European Commission to create intelligence unit led by von der Leyen The European Commission (#EC) will set up a new #intelligence unit for the greater efficiency of the use of information gathered by national spy agencies, the Financial Times (FT) newspaper said, citing sources. An unnamed European Commission representative told the newspaper that the EC was "examining how to strengthen its security and intelligence capabilities. As part of this approach, the creation of a dedicated cell within the [secretariat-general] is being considered." The official also noted that "the concept is being developed and discussions are ongoing. No specific timeline has been set," adding that it "would build on existing expertise within the commission and <…> closely cooperate with respective services of EEAS [European External Action Service]." Another source emphasized that the EC and EU national intelligence agencies must collate intelligence for joint purposes in order to "be effective and useful to partners." According to the Financial Times, "the move is opposed by senior officials at the EU’s diplomatic service, which oversees the bloc’s Intelligence and Situation Center (Intcen), who fear it will duplicate the unit’s role and threaten its future." The newspaper added that "the plan has not been formally communicated to all the EU’s 27 member states, but the body aims to bring officials on secondments from national intelligence agencies."

President Donald Trump signs the continuing resolution to reopen the government. President Donald Trump has signed a temporary government budget to end the longest government shutdown in US history. Trump said that by signing "this incredible bill," he gets the country "working again." Trump once again accused his political opponents from the Democratic Party of inflicting "massive harm" to the country, with 20,000 flights being cancelled, "more than one million government workers" deprived of their "pay checks," and leaving "million and millions more American in need" without food benefits. Earlier, the stopgap funding measure was passed by the US Congress. The legislation will keep the government operating through January 30. Trump told Fox News in an interview earlier that Congress Republicans are working on a longer-term deal.

US Congress passes bill to end longest government shutdown history The US House of Representatives has passed a budget bill to end the longest government shutdown in US history. The voting was aired by the C-SPAN television channel. The document was supported by 222 lawmakers, while 209 voted against it. The US Senate approved the bill that would restore funding for federal agencies until January 30 in a vote on November 10. Now, the will be sent on to US President Donald Trump for signing into law. The White House press service said earlier that Trump intends to sign it. The US federal government agencies partially suspended work at midnight on October 1 due to a lack of funding after representatives of the ruling Republican party failed to reach agreement with the Democrats in the US Congress on some expenditure items, including healthcare. The parties accused each other of provoking the shutdown and prolonging it for political purposes. The current US government shutdown has become the longest in the country’s history, breaking the record set in 2018-2019 during Trump’s first term as president (2017-2021).