Rome Reports is an international news agency covering the Pope, the Vatican, Rome and the Catholic Church, as well as major social, cultural and religious debates
Saturday, October 17, 2026
How Is Pope Leo XIV Doing? His Surgeon Reveals Details of the Operation
Oct 17, 2026 | Dr. Stefano Margaritora operated on Leo XIV; he spoke about the patient's recovery and his personal experience.
Rome Reports is an international news agency covering the Pope, the Vatican, Rome and the Catholic Church, as well as major social, cultural and religious debates
Rome Reports is an international news agency covering the Pope, the Vatican, Rome and the Catholic Church, as well as major social, cultural and religious debates
Sahen schöne Menschen immer gleich aus? | Stimmt es, dass ...? Reupload | ARTE
God’s Way…
Donald Trump’s presidency has been a disaster for America, Americans, the West, and the world. Someone needs to find that man an old folks’ home asap, before he does any more damage to America and the world. — © Mark Alexander
La Roumanie a abattu deux drones dans son espace aérien au-dessus de la mer Noire
LE FIGARO : Depuis début octobre les incidents imputés à des drones russes se multiplient au large de la Roumanie et de la Bulgarie.
La Roumanie a annoncé samedi avoir abattu deux drones au-dessus de la mer Noire, sur fond de multiplication d'attaques d'aéronefs similaires contre des navires dans la région, considérées comme une répercussion de la guerre en Ukraine. La destruction de ces deux drones survient quatre jours avant une réunion spéciale de l'Otan mardi à Bruxelles, consacrée à la défense et la dissuasion en mer Noire, alors que depuis début octobre les incidents imputés à des drones russes se multiplient au large de la Roumanie et de la Bulgarie.
« Deux drones ont été pris pour cible et abattus il y a quelques minutes par des pilotes de l'armée roumaine au-dessus de la mer Noire, quelques instants après avoir pénétré illégalement dans notre pays », a indiqué sur Facebook le ministre de la Défense, Radu Miruta, sans préciser le type de drones en question et leur nationalité. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 17 octobre 2026
Trump’s Pause on Russia Sanctions Is ‘Reward’ for Putin, Zelenskyy Says
THE GUARDIAN: Ukrainian president warns it will embolden Russian leader and intensify war as Moscow hits country’s power plants
The lifting of sanctions will continue, and I believe that the “diesel deal” is the first step,’ said Zelenskyy. Photograph: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described Donald Trump’s decision to roll back sanctions on Russia as a “reward” for Vladimir Putin and warned it will embolden the Russian leader and intensify the Kremlin’s war, as Moscow launched one of its worst strikes yet on Ukraine’s power plants in an attempt to black out the country’s cities before winter.
The Ukrainian president also said he expected the Trump administration to lift more sanctions against Russia in the future and called for Europe to establish its own negotiations with Moscow as the US has sought better ties and business deals with the Kremlin.
“Unfortunately, the lifting of sanctions will continue, and I believe that the ‘diesel deal’ is the first step,” said Zelenskyy on Saturday. “Unfortunately, it seems to me that this cannot stop Putin; on the contrary, he feels joy and happiness that he has such support.”
In a social media message earlier, Zelenskyy wrote: “A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking. We must not give up ground.
“We must keep trying to end the war. To end it, not give Putin every reason to continue it indefinitely.” » | Andrew Roth in Kyiv | Saturday, October 17, 2026
Donald Trump is a turncoat and a traitor. He is turning his back on his western allies to cosy up to Vlad, his ‘bromantic’ chum and marionettist. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by contrast, is a patriotic, determined, and noble warrior for his country. He knows the enemy well and behaves and plans strategically and wisely using this knowledge. It should not be overlooked that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his brave and long-suffering compatriots are fighting not only for the continued existence of their own country, but also for the continued existence of Europe as a whole, too. He knows that if Ukraine were to fall to the enemy, another European nation will be next on the line. Other European nations will then be in grave danger of falling, one by one, until Putin has satisfied and achieved his goals and objectives. Our support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians must continue to be unwavering. Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!) — © Mark Alexander
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described Donald Trump’s decision to roll back sanctions on Russia as a “reward” for Vladimir Putin and warned it will embolden the Russian leader and intensify the Kremlin’s war, as Moscow launched one of its worst strikes yet on Ukraine’s power plants in an attempt to black out the country’s cities before winter.
The Ukrainian president also said he expected the Trump administration to lift more sanctions against Russia in the future and called for Europe to establish its own negotiations with Moscow as the US has sought better ties and business deals with the Kremlin.
“Unfortunately, the lifting of sanctions will continue, and I believe that the ‘diesel deal’ is the first step,” said Zelenskyy on Saturday. “Unfortunately, it seems to me that this cannot stop Putin; on the contrary, he feels joy and happiness that he has such support.”
In a social media message earlier, Zelenskyy wrote: “A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking. We must not give up ground.
“We must keep trying to end the war. To end it, not give Putin every reason to continue it indefinitely.” » | Andrew Roth in Kyiv | Saturday, October 17, 2026
Donald Trump is a turncoat and a traitor. He is turning his back on his western allies to cosy up to Vlad, his ‘bromantic’ chum and marionettist. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, by contrast, is a patriotic, determined, and noble warrior for his country. He knows the enemy well and behaves and plans strategically and wisely using this knowledge. It should not be overlooked that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his brave and long-suffering compatriots are fighting not only for the continued existence of their own country, but also for the continued existence of Europe as a whole, too. He knows that if Ukraine were to fall to the enemy, another European nation will be next on the line. Other European nations will then be in grave danger of falling, one by one, until Putin has satisfied and achieved his goals and objectives. Our support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians must continue to be unwavering. Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!) — © Mark Alexander
Police Clash with Protesters as Tens of Thousands Take to Streets across France
THE GUARDIAN: Police fire teargas in Paris and protesters storm town hall in Marseille – with officials blaming violence on ‘ultra-left’
A car burns at Place de la République as clashes break out between protesters and police. Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA
Police have fired teargas and clashed with protesters supporting high school student grievances, as demonstrations across France were boosted by other groups angry over high prices and the fraying of a social welfare system.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across the country, and tensions erupted on the fringes of the nationwide demonstrations over absent teachers, decrepit school buildings and police violence.
In Marseille, protesters stormed the town hall, ramming the door with security barriers they removed from the street. They briefly managed to enter the municipal building, where a protester spray-painted an “A” for anarchy on a wall before the police removed them.
Around Place de la République in central Paris, a peaceful march turned violent, with police firing teargas at black-clad and masked rioters who threw fireworks and paving stones, attacked a bank and looted a sports shop. » | Kim Willsher in Paris and William Christou | Saturday, October 7, 2026
Police have fired teargas and clashed with protesters supporting high school student grievances, as demonstrations across France were boosted by other groups angry over high prices and the fraying of a social welfare system.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across the country, and tensions erupted on the fringes of the nationwide demonstrations over absent teachers, decrepit school buildings and police violence.
In Marseille, protesters stormed the town hall, ramming the door with security barriers they removed from the street. They briefly managed to enter the municipal building, where a protester spray-painted an “A” for anarchy on a wall before the police removed them.
Around Place de la République in central Paris, a peaceful march turned violent, with police firing teargas at black-clad and masked rioters who threw fireworks and paving stones, attacked a bank and looted a sports shop. » | Kim Willsher in Paris and William Christou | Saturday, October 7, 2026
Le pape Léon XIV est « jugé apte à sortir » de l'hôpital ce samedi, selon ses médecins
LE FIGARO : « Le Saint-Père a été jugé apte à sortir » de l’hôpital, ont écrit les docteurs Luigi Carbone et Stefano Margaritora dans une note publiée par le Vatican.
