Updated policy for reporters limiting “unauthorized” revelations have sparked outrage from journalists’ groups
The Pentagon has issued a policy update for the media that contains a warning that reporters could be stripped of press credentials for making unauthorized disclosures. The update, first reported by The Washington Post and Politico, is outlined in a memo sent to media organizations on Friday evening.
Journalists will henceforth only be allowed access to the Pentagon premises if they sign agreements restricting their movement in the building and stipulating that they will not obtain and do not possess unapproved materials, according to the document cited by the news outlets.
“DoW remains committed to transparency to promote accountability and public trust,” the memo reads, using the abbreviation for the newly rebranded Department of War. “However, DoW information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified.”
The National Press Club condemned the policy, calling it “an unacceptable infringement on the independence of the press and a dangerous precedent for access to public institutions.”
Responding to the backlash, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a post on X: “The press does not run the Pentagon – the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility. Wear a badge and follow the rules or go home.”
The Pentagon recently took several steps to limit direct communication between military personnel and the press. The measures are part of a broader effort to crack down on information leaks.
In April, the Washington Post reported, citing unnamed sources, that Pentagon employees were subjected to FBI polygraph tests in an attempt to identify leakers. Furthermore, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal authorities may once again seek access to journalists’ phone records and require them to testify as part of investigations into unauthorized disclosures.
The comments come after North Korea claimed it completed a test of an engine intended for long-range ballistic missiles
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hinted that the country has developed “secret weapons” to bolster deterrence against the US and its allies.
In a speech carried by the state-run KCNA news agency on Monday, Kim said Pyongyang must “continuously stockpile even more formidable forces capable of repelling all military threats,” and accused Washington and its allies of destabilizing the region by staging “provocative actions that further escalate tensions” and disregarding North Korea’s security concerns.
To offset the perceived threat, North Korea has “acquired new secret weapons and has achieved a significant number of research achievements in defense science,” Kim said, without elaborating.
He added that Pyongyang also “successfully built a strategic axis for safeguarding maritime sovereignty by producing destroyers capable of performing various maritime military missions.”
His comments come after North Korea said earlier this month it completed the final ground test of a solid-fuel engine intended for the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon that could potentially reach the continental US.
Last week, Kim also oversaw tests of tactical attack drones known as Kumsong and an unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft. In March, he observed tests of AI-powered “suicide drones.”
In his speech, Kim also reiterated his criticism of the concept of “phased denuclearization,” stressing that “we will never give up our nuclear weapons,” while noting that North Korea’s nuclear status is a “national law.”
At the same time, he struck a peaceful tone, saying if the US abandons what he called a “vain obsession with denuclearization and acknowledges reality,” the two countries would have an opportunity to forge ties.
Opposition MPs hurled bottles and copies of the constitution after a speech by a bot recently added to the cabinet
A parliamentary session in Albania erupted into chaos last week after a speech by the world’s first AI-generated government minister triggered an angry backlash from opposition MPs.
The so-called state minister for artificial intelligence, named Diella, appeared on Thursday with a three-minute address delivered on two screens, nearly a week after Prime Minister Edi Rama announced it would join his cabinet.
Diella – the female form of the word for ‘sun’ in Albanian – has been integrated into the government’s digital services platform and tasked with overseeing public procurement. Rama has described the initiative as a symbol of his government’s drive for transparency and innovation, saying it would help shield tenders from corruption. A prototype of the avatar, displayed in traditional Albanian dress, was first unveiled in January.
“I am not here to replace people but to help them,” the avatar told MPs, stressing it had no citizenship, ambition, or personal interests and could embody values “as strictly as every human colleague, maybe even more.”
Opposition lawmakers rejected the move as unconstitutional, arguing the bot was not human, did not hold Albanian nationality and could even open the door to greater corruption. Defending itself, the avatar said the constitution spoke of “institutions at the people’s service,” not of “chromosomes, flesh or blood,” highlighting values of duty, accountability and transparency.
The session quickly descended into chaos. Lawmakers banged on desks and threw bottles and copies of the constitution, forcing an end to the session after just 24 minutes despite the presence of foreign diplomats.
Politico earlier reported that Rama aims to make Albania a fully cashless economy by 2030, saying he wants people to stop keeping money “under the mattress – next to their AK-47,” as a local joke goes.
Public procurement has long been at the center of graft scandals in the Balkan country, complicating its EU membership bid since it was granted candidate status in 2014.
As AI advances rapidly, researchers warn some systems are learning to rewrite their own code. Earlier this year, Geoffrey Hinton, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and AI pioneer, urged governments to cooperate to ensure the fast-developing technology does not harm humanity.
Larry Ellison and Michael Dell are also expected to join the board of the popular Chinese app
US media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan are likely to join a group of investors set to take over TikTok’s American operations, US President Donald Trump has said.
He also named Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell as part of the deal, which aims to prevent the popular Chinese video-sharing app from being banned in the US.
