Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners holds the largest stake in Israel’s Phoenix Financial while he is also negotiating in Gaza, raising potential conflict-of-interest concerns.

Phoenix has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Israeli defense companies, while Affinity has made major gains from its Phoenix stake.

Kushner’s attorney said he had no role in Phoenix’s investment decisions, while critics argue his simultaneous business and diplomatic roles warrant greater scrutiny.

Source: CNN

UK Seeks German Partnership in Next-Gen Fighter Jet Program

Exploratory talks on GCAP offer Berlin a route to a new fighter after its joint aircraft project with France fell apart, but German officials question its fit with military needs.

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U.S. official to Al Jazeera:

The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier has departed its San Diego base with its carrier strike group, heading to the Middle East.

By the end of November, three aircraft carriers and two amphibious groups will be deployed around Iran.

The U.S. State Department waived human rights conditions on $320 million in military aid to Egypt, citing Cairo’s “helpful role” since the U.S.-Israel war with Iran began.

Egypt receives about $1.3 billion a year in U.S. military aid.

Some funds are normally tied to human rights and democracy requirements, but Marco Rubio said the waiver was necessary for U.S. national security, counterterrorism and border security.

Source: Reuters

Ethiopia has closed its embassy in Eritrea and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave within 48 hours.

The U.S. pressure campaign against Iran has left dozens of Iranian or Iran-linked tankers stranded in Asian waters, unable to return home or access ports and suppliers because of sanctions risks.

Around 20 empty tankers are drifting near Sri Lanka alone, with crews reportedly running short of food, fuel and fresh water.

The U.S. has urged Sri Lanka and other countries to deny services to sanctioned vessels.

Source: WSJ

EU's von der Leyen:

I believe in a European future for Kosovo, very clearly, because I know how deeply European the people of Kosovo feel, and this is a strong foundation on which we must build.

And our task is to turn this aspiration into concrete progress towards being a member of the European Union.

EU's von der Leyen:

The difference between Canada and Kosovo, for example, is the following: our treaties say it must be a European country that is applying for membership in the European Union. Canada geographically is not Europe, so Canada cannot apply for membership in the European Union.

For Kosovo, it’s different. As a European country, you can be a member of the European Union, and that’s exactly the goal that we are following.

Putin:

We have to think on how to maintain global peace and security.

Right now, many previous rules have been cast aside, and the new rules are not yet emerging.

Putin:

Whatever the scenario that will happen in the future, unfortunately, it’s very likely that international conflicts will continue.

Renee Good’s family has filed two federal civil lawsuits over her January 7 killing by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis.

One suit seeks damages from the U.S. government under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The other alleges a conspiracy to interfere with civil rights and names Ross, Stephen Miller, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Tom Homan and other Trump administration officials.

China Unlikely to Invade Taiwan Before 2028: US Officials

Military readiness setbacks and Beijing’s interest in Taiwan’s 2028 election underpin the U.S. assessment. Officials warn the risk of force could rise if President Lai Ching-te wins another term.

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Putin:

As the shift from Western hegemony is happening, the global situation will change for the better.

Putin:

All taboos, thinkable and unthinkable, are being violated. I will not be naming what’s happening.

Putin on Ukraine:

What’s the truth? The truth is that it’s not us who started the war, but the war was started against us.

They shouldn’t have encouraged aggressive nationalism and Russophobia in Ukraine in order to turn it into a tool in fighting against Russia.

Putin:

NATO should not have started military exploration on our historic territories in the interest of NATO.

Putin on Ukraine:

They should not have used tanks, fired missiles, and burned alive unarmed people just because they’re Russian.

Putin on Ukraine:

Russia has been deliberately put into this situation where it was simply forced to respond to the aggression.

Putin:

Killing of Russians and destruction of Russia should not be turned into a state ideology.

Zelensky:

Ukrainian tactical ballistics. FP-7. First combat use. Thank you for the result.

Next — production. Glory to Ukraine!