« C’est le moment » : Marco Rubio appelle ceux qui veulent un changement à Cuba à coopérer avec la CIA

Le secrétaire d’État américain Marco Rubio à Mumbai, le 20 octobre 2026. Kylie Cooper / REUTERS
LE FIGARO : Le secrétaire d’État américain a invité vendredi les Cubains désireux d’un « changement positif » sur l’île à nouer un «partenariat discret» avec la CIA.

Le chef de la diplomatie américaine Marco Rubio a appelé vendredi « ceux qui veulent un changement positif à Cuba » à se tourner vers la CIA, sur fond d’intensification des pressions de Washington sur l’île communiste voisine. « À ceux qui souhaitent apporter un changement positif à Cuba : c’est le moment ou jamais », a écrit le secrétaire d’État américain sur X. « Face à la déception suscitée par les promesses non tenues, la corruption et le mode de vie privilégié d’une poignée de personnes, saisissez cette occasion de créer le changement que vous souhaitez grâce à un partenariat discret avec la CIA », a-t-il ajouté. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | Samedi 24 octobre 2026

Liechtenstein Prince’s ‘Surreal’ Abortion Veto Dismays Campaigners

THE GUARDIAN: Alois uses the first veto of his reign to quash parliament-approved bill backed by a national petition

Prince Alois felt the proposed reform was incompatible with ensuring adequate protection of unborn life, according to royal officials. Photograph: Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The hereditary prince of Liechtenstein has used his veto for the first time in his reign to quash a bill aimed at bringing abortion laws in line with much of Europe.

The legislation was approved by Liechtenstein’s parliament last month after the presentation of a citizens’ initiative signed by roughly a quarter of the nation’s voters.

The news left campaigners in the principality, home to some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe, reeling. “We’re not really surprised, but still disappointed,” said Tatjana As’Ad, who led the initiative to overhaul the law and who works for the small leftwing party, Free List. “It’s surreal what’s happening right now in 2026 in a state in the middle of Europe.”

The veto would do little to actually prevent abortions from taking place, she said. “Liechtenstein will continue to have a situation where abortions are banned, but we know they’re happening. The veto just means they will continue to take place abroad.” » | Ashifa Kassam European community affairs correspondent | Friday, October 23, 2026

Trump Calls France Unrest a ‘Full-on Revolution’ and Warns Europe to ‘Straighten Out

Oct 21, 2026 | US President Donald Trump criticised European leaders over their refusal to assist Washington in its conflict with Iran, claiming the United States did not need outside help but had been testing its NATO allies. He said Washington was doing well militarily and faced a final decision on how to pursue victory.

Trump then turned to Europe’s immigration policies, warning that France, Germany, and the United Kingdom risked severe instability unless governments tightened border controls and removed people he described as insurrectionists. He also criticised the state of Paris and London, blamed immigration for unrest in France, and urged European leaders to act quickly.

Trump maintained that he wanted to preserve friendly relations with Europe but warned that continued immigration challenges could threaten the continent’s political and social stability.

Meghan Markle “Distressed” after Learning of “Sickening” Allegations against Her Father | BBC News

October 23, 2026

The Lincoln Project: Build

Oct 23, 2026 | Republicans control every branch of government and what did they give you? Higher gas prices. Higher cost of living. Higher healthcare costs. Higher inflation.

Meghan Says She Is ‘Distressed’ by Claim Her Father Kept Child Abuse Images

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The Duchess of Sussex said a 2018 letter to royal protection officers informed her decision to keep her children away from Thomas Markle.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, on a trip to Australia in April. Credit: Pool photo by Jonathan Brady
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said on Friday that she was appalled by allegations surrounding her estranged father, which she said helped explain why she has kept her children away from him.

A British tabloid newspaper reported on Thursday that Thomas Markle was under investigation over claims by his son that he kept child abuse imagery at their shared home in the Philippines. Thomas Markle Jr. told The Sun that he was “horrified” by material he had found and “had no option” but to report his father to the police.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Philippines Department of Justice said that it was investigating the claims. Also on Friday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States said it would support an investigation by Philippine authorities where appropriate.

“We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law,” the agency’s press office said in an email.