Le pape Léon XIV, qui se remet de l'ablation d'un nodule cancéreux au poumon, a été « jugé apte à sortir » de l'hôpital samedi par ses médecins et sortira de l’hôpital dans la journée, a annoncé le Vatican. « En tenant compte des analyses sanguines, de la radiographie thoracique réalisée ce (samedi) matin et de l'évaluation du tableau clinique, le Saint-Père a été jugé apte à sortir » de l'hôpital, ont écrit les docteurs Luigi Carbone et Stefano Margaritora dans une note publiée par le Vatican.
Le Vatican a confirmé que « le pape Léon XIV sera sorti aujourd’hui (samedi) de la polyclinique Gemelli». «Il quittera l’hôpital en début d’après-midi et retournera au Vatican. Demain, il récitera la prière de l’Angélus depuis la fenêtre de l’appartement pontifical », a indiqué le Vatican.
La prière de l’Angélus est généralement donnée par le pape depuis la fenêtre du palais apostolique, mais ces dernières années, les anciens papes Jean-Paul II et François, hospitalisés eux aussi au Gemelli, avaient prononcé la prière depuis la fenêtre de leur chambre d’hôpital. Le bureau de presse du Vatican a indiqué que Léon XIV avait célébré la messe samedi, comme il l’a fait ces derniers jours, dans une salle au 10e étage de l’hôpital. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | samedi 17 octobre 2026
Manifestations du 17 octobre : une flambée de violences à Paris, Marseille et Lyon en marge des cortèges, au moins 272 interpellations
LE FIGARO : Des « gilets jaunes », des lycéens et des étudiants, rejoints par des organisations syndicales, appellent à manifester ce samedi 17 octobre contre la vie chère, la hausse des prix des carburants et les difficultés des services publics. À Paris comme en régions, suivez les rassemblements, les éventuels blocages et les premiers bilans de cette journée, grâce à nos journalistes mobilisés dans plusieurs villes de France. EN DIRECT » | Par Clara Hidalgo, Sidonie Rahola-Boyer, Jeanne Durieux, Pauline Landais-Barrau, Marion Deygas et Jean-Baptiste Semerdjian | samedi 17 octobre 2026
Wie die Junge Union auf Merz’ Auftritt reagiert: Ein Delegierter lässt seinem Frust freien Lauf
Die Reden des Kanzlers seien eigentlich immer sehr gut, sagt ein Delegierter aus Bayern auf dem Deutschlandtag der Jungen Union. Auch die Ankündigungen seien sehr gut. „Die Frage ist nur: Was machen Sie dann am Ende?“
Die Rentenpolitik der vergangenen zwei Jahre sei ein Raubzug gegen die junge Generation, fährt der Delegierte fort. Die Umfragewerte des Kanzlers seien auf dem Level der gescheiterten britischen Premierministerin Liz Truss in den letzten Tagen ihrer Amtszeit angekommen.
Eine Frage hat der Mann nicht. Aber einen Vorschlag für Merz: „Nehmen Sie Ihren Dienstwagen, fahren Sie zum Bundespräsidenten und bitten Sie um Ihre Entlassung.“ » | Von Karin Christmann | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2026
Mitten in der Versorgungskrise: Russische Lieferung von 750 Tonnen Speiseöl erreicht Kuba
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Die Lieferung über das UN-Welternährungsprogramm ist für bedürftige Familien, Schwangere und Kranke bestimmt. Auch aus Japan, China und von den Bahamas erreichen Hilfsgüter die Insel.
Treibstoffmangel und Stromausfälle schränken in Kuba auch den öffentlichen Verkehr und die Versorgung der Bevölkerung ein. | © Angelo Mastrascusa/imago
Russland hat Kuba mehr als 750 Tonnen Sonnenblumenöl als humanitäre Hilfe geliefert. Die symbolische Übergabe fand am Freitag in Havanna statt, wie die kubanische Tageszeitung Granma und die russische Nachrichtenagentur Tass berichteten. Das mit den Vitaminen A und D angereicherte Öl gelangte demnach über das Welternährungsprogramm der Vereinten Nationen (WFP) auf die Insel.
Nach Angaben der russischen Botschaft in Havanna stammt die Lieferung aus Mitteln des russischen Katastrophenschutzministeriums. Rund 211 Tonnen seien bereits entladen, eine zweite Charge von mehr als 500 Tonnen warte im Hafen darauf, meldete Granma. Bereits 2025 hatte Moskau in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Welternährungsprogramm mehr als 800 Tonnen Sonnenblumenöl nach Kuba geschickt, wie die russische Botschaft mitteilte. » | Peter Steiniger | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2026
Russland hat Kuba mehr als 750 Tonnen Sonnenblumenöl als humanitäre Hilfe geliefert. Die symbolische Übergabe fand am Freitag in Havanna statt, wie die kubanische Tageszeitung Granma und die russische Nachrichtenagentur Tass berichteten. Das mit den Vitaminen A und D angereicherte Öl gelangte demnach über das Welternährungsprogramm der Vereinten Nationen (WFP) auf die Insel.
Nach Angaben der russischen Botschaft in Havanna stammt die Lieferung aus Mitteln des russischen Katastrophenschutzministeriums. Rund 211 Tonnen seien bereits entladen, eine zweite Charge von mehr als 500 Tonnen warte im Hafen darauf, meldete Granma. Bereits 2025 hatte Moskau in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Welternährungsprogramm mehr als 800 Tonnen Sonnenblumenöl nach Kuba geschickt, wie die russische Botschaft mitteilte. » | Peter Steiniger | Samstag, 17. Oktober 2026
Rob Groves: Reform UK Exposed on Camera. Farage Blames ITV
Trump’s Deals with Putin Have Left Us in ‘Incredible Danger’ | Emily Sheffield
Oct 17, 2026 | “By giving strength to Putin, I am genuinely worried … they are going to trigger NATO Article 22, and we might fall into a war.”
Trump has left us in “incredible danger” by making deals with Putin while trying to blame Zelensky for the oil crisis, says journalist and commentator Emily Sheffield.
Trump has left us in “incredible danger” by making deals with Putin while trying to blame Zelensky for the oil crisis, says journalist and commentator Emily Sheffield.
Britons Must Prepare for Sacrifices: 'The Reality Is We Are At War Today' | Major General Tim Cross
Oct 17, 2026 | “The reality is that we are at war today with Russia and others in what’s called the hybrid space.”
Britain must prepare for threats that could disrupt everyday life, from internet outages to damaged undersea cables, while strengthening resilience across communities, says retired Major General Tim Cross.
Britain must prepare for threats that could disrupt everyday life, from internet outages to damaged undersea cables, while strengthening resilience across communities, says retired Major General Tim Cross.
Anne Applebaum on the Contradiction of Trump’s Support of Russia
Oct 16, 2026 | Why is Putin pushing Trump to stop Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries? Historian and journalist Anne Applebaum argues that these attacks are putting real pressure on Moscow — and that Trump’s approach risks giving Russia more time to continue its war against Ukraine.
The Kyiv Independent’s Tim Zadorozhnyy speaks with Applebaum about Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, U.S. pressure on Kyiv to concede territory, and why the administration’s peace envoys misunderstand the motivations behind Russia’s invasion.
The Kyiv Independent’s Tim Zadorozhnyy speaks with Applebaum about Trump’s diesel deal with Russia, U.S. pressure on Kyiv to concede territory, and why the administration’s peace envoys misunderstand the motivations behind Russia’s invasion.
Reform’s ‘Incompetence’ Won’t Appeal to the Masses | Michael Crick
Oct 17, 2026 | “They are a very badly organised party, but a lot of the people are just not competent - they're not up to it.”
The “appalling views” exposed in ITV’s undercover investigation into Reform are “very damaging”, says journalist and biographer of Nigel Farage Michael Crick.
