Same-sex Couple Sue over Slovakia’s Refusal to Register Marriage

THE GUARDIAN: Case of couple who wed legally in Austria exposes clash between EU court ruling and national restrictions

Ivan Novotný (left) and Metod Špaček married in Austria in 2020 but their marital status at home in Slovakia remains unrecognised. Photograph: Rob Cameron
A same-sex couple are suing authorities in Slovakia for refusing to register their Austrian marriage, testing whether a landmark EU court ruling can turn recognition abroad into legal security at home.

Their fight exposes a clash between European obligations and national restrictions – and what that means for LGBTQ+ people living under Robert Fico’s populist-nationalist government.

Ivan Novotný, 31, and Metod Špaček, 51, married in Austria in 2020, but six years on, their marital status at home remains unrecognised.

There is no same-sex marriage in Slovakia, a socially conservative, predominantly Catholic country; neither is there any form of civil partnership.

But Novotný and Špaček, who are both lawyers and former diplomats, are not asking for that. They want the Slovakian authorities to recognise a marriage that was concluded legally in another EU country – something the bloc’s top court has said is mandatory for all EU members. » | Rob Cameron in Bratislava | Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Miriam González Durántez Launches New Centrist Party in Spain

THE GUARDIAN: Wife of former British deputy PM Nick Clegg promises liberal alternative to the PP and Socialists before snap election>

Miriam González Durántez at the launch of Democracia21. The new party is promising a ‘radical political cleanup’, including greater political transparency. Photograph: Alejandro Martinez Velez/Reuters
The Spanish lawyer Miriam González Durántez has launched a new liberal, centrist party, vowing to clean up politics and give voters an alternative to the dominant socialist and conservative parties as the country gears up for next month’s snap general election.

González Durántez, an ex-EU adviser who is married to the former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, says her new party, Democracia21, will offer a modern, transparent kind of politics that “doesn’t feed on fear, insults or nostalgia”.

Democracia21’s manifesto accuses both the ruling Spanish Socialist Workers’ party (PSOE) and the rightwing People’s party (PP) of squandering decades of government for short-term political ends.

“In the meantime: housing became unaffordable, young people left, bureaucracy grew like a religion, and bickering took the place of governing,” it says. “Old-school politics turned every problem into a narrative – and every solution into an electoral threat.” » | Sam Jones in Madrid | Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Arabie saoudite : de fortes explosions entendues à Riyad

LE FIGARO : Les habitants de la capitale saoudienne ont reçu mercredi une alerte téléphonique les invitant à se mettre à l’abri face à une «menace aérienne». Levée quelques minutes plus tard, elle intervient après plusieurs jours d’attaques des Houthis du Yémen contre la ville.

De fortes explosions ont été entendues mercredi dans la capitale saoudienne, Riyad, régulièrement visée ces derniers jours par des attaques des Houthis du Yémen, ont rapporté des journalistes de l'AFP. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 14 octobre 2026

Ukraine Found Russia’s Weakness. Trump Is Protecting It, Browder Argues

Oct 14, 2026 | Could Donald Trump’s diesel deal help protect Russia’s oil infrastructure from Ukrainian attacks? Bill Browder, an investor and long-time sanctions advocate, argues that the deal resulted from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plea to Trump to help protect Russia’s energy infrastructure from Ukrainian drone strikes. Browder argues that Russia’s dependence on oil revenues makes its energy infrastructure a critical vulnerability – and for the same reason, Ukraine should keep up the pressure.

The Kyiv Independent’s Tim Zadorozhnyy speaks with Browder about Trump’s deal to allow Russian diesel supplies to the U.S., the implications for Ukraine and Western policy, and whether sanctions can force Russia to negotiate. Browder explains why he believes sanctions on Russian crude oil could significantly weaken Moscow’s ability to fund the war.

Allemagne : droite et gauche radicales s’allient pour un appel à cesser l’aide à l’Ukraine et à normaliser les relations avec la Russie

LE FIGARO : « Le soutien financier à l’Ukraine dépassant le cadre de l’aide humanitaire doit être immédiatement arrêté », est-il écrit dans le texte voté mercredi, qui exhorte aussi à la levée « immédiate » des sanctions contre la Russie.

Le Parlement de Saxe-Anhalt, désormais dominé par l'extrême droite, soutenue par une formation de gauche radicale, a adopté mercredi un appel à cesser l'aide militaire à l'Ukraine et à normaliser les relations avec la Russie.