In an interview published by The Daily Mail on Friday, Mr. Markle said the claims were untrue. “I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of,” he told the paper.

Neither Thomas Markle nor Thomas Markle Jr. could be reached for further comment. » | Karla Adam | Karla Adam has covered Britain’s royal family for 20 years. | Friday, October 24, 2026

It's Game Over for MAGA in 11 Days | Steve Schmidt

Oct 23, 2026 | MAGA has reached a new low in the final stretch before the midterms. Steve Schmidt breaks down Vivek Ramaswamy’s attack ad on Amy Acton and why Donald Trump’s movement will face judgment in 11 days.

NEW LINCOLN PROJECT AD: Why?

Oct 23, 2026 | At every turn, Trump puts Russia before America. Why?

The answer is “elementary my dear” Lincoln! (The solutions is, too!) — © Mark Alexander

Nigella Lawson’s Cold Sunday Roast with a Yorkshire Pudding Dessert | Nigella Bites

Oct 23, 2026 | Nigella shows us how to make her spin on a Sunday roast; cold beef, grilled aubergine and a pea, mint and avocado salad. To top it all off, her Yorkshire pudding really is a pudding!

„Wir hätten es nicht tun sollen“: Tech-Milliardär Thiel kritisiert Trumps Iran-Krieg offen

BERLINER ZEITUNG: Ein wichtiger Geldgeber geht beim Thema Iran auf Distanz zum Weißen Haus. Seine Loyalität zum Präsidenten stellt er dennoch nicht infrage.

Peter Thiel, Techinvestor, bei der Verleihung des Axel Springer Award | © Fabian Sommer/dpa
Der einflussreiche Tech-Milliardär Peter Thiel hat wenige Wochen vor den US-Zwischenwahlen den Militäreinsatz der USA gegen den Iran offen kritisiert. „Wir hätten es nicht tun sollen“, sagte Thiel bei einem Vortrag in Nashville, wie Politico berichtet. Damit zählt der frühere Großspender zu den prominentesten Trump-Verbündeten, die bislang offen Bedenken gegen den Krieg geäußert haben.

Nach Angaben von Politico machte Thiel in dem Vortrag zugleich deutlich, dass er Trump weiter unterstütze und den Präsidenten schützen wolle. In seiner Rede wandte sich Thiel grundsätzlich gegen Militäreinsätze im Nahen Osten. » | Stephanie Lehner | Freitag, 23. Oktober 2026

« Chacun est libre d’aimer qui il veut et comme il le souhaite » : en Hongrie, Péter Magyar rétablit les droits des homosexuels

Le premier ministre hongrois, Péter Magyar. Borut Zivulovic / REUTERS
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - La loi sur la « protection de l’enfance », qui amalgamait homosexualité et pédocriminalité sous l’ère Viktor Orbán, va être abrogée par le gouvernement.

Le chef du gouvernement a tenu à ouvrir lui-même la séance parlementaire lundi, pour prononcer un de ses discours vengeurs, sur une thématique qui a été au cœur du bras de fer entre la droite libérale Tisza et la droite nationaliste Fidesz avant les élections : la protection de l’enfance. Le Fidesz en avait fait un prétexte pour jeter l’opprobre ad nauseam sur les homosexuels, assimilés à des pédocriminels, et discréditer le mouvement LGBT… Avant que cela ne devienne son talon d’Achille et ne précipite sa chute, après la révélation de la grâce présidentielle qui avait été accordée au complice d’un pédocriminel.

Lundi au Parlement, il a donc été question d’améliorer les conditions d’accueil des mineurs dans des centres où la violence et la prostitution sont omniprésentes - occasionnant au passage plusieurs scandales qui ont explosé au visage du Fidesz. Mais les débats comportaient un autre enjeu et une autre implication de taille pour les homosexuels et le mouvement militant LGBT : la nouvelle législation préparée par Tisza a été expurgée des passages qui assimilaient l’homosexualité à un danger pour l’enfance.

