The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee unanimously voted to drop its recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine, opting instead to recommend that the vaccine be administered “based on individual-based decision-making.”

The Senate has confirmed Mike Waltz as President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN) days before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine advisory committee unanimously voted to drop its recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine, opting instead to recommend that the vaccine be administered “based on individual-based decision-making.” Prior to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vote, the COVID-19 vaccines were administered to nearly every American who requested […] The post CDC Advisory Committee: Remove Blanket Mandates for mRNA Covid Vax appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Three Russian military jets violated NATO member Estonia’s airspace for 12 minutes on Friday in an “unprecedentedly brazen” incursion, its government said, the latest in a series of recent military actions by Russia that have rattled the alliance. With tensions already high because of the war in Ukraine, the incursion came just over a week after more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace on the night of Sept. 9-10. That prompted NATO jets to down some of them and Western officials to say Russia was testing the alliance’s readiness and resolve. It also occurred three days after Russia and Belarus ended their “Zapad-2025” joint military exercises, which included the rehearsal of the launch of Russian nuclear weapons. Tallinn said the three MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace without permission and stayed for a total of 12 minutes before they were forced to withdraw, a period during which the high-speed aircraft could have traversed broad swaths of the country. “Russia has violated Estonian airspace four times already this year, which is unacceptable in itself, but today’s violation, during which three fighter jets entered our airspace, is unprecedentedly brazen,” said Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. The Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Its jets routinely fly over the Baltic Sea between mainland Russia and its exclave of Kaliningrad. Separately, Poland said on Friday two Russian fighter jets violated the safety zone of the Petrobaltic drilling platform in the Baltic Sea. The U.S. State Department referred queries to the White House, which did not respond to requests for comment. President Donald Trump’s administration was being closely watched for a response. Washington had had little to say about the drone incursion into Poland and did not participate directly in fending it off, triggering deep anxiety among NATO members. NATO said Russia was reckless. “Earlier today, Russian jets violated Estonian airspace. NATO responded immediately and intercepted the Russian aircraft. This is yet another example of reckless Russian behaviour and NATO’s ability to respond,” a NATO spokesperson said on X. Europeans quickly responded to the Russian jet incident on Friday. “This was no accident,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas – a former Estonian prime minister – said in comments relayed by a spokesperson. Estonia said it had summoned the top Russian diplomat in the country to lodge a protest and deliver a note. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said his country had decided to ask NATO to open consultations under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty, and that the Russian jets flew around 5 nautical miles (9 km) into NATO airspace before Italian F-35s, currently stationed at a base in Estonia, pushed them out. NATO polices the airspace of Estonia and other Baltic nations in its “Baltic Sentry” mission. “We consider it essential to consult with our Allies to ensure shared situational awareness and to agree on our next joint steps. The entire Alliance is treating this incident seriously,” Michal said. Tsahkna suggested that Estonia would be asking allies for more air defenses. “It was a very clear provocation. It was definitely meant like this. And that’s why we are calling the Article 4 political consultations,” he told Reuters. Article 4 states that members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territory, political independence or security of any of them is threatened. Ukraine called the incursion an unacceptable new destabilization measure by Russia and said it stands with Estonia. “Strong action is needed, both jointly and from individual countries,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene said NATO should urgently move air defence capabilities to frontline states. “We are being tested, our citizens are being threatened almost every day now. This means that we need to have capabilities collected from our allies (to be placed) by our borders, because that’s the border of NATO,” she told Reuters. In New York, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, told Reuters he wasn’t aware of the incident, but added: “I do not trust what Estonia is saying about Russia.” When told about the accusation by Estonia that Russia had flown jets into its airspace, Nebenzia said: “How tragic.” Estonia said the airspace violation occurred on Friday morning in the area of Vaindloo Island, around 100 kilometres (124 miles) from the capital Tallinn. The aircraft did not have flight plans, their transponders were not switched on and they were not in contact with air traffic control, Estonia said. While incursions over Vaindloo Island by Russian aircraft are fairly common, they do not usually last as long as Friday’s incident. “It’s tough to see how this wasn’t intentional,” a U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. The official noted that it was difficult to see a situation where that many Russian aircraft did not know they were in Estonian airspace for that long, but added that a deeper assessment was ongoing. Jakub M. Godzimirski, a research professor in Russian security policy at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, said the incident could be a test, but could also be purely coincidental. “Still, this happens in a given context, having in mind what happened with the drone incursion in Poland a few days ago,” Godzimirski said. A staunch supporter of Ukraine, Tallinn said in May that Moscow had briefly sent a fighter jet into NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea during an attempt to stop a Russian-bound oil tanker thought to be part of a “shadow fleet” defying Western sanctions on Moscow. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas, Gram Slattery, Sabine Siebold, Gwladys Fouche, Angelo Amante, Idrees Ali, Anne Kauranen, Louise Rasmussen, Terje Solsvik, Nerijus Adomaitis, Lili Bayer, Andrew Gray, Michelle Nichols, David Latona and Yulia Dysa: Writing by Alan Charlish and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Alex Richardson, Sharon Singleton, Don Durfee and Nick Zieminski)

'the Democrats didn't see it the same'

