Wednesday, October 01, 2025
SCARY: Trump Knows What He's Doing | Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Putin Enraged as the EU Steps Closer to Giving Seized Russian Assets to Ukraine
Oct 1, 2025 | “It is a bit of a complex contract but I think it could work.”
The West and Ukraine are "in a difficult situation" and the seized Russian assets would help, says German MEP and Vice Chair for the European Parliament's Committee on Economics and Monetary Affairs, Damian Boeselager.
The West and Ukraine are "in a difficult situation" and the seized Russian assets would help, says German MEP and Vice Chair for the European Parliament's Committee on Economics and Monetary Affairs, Damian Boeselager.
Why Nicolás Maduro Faces Criminal Charges in the U.S.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called Mr. Maduro, the Venezuelan leader who faces narco-terrorism charges, a “fugitive from American justice.”
Trump administration officials seeking to remove Nicolás Maduro as the leader of Venezuela have been citing a federal indictment returned half a decade ago in Manhattan as one justification.
The indictment, by a grand jury in March 2020 during President Trump’s first term, charges Mr. Maduro in a decades-long narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking conspiracy, and accuses him of overseeing a violent drug cartel as he rose to lead the South American nation. The United States is offering a $50 million reward for his capture.
The United States does not recognize Mr. Maduro as Venezuela’s president, but the decision to indict a putative head of state was unusual, representing an escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure Mr. Maduro to leave office.
Now, with the charges still pending, Marco Rubio, the secretary of state and national security adviser, has repeatedly mentioned the 2020 indictment and called Mr. Maduro a “fugitive from American justice,” seemingly opening the door further to efforts by the United States to oust Mr. Maduro and seize him as it would any criminal on the run from the law. » | Benjamin Weiser | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Trump administration officials seeking to remove Nicolás Maduro as the leader of Venezuela have been citing a federal indictment returned half a decade ago in Manhattan as one justification.
The indictment, by a grand jury in March 2020 during President Trump’s first term, charges Mr. Maduro in a decades-long narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking conspiracy, and accuses him of overseeing a violent drug cartel as he rose to lead the South American nation. The United States is offering a $50 million reward for his capture.
The United States does not recognize Mr. Maduro as Venezuela’s president, but the decision to indict a putative head of state was unusual, representing an escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure Mr. Maduro to leave office.
Now, with the charges still pending, Marco Rubio, the secretary of state and national security adviser, has repeatedly mentioned the 2020 indictment and called Mr. Maduro a “fugitive from American justice,” seemingly opening the door further to efforts by the United States to oust Mr. Maduro and seize him as it would any criminal on the run from the law. » | Benjamin Weiser | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The Guardian View on Trump’s Argentina Bailout: It’s a Political Play, Not an Economic Plan
THE GUARDIAN — EDITORIAL: Washington’s $20bn lifeline for rightwing populist Javier Milei isn’t about stability or sovereignty, it’s about winning an election
Last month, the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, vowed to do “whatever it takes” to support Argentina’s rightwing president, Javier Milei, a key ally of Donald Trump. Markets aren’t convinced. On Tuesday, the peso plunged by more than 6% before a central bank intervention clawed back losses. Argentine stocks abroad fell 7%, and the risk premium on its debt rose to 12.3 percentage points – far beyond sustainable borrowing levels. The rout continued on Wednesday.
Mr Bessent admitted the aid was meant to prop up Mr Milei after his La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances) party lost decisively in a key election last month. But no terms have been confirmed. With US Republicans angry over Mr Milei’s tax breaks for soy farmers that undercut US producers, markets are asking the obvious: is the Bessent bazooka real, or just for show? It’s obviously a bad look for Mr Trump when the US government is shut down over health funding while $20bn is pledged to prop up a foreign ally. “America first” wasn’t meant to mean furloughed workers and stalled medical trials at home while cash flows abroad. » | Editorial | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Last month, the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, vowed to do “whatever it takes” to support Argentina’s rightwing president, Javier Milei, a key ally of Donald Trump. Markets aren’t convinced. On Tuesday, the peso plunged by more than 6% before a central bank intervention clawed back losses. Argentine stocks abroad fell 7%, and the risk premium on its debt rose to 12.3 percentage points – far beyond sustainable borrowing levels. The rout continued on Wednesday.