En effet, à quelques mois d’élections législatives, en juin 2021, le Fidesz, qui jusque-là n’avait pas ciblé les homosexuels, s’était inspiré d’une loi russe pour jouer un coup tactique destiné à mobiliser son électorat et diviser le bloc d’opposition incluant les nationalistes-conservateurs du parti Jobbik. Quelques jours avant de faire adopter une loi sur la « protection de l’enfance », dont l’objectif affiché était de renforcer les sanctions contre les pédocriminels, il avait fait ajouter des mentions interdisant « la promotion de l’homosexualité, du changement d’orientation sexuelle et du changement de sexe », que ce soit à l’école, dans la publicité, les médias et toute production culturelle. En 2022, le Fidesz remportait les élections législatives, mais son référendum sur la « protection de l’enfance », organisé le même jour, échouait lamentablement, faute de quorum. » | Par Albert Kornél, à Budapest | mardi 15 septembre 2026

Réservé aux abonnés

La Hongrie de Viktor Orbán est en train de mourir. Péter Magyar et son gouvernement éclairé sont en train de l’achever. La Hongrie a la chance de pouvoir compter sur un dirigeant aussi visionnaire et éclairé que Péter Magyar. Sa Hongrie est un phare dans un continent qui s’enfonce toujours plus dans l’obscurité. Vive Péter Magyar ! Vive la Hongrie éclairée de Péter Magyar !

***

Viktor Orbán’s Hungary is dying. Péter Magyar and his enlightened government are finishing it off. Hungary is fortunate to be able to count on a leader as visionary and enlightened as Péter Magyar. His Hungary is a beacon on a continent that is sinking ever deeper into darkness. Long live Péter Magyar! Long live the enlightened Hungary of Péter Magyar!

***

Das Ungarn von Viktor Orbán stirbt. Péter Magyar und seine aufgeklärte Regierung versetzen ihm den Todesstoß. Ungarn hat das Glück, auf einen so visionären und aufgeklärten Anführer wie Péter Magyar zählen zu können. Sein Ungarn ist ein Leuchtturm auf einem Kontinent, der immer tiefer in die Dunkelheit versinkt. Es lebe Péter Magyar! Es lebe das aufgeklärte Ungarn von Péter Magyar! — © Mark Alexander

William Hague Declares Trump 'Worst' President of His Lifetime

William Hague declares Trump the worst president of his lifetime, and struggles to see how anyone could have a different opinion.

“You have to go back into the 19th century, Andrew Jackson and people like that, to find a worse president.”

William Hague doesn’t mince his words when he speaks of Trump and his deplorable presidency.
This is the presidency you get when you allow a felon to take charge and lead your country, giving him the keys to the White House, when you should have been turning the key to his cell in a penitentiary to lock him up!

Alas, the powers-that-be lacked the courage to do the right thing. So, the result of all this—if I am not greatly mistaken—will be World War III. Many countries are already preparing for such a bleak scenario.

If war does break out, Trump will be the cause; Trump will be to blame. However, it should not be overlooked that the American electorate will also have to share some of that blame, for being so uncircumspect, reckless, and unwise as to elect such an unqualified man to the highest office in the land!

***

Dies ist die Präsidentschaft, die man erhält, wenn man einem vorbestraften Kriminellen erlaubt, die Führung des Landes zu übernehmen – wenn man ihm also die Schlüssel zum Weißen Haus in die Hand gibt, anstatt den Schlüssel zu seiner Gefängniszelle umzudrehen, um ihn hinter Gitter zu bringen!

Leider fehlte den Verantwortlichen der nötige Mut, das Richtige zu tun. Das Ergebnis all dessen wird – wenn ich mich nicht sehr irre – der Dritte Weltkrieg sein. Viele Länder bereiten sich bereits auf ein solch düsteres Szenario vor.

Sollte es tatsächlich zum Krieg kommen, so wird Trumps mangelhafte Führung die Ursache sein; Trump trägt dann die Schuld. Man darf jedoch nicht übersehen, dass auch die amerikanische Wählerschaft einen Teil dieser Schuld auf sich lädt – dafür, dass sie so unüberlegt, leichtsinnig und unklug war, einen derart unqualifizierten Mann in das höchste Amt des Landes zu wählen!

***

Voilà le genre de présidence que l’on obtient lorsqu’on laisse un criminel prendre les rênes du pays et en assumer la direction — en lui remettant les clés de la Maison-Blanche, alors qu’on aurait dû, au contraire, tourner la clé de sa cellule dans un pénitencier pour l’y enfermer !

