Month: May 2026

#News  #MiddleEast  #Russia
Tensions Rise in the Middle East and Russia … Global Shifts and Corruption Cracks – Articles and Tweets  thenewsandtimes.blogspot.com…
President Trump is pushing Iran for a quick peace deal …
China hands down heavy sentences for top military officials …
Zelensky silent on major corruption scandal.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#News  #Today  #Headlines
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News Today – 5.8.26
Global Security: Discussions in transatlantic circles today focus on strengthening partnerships amidst turbulent international relations.
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Major headlines for Friday, May 8, 2026, include significant moves in professional football, new federal safety proposals, and regional political updates.
Sports: Vikings Secure Jauan Jennings
The Minnesota Vikings have reached an agreement with former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings on a one-year deal worth up to $13 million. [1, 2]

Replacement Strategy: Jennings fills the gap left by Jalen Nailor, who recently signed a multi-year deal with the Raiders.
Depth Chart Impact: Jennings is expected to slot in behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, creating what analysts are calling an “unbelievable trio” of receivers for the team. [1, 3]

U.S. National News

USPS Handgun Proposal: A new proposal from the United States Postal Service would allow handguns to be sent through the mail for the first time since 1927.
Market Update: Shares of News Corp (NWSA) rose over 3% on Thursday, closing at $27.04 as investors responded to recent earnings data. [4, 5]

[Rich media excluded from paste]
Regional & Local Updates

Florida Politics: The morning briefing for May 8 highlights ongoing discussions regarding pancreatic cancer advocacy, political figures like Walker and Frankel, and local Florida policy updates.
Massachusetts Affordability: New reports indicate a growing consensus among residents that declining affordability is making middle-class status increasingly difficult to maintain in the state.
East End Weather & Tides: High tide at Shinnecock Inlet was recorded at 1:27 a.m., with the next expected at 2:07 p.m.. Local forecasts for other regions like Miami Valley and Elmira (WENY) show mostly cloudy conditions with temperatures in the upper 30s. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

International Briefs [12]

Eswatini Health: Health officials reported new COVID-19 statistics, including one new death in the Manzini Region and 8 new cases.
Global Security: Discussions in transatlantic circles today focus on strengthening partnerships amidst turbulent international relations. [12, 13]

Would you like more details on the Vikings’ new roster or a specific regional weather breakdown for the weekend?

[1]  youtube.com
[2]  youtube.com
[3]  instagram.com
[4]  news.google.com
[5]  google.com
[6]  eastendbeacon.com
[7]  floridapolitics.com
[8]  x.com
[9]  willaustin.substack.com
[10]  weny.com
[11]  youtube.com
[12]  facebook.com
[13]  youtube.com
–

As of May 2026, transatlantic security discussions are centered on adapting to a “new normal” marked by heightened geopolitical instability and shifting U.S. foreign policy. Key themes focus on redefining the partnership as one where Europe takes greater responsibility for its own defense while maintaining the NATO alliance as the primary framework for collective security. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Areas of Focus

Strategic Autonomy and Burden-Shifting: Following signals from Washington regarding potential troop reductions in Europe, European leaders are increasingly pushing for greater strategic autonomy and the ability to organize their own defense independently of U.S. leadership when necessary.
Defense Innovation and Tech: There is a rapid expansion of the transatlantic defense tech ecosystem, with a focus on dual-use innovation and cross-border partnerships to maintain a competitive advantage against revisionist powers like Russia and China.
Hybrid Threats and Resilience: Policy debates are prioritizing protection against hybrid attacks, such as subsea cable sabotage and power-grid disruptions, which are seen as significant risks to societal stability and political resolve.
Sustained Support for Ukraine: Continued coordination between NATO and the EU remains critical for providing long-term military and financial support to Ukraine, which is viewed as the front line of the European security order. [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]

