’s eyes, Donald Trump is a different kind of leader than he has seen in the past.

The networks will stop covering events designated as presidential pool coverage, including Trump’s trip to New York, limiting live coverage of several events.

The decision reportedly surprised some advisers. Trump later said there was “no reason” beyond not wanting the outlets there and suggested access could return if they “straighten themselves out.”

Source: CNN

On September 23, all Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world.

How do we do that? If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system.

More than 25,000 people have been sent to at least 28 third countries, a small fraction of the 985,000 deportations in Trump’s second term.

The administration says the policy helps remove migrants who cannot be sent home while also deterring others with the prospect of being sent to an unknown third country.

Source: WaPo

Le Pen called Russia's takeover of Auchan assets "hostile actions."

Thousands of sanctions against Russians in France, plus rockets for Kiev's degenerates — was that friendly?

Apparently Le Pen's party is now a regular European party: Russophobia and support for Nazis in Kiev.

Ukraine’s energy sector, critical infrastructure, and our food exports must stop being targets for Russia, and this will lead to matching de-escalation steps on our part.

Solutions are possible. We are ready to work on this, and we will discuss it with our partners on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. I thank everyone who is helping!

It will no longer be the case that only the country under attack suffers. The nature of war is now such that the aggressor will suffer as well. Technology makes this possible.

The move came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to take action as the Houthis advanced toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key Red Sea chokepoint.

Trump initially rejected the request, agreeing only to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting support. U.S. officials said Washington would avoid military action unless the Houthis disrupted non-Saudi shipping.

After Saudi forces struggled to push back Houthi advances, Riyadh again requested U.S. strikes.

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper prepared airstrike options that were presented to Defense Secretary Hegseth, but Trump ultimately decided against launching them.

Source: Axios

The request comes after Congress gave Trump new powers to impose tariffs on buyers of Russian petroleum products.

Prime Minister Magyar’s government has pledged to reduce reliance on Russian energy and diversify imports, but Hungary remains heavily dependent on Moscow.

“We’ve asked for support during this transitional period for an exemption from American penalties targeting Russian energy purchases,” said Marton Hajdu, chairman of parliament’s foreign policy committee, after meetings with U.S. lawmakers.

Source: Bloomberg

China is pushing for a longer extension of the agreement, which expires on Nov. 30, while the U.S. has proposed a six-month extension.

Source: NYT

Southern/government sources blame a Houthi ballistic missile fired after a failed advance on the nearby Kahbub front.

Some accounts blame a Saudi airstrike instead.

Initial reports say no casualties.

No independent confirmation of weapon type or perpetrator yet.

The area has seen repeated fighting this month given its strategic position near the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Georgescu rose to prominence after unexpectedly winning the first round of the 2024 presidential election with 23% of the vote, but the Constitutional Court later annulled the election and barred him from running again over alleged links to a Russian influence operation.

Prosecutors accuse him and others of defrauding a businessman by promising access to foreign financing in exchange for cash guarantees. The victim allegedly lost more than €1.1 million.

Georgescu is already facing separate cases over alleged attempts to undermine Romania’s constitutional order and promoting fascist ideology.

He denies wrongdoing and says the cases are politically motivated.