The “appalling views” exposed in ITV’s undercover investigation into Reform are “very damaging”, says journalist and biographer of Nigel Farage Michael Crick.
‘There’s Very Few Young Men Left’ - How Putin’s War in Ukraine Is ‘DESTROYING RUSSIA’
Oct 16, 2026 | What is it like for ordinary Russians living in Vladimir Putin’s Russia at war? What do they really think?
Award-winning war correspondent Åsne Seierstad has travelled deep inside Russia to find out. Her new book, Never Say War, takes us behind the propaganda to reveal a society shaped by fear, repression and the human cost of war.
Award-winning war correspondent Åsne Seierstad has travelled deep inside Russia to find out. Her new book, Never Say War, takes us behind the propaganda to reveal a society shaped by fear, repression and the human cost of war.
The Conditions of a Third World War Have Already Been Met | Volodymyr Yelchenko
Oct 16, 2026 | “I'm trying to put it correctly, we are already living, under conditions of the Third World War. It is simply very different from the second and the first.”
Donald Trump doesn’t realise the “full extent” of the damage he could cause if he continues with his current stance on Ukraine, says former Ukrainian ambassador to the US and Russia Volodymyr Yelchenko.
Donald Trump doesn’t realise the “full extent” of the damage he could cause if he continues with his current stance on Ukraine, says former Ukrainian ambassador to the US and Russia Volodymyr Yelchenko.
Trump Signs Order Exempting Russia From Sanctions Law
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The sanctions were part of a measure that was named after Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died in July.
President Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia last year in Alaska. Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday night exempting Russia from a new sanctions measure that Congress passed last month, offering another economic lifeline to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin as the United States turns to Russia for help in lowering gas prices.
The sanctions were intended to target Russian officials, oligarchs and financial institutions, and were part of a law that was named after Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died in July after spending more than a year building support for the measure.
The law, which is intended to squeeze the financial lifelines sustaining Russia’s war against Ukraine, also provided Mr. Trump with additional tariff authority that he could use to punish countries that continue to trade with Russia.
The White House has broad authority to issue sanctions exemptions or waivers, and the new law requires Mr. Trump to notify Congress only if he opts against imposing the economic restrictions on Russia. Two days before the law is set to take effect, Mr. Trump exercised that power.
“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” Mr. Trump said in the order. “I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States.”
The order does not explain why waiving the sanctions is in the interests of the United States or what rationale Mr. Trump is providing to Congress for the waivers. » | Alan Rappeport | Reporting from Washington | Published: Friday, October 16, 2026. Updated: Saturday, October 17, 2026
This bromance is heating up apace! We can now be in no doubt where Trump’s affections lie! We can also no longer be in any doubt about the direction Trump is taking America. Trump is now one step closer to turning America’s back on its traditional allies and, instead, is pivoting America over to the other side. The Western alliance is now all but dead in its current form. From now on, America will grow ever closer with Moscow, the Kremlin, and his very close buddy, Vladimir.
The implications of this shift are GARGANTUAN. Naturally, it shifts power. And in a colossal way. But it is also indicative of what is going to happen to Americans’ human rights. If this continues, gay rights, for example, will be severely diminished. Just take a look at the lamentable circumstances of gays in Russia. Trump will surely wish to follow Vlad now. After all, Vlad is the puppeteer and Trump, the marionette. In common parlance, Vlad is pulling the strings.
However, the greatest change henceforward will be felt in the American political set-up itself. America has never been a true democracy, but it had tried to play that part out. It played a good game.
Just for those doubting my words… There has always been far too much money in American politics for it to be a true democracy. A true democracy is based on the wishes of all the people, regardless of financial means. Not just the wishes of the rich. Further, there is far too much corporate wealth in American politics for it ever to be a proper democracy. If you want to see true democracy in action, look to Switzerland, not the USA.
But all that will now fade into the past. Donald J Trump is taking America on a journey to autocratic rule. To dictatorship, if you will. The world’s dictators are Trump’s role models. He is determined and intent on emulating them and their way of doing business and conducting affairs.
The America the world once knew and loved is being inhumed; it is being laid to rest. Put another way, it is being consigned to the dustbin of history.
Sad indeed, and extremely disturbing! — © Mark Alexander
President Trump signed an executive order on Friday night exempting Russia from a new sanctions measure that Congress passed last month, offering another economic lifeline to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin as the United States turns to Russia for help in lowering gas prices.
The sanctions were intended to target Russian officials, oligarchs and financial institutions, and were part of a law that was named after Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died in July after spending more than a year building support for the measure.
The law, which is intended to squeeze the financial lifelines sustaining Russia’s war against Ukraine, also provided Mr. Trump with additional tariff authority that he could use to punish countries that continue to trade with Russia.
The White House has broad authority to issue sanctions exemptions or waivers, and the new law requires Mr. Trump to notify Congress only if he opts against imposing the economic restrictions on Russia. Two days before the law is set to take effect, Mr. Trump exercised that power.
“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” Mr. Trump said in the order. “I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States.”
The order does not explain why waiving the sanctions is in the interests of the United States or what rationale Mr. Trump is providing to Congress for the waivers. » | Alan Rappeport | Reporting from Washington | Published: Friday, October 16, 2026. Updated: Saturday, October 17, 2026
This bromance is heating up apace! We can now be in no doubt where Trump’s affections lie! We can also no longer be in any doubt about the direction Trump is taking America. Trump is now one step closer to turning America’s back on its traditional allies and, instead, is pivoting America over to the other side. The Western alliance is now all but dead in its current form. From now on, America will grow ever closer with Moscow, the Kremlin, and his very close buddy, Vladimir.
The implications of this shift are GARGANTUAN. Naturally, it shifts power. And in a colossal way. But it is also indicative of what is going to happen to Americans’ human rights. If this continues, gay rights, for example, will be severely diminished. Just take a look at the lamentable circumstances of gays in Russia. Trump will surely wish to follow Vlad now. After all, Vlad is the puppeteer and Trump, the marionette. In common parlance, Vlad is pulling the strings.
However, the greatest change henceforward will be felt in the American political set-up itself. America has never been a true democracy, but it had tried to play that part out. It played a good game.
Just for those doubting my words… There has always been far too much money in American politics for it to be a true democracy. A true democracy is based on the wishes of all the people, regardless of financial means. Not just the wishes of the rich. Further, there is far too much corporate wealth in American politics for it ever to be a proper democracy. If you want to see true democracy in action, look to Switzerland, not the USA.
But all that will now fade into the past. Donald J Trump is taking America on a journey to autocratic rule. To dictatorship, if you will. The world’s dictators are Trump’s role models. He is determined and intent on emulating them and their way of doing business and conducting affairs.
The America the world once knew and loved is being inhumed; it is being laid to rest. Put another way, it is being consigned to the dustbin of history.
Sad indeed, and extremely disturbing! — © Mark Alexander
Friday, October 16, 2026
Katie Zacharia Is Ousted After 5 Days as White House Press Secretary
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The ouster came as Ms. Zacharia was shadowed by questions about how she had presented her legal career and handled her first press briefing.
Katie Zacharia during her first briefing at the White House on Tuesday. She was fired on Friday. Credit: Kenny Holston/The New York Times
President Trump’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, was fired Friday, after less than a week on the job, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the decision, which was not yet announced. Neither the White House nor Ms. Zacharia responded to requests for comment. But Mr. Trump told reporters on Friday that he had encouraged Ms. Zacharia to “reconsider” the job.
“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” he told reporters, recounting his conversation with his press secretary. He said he added: “Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this.” He said Ms. Zacharia might continue to work for him “in some form, but maybe a more pleasant form.”