Current Challenges

Erosion of Trust: Divergences in trade, climate, and digital policy have led to a significant erosion of trust, with only 16% of EU citizens surveyed in early 2026 considering the U.S. a reliable ally.
Regional Instability: The conflict in the Middle East and tensions in the South Caucasus—highlighted by Armenia’s shift toward Western defense cooperation—are creating new pressures on the transatlantic relationship. [10, 12, 13, 14]

Strategic leaders are currently preparing for the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, to operationalize commitments toward fortifying Euro-Atlantic security. [9, 15]

[1]  nato-pa.int
[2]  youtube.com
[3]  youtube.com
[4]  youtube.com
[5]  rusi.org
[6]  cebri.org
[7]  euronews.com
[8]  facebook.com
[9]  atlanticcouncil.org
[10]  iss.europa.eu
[11]  nato.int
[12]  tdcenter.org
[13]  csis.org
[14]  euractiv.com
[15]  atlanticcouncil.org

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#Putin  #news  #CIA
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Putin news today – 5.8.26
Diplomatic Channels: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is reportedly the only EU leader traveling to Moscow for the May 9 celebrations and is expected to deliver a message from Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Putin.

On May 8, 2026, Vladimir Putin is focused on securing Moscow for tomorrow’s Victory Day celebrations while managing shifting diplomatic pressures in both the Ukraine and Iran conflicts. [1, 2, 3]
Victory Day Preparations and Ceasefire [4]

Moscow Lockdown: Putin has ordered a major security operation in the capital ahead of the May 9 Victory Day parade due to fears of drone attacks and cyber disruption.
Holiday Ceasefire: Putin announced a short-term ceasefire in Ukraine to mark the holiday, though some reports indicate strikes have continued.
Scaled-Back Parade: Observers anticipate a shrunken military display similar to recent years, with a focus on war narratives rather than overwhelming hardware. [1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Geopolitics and Diplomacy [10]

EU Relations: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is reportedly the only EU leader traveling to Moscow for the parade, with plans to deliver a message from President Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that EU leaders are cautiously preparing for future negotiations.
Middle East Tension: Putin has condemned recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran, warning that the widening conflict is triggering a global energy crisis.
Peace Process: According to analysis from Eurasia Review, Putin missed a significant chance for a broader peace deal during a recent call with President Trump, opting for the limited Victory Day ceasefire instead. [2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]

Domestic Concerns

Internal Security: Putin has ordered the FSB to increase protection for Russia’s energy and transport infrastructure following Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries.
Propaganda Challenges: Emerging reports highlight that university students in Moscow are increasingly mocking the state’s “secret spy school” and propaganda efforts. [8, 13, 16, 17]

[1]  youtube.com
[2]  euromaidanpress.com
[3]  english.nepalnews.com
[4]  youtube.com
[5]  bbc.com
[6]  youtube.com
[7]  instagram.com
[8]  independent.co.uk
[9]  gazetaexpress.com
[10]  youtube.com
[11]  youtube.com
[12]  gazetaexpress.com
[13]  reuters.com
[14]  eurasiareview.com
[15]  aljazeera.com
[16]  euromaidanpress.com
[17]  ynetnews.com

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#Trump  #News  #Iran
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Trump News Today: He warned Iran to sign a long-term peace deal “fast”.

As of May 8, 2026, President Donald Trump remains focused on ongoing military tensions with Iran and domestic policy shifts. Below are the key updates from today and the past 24 hours: [1]
Foreign Policy & Iran Conflict [2]
Strait of Hormuz Clashes: President Trump confirmed that three U.S. Navy destroyers successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz after being targeted by Iranian forces. He described the U.S. “self-defense strikes” as a “love tap” and claimed Iran suffered “great damage” while U.S. vessels remained unharmed.
Ceasefire Status: Despite the exchange of fire, Trump stated that the month-long ceasefire with Iran is still in effect. He warned Iran to sign a long-term peace deal “fast” to avoid more violent U.S. retaliation.
“Project Freedom” Paused: The administration has paused Project Freedom, a mission intended to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Reports suggest the pause follows Saudi Arabia’s refusal to grant the U.S. access to its bases and airspace for the operation.
European Relations: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Rome meeting with officials, including Pope Leo XIV and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in an effort to ease strained U.S.-European relations. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Domestic Policy & Legal Updates