Formation prorusse et antimigrants, l'Alternative pour l'Allemagne (AfD), après sa victoire écrasante aux élections régionales de septembre dans cette région d'ex-Allemagne de l'Est, domine l'assemblée mais elle a besoin des cinq élus du BSW pour disposer de la majorité absolue. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 14 octobre 2026

Democracy Now! Top US News & World Headlines

October 14, 2026

Democracy Now! can be supported here »

Trump ‘Wants to Stop Ukraine Attacking Russian Infrastructure’ | Leigh Turner

Oct 14, 2026 | “So President Trump is desperate to get those prices down, and he sees Ukraine deploying one of the few weapons it has that really hurts Russia, which is to damage Russian fuel infrastructure. And he just wishes it would stop. And so, he is looking around for anything he can do to stop Ukraine from doing one of the few things Ukraine can do.”

Former British ambassador to Ukraine Leigh Turner says that Donald Trump’s “pro-Russian language is a bad sign” that is “putting money in the pockets of Putin.”

Donald Trump Is Playing Footsie with Vladimir Putin | Bill Browder

Oct 13, 2026 | NATO has unveiled its new “Theory of Victory” while the White House has surprised allies by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel imports. Both developments are being closely discussed at the Warsaw Security Forum, now in its second day.

“We are dealing with two alternative realities,” said Bill Browder, Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, speaking in an interview with TVP World. According to Browder, NATO's message of deterrence stands in stark contrast to the actions of President Donald Trump, who he says is “flirting” with Vladimir Putin. “We are living in a world where there is a fairly high probability that the United States would not come to the aid of a NATO ally,” he argues.

Browder believes Trump is driven by private interests and warns that Europe has effectively been left on its own to deal with Russia. He also describes Trump's calls for presidential elections in Ukraine as “madness.” According to Browder, Putin cannot afford to stop waging war and should never be underestimated.

Do We Need to Talk About Brexit?

Oct 14, 2026 | Andy Burnham announced this week that UK and EU leaders will meet in November to discuss a reset in relations. Brexit has been bad for the country, Burnham said, and a closer relationship with Europe will foster economic growth and strengthen national security. Is he right? What is he hoping to accomplish in November? And is now the time to reopen the fraught debate over Britain’s decision to leave the EU? …

I am so impressed by Andy Burnham’s honesty and courage to speak the truth, especially because many people don’t wish to hear the truth because it hurts their unpopular cause namely to stay out of the European Union forever.

But that scenario is looking increasingly unlikely now. Andy Burnham will surely win this war and take us right back into the heart if the European Union, where this country will gain in influence and prosperity. Instead of being an also-ran, it will be up there with the best and most powerful of them.

This movement will soon become unstoppable. It will, of course, be music to the ears of the nation’s young, progressive, and ambitious. It will enable them to begin to realise their dreams. Bring it on, I say! Ah! Eastward ho! — © Mark Alexander

It’s Now ‘Loud and Clear’ Why Trump Is Helping Putin — It’s Time for Him to Go | Scott Lucas

Oct 14, 2026 | Professor Scott Lucas joins Maddie Hale to discuss Trump's controversial Putin diesel deal, growing Republican backlash, potential US–Russia business interests, why Canada could have come to America's rescue, concerns over intelligence-sharing with Ukraine and the political fallout ahead of the midterms.

The 2026 Midterm Illusion: Why Trump’s Executive Coup Is Already Unstoppable

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, traditional political commentators are treating the moment like business as usual. But behind the scenes, historical norms no longer apply.

In this video, we break down how Donald Trump’s rolling, inside-out coup against American democracy has evolved from the events of January 6 into a permanent shift toward autocratic rule. From governing almost exclusively through executive decree to expanding domestic deportation forces and pivoting toward Moscow, the formal structures of democracy are rapidly giving way.


ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here »

Trump Is ‘Wrong’ to Think That He Can Appease Putin to Make Him Stop | Lord Dannatt

Oct 14, 2026 | “Putin absolutely has to succeed as far as he is concerned in Ukraine. He wants some kind of victory at all costs. And my goodness, the costs are high for Russia. So if Donald Trump thinks that he can somehow appease or persuade Putin to back down or to stop, he's wrong.”

Former head of the British army Lord Dannatt says that Donald Trump’s deal with Vladimir Putin is “disgraceful” and he also it was “outrageous” if Donald Trump did allow Starlink to be restricted for the Ukrainians overnight.


It’s high time that the American electorate found its cojones and kicked that incompetent, unprincipled, orange-makeup-smeared, corrupt man out of the White House! For America’s own sake and for the sake of the security of the rest of us in the West. The American Führer is a danger to world peace. — © Mark Alexander

Saudi Energy Giant Struck as War Spikes Between Houthis and Saudi Arabia

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The attack came after the Yemeni militia warned it would attack the headquarters of Aramco. The Saudi-led coalition said it was targeting Houthi capabilities.