Ms. Zacharia had gotten off to a bumpy start with her first and final press briefing on Tuesday, in which she largely read off a script and ended questioning after just three queries. That was followed by an onslaught of headlines about whether she had misrepresented herself as a lawyer — the president called her “an attorney” — despite failing her bar exam. » | Shawn McCreesh, Tyler Pager and Hamed Aleaziz | Friday, October 16, 2026
Leer en español aquí »
President Trump’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, was fired Friday, after less than a week on the job, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The people spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the decision, which was not yet announced. Neither the White House nor Ms. Zacharia responded to requests for comment. But Mr. Trump told reporters on Friday that he had encouraged Ms. Zacharia to “reconsider” the job.
“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” he told reporters, recounting his conversation with his press secretary. He said he added: “Katie, do you need this? I don’t think you need this.” He said Ms. Zacharia might continue to work for him “in some form, but maybe a more pleasant form.”
Ms. Zacharia had gotten off to a bumpy start with her first and final press briefing on Tuesday, in which she largely read off a script and ended questioning after just three queries. That was followed by an onslaught of headlines about whether she had misrepresented herself as a lawyer — the president called her “an attorney” — despite failing her bar exam. » | Shawn McCreesh, Tyler Pager and Hamed Aleaziz | Friday, October 16, 2026
Leer en español aquí »
Fear of Ukraine War Spillover | Talk to Al Jazeera
I said from the very start that the West should have intervened to put a stop to the Russian advance on Ukraine. My words can be found somewhere on this blog. Alas, the powers-that-be had different ideas. My suggestion would have saved many lives and much destruction. — © Mark Alexander
Michael Lambert: Trump Says He Is a Genius - AI Disagrees
Oct 16, 2026 | Donald Trump claims he has an extremely high IQ — but what happens when you put his speeches to AI?
In this video I look at Trump's boast of an IQ over 200, what five different AI models rated him when asked to review recent speeches and his language.
Why would the President of the United States post a video on Truth Social, his own social media channel, showing a man in Yorkshire being mauled by a tiger followed by two more of people being killed by lions and a final AI generated video of his wrestling with a tiger and making friends with it.
I also cover why this matters beyond the weirdness: the Nobel Peace Prize grievance, the diesel deal with Russia and withdrawal of support for Ukraine, and my real worry about the midterms — will he cry fraud, pressure officials, or try to contrive a national emergency if the results go against him? … How far will he go to hold on?
Great synopsis. I totally agree with Mr Lambert. I would say that Trump is an average-IQ sort of person, for what it's worth. The man belongs in the circus, not the White House! — © Mark Alexander
In this video I look at Trump's boast of an IQ over 200, what five different AI models rated him when asked to review recent speeches and his language.
Why would the President of the United States post a video on Truth Social, his own social media channel, showing a man in Yorkshire being mauled by a tiger followed by two more of people being killed by lions and a final AI generated video of his wrestling with a tiger and making friends with it.
I also cover why this matters beyond the weirdness: the Nobel Peace Prize grievance, the diesel deal with Russia and withdrawal of support for Ukraine, and my real worry about the midterms — will he cry fraud, pressure officials, or try to contrive a national emergency if the results go against him? … How far will he go to hold on?
Great synopsis. I totally agree with Mr Lambert. I would say that Trump is an average-IQ sort of person, for what it's worth. The man belongs in the circus, not the White House! — © Mark Alexander
Starshield Warfare: How Trump and Musk Left Ukraine Defenceless
Oct 16, 2026 | A sudden unilateral "energy ceasefire" announced on social media, technical sabotage on the frontline, and a shifting geopolitical alliance have left Washington outmanoeuvered by Moscow and an ally fighting in the dark.
When Donald Trump declared an immediate truce between Russia and Ukraine, he promised a masterclass in swift diplomacy. Instead, without direct coordination with either Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Vladimir Putin, the uncommunicated deal collapsed in hours as Russia launched a massive, record-breaking wave of over 850 Shahed combat drones and ballistic missiles against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Rather than holding Moscow accountable, the White House turned its pressure on Kyiv—demanding leadership changes while the U.S. military severely restricted Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s military-grade Starshield satellite network.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here »
When Donald Trump declared an immediate truce between Russia and Ukraine, he promised a masterclass in swift diplomacy. Instead, without direct coordination with either Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Vladimir Putin, the uncommunicated deal collapsed in hours as Russia launched a massive, record-breaking wave of over 850 Shahed combat drones and ballistic missiles against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Rather than holding Moscow accountable, the White House turned its pressure on Kyiv—demanding leadership changes while the U.S. military severely restricted Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s military-grade Starshield satellite network.
ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here »
Au Pays de Galles, l’utilisation par un député de lunettes connectées en guise de prompteur ouvre un débat sur la sécurité du Parlement britannique
LE FIGARO : Soupçonnées d’avoir servi de prompteur au député de Reform UK Jason O’Connell, les lunettes connectées relancent le débat sur la sécurité au Parlement britannique. Face aux risques d’enregistrements discrets et d’atteinte à la vie privée, plusieurs élus réclament un encadrement renforcé de ces technologies.
Sans notes et avec des chiffres appris par cœur, pendant plusieurs minutes le député de Reform UK Jason O’Connell a déroulé son discours au Parlement gallois, à Cardiff, le 30 septembre dernier. Une prestation qui a suscité des interrogations : selon le Guardian, certains parlementaires soupçonnent l’élu d’avoir utilisé des lunettes connectées faisant office de prompteur. Si le principal intéressé n’a pas confirmé l’information, l’affaire a rapidement dépassé les frontières du Pays de Galles. À Westminster, plusieurs parlementaires britanniques réclament désormais des mesures concernant l’utilisation de lunettes connectées par des élus. » | Par Léo Guerbette | vendredi 16 octobre 2026
Sans notes et avec des chiffres appris par cœur, pendant plusieurs minutes le député de Reform UK Jason O’Connell a déroulé son discours au Parlement gallois, à Cardiff, le 30 septembre dernier. Une prestation qui a suscité des interrogations : selon le Guardian, certains parlementaires soupçonnent l’élu d’avoir utilisé des lunettes connectées faisant office de prompteur. Si le principal intéressé n’a pas confirmé l’information, l’affaire a rapidement dépassé les frontières du Pays de Galles. À Westminster, plusieurs parlementaires britanniques réclament désormais des mesures concernant l’utilisation de lunettes connectées par des élus. » | Par Léo Guerbette | vendredi 16 octobre 2026
La nouvelle porte-parole de la Maison-Blanche, Katie Zacharia, reconnaît avoir échoué à l’examen du barreau
LE FIGARO : Fraîchement nommée par Donald Trump et déjà fragilisée, Katie Zacharia se présente régulièrement comme avocate, notamment sur les réseaux sociaux et sur la chaîne Fox News, où elle a été consultante.
La nouvelle porte-parole de la Maison-Blanche, Katie Zacharia, soupçonnée d'avoir embelli son CV, a admis jeudi soir avoir échoué à l'examen du barreau, nécessaire aux États-Unis pour exercer la profession d'avocat. Fraîchement nommée par Donald Trump et déjà fragilisée, Katie Zacharia se présente régulièrement comme avocate, notamment sur les réseaux sociaux et sur la chaîne Fox News, où elle a été consultante.
Mais les médias américains ont mis en doute cette qualification, faute d'éléments concrets attestant de son admission au barreau après son diplôme en droit de l'université Pepperdine en Californie. La porte-parole âgée de 41 ans a explicitement admis son échec dans une interview accordée jeudi soir à Fox News, au terme de plusieurs jours d'une controverse renforcée par des critiques sur sa première prestation publique, jugée médiocre par la presse. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 16 octobre 2026
La nouvelle porte-parole de la Maison-Blanche, Katie Zacharia, soupçonnée d'avoir embelli son CV, a admis jeudi soir avoir échoué à l'examen du barreau, nécessaire aux États-Unis pour exercer la profession d'avocat. Fraîchement nommée par Donald Trump et déjà fragilisée, Katie Zacharia se présente régulièrement comme avocate, notamment sur les réseaux sociaux et sur la chaîne Fox News, où elle a été consultante.
