Germany’s Chancellor Merz: We are all deeply shocked. We did not expect it in this form. Since yesterday, something has changed not only in Saxony-Anhalt, but in all of Germany.

Sweden will buy around 10 Lockheed Martin HIMARS rocket artillery systems in a deal worth about $729 million. Deliveries are expected starting in 2027, with ammunition to be produced in Sweden by Saab in cooperation with Lockheed Martin.

Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, filmed a video from central Sviatohirsk after Vladimir Putin claimed Russian forces had captured the city.

Breaking: Russian Foreign Ministry: Russia is withdrawing its consent for the operation of the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, which must cease operations no later than September 18.

Unelected, private citizen Jared Kushner on Putin: Putin has different aspirations that he has for his country that can also be achieved once this is concluded.

President Zelenskyy: Our Ukrainian anti-ballistic system will be ready in the near future. The American side will increase next year the production volumes of anti-ballistic Patriot missiles. And we expect that, in any case, God willing, the war will end, but we will still need them.

Unelected, private citizen Jared Kushner on Gaza: Gaza has not worked for a very, very long time. It was basically built by NGOs and terrorists. And it’s been a dystopian place for a long time.

Unelected, private citizen Jared Kushner on Ukraine Negotiations: Trump comes from the business world, which in the business world you think about things in the context of win-win. You know, how do you create opportunities for both sides to do what's in their interest?

Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov on Germany: But I remember that before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the Germans also closed their diplomatic missions.

Türkiye’s 2027–2029 Medium-Term Program plans a 229% increase in defense spending, the largest among all strategic investment categories. The figure is a cumulative three-year target, not a single-year jump.

Earlier Today: An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767 cargo jet overran the runway at Miami International Airport and caught fire. Heavy black smoke was visible from across the city. The FAA had to issue a ground stop.

Serbia Belgrade's Eternal Derby between Red Star and Partizan opened with an official minute of silence for Ratko Mladić — convicted of genocide at Srebrenica. Ultras from both rival clubs chanted his name together.

Polish PM Donald Tusk: In Poland, only idiots or traitors can rejoice at the triumph of the AfD in Germany.

German AfD Leader Alice Weidel: We want good relations with our neighbors, with the United States, and also with Russia, because politics only works through finding a balance.

German AfD Leader Alice Weidel on Russia-Ukraine: The Alternative for Germany has a very clear position: we are always open to diplomatic channels.

German AfD Leader Alice Weidel: This is a historic result. It clearly gives us a mandate to govern. We will also govern at the federal level. I expect early federal elections, and I expect the current chancellor to be replaced before Christmas.

Germany, 92.3% of electoral districts counted: Saxony-Anhalt regional parliament election AfD (ESN): 45.0% (+24.2) CDU (EPP): 16.7% (-20.4) SPD (S&D): 9.0% (+0.6) GRÜNE (Greens/EFA): 8.8% (+2.9) LINKE (LEFT): 8.4% (-2.6) ... +/- vs. Last election result ➤ europeelects.eu/germany

The first round of talks between Witkoff, Kushner and Zelensky has concluded. The US delegation is now moving on to the second part of the consultations — this time with European partners joining the discussion.

Ukrainian long-range drones struck Russia’s third-largest oil refinery this morning. The refinery in Ryazan has a capacity of 17 million tons per year.

Steve Witkoff to President Zelenskyy: We're having a great time here, and the hospitality is unsurpassed. The President wanted Jared and I to come here. We had a great trip, took the train, and as you said, it was a delightful trip.

New: Trump’s hair color seems to have gotten a bit darker.

Reflecting Pool Update: After storms hit DC, the fences and black tarp meant to shield the reflecting pool from view have toppled over into the water

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has now been cleaned in Thailand after its record deployment at sea for over a year.

Q: Are you a socialist? Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI Senate Candidate): I'm not. I'm a capitalist who just understands capitalism. The term capitalism — it was coined by a guy named Adam Smith. And Adam Smith said, "There is no market without rules."

Q: JD Vance told you to keep his wife's name out of your mouth. Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI Senate Candidate): Do you remember who brought wives into the whole thing? That was Donald Trump.

France’s 2027 presidential race is already turning into a major battle over Ukraine, with Marine Le Pen signaling that she wants to end French military and financial support for Kyiv if she comes to power.

Occupied Donetsk finally got some water.💧🤢

Putin to Kushner and Witkoff: The quality of the mediation and the trust placed in those carrying it out are, of course, very important. I want to tell you that we are comfortable working with you, and that the level of trust on our side throughout this process is quite high.

Steve Witkoff to Putin: President Putin, thank you so much for having us. We were sitting outside just now, me, Jared, Kirill, Yuri, and we were talking about, when we retire, we will have all these incredible stories and memories, and yours will be right at the top of it all.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: By 2030, a very important plan to strengthen our defense will be completed, with Rafales, Belharra frigates and F-35 fighter jets, with the Achilles Shield protecting our skies from every threat.