This week, FBI Director Kash Patel appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, sparking headlines for fiery exchanges as he defended the bureau from Democrats’ attacks. On Wednesday, Patel appeared before House members, during which House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, had his own memorable moments. During his opening statement at Wednesday’s hearing, Jordan focused in part on how the FBI, under then-Director Christopher Wray, had been targeting Catholics as well as parents at local school board meetings. Jordan remarked that Patel had “ended the weaponization of the FBI” with “no more spying on parents at school board meetings, no more predawn raids on pro-life Catholics, no more retaliation against whistleblowers, and he’s also given us information Chris Wray didn’t. Maybe said better: He’s given us information that Chris Wray wouldn’t.” “Remember when Chris Wray told us that the Richmond (Virginia) field office memorandum on pro-life Catholics was just a one-off? Turns out, he wasn’t being square with us then, either,” Jordan later added, also mentioning how multiple other FBI offices were involved and how members of Congress “learned from Director Patel the FBI actually surveilled a priest.” pic.twitter.com/KW138Xj1pS— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) September 17, 2025 During the previous session of Congress, Jordan frequently took issue with then-Director Wray over the targeting of Americans, often going toe-to-toe with him in committee hearings. Jordan even threatened to hold Wray in contempt. An FBI memo also suggested that Wray lied under oath about not targeting Catholics. Earlier this year, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, revealed that there were more anti-Catholic documents from the FBI, and he also spoke to the role of the Southern Poverty Law Center in potentially creating targets for the FBI to investigate. As Jordan questioned Patel on Wednesday, the FBI director made clear that the bureau is no longer engaged in such tactics when it comes to weaponization against Americans. FBI Director Kash Patel Vs. Previous FBI Directors“Is the FBI still spying on parents at school board meetings?”“Is the FBI still targeting Catholics?”“Is the FBI still spying on President Trump?”“Is the FBI still censoring Americans?”“Is the FBI still targeting Americans… pic.twitter.com/SQzpnqsEn1— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) September 17, 2025 When asked by Jordan about a series of behaviors the FBI had previously engaged in under prior directors, Patel answered in the negative. Patel was asked the following: “Is the FBI still spying on parents at school board meetings?” “Is the FBI still targeting Catholics?” “Is the FBI still spying on President Trump?” “Is the FBI still censoring Americans?” “Is the FBI still targeting Americans for shopping at Cabela’s or purchasing Bibles?” “Is the FBI still targeting Americans who are pro-life?” “Is the FBI still cooking the books on crime data?” “Is the FBI still purging agents for conservative viewpoints?” “Is the FBI still labeling the Betsy Ross flag, the flag of the American Revolution, a hate symbol?” The FBI under Patel’s leadership also appears to be more willing to work with Congress. While Wray’s FBI provided 19 pages to the committee regarding the Catholic memo, Patel’s FBI has turned over 750 documents on the matter. “Why would Chris Wray hide information from this committee?” Jordan asked, with Patel indicating he did not know and that the chairman would have to ask Wray himself. “You think maybe it was because they were—the FBI was—spying on a priest, trying to get him to break the priest’s penitent confidence that exists?” Jordan continued, noting he “would love to” have Wray answer for this. Important Documents Hidden by Previous FBI Director, @Jim_Jordan Exposes ItDuring Christopher Ray’s tenure, the FBI only handed over 19 pages related to the infamous Richmond Field Office Catholic Memo, while the Trump administration has released over 750 documents, said… pic.twitter.com/4OrupLTktu— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) September 17, 2025 Jordan further emphasized these points to The Daily Signal: “Director Patel has refocused the bureau on crime fighting instead of targeting citizens for their beliefs,” he shared, adding that “it’s strange that Democrats are upset that Director Patel is delivering the lowest murder rate in modern history, keeping drugs off the streets, and empowering law enforcement to do their job.” The chairman also spoke about “real America” when it comes to Patel’s work as FBI director, noting, “Real America appreciates the work he’s done for this country with President [Donald] Trump.” Patel also had a fiery moment when speaking during the hearing with Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., whom he called out for his “bulls—” when discussing the Epstein files. He also notably went up against Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., and Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., as well as ranking member Jamie Raskin, D-Md. The post Jordan: FBI Has ‘Refocused’ Away From ‘Targeting Citizens for Their Beliefs’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.

With early voting beginning Friday, a new poll from Christopher Newport University found the Democrat candidates leading in off-off-year elections in Virginia and that they have gained ground since the previous major poll, which showed the candidates neck and neck.   The new polling, conducted by the CNU Wason Center for Civic Leadership, surveyed 808 likely Virginia voters from Sept. 8 to 14.   The poll found Abigail Spanberger, a former congresswoman and the Democrat gubernatorial candidate, leads her race with 52%. Her opponent, current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, had 40%. However, another recent poll of 1,025 likely voters—conducted Aug. 23-26 by Co/Efficient with a margin of error of 3.06%—showed Earle-Sears trailing by just 5 points, 48% to 43%. Other races are also competitive, according to the CNU poll. The Democrat candidate for lieutenant governor, Ghazala Hashmi, leads Republican John Reid 48% to 37%. Co/Efficient on Aug. 26 found the two were tied at 43%. Incumbent state Attorney General Jason Miyares is running for reelection against Democrat former state Delegate Jay Jones. According to CNU, Jones is leading by 7 points, 48% to 41%. Co/Efficient’s poll showed Jones was ahead by just 1 point, 45% to 44%. The CNU poll also asked voters about their top-of-mind issues. The most important issues, according to Virginians polled, are inflation/the cost of living (21%), threats to democracy (18%), K-12 education (9%), immigration (9%), and crime (9%).   With early voting commencing ahead of the Nov. 4 election, the candidates made appearances at early-voting sites across the state. On Friday evening, the GOP candidates held a rally in Chesterfield, Va., with special guests Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Ohio’s likely 2026 Republican gubernatorial nominee, Vivek Ramaswamy.   The post Early Voting Begins in Virginia With New Poll Shaking Up Race  appeared first on The Daily Signal.