Mais les médias américains ont mis en doute cette qualification, faute d'éléments concrets attestant de son admission au barreau après son diplôme en droit de l'université Pepperdine en Californie. La porte-parole âgée de 41 ans a explicitement admis son échec dans une interview accordée jeudi soir à Fox News, au terme de plusieurs jours d'une controverse renforcée par des critiques sur sa première prestation publique, jugée médiocre par la presse. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | vendredi 16 octobre 2026
Trump’s Deal With Russia Inflames War He Vowed to Swiftly End
THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Ukrainian president’s defiant decision to continue attacking Russian refineries underscores President Trump’s inability to end a war he had promised to resolve.
President Trump during a campaign stop in Alaska on Tuesday. He has not delivered on his promises to end the war in Ukraine, or to lower prices, and recent deals with Russia could complicate both issues. Credit: Doug Mills/The New York Times
On the campaign trail in 2024, President Trump promised lower prices and a swift end to the war in Ukraine.
Two years on, neither has been accomplished. And in his scramble to ease fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections, Mr. Trump has wreaked further havoc in his efforts to make peace in Ukraine.
Mr. Trump’s relationship with President Volodymyr Zelensky, already strained after last week’s U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, hit new headwinds on Thursday when the Ukrainian leader declared he would not abide by the U.S. plea not to attack Russian refineries. And with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia refusing Mr. Trump’s demand for a cease-fire, an end to the war appeared to recede even further.
The spat with Mr. Zelensky and the escalating conflict have combined to create a new liability for the White House, highlighting Mr. Trump’s remarkable friendliness toward Russia and his inability to end Europe’s biggest war in generations.
Russia is not known to have made any concession in exchange for Mr. Trump’s decision to lift diesel sanctions, and the move has not yet eased the pain at the pump. The average U.S. diesel price was around $6.32 a gallon on Thursday, compared to $6.29 a week earlier, according to the AAA. » | Anton Troianovski and Luke Broadwater | Reporting from Washington | Thursday, October 15, 2026
As I have written once today already, Trump is manifestly not up to the job of POTUS. So, if he were an honourable man, he’d resign posthaste.
Trump should have stuck with ‘reality TV’. He was well-suited to that work. Being POTUS requires more than just a modicum of intelligence; on the contrary, it requires a great abundance of it.
Another prerequisite for that position is a thorough and profound understanding of world geopolitics. Alas, Trump has neither an abundance of intelligence nor a good grasp of geopolitics. As a result, with Trump at the helm, world politics is spiralling out of control. We are now closer to World War III than ever before in my lifetime. — © Mark Alexander
On the campaign trail in 2024, President Trump promised lower prices and a swift end to the war in Ukraine.
Two years on, neither has been accomplished. And in his scramble to ease fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections, Mr. Trump has wreaked further havoc in his efforts to make peace in Ukraine.
Mr. Trump’s relationship with President Volodymyr Zelensky, already strained after last week’s U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, hit new headwinds on Thursday when the Ukrainian leader declared he would not abide by the U.S. plea not to attack Russian refineries. And with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia refusing Mr. Trump’s demand for a cease-fire, an end to the war appeared to recede even further.
The spat with Mr. Zelensky and the escalating conflict have combined to create a new liability for the White House, highlighting Mr. Trump’s remarkable friendliness toward Russia and his inability to end Europe’s biggest war in generations.
Russia is not known to have made any concession in exchange for Mr. Trump’s decision to lift diesel sanctions, and the move has not yet eased the pain at the pump. The average U.S. diesel price was around $6.32 a gallon on Thursday, compared to $6.29 a week earlier, according to the AAA. » | Anton Troianovski and Luke Broadwater | Reporting from Washington | Thursday, October 15, 2026
As I have written once today already, Trump is manifestly not up to the job of POTUS. So, if he were an honourable man, he’d resign posthaste.
Trump should have stuck with ‘reality TV’. He was well-suited to that work. Being POTUS requires more than just a modicum of intelligence; on the contrary, it requires a great abundance of it.
Another prerequisite for that position is a thorough and profound understanding of world geopolitics. Alas, Trump has neither an abundance of intelligence nor a good grasp of geopolitics. As a result, with Trump at the helm, world politics is spiralling out of control. We are now closer to World War III than ever before in my lifetime. — © Mark Alexander
Trump: Zelensky Is Destroying Ukraine
THE GUARDIAN: US president says Ukrainian leader is ‘more difficult to deal with than Putin’
Donald Trump has called Ukraine’s renewed attacks on Russian oil refineries a ‘disgrace’ Credit: Pool/EPA/Shutterstock/Tom Brenner
Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of destroying Ukraine.
On Thursday, the US president said Mr Zelensky was “more difficult to deal with than [Vladimir] Putin” and called Kyiv’s latest strikes on Russian energy facilities a “disgrace”. Relations between the two leaders hit a new low after Mr Trump struck a deal to buy diesel from Russia last week.
Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starshield satellite system, which supports Kyiv’s battlefield operations, was also limited this week. It emerged on Friday that the order to restrict access had come from inside the White House.
Mr Zelensky criticised Mr Trump on Thursday and said he was “done” with the president’s energy ceasefire, with his forces later striking a Russian oil refinery.
In response, the US president called the renewed Ukrainian attacks a “disgrace” and said Kyiv was driving up global energy prices. » | Emily Smith | Foreign Breaking News Reporter | Friday, October 16, 2026
It is Trump who is the disgrace, not Zelenskyy! If Trump had done his job properly as POTUS, tens of thousands of Ukrainians would still be alive today. Trump is a Russian asset and traitor. Fie on him!
Demonstrably, Trump is not up to the job; so, if he were an honourable man, he’d resign. — © Mark Alexander
Donald Trump has accused Volodymyr Zelensky of destroying Ukraine.
On Thursday, the US president said Mr Zelensky was “more difficult to deal with than [Vladimir] Putin” and called Kyiv’s latest strikes on Russian energy facilities a “disgrace”. Relations between the two leaders hit a new low after Mr Trump struck a deal to buy diesel from Russia last week.
Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starshield satellite system, which supports Kyiv’s battlefield operations, was also limited this week. It emerged on Friday that the order to restrict access had come from inside the White House.
Mr Zelensky criticised Mr Trump on Thursday and said he was “done” with the president’s energy ceasefire, with his forces later striking a Russian oil refinery.
In response, the US president called the renewed Ukrainian attacks a “disgrace” and said Kyiv was driving up global energy prices. » | Emily Smith | Foreign Breaking News Reporter | Friday, October 16, 2026
It is Trump who is the disgrace, not Zelenskyy! If Trump had done his job properly as POTUS, tens of thousands of Ukrainians would still be alive today. Trump is a Russian asset and traitor. Fie on him!
Demonstrably, Trump is not up to the job; so, if he were an honourable man, he’d resign. — © Mark Alexander
Saudi Arabia to Execute Man for Being at Protests and Funerals When He Was 15
THE GUARDIAN: Use of death penalty against people for crimes committed when they were children a ‘new low’, say rights groups
The supreme court has reportedly upheld Youssef al-Manasif’s death penalty for offences committed as a minor. Last year Saudi Arabia put to death 356 people. Photograph: Handout
A young man faces imminent execution in Saudi Arabia for attending protests and funerals when he was aged 15 to 17, say human rights groups, in the latest example of the kingdom’s surging use of the death penalty for non-violent crimes.
