Trump weighed bombing drug labs in Mexico after he mistook adviser, new book shows  —  The 607-page ‘Confidence Man,’ from New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, details unusual and erratic interactions between Trump and world leaders, members of Congress and his own aides

POLITICO Playbook: Biden and DeSantis pledge ‘close coordination’ as Ian bears down  —  Presented by With help from Eli Okun and Garrett Ross  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  EYE ON THE STORM — Hurricane Ian is set to reach Florida's Gulf Coast as early as this afternoon after days of dire warnings about its potential impacts.

Roger Stone Promoted Violence, Then Sought Pardon After Jan. 6, Evidence Shows  —  WASHINGTON — Shortly after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, as authorities began arresting people across the country in connection with the violence, the political operative Roger J. Stone Jr. started texting …

Security Alert for U.S. Citizens in Russia  —  Event: On September 21, the Russian government began a mobilization of its citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine.  Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals' U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance …

What Country Is the Wall Street Journal Living In?  —  The paper's editorial board deludes itself with its endorsement of Kari Lake.  —  The headline of a Wall Street Journal editorial caught my eye: “Arizona's School Choice Election.”  Rubbing my eyes, I read it again.

C.I.A. warned European governments of potential attacks on undersea pipelines.  —  The C.I.A. issued a vague warning in June to a number of European nations, including Germany, that the two Nord Stream gas pipelines that carry natural gas from Russia could be targeted in forthcoming attacks …

Gadsden County commissioner appointed by Gov. DeSantis resigns after KKK costume photo emerges  —  Jeffery Moore, a Havana resident and former Department of Revenue employee, abruptly resigned from the post in Florida's only predominantly Black county after the photo began circulating.

Hurricane Ian gets nasty quickly, turbocharged by warm water  —  Hurricane Ian is quickly gaining monstrous strength as it moves over oceans partly heated up by climate change, just like 30 other Atlantic tropical storms since 2017 that became much more powerful in less than a day.

Billionaire-backed legal group sues to block student loan forgiveness  —  In August, President Biden announced he would provide student debt relief to lower and middle-class borrowers.  Under the plan, eligible individuals would get up to $20,000 in student debt canceled if they received Pell Grants and up to $10,000 otherwise.

Poll: Most U.S. Republicans reject ‘MAGA’ label  —  Overall, 42% of Republicans embraces the “MAGA” label while 58% disavow the term, according to a new poll.  —  A total of 42% of Republicans in the U.S. identify as “MAGA” Republicans, while 58% disavow the term, according to a new national poll by J. Ann Selzer and Grinnell College.

As Russians Flee, Some Find Draft Notices Waiting at the Border  —  The Kremlin dispatched federal security forces to frontier border crossings packed with Russian men trying to escape the draft by entering countries like Georgia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.  —  KYIV, Ukraine …

Alzheimer's Progression Slowed by Drug in Major Trial  —  Shares of Eisai Co. and partner Biogen Inc. surged after they reported that a drug significantly slowed Alzheimer's disease, making it the first medicine to blunt progression of the most common dementia in a definitive, large-scale trial.

Chartbook #156 Project Fear 3.0 - or the gatekeepers and the Tories  —  As of this morning, sterling is hovering precariously above the historic lows it has plumbed in recent days.  UK bonds continue under pressure.  Meanwhile, the drumbeat of criticism goes on.  Open the FT this morning and it reports that.

Top surgery drastically improves quality of life for young transgender people, study finds  —  The quality of life of young transmasculine people dramatically improves after receiving top surgery — a mastectomy procedure that removes breast tissue — according to a study by Northwestern Medicine.

McConnell Endorses Electoral Count Overhaul, Lifting Chances of Enactment  —  The Republican leader's backing enhanced prospects for legislation drafted to prevent a repeat of the Jan. 6 assault, when rioters tried to pressure the vice president to overturn the election.

Right-Wing Populism May Rise in the U.S.  —  If Democrats won't compromise on issues like immigration and cultural values, they'll lose working-class voters for good.  —  WSJ Opinion: Giorgia Meloni, Italian Conservatism, and a Fascist Past  —  YOU MAY ALSO LIKE  —  Created with sketchtool.

Tim Ryan Says Americans Need To Give Up Gas Cars as He Drives Around Ohio in Gas Guzzlers  —  Rep. Tim Ryan (D., Ohio) says the United States is ready to ban gas cars, arguing in 2019 that socialist Bernie Sanders's plan to ban gas vehicles wasn't ambitious enough.  On the Senate campaign trail, Ryan is sticking to gas guzzlers.

Ukraine's New Offensive Threatens Moscow's Control of Lands It Seeks to Annex  —  Wrecked Russian armor and corpses of Russian troops line the roads in northern Donetsk as Ukraine pushes deeper into Donbas  —  RUBTSY, Ukraine—The Ukrainian military offensive that ousted Russian troops …

Solomon Islands refusing to sign 11-point declaration at historic Pacific-US meeting … Solomon Islands has signalled it won't sign on to an 11-point declaration between the United States and Pacific Island nations this week, dealing a blow to the White House ahead of a high-profile presidential summit …

Creating More Inclusive Public Spaces: Structural Racism, Confederate Memorials, and Building for the Future  —  STRUCTURAL RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICA  —  Structural Racism and Discrimination in America  —  Across the United States over the past decade, there have been heated discussions …

Millions of Americans will save on Medicare fees next year  —  For the first time in a decade, Americans will pay less next year on monthly premiums for Medicare's Part B plan, which covers routine doctors' visits and other outpatient care.  The rare 3% decrease in monthly premiums is likely …