A man looking over the skyline of Sanaa, Yemen, on Tuesday. Credit: Mohammed Huwais/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
A building owned by the energy giant Aramco was set ablaze late Tuesday in a strike on the Saudi city housing its headquarters, the kingdom’s energy ministry said, as war spiked between the Houthi militia in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis had threatened earlier in the day to attack the Aramco headquarters in the eastern city of Dhahran, but did not immediately take responsibility for the strike. It came after the Iranian-backed militia reported that two major oil facilities in Yemen had been attacked by Saudi forces on Tuesday.

The Saudi energy ministry said in a statement that the strike in Dhahran had hit an Aramco administrative building and caused “a limited fire” and no injuries.

By late Tuesday, residents of both countries were on edge as explosions were repeatedly heard in their capital cities. A Saudi-led coalition said it was targeting Yemeni facilities that support the Houthi war effort, while the Houthis vowed to retaliate against comparable sites in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi authorities issued warnings of an aerial threat in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. And Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said four cruise missiles fired toward Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia had been intercepted, along with two drones.

Mr. al-Maliki also reported that a ballistic missile launched toward the city of Damman [sic] in the eastern part of the kingdom by the Houthis had been intercepted, and that shrapnel fell in a residential area of neighboring Dhahran. » | Ismaeel Naar and Pranav Baskar | Reporting from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. | Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Musk Turns on Ukraine by Limiting Starlink

THE TELEGRAPH: Kyiv claims restrictions on critical communications devices were implemented without warning

Russia launched huge ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv on Wednesday Credit: Valentyn Ogirenko/REUTERS
Elon Musk has turned on Ukraine by imposing limits on his Starlink devices, Kyiv has claimed.

Advisers to Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that military missions had been scuppered after restrictions were implemented on the critical communications devices without warning.

Mr Musk’s SpaceX company imposed a 100mph “speed limit” on the Starshield military package of satellite devices, inhibiting Ukraine’s mid-range and long-range strikes, current and former officials said.

On Saturday, Mr Musk said “Zelensky has gone too far” in his strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.

Relations have deteriorated between Kyiv and Washington after Donald Trump agreed to waive sanctions on Russia to import diesel to ease fuel prices and called for Mr Zelensky to be ousted.

The US has also threatened to suspend intelligence-sharing to force Ukraine to stop its refinery strikes, while Mr Zelensky has claimed he stopped receiving warnings from allies about Russian missile attacks. » | Antonia Langford | Wednesday, October 14, 2026

What a mean, nasty S** Elon Musk is! — © Mark Alexander

Charles Spencer : « J’aurais aimé pouvoir dire à Diana à quel point elle était aimée, car elle ne le savait pas »

Earl Charles Spencer photographié lors dans sa demeure d’Althrop pour le Sunday Times Magazine. Stuart McClymont / Times Newspapers Ltd
MADAME FIGARO : ENTRETIEN - À l’occasion de la parution de Diana, ma sœur, Le Chant du cygne, Charles Spencer se confie sur la personnalité et les secrets de celle qu’il a connue bien avant qu’elle ne devienne une icône mondiale.

Madame Figaro .- Dans votre livre, vous commencez par décrire votre enfance et celle de Diana. Auriez-vous pu imaginer un tel destin pour elle ?
Je ne pense pas qu’un petit frère puisse imaginer que sa grande sœur va devenir une icône mondiale. J’ai toujours su qu’elle avait des qualités très particulières, parce que j’y ai souvent été confronté. Elle pouvait être une sœur très agaçante ! (Rires) Comme nous étions les deux plus jeunes (ils ont deux grandes sœurs, Sarah et Jane, NDLR), nous passions beaucoup de temps ensemble, et sans doute trop. Mais dans l’ensemble, nous avons eu une enfance vraiment soudée. Diana a malheureusement grandi avec une très faible estime d’elle-même parce qu’elle a reçu une éducation médiocre. Je suis sincèrement convaincu, même en l’absence de diagnostic, que Diana souffrait de dyslexie. Quand elle parlait de « cheese and onion » (fromage et oignon) enfant, elle écrivait « onion » I-O-N-A, ce qui est typique de la dyslexie. Bien sûr, Diana était loin d’être stupide. Elle possédait même l’intelligence émotionnelle la plus développée que j’aie jamais vue. Mais sur le plan scolaire, elle était confrontée à de très sérieux handicaps. C’est magnifique qu’une jeune fille qui a toujours été la dernière de sa classe soit ensuite devenue la première dans la vie. » | Par Marion Galy-Ramounot et Leonie Dutrievoz | mardi 13 octobre 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

Erste Pressekonferenz nach wenigen Minuten abgebrochen: Trumps neue Sprecherin wirkt nervös und verhaspelt sich

TAGESSPIEGEL: Unter Karoline Leavitt dauerten Pressekonferenzen oft über eine Stunde. Ihre Nachfolgerin Katie Zacharia ließ nun nur drei Fragen zu.