Mr Bessent admitted the aid was meant to prop up Mr Milei after his La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances) party lost decisively in a key election last month. But no terms have been confirmed. With US Republicans angry over Mr Milei’s tax breaks for soy farmers that undercut US producers, markets are asking the obvious: is the Bessent bazooka real, or just for show? It’s obviously a bad look for Mr Trump when the US government is shut down over health funding while $20bn is pledged to prop up a foreign ally. “America first” wasn’t meant to mean furloughed workers and stalled medical trials at home while cash flows abroad. » | Editorial | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Trump Preparing to Deploy Military on ‘Domestic Enemies’
Oct 1, 2025 | “The core of President Trump’s speech was how he wanted to use the military against the enemy within.”
In one of the “darkest speeches Trump’s made,” the “heavy emphasis” of using the US military domestically is “concerning” many military observers, says US Assistant Editor for The Times David Charter.
In one of the “darkest speeches Trump’s made,” the “heavy emphasis” of using the US military domestically is “concerning” many military observers, says US Assistant Editor for The Times David Charter.
Trump and Hegseth Threaten America's Military
America is being turned into a very sick, dangerous joke. — © Mark Alexander
Maroc : plus de 400 interpellations et près de 300 blessés pour le quatrième jour consécutif de manifestation
LE FIGARO : Les manifestants réclament des réformes dans les secteurs publics de la santé et de l’éducation.
Plus de 400 personnes ont été interpellées et près de 300 blessées après des violences qui ont émaillé mardi soir des manifestations dans plusieurs villes marocaines réclamant des réformes des secteurs publics de la santé et de l'éducation, a indiqué mercredi le ministère de l'Intérieur.
Des manifestations non autorisées organisées mardi soir, pour le quatrième jour consécutif, à l'appel du groupement GenZ 212 -apparu récemment sur la plateforme Discord et dont les initiateurs sont inconnus- ont donné lieu à des heurts avec les forces de l'ordre dans des villes comme Oujda (est) et Inzegane, en banlieue d'Agadir (sud). » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 1 octobre 2025
Plus de 400 personnes ont été interpellées et près de 300 blessées après des violences qui ont émaillé mardi soir des manifestations dans plusieurs villes marocaines réclamant des réformes des secteurs publics de la santé et de l'éducation, a indiqué mercredi le ministère de l'Intérieur.
Des manifestations non autorisées organisées mardi soir, pour le quatrième jour consécutif, à l'appel du groupement GenZ 212 -apparu récemment sur la plateforme Discord et dont les initiateurs sont inconnus- ont donné lieu à des heurts avec les forces de l'ordre dans des villes comme Oujda (est) et Inzegane, en banlieue d'Agadir (sud). » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | mercredi 1 octobre 2025
Slovakia Marks ‘Dark Day’ as LGBTQ+ Rights Rolled Back in Parliament
THE GUARDIAN: Amendment to constitution stipulates that male and female are the only recognised sexes and makes adoption nearly impossible for same-sex couples
Recent changes to Slovakia’s constitution mark a “dark day” for the country, LGBTQ+ campaigners have warned, describing measures such as the recognition of only two sexes as part of a wider rollback of human rights and rule of law in the central European country.
On Friday, Slovakia’s parliament passed an amendment that included measures targeting LGBTQ+ rights in the country, from stipulating that male and female are the only recognised sexes to making it nearly impossible for same-sex couples to adopt children.
In the days since, more than 100 calls and emails have poured into the office of Iniciatíva Inakosť, the country’s leading advocacy organisation for LGBTQ+ equality.