In an interview with Fox News’ ‘The Sunday Briefing’ aired on the weekend, Trump described the prospective investors as prominent people and “American patriots.”
“They’re very well-known people. Larry Ellison is one of them. He’s involved. This great guy, Michael Dell is involved. I hate to tell you this, but a man named Lachlan is involved. Do you know who Lachlan is? That’s a very unusual name, Lachlan Murdoch,” the president said. He added that Rupert Murdoch is “probably going to be in the group.”
The disclosure follows a framework deal reached last week between Washington and Beijing, intended to keep TikTok operational in the US. The app, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has been under a nationwide ban since January 19, 2025, after its parent company missed a divestiture deadline.
US Lawmakers argued that user data could be accessed by Beijing, potentially enabling surveillance or influence campaigns.
Trump postponed the ban several times while talks with China continued. The most recent deadline was September 17. Under the expected arrangement, TikTok’s US assets would be majority-owned by domestic investors and overseen by a board with national security credentials. ByteDance would reportedly retain less than 20% of the venture.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the deal would ensure that “TikTok will be majority-owned by Americans in the United States.”
A spokesperson for the White House did not clarify whether Lachlan Murdoch would take a board seat. NBC News said he would not be directly involved, though Fox Corp. could play a role. Earlier this month, Lachlan Murdoch formally assumed control of Fox Corp. and News Corp., while Rupert Murdoch remains central to the family’s media empire.
The US president has promised help in case of Russian aggression, though Moscow has denied that it poses a threat to NATO members
US President Donald Trump has pledged to defend Poland and the Baltic states in case of Russian aggression, though Moscow has denied that it poses a threat to NATO members.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump was asked by Italy’s Ansa news agency whether he would “help defend” Poland and the Baltic states “if Russia keeps escalating.” Trump replied: “Yeah, I would. I would.”
Trump’s remark follows unsubstantiated claims by Poland and Estonia that Russia violated their airspace earlier this month.
On Friday, Estonia – a Baltic NATO member – claimed that three Russian fighter jets violated its airspace in what it called an “unprecedented brazen”provocation. Tallinn requested urgent consultations under NATO’s Article 4, which allows members to seek talks if they believe their security or territorial integrity is threatened.
On September 9, Poland claimed that Russia sent at least 19 drones into its airspace. EU officials, including top diplomat Kaja Kallas, called the incident a “deliberate violation.” NATO responded by sending more aircraft to patrol Polish skies.
Moscow denied both accusations. Regarding Poland, Russian officials suggested that Kiev could have staged a false flag operation to drag NATO into a direct confrontation with Moscow. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the drone claims were fabricated to demonize Russia and derail the Ukraine peace process.
On Saturday, the Defense Ministry in Moscow denied the Estonian claims, saying the jets were on a routine flight from Karelia to Kaliningrad, passing over neutral Baltic Sea waters more than 3km from Estonia’s Vaindloo island “without violating Estonian airspace.”
Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, Western officials have repeatedly warned that Russia could target EU states. Earlier this year, Brussels launched a frenzied militarization campaign, while NATO members agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, both citing the alleged “Russian threat.” Poland and the Baltic states have been among the loudest voices, pointing to their proximity to Russia.
Moscow has denied that it poses a threat, accusing the West of stoking Russophobia to justify military buildups and distract from internal problems. Russia has called the Baltic nations “extremely Russophobic,” downgrading diplomatic ties with them in 2023.
Ignoring international law would lead to “the beginning of total chaos,” the French president has said
French President Emmanuel Macron has pushed back against the idea of seizing frozen Russian assets, warning that doing so could backfire on the West and undermine global stability.
In an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation aired on Sunday, Macron was asked about what the West was planning to do with the $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets which were frozen after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
“We are all very much attached to being compliant with international rules. You cannot seize these assets from the central bank, even in such a situation,” the French leader said, describing it as “a matter of credibility.”
“When some countries start to disrespect international laws… this is the beginning of a total chaos. So we will respect international law. We are predictable, and we will not do all impossible things with these frozen assets,” he added, recalling that Kiev’s Western backers are already using proceeds from the frozen assets to prop up Ukraine.
Throughout the conflict, Western policymakers have considered seizing Russian assets – most of which fall under EU jurisdiction – but have so far refrained due to the lack of a legal basis and fears it would damage global trust.
Last year, however, G7 nations supported a $50 billion loan to Ukraine secured by the income from Russian reserves. Western nations have also directly handed over to Kiev approximately $4.3 billion in proceeds from Russian assets. This month, the EU Commission floated a proposal to use Russian assets to back a reparation loan to Ukraine, which Kiev would be obligated to repay only if it receives “compensation” for damages from Moscow.
Russia has denounced both the freeze and the profit-transfer scheme as “theft,” warning that confiscation would damage the global financial system and trigger retaliation from Moscow.
Support for the new chancellor continues to plummet amid a cost-of-living crisis and concerns over migration, a new survey suggests
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s approval rating has fallen to a historic low, according to a new poll released on Sunday.