Die neue Sprecherin des Weißen Hauses, Katie Zacharia, hat ihre erste Pressekonferenz bereits nach wenigen Minuten wieder beendet. Anders als üblich ließ Zacharia nach einer minutenlangen Erklärung nur drei Fragesteller zu, ehe sie die Fragerunde mit Verweis auf Präsident Trumps Reise nach Alaska abbrach. Gleich als Erstes nahm Zacharia eine Frage des rechten Onlinemediums „Breitbart“ an.

Unter ihrer Vorgängerin Karoline Leavitt war es üblich, dass dutzende Journalisten Fragen stellen konnten. Oft dauerten die Pressekonferenzen weit über eine Stunde. Nach der Verbannung mehrerer Medienhäuser aus dem Weißen Haus warfen Verbände und Redaktionen der Trump-Regierung zuletzt immer wieder Einschnitte in die Pressefreiheit vor. » | Tagesspiegel | Dienstag, 13. Oktober 2026

L’opération du pape révèle un cancer au poumon

Léon XIV à son arrivée, le 13 octobre, à l’hôpital Gemelli, à Rome, avant son intervention médicale. Andrea Cambieri, directeur sanitaire de l’hôpital, le précède. Simone Risoluti / Vatican Media via REUTERS
LE FIGARO : RÉCIT - Léon XIV a dû subir une ablation du lobe inférieur du poumon droit suite à la découverte d’un « adénocarcinome pulmonaire ».

L’opération chirurgicale subie mardi après midi par Léon XIV à l’hôpital Gemelli s’est révélée plus grave que prévue. Un communiqué du Vatican publié dans la soirée a indiqué que l’équipe médicale sous la conduite du professeur Stefano Margaritora a mis à jour la présence d’un « adénocarcinome pulmonaire » qui est une forme du cancer du poumon.

« Afin de rendre l’intervention radicale, le lobe inférieur du poumon droit a été retiré », a précisé le Vatican dans un communiqué signé par les médecins, ajoutant que l’opération « a confirmé le diagnostic d’un adénocarcinome pulmonaire, comme suspecté par les examens préopératoires ».

«  Le Saint-Père est resté au bloc opératoire environ 3 heures, la durée de l’intervention ayant été d’environ 90 minutes », poursuivent-ils, répétant que l’opération s’est «  bien déroulée », sans «  complications ». «  Après l’intervention, le Pape s’est réveillé normalement et, après une courte période d’observation, il est retourné dans sa chambre » de l’hôpital Gemelli, complètent-ils. » | Par Jean-Marie Guénois | Publié : mardi 13 octobre 2026. Mis à jour : mercredi 14 octobre 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

ALSO READ:

Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer as growth removed during surgery: Vatican says pontiff had lower lobe of right lung removed in ‘successful, on schedule and as planned’ operation in Rome »

LESEN SIE AUCH:

Entfernter Tumor war bösartig: Papst Leo XIV. hat Lungenkrebs – auch sein Bruder wegen Krebserkrankung in Klinik: Papst Leo XIV. leidet nach Angaben seiner behandelnden Ärzte an Lungenkrebs. Dies teilte das Ärzte-Team der Gemelli-Klinik in Rom nach einer Operation des 71-Jährigen mit. »

À LIRE AUSSI :

Le cancer du pape Léon XIV bouscule un pontificat en plein essor : RÉCIT - Le Saint-Père a dû subir ce mardi une ablation du lobe inférieur du poumon droit à la suite de la découverte d’un «adénocarcinome pulmonaire». » [Réservé aux abonnés]

Königin Silvia im Interview: So denkt sie über KI und die Zukunft von Kindern | RTL Nachtjournal

50 Jahre als Königin von Schweden: Königin Silvia blickt auf ein halbes Jahrhundert im schwedischen Königshaus zurück. Im exklusiven Interview mit RTL-Moderator Wolfram Kons spricht sie über ihre Ehe mit König Carl Gustaf, ihre Familie und die Herausforderungen, vor denen Kinder und Jugendliche heute stehen.

Besonders die Digitalisierung und Künstliche Intelligenz beschäftigen die Königin. Sie erklärt, warum es aus ihrer Sicht schwieriger geworden ist, Kinder zu unterstützen, und weshalb Erwachsene ihnen mehr zuhören sollten. Auch über den Einsatz von KI spricht sie offen: Die Technologie findet sie spannend, aber auch ein bisschen unheimlich.