Passport Revocations: The State Department announced it will begin revoking U.S. passports for thousands of parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support.
Trade Court Ruling: The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled against Trump’s 10% global import tax, finding the across-the-board tariffs were not justified under existing trade laws.
National Park Changes: The Trump administration removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of fee-free admission days for National Parks in 2026, adding June 14 (Flag Day and Trump’s birthday) as a new free day.
Democratic Opposition: A federal appeals court expressed skepticism regarding the administration’s attempts to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for public remarks encouraging service members to refuse “unlawful orders”. [6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14]

Political Standing

Approval Ratings: Recent polls show Trump’s Republican approval remains steady at 81% to 85%, though the share of “strong” approval has dipped slightly to 45%.
Midterm Influence: Recent primary wins in Indiana have reinforced Trump’s continued “kingmaker” influence within the Republican party ahead of the 2026 midterms. [6, 14, 15]

[1]  aljazeera.com
[2]  vocal.media
[3]  youtube.com
[4]  cbsnews.com
[5]  cnn.com
[6]  theguardian.com
[7]  youtube.com
[8]  bbc.com
[9]  nytimes.com
[10]  youtube.com
[11]  reuters.com
[12]  washingtonpost.com
[13]  knoxnews.com
[14]  politico.com
[15]  app.com

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#Trump  #News  #Iran
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Trump News Today: He warned Iran to sign a long-term peace deal “fast”
As of May 8, 2026, President Donald Trump remains focused on ongoing military tensions with Iran and domestic policy shifts. Below are the key updates from today and the past 24 hours: [1]
Foreign Policy & Iran Conflict [2]
Strait of Hormuz Clashes: President Trump confirmed that three U.S. Navy destroyers successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz after being targeted by Iranian forces. He described the U.S. “self-defense strikes” as a “love tap” and claimed Iran suffered “great damage” while U.S. vessels remained unharmed.
Ceasefire Status: Despite the exchange of fire, Trump stated that the month-long ceasefire with Iran is still in effect. He warned Iran to sign a long-term peace deal “fast” to avoid more violent U.S. retaliation.
“Project Freedom” Paused: The administration has paused Project Freedom, a mission intended to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Reports suggest the pause follows Saudi Arabia’s refusal to grant the U.S. access to its bases and airspace for the operation.
European Relations: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Rome meeting with officials, including Pope Leo XIV and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in an effort to ease strained U.S.-European relations. [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Domestic Policy & Legal Updates

Passport Revocations: The State Department announced it will begin revoking U.S. passports for thousands of parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support.
Trade Court Ruling: The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled against Trump’s 10% global import tax, finding the across-the-board tariffs were not justified under existing trade laws.
National Park Changes: The Trump administration removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of fee-free admission days for National Parks in 2026, adding June 14 (Flag Day and Trump’s birthday) as a new free day.
Democratic Opposition: A federal appeals court expressed skepticism regarding the administration’s attempts to punish Democratic Senator Mark Kelly for public remarks encouraging service members to refuse “unlawful orders”. [6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14]

Political Standing

Approval Ratings: Recent polls show Trump’s Republican approval remains steady at 81% to 85%, though the share of “strong” approval has dipped slightly to 45%.
Midterm Influence: Recent primary wins in Indiana have reinforced Trump’s continued “kingmaker” influence within the Republican party ahead of the 2026 midterms. [6, 14, 15]

[1]  aljazeera.com
[2]  vocal.media
[3]  youtube.com
[4]  cbsnews.com
[5]  cnn.com
[6]  theguardian.com
[7]  youtube.com
[8]  bbc.com
[9]  nytimes.com
[10]  youtube.com
[11]  reuters.com
[12]  washingtonpost.com
[13]  knoxnews.com
[14]  politico.com
[15]  app.com

