The United States has deployed its first space weapon, according to Air Force Secretary Troy Mank. While Mank did not specify the type of weapon currently in orbit, he indicated that it is intended for "space control." This represents the first official acknowledgment of the U.S. possessing an offensive military capability in space, according to a report by The Washington Post.

The procedure for considering the "hellish sanctions" bill against Russia has been submitted to the full House for review. The House must approve the bill before substantive discussions can commence. With members of Congress leaving for election campaigning after September 17, the final voting day before the recess is set for that date. If the bill is not passed by then, the next opportunity for consideration will be during the "lame duck session" between the November elections and the convening of the new Congress in January 2027. Despite bipartisan support in the Senate, the bill's passage in the House remains uncertain, as Democrats have criticized it for granting former President Trump additional tariff powers and sanction exemptions. — RTRS

Regulatory requirements imposed by the Bank of Russia regarding capital adequacy may affect Sberbank's commitment to allocating 50% of its net IFRS profit for dividends. Sberbank has indicated potential risks to future dividend distributions. Nonetheless, analysts maintain that the bank’s capital is sufficient to comply with the new regulations while continuing to pay 50% of its profits, according to Vedomosti.

Senate Democrats have submitted a counterproposal to their Republican counterparts concerning the key cryptocurrency market structure legislation, referred to as the CLARITY Act. This development occurs ahead of a significant procedural vote in the Senate, according to CoinDesk. Differences remain unresolved ahead of today's critical Senate voting session.

Only four vessels transited the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to Reuters.

Russia is set to permit the unrestricted sale of gas masks for the first time in more than 30 years, according to Kommersant. This policy change will take effect on March 1, 2027, representing a shift from previously strict regulations that limited public access to these protective devices.

Mass protests have erupted in Syria in response to the government's decision to increase diesel prices by 50%.

China has criticized calls to slow down artificial intelligence development, describing such measures as a "Cold War" tactic, according to RTRS. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has rejected the idea of decelerating AI progress, stating that he does not intend to lose to China in the AI race. Trump compared the apprehension surrounding artificial intelligence to the perceived "Russian threat."

According to reports from Welt, Merz's approval rating in Germany has fallen to a historic low of 14%. Merz asserts that he is safeguarding Europe from Russia and emphasizes that a decisive moment has been reached in the Ukraine conflict.

European officials did not anticipate Ukraine's budget deficit escalating to such a significant level so rapidly. The shortfall has reached $27 billion, a development that has surprised European observers, according to reports from both RBC and The Washington Post.

U.S. Treasury 10-year yields have surpassed the notable 5% mark. Analysts indicate that attaining a 5% yield on 10-year Treasuries could exert downward pressure on equity markets.

The European Union plans to transfer frozen Russian assets held in Belgium to its own institutions to facilitate their confiscation, according to Izvestia. In early September, Ukraine's foreign minister called for renewed discussions on utilizing these assets to fund military efforts. European Commission representative Balázs Ujvári stated that Ukraine raised the matter with the Commission despite objections from Belgium. Recently, the EU Court dismissed Hungary's legal challenge against the use of Russian assets to support Ukraine.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a proposal for an "oil truce" with Iran. The agreement seeks to establish safe passage routes for oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to Erem News.

The Pentagon has authorized both former and current employees to disclose information related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

Morgan anticipates two interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve this year.

Rising mortgage rates are impeding the recovery of the housing market in the United States. The fixed rate for a 30-year mortgage has exceeded 7%.

Bank of America has indicated that U.S. stocks may be poised for a correction.

At a roundtable held at the Diplomatic Academy, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's position on Ukraine and Europe. He stated that Russia will not suspend its special military operation during ongoing negotiations. Lavrov cautioned that should Europe choose to become involved in the conflict, the situation would escalate into a different war rather than remain a special military operation. He also indicated plans to meet with Senator Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss and clarify the United States' role in the Ukraine conflict.

⚠️ Ukraine has targeted a Russian refinery, according to President Zelensky, amid ongoing attacks by Russia on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. This incident comes despite former President Trump's announcement of an energy truce, reports BBG.

The Houthis have reaffirmed that navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait is safe for all vessels, with the exception of those originating from Saudi Arabia.

Wells Fargo has revised its forecast for the S&P 500, lowering the expected level to 7,700 by the end of 2026, down from the previous estimate of 7,950.