## White House officials ‘openly discuss’ firing Kash Patel, journalist says, as FBI chief threatens to sue over report about ‘excessive drinking’

Authored by independent.co.uk

White House officials are “openly discussing” who will be the next FBI director amid a bombshell report about current leader Kash Patel’s alleged excessive drinking and other concerning conduct.

Patel has threatened to sue The Atlantic after journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick’s report alleged the FBI director is deeply paranoid about being fired and often drinks to excess, alarming officials at the agency and beyond.

Fitzpatrick responded that she stands “by every word of this reporting” and told MS NOW: “We have excellent attorneys.”.

In fact, there are senior administration officials who are openly discussing who will be the next FBI director.”.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not directly address the firing claim but touted Patel’s leadership at the FBI, in a statement to The Independent.

open image in gallery White House officials ‘are openly discussing who will be the next FBI director,’ according to The Atlantic journalist behind a bombshell report about the alleged misconduct of Kash Patel ( AFP/Getty ).

Erica Knight, a longtime adviser to Patel, wrote on X that far from being an absentee leader, Patel has worked more days than his predecessors. »

### Iran fully closes Strait of Hormuz over US blockade and fires on ships

Authored by apnews.com

Iran said it had received new proposals from the United States, and Pakistani mediators were working to arrange another round of direct negotiations.

Iran’s joint military command earlier said “control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces.”.

India’s foreign ministry said it summoned Iran’s ambassador over the “serious incident” of firing on two India-flagged merchant ships, especially after Iran earlier let several India-bound ships through. »

### Ukraine Has Finally Given Up on Trump

Authored by theatlantic.com

For more than a year after Donald Trump returned to the White House, Ukraine held out hope—at least publicly—of winning him over.

Trump, who revealed his affection for Russia’s Vladimir Putin again and again, largely halted American military aid to Kyiv.

Writing the United States off as a friend might once have been a sign of doom for Ukraine. »

### Stop Killing Games delivers 'absolutely incredible' hearing in European Parliament: 'There was no [parliament member] that wasn't responding positively'

Authored by pcgamer.com

The whole thing is a bit dry, as parliamentary committees tend to be, but the conversation is interesting.

"Games that were developed three years ago, as it was mentioned before, don't.

Stop Killing Games at the European Parliament | Full Hearing Highlights - YouTube Watch On. »

### Hezbollah threatens Lebanon’s president: ‘He will lose his status if he meets Netanyahu’

Authored by ynetnews.com

Nawaf al-Moussawi, a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for the group’s resources and borders portfolio, said that “if Aoun submits to Trump and meets with Netanyahu, he will lose his status as president.”

Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based Shiite militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and others.

Who said the Sunni majority in Lebanon — from which Prime Minister Nawaf Salam comes — would agree to sign a peace agreement with Israel?” »

## In pictures

## Also in the news

#### FBI Director Kash Patel threatens to sue The Atlantic over ‘categorically false’ report alleging excessive drinking

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#### Supreme Court analysis: Clarence Thomas blames progressives for Hitler.

#### US lifts sanctions on Russian oil despite earlier assurances

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