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#Mossad  #News  #CIA
Mossad News Today
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As of May 8, 2026, the following updates regarding the Mossad have emerged:
Legal & Personnel Developments
Mossad Director Appointment Dispute: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted a response to the High Court of Justice regarding a petition to block the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the agency’s next director.
Gofman Defense: Netanyahu is defending the pick against allegations of past misconduct, specifically related to an affair involving a minor in a 2022 intelligence operation. Gofman is currently scheduled to take office on June 2, 2026. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Intelligence & Regional Operations

Global Cooperation: Mossad sources reported to the Jerusalem Post that intelligence cooperation between Israel and the UK’s MI6 remains strong despite political tensions between the two governments over the ongoing regional conflict.
Iran Conflict: Mossad Director David Barnea recently revealed that a high-ranking operative, identified only as “M,” was killed in an overseas operation related to the war with Iran. Reports link this to a 2023 boat incident in Italy.
Shipping Crisis: Mossad-affiliated commentary highlighted a massive global shipping standoff in the Gulf, with approximately 1,500 ships trapped due to Iranian blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10]

Iranian Counter-intelligence

Executions & Arrests: Iranian state media reported the execution of Erfan Kiani on April 25, 2026, and another man on April 23, both accused of spying for the Mossad.
Network Busts: Iranian authorities claim to have arrested multiple individuals in Gilan province for allegedly transmitting sensitive military coordinates to Israeli intelligence. [1, 5, 11, 12, 13]

[1]  jpost.com
[2]  timesofisrael.com
[3]  timesofisrael.com
[4]  ynetnews.com
[5]  ynetnews.com
[6]  jpost.com
[7]  youtube.com
[8]  i24news.tv
[9]  jpost.com
[10]  x.com
[11]  youtube.com
[12]  youtube.com
[13]  youtube.com

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#CIA  #Iran  #Hormuz
CIA and Iran – Google Search  google.com/search?q=CIA+and+…
2026 Intelligence Assessments: Reports from May 2026 show that the CIA concluded Iran could withstand U.S. navy blockades of the Strait of Hormuz for 3-4 months, contradicting claims that Iran’s economy and military were on the brink of collapse.

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026

#FBI  #KashPatel  #Polygraph
Kash Patel ordered the polygraph tests for his security team
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Yes, FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly ordered polygraph tests for more than two dozen current and former members of his security detail and IT staff in early May 2026. [1, 2]
The order is part of an effort to identify the source of internal leaks following a series of damaging media reports about his conduct, including allegations of excessive drinking and erratic behavior. [3, 4]
Key Details of the Crackdown

Targeted Personnel: The “lie detector” tests were mandated for staffers with close access to Patel’s schedule and sensitive operational communications, particularly those who accompany him on work trips.
Purpose of Tests: Sources indicate Patel is attempting to determine if any team members communicated with reporters about his personal behavior or leadership decisions.
Loyalty Questioning: This follows a pattern from earlier in his tenure, where dozens of FBI personnel were reportedly asked during polygraphs if they had ever made negative comments or “cast aspersions” regarding Patel himself.
Internal Concerns: Media reports from outlets like The Daily Beast and MS NOW describe Patel as being in “panic mode” to save his job amid rumors that senior White House officials are considering replacing him. [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Official Response
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson has disputed these reports, claiming they are “false narratives” and that Patel continues to meet regularly with senior operational leaders. He asserted that the only people in “panic” are media outlets pushing “false stories”. [9, 10, 11]

[1]  ms.now
[2]  aa.com.tr
[3]  thedailybeast.com
[4]  inkl.com
[5]  aa.com.tr
[6]  nytimes.com
[7]  youtube.com
[8]  aa.com.tr
[9]  aol.com
[10]  timesnownews.com
[11]  huffpost.com

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 8, 2026