Youssef al-Manasif was arrested in 2017 and accused of crimes including joining demonstrations for religious freedom by the Shia minority and attending funerals that the Saudi authorities deem to be protests. He was convicted and sentenced to death by the specialised criminal court, a secretive tribunal set up for terrorism-related cases. » | Tom Levitt | Friday, October 16, 2026
This must surely be a clear demonstration of Allah’s mercy and compassion! It also shows us clearly how the ‘Religion of Peace’ deals with minors committing minor infractions.
Surely, the Saudi authorities could find a more appropriate and more compassionate way of dealing with this young man. Do the Saudi authorities really think that this young man’s infractions are grave enough to warrant the death penalty, thus robbing him of a life, and certainly ruining the lives of his parents and family? Would the Prophet really approve of such inhumane treatment of a young Muslim?
Little wonder westerners hold Islam in such low esteem! — © Mark Alexander
A young man faces imminent execution in Saudi Arabia for attending protests and funerals when he was aged 15 to 17, say human rights groups, in the latest example of the kingdom’s surging use of the death penalty for non-violent crimes.
Youssef al-Manasif was arrested in 2017 and accused of crimes including joining demonstrations for religious freedom by the Shia minority and attending funerals that the Saudi authorities deem to be protests. He was convicted and sentenced to death by the specialised criminal court, a secretive tribunal set up for terrorism-related cases. » | Tom Levitt | Friday, October 16, 2026
This must surely be a clear demonstration of Allah’s mercy and compassion! It also shows us clearly how the ‘Religion of Peace’ deals with minors committing minor infractions.
Surely, the Saudi authorities could find a more appropriate and more compassionate way of dealing with this young man. Do the Saudi authorities really think that this young man’s infractions are grave enough to warrant the death penalty, thus robbing him of a life, and certainly ruining the lives of his parents and family? Would the Prophet really approve of such inhumane treatment of a young Muslim?
Little wonder westerners hold Islam in such low esteem! — © Mark Alexander
UK Could Quickly Re-enter EU with ‘Switzerland Plus’ Deal, Senior MEP Says
THE GUARDIAN: Bernd Lange, who was involved in Brexit talks, says deal could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties
Andy Burnham has said he is looking at all options for the UK’s relationship with the EU. Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images
The UK could re-enter the EU in a “Switzerland plus” package that could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties with the bloc, the head of a European parliament committee has said.
Bernd Lange, who was heavily involved in Brexit negotiations, said: “I would love to see the UK back.” He said the EU missed the UK in decision-making because of its strong history of promoting open markets and democracy.
A Swiss style arrangement is often considered a halfway house to full membership of the bloc but involves free movement and regulatory alignment.
Switzerland is not a member of the EU but it struck a deal last year cementing its “frictionless access” to the single market across more than 100 agreements with a new framework deal.
This gives it access to the EU’s electricity market, space programmes, Erasmus and the Digital Europe research programme, and participation in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
In exchange, Switzerland agreed to the free movement of people and to pay €375m (£326m) a year into the EU’s economic and cohesion funds. » | Lisa O’Carroll Senior correspondent | Friday, October 16, 2026
The UK could re-enter the EU in a “Switzerland plus” package that could be negotiated within months of any decision to deepen ties with the bloc, the head of a European parliament committee has said.
Bernd Lange, who was heavily involved in Brexit negotiations, said: “I would love to see the UK back.” He said the EU missed the UK in decision-making because of its strong history of promoting open markets and democracy.
A Swiss style arrangement is often considered a halfway house to full membership of the bloc but involves free movement and regulatory alignment.
Switzerland is not a member of the EU but it struck a deal last year cementing its “frictionless access” to the single market across more than 100 agreements with a new framework deal.
This gives it access to the EU’s electricity market, space programmes, Erasmus and the Digital Europe research programme, and participation in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
In exchange, Switzerland agreed to the free movement of people and to pay €375m (£326m) a year into the EU’s economic and cohesion funds. » | Lisa O’Carroll Senior correspondent | Friday, October 16, 2026
Poursuivis pour torture, Nicolas Maduro et sa femme plaident non coupable devant un tribunal de New York
LE FIGARO : La justice américaine a engagé le 8 octobre de nouvelles poursuites pour torture contre l’ancien président vénézuélien Nicolas Maduro et son épouse Cilia Flores, détenus à New York depuis janvier.
L'ancien président vénézuélien Nicolas Maduro et son épouse Cilia Flores ont plaidé non coupable de torture devant un tribunal de New York jeudi. La justice américaine a engagé ces nouvelles poursuites contre le couple, détenu aux États-Unis depuis janvier, accusé d'avoir conspiré pour commettre des actes de torture contre des opposants politiques, dont des électrocutions, des passages à tabac et des simulations de noyade. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 15 octobre 2026
L'ancien président vénézuélien Nicolas Maduro et son épouse Cilia Flores ont plaidé non coupable de torture devant un tribunal de New York jeudi. La justice américaine a engagé ces nouvelles poursuites contre le couple, détenu aux États-Unis depuis janvier, accusé d'avoir conspiré pour commettre des actes de torture contre des opposants politiques, dont des électrocutions, des passages à tabac et des simulations de noyade. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 15 octobre 2026
Derrière le deal entre les États-Unis et la Russie, les bonnes affaires de Donald Trump et de ses proches
LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - Les négociations de contrats au bénéfice du président de la première puissance mondiale, ou de son cercle proche, sont au cœur de la diplomatie américaine. Dernier exemple en date, un accord pétrolier profitant à Steve Witkoff et Jared Kushner, en marge des discussions avec Vladimir Poutine.
La stratégie américaine évoque un mélange de Risk et de Monopoly. De la Russie au Moyen-Orient, du Venezuela à Cuba, la diplomatie de la première puissance mondiale voit de plus en plus fréquemment les intérêts patrimoniaux du président américain et de sa famille se mêler aux considérations géopolitiques, avec des conséquences stratégiques majeures. Échappant dorénavant largement au Congrès et au Département d’État, les affaires étrangères sont gérées de façon opaque par Jared Kushner et Steve Witkoff, le gendre et l’ami du président.
Se déroulant généralement sans témoins ni traces écrites, les discussions sur les affaires internationales incluent les négociations de fructueux contrats dont bénéficient les intéressés ou leurs familles, ou bien des groupes financiers leur étant liés. Et au lieu de constituer des à-côtés lucratifs aux discussions, elles en deviennent l’élément central. L’accélération du pivot américain en faveur de Moscou dans le conflit russo-ukrainien au cours du week-end s’est accompagnée d’un extraordinaire tournant dans les négociations avec la Russie. » | Par Adrien Jaulmes, correspondant à Washington | jeudi 15 octobre 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
Thursday, October 15, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: President Zelenskyy 'BETRAYED' by Trump & Elon Musk | Piers Morgan Interview
Oct 14, 2026 | Piers Morgan sits down for an exclusive, in-person interview with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his London studios.
In this hard-hitting discussion, the Ukrainian leader addresses his feelings on Trump’s energy ceasefire and diesel deal with Putin, admitting he feels ‘betrayed’ and warning that stepping away from Ukraine is "the wrong side of history."
He also delivers a direct message to Elon Musk, breaks down the staggering reality of Russian casualties on the battlefield, discusses ongoing energy attacks, and tackles the tough questions surrounding peace negotiations and territorial integrity.
Trump is shameful for doing deals with Putin, especially in the middle of Putin's vicious and brutal war against the Ukrainians. What an unprincipled man Trump is! — © Mark Alexander
In this hard-hitting discussion, the Ukrainian leader addresses his feelings on Trump’s energy ceasefire and diesel deal with Putin, admitting he feels ‘betrayed’ and warning that stepping away from Ukraine is "the wrong side of history."
He also delivers a direct message to Elon Musk, breaks down the staggering reality of Russian casualties on the battlefield, discusses ongoing energy attacks, and tackles the tough questions surrounding peace negotiations and territorial integrity.