Außerdem verrät die gebürtige Heidelbergerin, wie sie auf die aktuelle Situation in Deutschland blickt, was sie an ihrem Mann besonders schätzt und warum sie stolz auf Kronprinzessin Victoria ist. Und sie erzählt, wie sie einen ganz normalen Tag ohne königliche Verpflichtungen verbringen würde. Mehr dazu erfahrt ihr im Video!

The Dark Truth behind Your Cheap Cigarettes - Behind the Investigation | BBC News

Oct 13, 2026 | One in every six cigarettes smoked in the UK is counterfeit. In this episode of BBC News Behind the Investigation, Melanie Stewart-Smith talks to File on 4 Investigates reporter Jane Deith about how the team uncovered the global criminal networks flooding Britain with fake cigarettes, and the human cost behind every cheap pack.

Jane explains how the team traced the supply chain from secret factories in Belgium to corner shops, minimarts and cash and carries across the UK.

We also look at why gangs are moving from drugs to fake cigarettes.

A former senior Europol official says they now make as much money as they do from drugs, with far lower prison sentences if they're caught.

The profits are being used to fund weapons, people smuggling and even terrorism. Do people really know what they're funding when they buy cheap cigarettes?


Is there any wonder that there are so many counterfeit cigarettes being sold when the cost of genuine cigarettes is so high because of taxes? The government will never be able to put a stop to this whilst they insist on hiking the price of legit cigarettes all the time. This isn't rocket science. Burst the bubble by substantially lowering the price of legal cigarettes. This will go a long way to solve the problem. — © Mark Alexander

Polen 39. Wie deutsche Soldaten zu Mördern wurden | Doku HD Reupload | ARTE

Oct 13, 2026 | Bereits im Polenfeldzug 1939 eröffnet die Wehrmacht einen Vernichtungskrieg – auch gegen die Zivilbevölkerung. Die Dokumentation geht der Frage nach, wie in kürzester Zeit aus "ganz gewöhnlichen Männern" Kriegsverbrecher werden konnten – und warum einige Wenige sich dem mörderischen Geschehen doch widersetzt haben.

Der Zweite Weltkrieg ist nur wenige Stunden alt, da werden bereits die ersten Verbrechen verübt: „Ganz normale“ deutsche Soldaten brennen polnische Dörfer nieder und ermorden Zivilisten. Die Bilanz des Polenfeldzugs: Über 15.000 Zivilisten werden im September und Oktober 1939 von SS und Wehrmacht getötet. Es ist der „Auftakt zum Vernichtungskrieg“, wie der Historiker Jochen Böhler schreibt. Die Wehrmacht führt von Anfang an einen verbrecherischen Krieg – doch warum ist das so?

Dieser Frage geht die Dokumentation auf den Spuren von drei Akteuren des Polenfeldzuges nach: Der Frontsoldat Walter K., der Reservist Wilm H. sowie der SS-Mann Erich E. haben Tagebücher und Briefe hinterlassen, in denen sie ihre Erfahrungen und Motive schildern. Wie unter einem Brennglas geben diese drei Geschichten Einblick in das Denken und Handeln deutscher Soldaten von damals. Daneben hat auch die berühmte Regisseurin Leni Riefenstahl einen Auftritt, die im September 1939 Augenzeugin eines Massakers in Polen wurde. Die Dokumentation schildert die Kämpfe an der Front, geht auf die Mord-Aktionen der SS ein, erzählt aber auch von den Gesten der Menschlichkeit, die es bei Soldaten wie Wilm H. gegeben hat. Doch auch sie können nicht darüber hinwegtäuschen, dass der Feldzug nur einem Ziel dient: Die „lebendige Kraft“ des polnischen Staates soll zerstört werden, wie Adolf Hitler in einem Treffen mit der Wehrmachtsführung im August 1939 erklärte.

Im Stil einer modernen Graphic Novel erzählt der Film von den Wegmarken des Polenfeldzugs und zeigt, was die Akteure auf deutscher Seite damals angetrieben hat. Erklärgrafiken und Landkarten stellen Zusammenhänge her, Archivfilme beleuchten die Hintergründe, ein interdisziplinäres Forscherteam – Historiker, Soziologen, Psychologen aus Deutschland und Polen – analysiert, wie die Wehrmacht bereits im Polenfeldzug ihr Gewissen verloren hat.

Dokumentation von Alexander Hogh und Jean-Christoph Caron (D 2019, 52 Min)
Video auf YouTube verfügbar bis 31/08/2027

There Are 3 Weeks Until MAGA's Reckoning | Steve Schmidt

Oct 13, 2026 | Katie Zacharia has made her White House debut as Donald Trump’s press secretary. With 21 days before the midterms, Steve Schmidt breaks down why she is less credible than "Baghdad Bob," and why no lie she tells can stop the blue wave.