Hélas, les dirigeants en place n’ont pas eu le courage nécessaire pour agir comme il se devait. Résultat : si je ne m’abuse, nous risquons fort de nous diriger vers une troisième guerre mondiale. De nombreux pays se préparent d’ores et déjà à un scénario des plus sombres.

Si une guerre venait à éclater, la gouvernance défaillante de Trump en serait la cause ; c’est lui qu’il faudrait blâmer. Cela dit, il ne faut pas oublier que l’électorat américain porte également une part de responsabilité : en faisant preuve d’une telle imprudence, d’une telle légèreté et d’un tel manque de discernement, les électeurs ont porté un homme aussi incompétent à la plus haute fonction du pays ! — © Mark Alexander

Russia Rift Rocks Germany's AfD | DW News

A trip by AfD lawmakers to Russia has caused a rift at the top of the far-right party. Germany's main opposition party is coming under increasing pressure over its ties to Russia.
Hear all about it here »

Trump, Musk, and the Starlink Betrayal That Could Shatter the NATO Alliance

Oct 23, 2026 | The global fallout continues after a bombshell report revealed that President Donald Trump secretly called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to demand the lifting of severe speed and operational restrictions on Ukraine’s military-grade Starlink (Starshield) system. With Ukrainian forces relying heavily on the network to track incoming Russian ballistic missiles and guide defense operations, the sudden throttling—and subsequent phone call to restore speeds—has sparked immense diplomatic turmoil. Critics point to Elon Musk's far-right political leanings and his public denials on social media blaming the White House, while European allies openly question whose side America is truly on.

ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here »

Elon Musk, as rich as he is, is a far-right loon. He’s a perfect fit for the old saying ‘he’s got more money than sense’! 😊 — © Mark Alexander

Arms Race Intensifies in Korea as the North Is Emboldened by Russia Alliance

THE NEW YORK TIMES: A rare escalation this month exposed the increasingly lethal arsenals the two Koreas are building up across the world’s most heavily fortified border.

A photograph provided by North Korean state media showing the leader, Kim Jong-un, and his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, overseeing the firing of an intermediate-range missile from the country’s east coast during a drill in October. Credit: Korean Central News Agency, via Reuters
An intensifying arms race is gripping the Korean Peninsula, as both sides trade missile tests and North Korea supercharges development of more lethal warheads, attack drones and other new weapons to threaten the South.

North and South Korea have maintained a fierce military rivalry since the Korean War ended in an uneasy armistice, with Pyongyang turning to nuclear weapons after the Soviet bloc collapsed. Now, North Korea is rapidly upgrading its conventional forces with the help of its military partnership with Russia, recently revitalized by the Ukraine war.

In exchange for North Korean arms and soldiers, Russia has given the North a live combat laboratory to test its weapons and troops, refine its missile performance and master drone warfare. The North’s military may soon be able to unleash vast swarms of low-cost drones to overwhelm the more expensive, high-tech defenses of South Korea and the U.S. forces stationed there.

Rising hostility along the inter-Korean border has given an ominous tone to the region’s military buildup. In recent months, North Korea has begun heavily fortifying its border with more powerful weapons and additional barbed-wire fences, concrete barriers and minefields. » | Choe Sang-Hun | Reporting from Seoul | Friday, October 23, 2026

Donald Trump Has Sold Out Ukraine. He Makes Appeaser Chamberlain Look Like a Man of Iron Principle

THE GUARDIAN — OPINION: Europe’s leaders can no longer trust a word that comes out of Washington. No more slaps on the wrist – we need concrete steps to punish Trump

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Alaska in August 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Historical comparisons are always inexact. No one conflict precisely mirrors another. Yet Donald Trump’s shameless appeasement of Vladimir Putin carries more than a noxious whiff of Neville Chamberlain’s failed attempt in Munich in 1938 to head off war with Nazi Germany. To be fair to the former UK prime minister – and history largely hasn’t been – his peacemaking efforts had the enthusiastic backing of most people in Britain and France who, like him, were desperate to avoid a repeat of the horrors of the first world war. Trump enjoys no equivalent public support for his treachery. Nor does he face the prospect of a US war with Russia. His betrayal of Ukraine is cynically self-interested, globally dangerous and utterly contemptible.