Trump is shameful for doing deals with Putin, especially in the middle of Putin's vicious and brutal war against the Ukrainians. What an unprincipled man Trump is! — © Mark Alexander
Germany Is “Wrong” to Finance Ukraine War: Alice Weidel Interview | The Economist
Oct 15, 2026 | Germany should stop financing an “already lost war” in Ukraine, says Alice Weidel.
The co-leader of the populist-right Alternative for Germany [Alternative für Deutschland], speaks to Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief.
Weidel argues that peace requires taking Russia’s security interests into account, that Europe is heading for a bond-market crisis and that Syrians, Afghans–and eventually Ukrainians–[will] have to leave Germany.
How does this German woman think that the Ukrainians could hold elections in the middle of a major war? Further, how many elections did Hitler hold during the Second World War? (Isn’t Hitler is her hero?) Alice Weidel is a heartless woman. Beware! She and her sort could well take Germany back down a dark road. Don’t be fooled by her stylishness’; rather, pay close attention to what she wants to do with Germany. — © Mark Alexander
The co-leader of the populist-right Alternative for Germany [Alternative für Deutschland], speaks to Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief.
Weidel argues that peace requires taking Russia’s security interests into account, that Europe is heading for a bond-market crisis and that Syrians, Afghans–and eventually Ukrainians–[will] have to leave Germany.
How does this German woman think that the Ukrainians could hold elections in the middle of a major war? Further, how many elections did Hitler hold during the Second World War? (Isn’t Hitler is her hero?) Alice Weidel is a heartless woman. Beware! She and her sort could well take Germany back down a dark road. Don’t be fooled by her stylishness’; rather, pay close attention to what she wants to do with Germany. — © Mark Alexander
Peter Stevanic: “There Is Not a Single Sign of Any Overall Economic Damage Done by Brexit,” Says Nigel Farage
That charlatan—Farage—has done untold damage to the UK economy; furthermore, he has robbed UK citizens of their rights as European citizens, which they once had. That intolerable man is full of hot air. Further, he lacks all and any substance, just like all snake oil salesmen do. — © Mark Alexander
Donald Trump Is Trapped by His Own Delusions | Steve Schmidt
Anyone who admires the Orange One must have got a screw loose! Ergo, there are plenty of MAGANS and Trump supporters over there, across the Pond, who have a screw loose! By the way, don’t those idiots who stand behind Trump spewing nonsense and crap on the podium just make you want to vomit? One was raised to believe in, and admire Americans, for their go-getting nature more especially, but I think I can safely say that this Trump presidency has disabused many of us of that erroneous notion. After this chaotic and disreputable Trump presidency, there is only one direction for America to go, and that’s DOWN! My advice to Americans is this: Be more careful whom you vote for! — © Mark Alexander
What Do Ukrainians Think of Trump’s Latest Decisions?
A deal with Russia, pressure on Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries and other recent decisions by U.S. President Donald Trump have raised concerns among Ukrainians.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue. The Kyiv Independent took to the streets of Kyiv to ask residents how they view Trump’s recent decisions and what they mean for Ukraine.
From feelings of betrayal to calls for a clearer stance against Moscow, here’s what people in the Ukrainian capital had to say.
Here are some Ukrainians’ views.
Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continue. The Kyiv Independent took to the streets of Kyiv to ask residents how they view Trump’s recent decisions and what they mean for Ukraine.
From feelings of betrayal to calls for a clearer stance against Moscow, here’s what people in the Ukrainian capital had to say.
„Muss nicht laut gesagt werden“: EU-Regierungschefs wollen Selenskyj wegen Trump-Kritik zurechtweisen
BERLINER ZEITUNG: Nach schweren Vorwürfen gegen die Trump-Regierung fürchten europäische Politiker um die militärische Unterstützung der Ukraine. Beim Gipfel in Brüssel wollen sie auf Selenskyj einwirken.
Idee für eine BU? Wolodymyr Selenskyj und Donald Trump bei einem früheren Treffen. | © Alex Brandon/AP
Europäische Staats- und Regierungschefs wollen den ukrainischen Präsidenten Wolodymyr Selenskyj offenbar wegen seiner scharfen Kritik an US-Präsident Donald Trump zur Rede stellen. Beim EU-Gipfel am Freitag in Brüssel sollen sie ihn auffordern, seine öffentlichen Angriffe auf den amerikanischen Präsidenten zu mäßigen. Darüber berichtet die Financial Times unter Berufung auf drei mit den Gipfelvorbereitungen vertraute Personen.
Die europäischen Politiker befürchten demnach, dass Selenskyjs Äußerungen die ohnehin schwer belasteten Beziehungen zwischen der Ukraine und den USA weiter beschädigen könnten. Die Botschaft bei dem geplanten Gespräch solle verständnisvoll, aber bestimmt ausfallen.
„Es mag stimmen, aber man muss es nicht immer laut aussprechen“, sagte einer der mit den Vorbereitungen vertrauten Vertreter der Financial Times. Das Zitat macht deutlich, in welchem Dilemma sich die europäischen Verbündeten befinden: Sie wollen die Ukraine weiter unterstützen, zugleich aber eine zusätzliche Konfrontation mit Trump vermeiden. » | Alexander Schmalz | Donnerstag, 15. Oktober 2026
Europäische Staats- und Regierungschefs wollen den ukrainischen Präsidenten Wolodymyr Selenskyj offenbar wegen seiner scharfen Kritik an US-Präsident Donald Trump zur Rede stellen. Beim EU-Gipfel am Freitag in Brüssel sollen sie ihn auffordern, seine öffentlichen Angriffe auf den amerikanischen Präsidenten zu mäßigen. Darüber berichtet die Financial Times unter Berufung auf drei mit den Gipfelvorbereitungen vertraute Personen.
Die europäischen Politiker befürchten demnach, dass Selenskyjs Äußerungen die ohnehin schwer belasteten Beziehungen zwischen der Ukraine und den USA weiter beschädigen könnten. Die Botschaft bei dem geplanten Gespräch solle verständnisvoll, aber bestimmt ausfallen.
„Es mag stimmen, aber man muss es nicht immer laut aussprechen“, sagte einer der mit den Vorbereitungen vertrauten Vertreter der Financial Times. Das Zitat macht deutlich, in welchem Dilemma sich die europäischen Verbündeten befinden: Sie wollen die Ukraine weiter unterstützen, zugleich aber eine zusätzliche Konfrontation mit Trump vermeiden. » | Alexander Schmalz | Donnerstag, 15. Oktober 2026
El Pastificio de Nicola: Riwwelkuchen | Traditional Volga German Crumb Cake
Please note that the word “riwwel” is a dialect German word coming from the dialectic word “riwweln”, which in standard German would be ‘reiben’, meaning to rub or grate. In standard German, or Hochdeutsch, this cake is called Streuselkuchen. In order to undertand this correctly think of the English apple crumble, or rhubarb crumble, etc. That is the English equivalent. — Mark
Why Russia So Desperately Wants Donbas and Why Ukraine Refuses to Give It Up
The region was initially invaded by Russia in 2014, has endured the fiercest fighting since 2022, and Russia now controls most of it. But Kyiv still holds a fortified belt of cities that form the backbone of Ukraine’s eastern defense.
Supporters of a deal argue that time favors Moscow and that painful concessions now could prevent greater losses later. Ukrainian officials and soldiers see it differently. With layered fortifications, drone-saturated killzones, and hundreds of thousands of civilians still at stake, Donetsk Oblast is not just territory — it is the line preventing further Russian expansion.
The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell explains why the Battle of Donbas remains at the center of the peace process.