Yet another blonde-haired bimbo on Trump’s team! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

Trump’s ‘Sickening’ Putin Deal Suggests ‘Something Else Is Going On’ | Sean Bell

Oct 11, 2026 | Retired Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell joins The Trump Report to analyse Donald Trump’s controversial diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, warning that the president is acting like a “drowning man grasping at straws” as his Iran war unravels and the midterms approach.

Little Things

Oct 13, 2026 | JD Vance says this isn’t the time to “gripe about all the little things" like gas, groceries, rent, your mortgage.

The Lincoln Project is a leading pro-democracy organization in the United States — dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy. Our fight against Trumpism is only beginning. We must combat these forces everywhere and at all times — our democracy depends on it.

‘Major Miscalculation’ - Have the Saudis Realised They Can’t Beat the Houthis?

Oct 13, 2026 | A dramatic escalation in Yemen has plunged the Middle East into a fresh geopolitical crisis, after a series of deadly Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s airports and oil and gas infrastructure.

The long running civil war is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. But why are the Houthis at war with Saudi Arabia? And how does it fit into the wider Middle East conflicts?

In this episode of The Fourcast, Krishnan Guru-Murthy is joined by Middle East Eye Editor-in-Chief David Hearst and investigative journalist Iona Craig, who examine the catastrophic humanitarian emergency facing over 22 million Yemenis, the formation of rival regional alliances, and whether Saudi Arabia can ever achieve a decisive victory in Yemen.



ALSO READ:

Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis Trade Threats Targeting Oil Facilities: The Iran-backed militia threatened to attack the Saudi energy giant Aramco, which it has done before, after the Saudi authorities issued an evacuation notice to an oil facility in the Yemeni capital. »

Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns as Ambassador to Greece

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Ms. Guilfoyle was asked to quit by the White House after a string of damaging reports, including that she had asked a Republican donor to pay off a credit card.

Screenshot taken from this NYT article. | Kimberly Guilfoyle in Athens in December. On Tuesday, she wrote that she planned to “vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity.” Credit: Byron Smith for The New York Times
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as the U.S. ambassador to Greece on Tuesday after the White House asked her to do so following a string of damaging reports, including that she had asked a Republican donor to pay off her credit card.

In response to a question from a reporter about Ms. Guilfoyle’s status, President Trump’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, said: “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”

Mr. Trump said Tuesday that Ms. Guilfoyle “was doing a good job” but that he “didn’t like what I read.” The president also downplayed his connection to Ms. Guilfoyle, who was once engaged to his oldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

“She wasn’t a member of my family,” he told reporters before leaving the White House for Alaska. “She, I guess, dated my son a long time ago.” » | Tyler Pager | Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Paris' Oldest Food Market Destroyed by Fire, Locals Heartbroken

Oct 13, 2026| Paris residents and visitors are mourning the loss of the city's oldest covered food market after a fire broke out on Monday, October 12.

Established in 1615 during the reign of Louis XIII, the historic market in the Marais district was a beloved neighbourhood landmark. Locals described the damage as heartbreaking and expressed fears that reopening could take years.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Houthis: 'The Saudis Did Not Listen to Our Warnings'

Oct 12, 2026 | A deadly Houthi attack has left Saudi Arabia weighing its response.

Sky's Yalda Hakim spoke to senior Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Al Bukhaiti who said that "the Saudis had not listened to their warnings".

Donald Trump Can't Avoid What's Coming | Steve Schmidt

Oct 12, 2026 | Donald Trump told Ukraine to get a new president. With 22 days before the midterms, Steve Schmidt breaks down how Trump sold out Ukraine and why it won’t stop his reckoning.

Why do dumb American blonde-haired bimbos always sound so loud, brash, harsh, and raucous? Are they cloned over there across the Pond, or what? — © Mark Alexander

My Visit to the Middle East: Four Takeaways

This is what Senator Chris Murphy has to say on the Middle East in general and on the war in the Gulf more specifically.

Trump-Partei in Not: Mit hunderten Millionen will Elon Musk die US-Republikaner vor dem Wahldebakel retten

TAGESSPIEGEL: Trumps Republikanern droht bei den Zwischenwahlen ein Debakel. Der reichste Mann der Welt will das verhindern – und pumpt massig Geld in den Wahlkampf.