US-Russian talks on agreeing the shoddy terms of a precedent-setting American sell-out of Ukraine are at an advanced stage, after meetings in St Petersburg this week. Trump has zigzagged over the war ever since returning to office. Now, panicked by record-low poll ratings, he seems determined to scapegoat Ukraine and force its de facto capitulation. Recent steps – his shocking decision to fund Putin’s war machine by buying Russian diesel, his waiving of tougher sanctions, his mysterious, lethal interruptions in US satellite and intelligence sharing with Kyiv, and his renewed attempt to oust Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy – mark Trump out as the skulking Judas, the craven Brutus of the modern age. He makes Chamberlain look like a man of iron principle. All that’s lacking is an umbrella. » | Simon Tisdall | Thursday, October 22, 2026

Donald Trump reminds me of those fools you inevitably come across from time to time in the journey of life who are convinced of their own superior intelligence and judgment, but when all is said and done, they turn out to be very foolish and devoid of even a modicum of sound judgment.

Donald Trump erinnert mich an jene Narren, denen man im Laufe des Lebens unweigerlich hin und wieder begegnet – Menschen, die von ihrer eigenen überlegenen Intelligenz und Urteilskraft überzeugt sind, sich letztlich aber als überaus töricht und völlig frei von auch nur einem Funken vernünftigen Urteilsvermögens erweisen.

Donald Trump me fait penser à ces imbéciles que l’on croise inévitablement, de temps à autre, au cours de son existence ; des individus convaincus de posséder une intelligence et un discernement supérieurs, mais qui, tout compte fait, se révèlent être d’une grande sottise et totalement dépourvus du moindre bon sens. — © Mark Alexander

Are We Already at War? | BBC Question Time

Oct 22, 2026 | Is the UK already in a proxy World War already?

With the upcoming UK budget set to increase defence spending, watch what the Question Time panel from Scunthorpe said on tensions with Russia and hybrid "grey zone" warfare.

Sandra Navidi: Trumps radikaler Umbau der US-Armee

Oct 22, 2026 | Die USA bauen ihre Armee radikal um. Wie Fundamentalisten und Tech-Giganten Amerika auf Krieg trimmen sollen.

Mehr Bibel, mehr Männer, mehr Roboter: US-Kriegsminister Peter Hegseth und Präsident Donald Trump bauen das amerikanische Militär radikal um. Sie verändern die Führung, wollen Religion verankern und geben Tech-Giganten ungekannte Macht in die Hand. Wohin steuert Amerikas Kriegsmaschine? Und wen nimmt sie ins Visier? Darüber sprechen Zsolt Wilhelm und US-Expertin Sandra Navidi.

Dame Judi Dench on Losing Her Sight, Lunch at MI6 and Remembering Her Husband | BBC News

Oct 22, 2026 | In her first broadcast interview since a new book of her life, 'Is it too late to make a run for it?', has hit shelves, Dame Judi Dench invited Emma Barnett from Radio 4's Today programme to her home.

The book is written with her close friend and fellow actor Brendan O'Hea, who sat alongside Dame Judi for a special conversation about her acting, the realities of ageing and some Shakespeare thrown in for good measure.

Pope Needs No Further Treatment for Lung Cancer, Doctors Say

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Test results after the operation showed that the cancer was localized.

Pope Leo XIV greeting the faithful at St. Peter's Square on Wednesday. Credit: Tiziana Fabi/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV will need no further treatment after his surgery for lung cancer, his doctors announced on Wednesday.

The pope’s personal doctor and the surgeon who removed a lower lobe of the pope’s right lung at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on Oct. 13 said in a statement that follow-up tests confirmed that the cancer was localized.

“A subsequent oncology evaluation confirmed that no further treatment is necessary,” the doctors wrote.

The announcement came eight days after the pontiff’s diagnosis was revealed publicly, casting his agenda into uncertainty some 18 months into his papacy. » | Elisabetta Povoledo | Reporting from Rome | Wednesday, October 21, 2026