Forces belonging to Blackwater founder and Trump ally Erik Prince suffered a major defeat in eastern Congo on September 17, when an ambush left around 20 people dead or wounded.

At least seven Congolese and a former New Zealand special forces soldier were killed.

Former UFC fighter and U.S. Green Beret Tim Kennedy was shot three times in the leg and is being treated at Walter Reed military hospital near Washington.

Three sources said the sophistication of the attack suggested involvement by Rwandan forces backing M23 rebels. One source said the attackers may have tracked a surveillance drone to the team's location.

Source: Reuters

Zelensky criticized Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports following a call with Putin, calling it “not fair and not honest.”

Zelensky described the move as a “happy birthday present for Putin,” saying it looked “absolutely terrible.”

Source: Axios

Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports shocked Ukraine and European governments, triggering a new crisis between the U.S. and its Western allies.

Source: Axios

Russia’s UN Envoy Nebenzya:

Russia had warned that escalation would have serious consequences for Kyiv.

Russia’s UN Envoy Nebenzya:

Ukraine’s ineffective air defense system leads to tragedies for which Kyiv blames Russia.

A senior Ukrainian official says Kyiv will continue its long-range drone strikes on Russian energy facilities: “We will burn their refineries.”

Source: FT

Trump shows up with Mike Tyson:

I won’t be fighting him today. We’ve been friends for a long time. There’s nobody like him.

A Middle Eastern reporter asks Trump a question, but Trump doesn’t seem to understand it and doesn’t answer.

Trump on Nidal Hasan:

He’s totally nuts. I really don’t care how he goes, as long as he goes. I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him.

Trump on Russia:

The oil deal with Russia is a big deal. That’s massive amounts of oil coming into our country.

I want to thank President Putin, to be honest with you.

Q: Zelensky said you were weak because of your oil deal with Russia.

Trump: Who said that?

Q: Zelensky.

Trump: Okay.

Q: What is your position on the Houthi attack on Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia?

Trump: Not good. It’s not a good thing. I’m not happy about it.

Q: Zelensky said the oil deal with Russia is a weak move that will only prolong the war.

Trump: We’re a strong partner. We need oil for the world. So we’re very happy to get the diesel.

Q: Did you personally authorize or approve the livestreamed execution of Nidal Hasan?

Trump: Did I approve? Absolutely, I did.

Q: Do you want the execution of the Fort Hood shooter to be livestreamed, and are you worried the video would be used as propaganda?

Trump: We’re making a determination about that, but he will be killed by firing squad.

Q: What’s your opinion on the reports about your ambassador to Greece?

Trump: I just heard about it. It’s too bad. I mean, I don’t know. She’s an ambassador. I just heard a little bit about it. I don’t know too much, but she was always very nice.

The FBI plans to award the UFC an exclusive one-year contract to train agents in hand-to-hand combat, bypassing the usual competitive bidding process.

The bureau claims UFC is the only qualified provider capable of meeting its training requirements.

Source: MS NOW

Kremlin:

Putin told Trump that, following Ukrainian Armed Forces attacks on election day, Moscow would have to reconsider when negotiations could resume.

Kremlin:

During the phone call, neither Putin nor Trump wanted to hang up first.

Kalshi is investigating suspicious bets that correctly predicted Trump’s appointment of Katie Zacharia as White House press secretary.

Three bets totaling just $173 were placed shortly before the announcement and are expected to pay out about $9,600.

Zacharia was not considered a front-runner, with prediction markets giving her roughly a 1% chance of securing the position.

Source: WSJ