Elon Musk hat seit Anfang Juli rund 250 Millionen Euro an republikanische Wahlkampforganisationen überwiesen. Das berichtet die „New York Times“. Damit ist Musk der mit Abstand größte bislang bekannte Geldgeber im laufenden US-Zwischenwahlkampf. Zusätzlich soll Musk Geld an Organisationen gegeben haben, die ihre Spender nicht offenlegen müssen. Die öffentlich bekannten Beträge bilden demnach nicht die gesamte Summe ab.

Die Ausgaben verschaffen den Republikanern einen erheblichen finanziellen Vorteil, etwa für die Schaltung von Wahlwerbung. Einen Milliardär, der für die Demokraten annähernd so viel Geld ausgibt wie Musk, gibt es derzeit nicht. » | Von Jean Mikhail | Montag, 12. Oktober 2026

ALSO READ:

Inside Elon Musk’s $276 Million Midterm Rescue Mission for Republicans: The world’s richest person has quietly become by far the biggest known midterm donor, trying to save Republicans’ Senate majority with some of the largest donations in American political history. »

Inside Ancient Persepolis 🏛️ The Glory of the Persian Empire!

Step inside Ancient Persepolis, the magnificent royal city of the Persian Empire! 🏛️

Founded by King Darius I over 2,500 years ago, Persepolis became a symbol of Persian power, breath-taking architecture, and royal grandeur. Explore its towering columns, majestic palaces, and incredible history in this cinematic journey through ancient Persia.

Click here to discover the wonders of the ancient world.

Un haut responsable houthi promet une réponse « rapide et douloureuse » en cas d’intervention américaine

Cette image provient de cet article du Figaro. | Les forces armées houthistes du Yémen patrouillent à Sanaa, le 12 septembre 2026. MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP
LE FIGARO : Alors que la perspective d’une action militaire américaine se précise, un responsable houthi a prévenu que les rebelles yéménites ne resteraient pas passifs. Leur riposte, a-t-il assuré, serait « rapide et douloureuse ».

Un haut responsable houthi a averti lundi les États-Unis qu'ils s'exposeraient à une « riposte rapide et douloureuse » en cas d'intervention dans la guerre opposant les combattants pro-iraniens aux forces yéménites et à leur allié saoudien. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | lundi 12 octobre 2026

'They Seem Unstoppable': Houthi Strikes in Saudi Arabia

Oct 12, 2026 | “On the one hand, you're looking at your screens with Kalashnikov toting guys in skirts and flip flops, and on the other, they're launching precision attacks on Saudi infrastructure.”

Houthi rebels launched back-to-back missile strikes on Saudi Arabian airports, prompting UK travel warnings, with their “significant military might, they seem pretty unstoppable”, says president of Girton College at Cambridge University, Dr Elisabeth Kendall.

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October 12, 2026

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Waleed Asadi: The Sweetest Levantine Tradition: Ma’amoul | معمول

Oct 12, 2026 | There are few traditions as sweet as making ma'amoul for the holidays. Across the Levant, these delicate semolina cookies filled with dates or nuts have been bringing families together for generations. Whether it's Eid or Easter, ma'amoul has a special place in our celebrations, and I think what makes them so meaningful is everything that surrounds them. The time spent making them together, the memories they carry, and the joy of sharing them with the people we love. This week, I'm sharing my recipe for one of the sweetest traditions in the Levant.

Click here for the full recipe.

Waleed’s very own selection of spices can be found here. Don’t forget to use the code ZAWI10 for 10% off your first order.

Waleed’s favourite Lebanese olive oil, Les Cousines, can be found here. Don’t forget to use Waleed’s very own special introductory code for 15% off your first order.

Should the UK Rejoin the European Union? | BBC Politics Live

October 12. 2026 | The Guardian's Rafael Behr has argued that the choice the UK has is to get closer to Europe or to become "substantially less attractive to investment".

Responding on the BBC's Politics Live, the founder of Britain Unbound, Steve Wright, said: "We have the opportunity to do whatever we want; it is our rulebook now."

Labour MP Anneliese Dodds and Conservative MP Lewis Cocking also joined presenter Vicki Young to discuss the topic.

What Former MI6 Chief Sir John Scarlett Thinks Putin Will Do Next

Oct 2, 2026 | As Russia steps up sabotage, interference and intimidation across Europe, how far is Vladimir Putin prepared to go?

Former MI6 chief Sir John Scarlett joins Tom and Patrick to explain what Putin wants in Ukraine, whether Russia could escalate into a direct confrontation with NATO, and why intelligence back channels may be crucial to preventing escalation.