An INSA survey commissioned by the Bild newspaper found that 62% of respondents said they were unhappy with Merz’s performance, a three-point increase in a month, while 63% expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition of the center-right CDU and the Social Democrats. Only 26% of respondents approved of Merz’s performance, and just 23% backed his government.
A separate study by the insurance company R+V Versicherung, published last week, found that Germans are most concerned about the rising cost of living, the immigration and refugee crisis, as well as high taxes and potential welfare cuts, which Merz has insisted are necessary.
Merz, who took office in May, has also pledged to revive the stagnant economy, strengthen the military, help secure continued US support for Ukraine as well as significantly cut the German welfare state.
The right-wing, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has strongly criticized the government’s decision to allocate taxpayer money to Ukraine instead of addressing domestic needs. The AfD is currently the second-largest force in the Bundestag and is leading in national polls.
A ceremony honoring the slain conservative activist is being held in Arizona
US politicians and conservative figures paid tribute to slain activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk at a memorial service in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday. The speakers praised Kirk’s Christian convictions and his ability to connect with young people.
Kirk, who co-founded conservative action group Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, was killed by a sniper on September 10 as he was speaking to students at a college in Utah.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Kirk as a “warrior” who had the “Biblical heart of a soldier.” He urged the activist’s followers to “live worthy of Charlie Kirk’s sacrifice.”
WATCH | Pete Hegseth: "My charge to all of you: live worthy of Charlie Kirk's sacrifice, and put Christ at the center of your life as he advocated for giving his." pic.twitter.com/XyB7sL85GR
Journalist Tucker Carlson said Kirk believed faith was more important than politics. “The main thing about Charlie and his message is that he was bringing the Gospel to the country,” Carlson added. “He was doing the thing that the people in charge hate most, which is calling for them to repent.”
Tucker Carlson, speaking at the memorial for Charlie Kirk, blames the Jews for the death of Jesus and Charlie Kirk. This is very dangerous. And he laughed. pic.twitter.com/MS5c0ySCMK
Utah resident Tyler Robinson has been charged with Kirk’s murder. Speaking at the memorial service, Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, said she has forgiven her husband’s killer, stressing that his mission was to “save young men just like the one who took his life.”
“That young man, I forgive him,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love.”
WATCH: Erika Kirk on the suspected assassin who took Charlie Kirk’s life: “That young man, I forgive him.” pic.twitter.com/UkS6CieGIt
Kirk gained prominence by touring college campuses and debating students. His clashes with left-wing opponents often went viral on social media. He was widely credited with energizing young conservative voters and helping President Donald Trump secure a second term in office in 2024.
The US president paid tribute to the slain conservative activist at a memorial service in Arizona
US President Donald Trump has called slain conservative podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk one of the “giants of our generation,” honoring his influence and legacy in remarks following Kirk’s memorial service.
Kirk, who co-founded conservative action group Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, was killed by a sniper on September 10 as he was speaking to students at a college in Utah.
Speaking at the memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, Trump said the country has lost “one of the brightest lights of our times.”
Kirk was “heinously murdered by a radicalized, cold-blooded monster for speaking the truth that was in his heart… He was violently killed because he spoke for freedom and justice, for God, country, for reason, and for common sense,” the president said.
“He is a martyr for American freedom,” he added. “None of us will ever forget Charlie Kirk, and neither will history.”
Kirk gained prominence by touring college campuses and debating students. His clashes with left-wing opponents frequently went viral on social media. He met with Trump several times and was widely credited with energizing young conservative voters, playing a role in helping Trump secure a second term in office in 2024.
Utah resident Tyler Robinson has been charged with Kirk’s murder. According to the prosecution, Robinson held left-wing and pro-LGBTQ views and confessed to the crime in text messages to his transgender partner.
The Israeli prime minister says he has fought against a two-state solution despite “tremendous pressure”
A Palestinian state will never be established west of the Jordan River, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted.
Portugal followed the UK, Canada, and Australia to formally recognize Palestinian statehood on Sunday, joining a growing list of countries that have done so since the start of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
“I have a clear message to those leaders who recognize a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre on October 7 – you are handing a huge reward to terror,” Netanyahu said in a video statement on X on Sunday.
“It will not happen. A Palestinian state will not be established west of the Jordan,” he said, adding that he has prevented this for years despite “tremendous pressure” at home and abroad.
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 people hostage.
Israel responded with a blockade and an extensive military operation against the Palestinian enclave, killing more than 65,000 Gazans, according to the local Hamas-run health authorities.
The military operation has led to growing international pressure. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez canceled nearly €1 billion ($1.18 billion) in military contracts with Israeli companies on Tuesday.
Last week, Netanyahu said Israel needs to start building a more self-sufficient economy.
“We may find ourselves in a situation where our defense industries are blocked,” he said in a speech on Sunday. “We have no choice. At least in the coming years, we will have to deal with these attempts at isolation.”