Brésil : le Parlement approuve la réduction du temps de travail, promise par Lula
LE FIGARO : Le président de gauche Lula mise sur cette réforme pour combler son retard sur le sénateur conservateur Flavio Bolsonaro, en vue du second tour de la présidentielle.
Le Parlement brésilien a adopté mercredi la réduction du temps de travail par le biais d'une réforme constitutionnelle sur laquelle le président de gauche Lula mise pour combler son retard sur le sénateur conservateur Flavio Bolsonaro, en vue du second tour de la présidentielle.
Cette réforme, défendue par le gouvernement de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva depuis des mois, permet à de nombreux Brésiliens de bénéficier de deux jours de repos hebdomadaires, contre un seul actuellement, et réduit de 44 à 40 heures le nombre d'heures de travail par semaine. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 15 octobre 2026
« L’interdiction est levée, c’est fini » : l’Ukraine va reprendre ses frappes sur les raffineries russes, annonce Volodymyr Zelensky
LE FIGARO : Ni Moscou ni Kiev n’ont confirmé avoir négocié une trêve énergétique supposée. L’armée russe a frappé des centrales électriques en Ukraine ces derniers jours. La Russie a accusé mercredi l’Ukraine d’avoir attaqué deux raffineries russes, ce que Kiev a démenti.
Le président ukrainien Volodymyr Zelensky affirme que les frappes sur les raffineries russes vont reprendre, après plusieurs jours de pause liée à l'annonce surprise d'une trêve énergétique par le président américain Donald Trump, dans un entretien au Financial Times publié jeudi. Ni Moscou ni Kiev n'ont confirmé avoir négocié cette trêve supposée.
L'armée russe a frappé des centrales électriques en Ukraine ces derniers jours. La Russie a accusé mercredi l'Ukraine d'avoir attaqué deux raffineries russes, ce que Kiev a démenti. « L'interdiction (de frapper les raffineries) est levée. C'est fini », a dit le président ukrainien au FT. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | jeudi 15 octobre 2026
Poland’s Ascent from Communist State to Top 20 Economy Reverses the Brain Drain
THE GUARDIAN: In the final part of our series on the country, Poles tell how wages have soared – along with the cost of living
A view of Warsaw from the observation deck of Varso Tower, the tallest building in the EU at 310 metres. In the background, the Palace of Culture and Science, built in the 1950s as a symbol of the postwar socialist era. Photograph: Anna Liminowicz/The Guardian
Above the rain-soaked streets of Warsaw, the observation deck of the Varso tower overlooks Joseph Stalin’s gift to Poland that has divided opinion for decades.
For some, the Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science is a drunk confectioner’s nightmare; standing as a relic of oppression that should have been demolished. For others, it is an icon on the skyline and a monumental warning from history.
For the managers of the Varso – completed four years ago, as the tallest building in the EU – with its 310m-high spire rising symbolically above its Stalinist neighbour, it is a waypoint on Poland’s rapid path to economic prosperity.
“We look down on it,” says Cezary Błaszczyk, the managing director of HB Reavis in Poland, which owns the tower, gesturing at the palace opposite. A few months ago a slackline walker traversed the 500m gap between the buildings. “It was a symbolic walk from the past to the future,” says his colleague Natalia Kasperska.
“Since we are higher and taller than the Palace of Culture, we treat it as: ‘We got over communism, and now we are a country with a strong economy,’” Błaszczyk says.
Over the four decades since regaining its independence from Soviet-dominated rule, Poland has been transformed. Excluding oil-exporting states and financial hubs, incomes have converged with western levels at the fastest rate in the world; from 40% of the EU average in the mid-1990s to 81% last year. » | Richard Partington in Warsaw | Thursday, October 15, 2026
Above the rain-soaked streets of Warsaw, the observation deck of the Varso tower overlooks Joseph Stalin’s gift to Poland that has divided opinion for decades.
For some, the Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science is a drunk confectioner’s nightmare; standing as a relic of oppression that should have been demolished. For others, it is an icon on the skyline and a monumental warning from history.
For the managers of the Varso – completed four years ago, as the tallest building in the EU – with its 310m-high spire rising symbolically above its Stalinist neighbour, it is a waypoint on Poland’s rapid path to economic prosperity.
“We look down on it,” says Cezary Błaszczyk, the managing director of HB Reavis in Poland, which owns the tower, gesturing at the palace opposite. A few months ago a slackline walker traversed the 500m gap between the buildings. “It was a symbolic walk from the past to the future,” says his colleague Natalia Kasperska.
“Since we are higher and taller than the Palace of Culture, we treat it as: ‘We got over communism, and now we are a country with a strong economy,’” Błaszczyk says.
Over the four decades since regaining its independence from Soviet-dominated rule, Poland has been transformed. Excluding oil-exporting states and financial hubs, incomes have converged with western levels at the fastest rate in the world; from 40% of the EU average in the mid-1990s to 81% last year. » | Richard Partington in Warsaw | Thursday, October 15, 2026
Convalescence et traitement anticancéreux : quelles seront les suites pour le pape Léon XIV après son opération d’un cancer du poumon ?
LE FIGARO : Le souverain pontife a été opéré mardi d’un adénocarcinome, l’une des tumeurs pulmonaires les plus fréquentes. Mais des questions demeurent sur la suite de sa prise en charge, et sur sa capacité à se rendre en Amérique du Sud début novembre.
Une intervention chirurgicale qui s’est bien déroulée, une confirmation du cancer qui l’avait motivée, des premiers examens « normaux » et déjà quelques pas dans sa chambre : tout semble se passer comme prévu pour le pape Léon XIV, opéré ce mardi d’un adénocarcinome pulmonaire à l’hôpital Gemelli, à Rome. Mais des questions demeurent sur sa convalescence et les suites de sa prise en charge.
D’abord, levons une inquiétude : si le cancer du poumon a très mauvaise réputation, c’est parce qu’il est trop souvent détecté tardivement, à un stade métastatique. Or Léon XIV a parlé d’un nodule « précoce » et « isolé ». « En ce cas, la chirurgie peut suffire à guérir », explique le Pr Nicolas Girard, responsable du département d’oncologie thoracique à l’Institut Curie (Paris). « C’est beau, ce qui se passe actuellement sur le cancer du poumon, souffle même le Pr Arnaud Bourdin, pneumologue au CHU de Montpellier. Il y a dix ans, on aurait sans doute détecté son cancer trop tard. Désormais, avec le dépistage précoce et les nouveaux traitements, le pronostic a totalement changé. » » | Par Soline Roy | mercredi 14 octobre 2026
Réservé aux abonnés
Que Dieu bénisse ce pape merveilleux. Que Dieu lui donne la force de surmonter ce grave problème de santé. — © Mark Alexander
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Pope Leo’s Doctors Give Update on His Condition | BBC News
Oct 14, 2026 | Pope Leo XIV's recovery from surgery to remove a lower lobe of his lung is "progressing as expected", his doctors have said.
The 71-year-old pontiff has started to walk and has "resumed a normal diet" following the roughly 90-minute procedure, the medics said in an update shared by the Vatican.
The Pope was diagnosed with lung cancer after the surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, which the Vatican said had been "successful" and proceeded without complications.
Blood tests and an X-ray early on Wednesday showed his recovery was "proceeding normally", the doctors said, and he has also undergone respiratory physiotherapy.
The pontiff is expected to remain there for about a week as he recovers.
The 71-year-old pontiff has started to walk and has "resumed a normal diet" following the roughly 90-minute procedure, the medics said in an update shared by the Vatican.
The Pope was diagnosed with lung cancer after the surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, which the Vatican said had been "successful" and proceeded without complications.
Blood tests and an X-ray early on Wednesday showed his recovery was "proceeding normally", the doctors said, and he has also undergone respiratory physiotherapy.
The pontiff is expected to remain there for about a week as he recovers.
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