Dr Bandy Lee Assesses Trump's Plan to Subvert the Midterm Elections

Oct 12, 2026 |

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This Will Be the ‘Biggest Mistake’ of Trump’s Administration| Hamish de Bretton-Gordon

Oct 12, 2026 | Former British Army Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon joins Maddie Hale to discuss Trump's controversial Russian diesel deal, threats to cut military support for Ukraine, his “bonkers” ceasefire claims, growing Republican backlash, escalating tensions in the Middle East and questions over US casualties in the Iran war.

Second Houthi Strike on Riyadh Airport in Two Days | BBC News

Oct 12, 2026 | One person has been killed and 11 injured in a second strike on the international airport in the Saudi capital Riyadh, officials have said.

A Saudi military spokesman said a projectile had hit King Khalid International Airport on Sunday, causing a fire in a passenger hall. Saudi

Arabia's civil aviation authority said in a statement that one person, a Pakistani resident, had been killed in the attack. It comes a day after a strike on the same airport killed 13 people and injured 308 others.

The Houthis in Yemen said they were behind them and warned airlines and passengers against using Saudi Arabian airports and airspace.

Russia's Brexit Meddling Proven

Oct 12, 2026 | Russia DID interfere in the 2016 EU referendum, according to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Adrian Goldberg hears from Byline Times editor Peter Jukes who has been making this case for the best part of a decade.

Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White.

Hat sich der Islam über Eroberungen verbreitet? | Stimmt es, dass ...? | ARTE

Oct 11, 2026 | Der Islam wird oft als Religion dargestellt, die sich vor allem durch Eroberungen verbreitet habe. Tatsächlich entstanden große islamische Reiche durch militärische Expansion. Doch die Verbreitung der Religion verlief oft ganz anders: über Handel, Migration und kulturellen Austausch. Warum hält sich das Bild vom Islam als „Religion des Schwertes“ bis heute?

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What Now for Saudi Arabia after Deadliest Attack since Start of Iran War | DW News

Oct 11, 2026 | A deadly strike on King Khalid International Airport has left at least 12 dead, over 300 wounded, and airlines scrambling to avoid Saudi airspace. With Houthi rebels now targeting commercial aviation hubs, Riyadh’s reputation for security and multi-billion-dollar economic ambitions face an unprecedented test. How will this impact Saudi Arabia’s image as a stable destination for business and international events, and how will the kingdom respond? DW's Alex Forrest Whiting speaks to journalist and Middle East analyst Gordon Robison

Après le revirement prorusse de Donald Trump, l’Europe face à ses responsabilités

Cette image provient de cet article du Figaro. | Donald Trump et le président ukrainien, Volodymyr Zelensky, posent avec des dirigeants européens à l’issue d’une réunion dans le Bureau ovale de la Maison-Blanche, le 18 août 2025. WIN MCNAMEE / Getty Images via AFP
LE FIGARO : ANALYSE - La nouvelle volte-face américaine ne permettra vraisemblablement pas de mettre fin à la guerre. Mais elle pose de nouveaux défis à l’Ukraine et à ses partenaires.

Chassez le naturel, il revient au galop. Pour la troisième fois depuis l’invasion, après l’humiliation du Bureau ovale en 2025, puis la tentative quelques mois plus tard d’imposer, à Anchorage, avec Vladimir Poutine, une mauvaise paix à l’Ukraine, Donald Trump s’allie avec l’agresseur pour sacrifier la victime sur l’autel de ses intérêts économiques à court terme. Et Vladimir Poutine, maître espion qui a fait de la manipulation l’une de ses spécialités, utilise l’inconstance et la superficialité stratégique du président américain pour tenter d’obtenir par la diplomatie ce qu’il ne peut arracher sur le terrain, où ses troupes tombent sans réussir à avancer. Il utilise la faiblesse de Donald Trump, qui voit s’approcher les élections de mi-mandat avec un prix à la pompe trop élevé pour lui assurer une victoire, afin de gagner du temps.

Cette nouvelle « trahison » prouve encore que Donald Trump a davantage d’empathie, de respect et d’intérêts communs avec l’autocrate russe, dont les mains sont rouges du sang ukrainien, qu’avec Volodymyr Zelensky, le président d’un pays attaqué pour avoir choisi le camp de la démocratie et de la liberté. Mais si l’on met de côté la morale, les principes démocratiques et le droit international, dont Donald Trump n’a cure, l’accord d’exportation de diesel entre les États-Unis et la Russie risque fort d’être un leurre. Pas seulement parce que certains experts doutent de la capacité de la Russie, dont les raffineries sont mises sous pression par les frappes ukrainiennes, à apporter le répit électoral dont Trump a besoin. Mais surtout parce que, comme le dit un responsable ukrainien, « il ne mettra pas fin à la guerre, car, même à terre, les Ukrainiens résisteront ». » | Par Isabelle Lasserre | dimanche 11 octobre 2026

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