“People are frightened, anxious, and feel powerless, as they have become hostages of politicians through this amendment,” said Martin Macko, the organisation’s executive director. “The amendment explicitly bans legal gender recognition – (it’s) directly attacking the lives of transgender and intersex people.” » | Ashifa Kassam European community affairs correspondent | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The 'NEW DARK AGE' of which I wrote approximately twenty-three years ago has well and truly DAWNED. We need not have feared Islam; Christianity is just as bad. At least Christianity that has been politicized is, and the versions which are false and unrepresentative of Jesus's teachings. These days, even sex offenders push a faux Christian message! Half of these people who wish to curtail the freedoms and rights of gays are quite possibly closeted gays and possibly even closeted queens! — © Mark Alexander
Recent changes to Slovakia’s constitution mark a “dark day” for the country, LGBTQ+ campaigners have warned, describing measures such as the recognition of only two sexes as part of a wider rollback of human rights and rule of law in the central European country.
On Friday, Slovakia’s parliament passed an amendment that included measures targeting LGBTQ+ rights in the country, from stipulating that male and female are the only recognised sexes to making it nearly impossible for same-sex couples to adopt children.
In the days since, more than 100 calls and emails have poured into the office of Iniciatíva Inakosť, the country’s leading advocacy organisation for LGBTQ+ equality.
“People are frightened, anxious, and feel powerless, as they have become hostages of politicians through this amendment,” said Martin Macko, the organisation’s executive director. “The amendment explicitly bans legal gender recognition – (it’s) directly attacking the lives of transgender and intersex people.” » | Ashifa Kassam European community affairs correspondent | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The 'NEW DARK AGE' of which I wrote approximately twenty-three years ago has well and truly DAWNED. We need not have feared Islam; Christianity is just as bad. At least Christianity that has been politicized is, and the versions which are false and unrepresentative of Jesus's teachings. These days, even sex offenders push a faux Christian message! Half of these people who wish to curtail the freedoms and rights of gays are quite possibly closeted gays and possibly even closeted queens! — © Mark Alexander
Die Türkei in der Lebensmittelkrise | ARTE Re: Reupload
Sep 11, 2025 | Eine Währungskrise mit gewaltiger Inflation treibt seit Monaten die Preise in der Türkei in die Höhe. So hat sich der Preis von Brot im letzten Jahr verdoppelt. Nicht nur Arme, auch Mittelstandsfamilien geraten zunehmend in Not.
Die Istanbulerin Çiçek Yiğit macht im Moment vor allem eines – Schulden. Die dreifache Mutter und ihr Mann gehören zur Istanbuler Mittelschicht. Früher lebten sie gut mit dem Verkauf von Damenbekleidung. Doch mit der Inflation sind die Verkäufe eingebrochen. Ohne Einnahmen werden für die Familie selbst Miete und das tägliche Brot zu teuer. Sie sind auf staatlich subventioniertes Brot Halk Ekmek angewiesen, übersetzt: Volksbrot. Sie sind nicht die Einzigen: Die Schlangen vor den Verkaufsständen werden immer länger.
Eigentlich produziert die Türkei 20 Mio. Tonnen Weizen jährlich selbst. Doch der Ertrag nimmt seit Jahren ab. Im Hinterland der Schwarzmeerküste baut Landwirt Sadik Turan Weizen an. Obwohl der so heiß begehrt ist, sind seine Aussichten dieses Jahr düster. Weil sich der Preis für Dünger vervierfacht hat, konnte Turan in den letzten Monaten kaum düngen. Zudem explodiert der Diesel-Preis und eine Dürre im letzten Jahr hat viele Bauern in den Ruin getrieben. Nun hofft Turan auf Regen, staatliche Hilfen und ordentliche Preise an der Weizenbörse.
Hinzu kommt die Lage aufgrund des Kriegs in der Ukraine – einem der größten Weizenexporteure der Welt. Das bekommt Özgen Nama von Halk Ekmek, der der Partei CHP angehört zu spüren: Er muss schon jetzt Mehl-Nachschub für den Winter organisieren. Er will die Brotmarke zum sozialen Vorzeigeprojekt der türkischen Opposition machen. Bald will er eine neue Halk-Ekmek-Fabrik in Betrieb nehmen – die größte der Türkei. Zur Eröffnung erwartet er die Führung der türkischen Opposition – die Brotversorgung in der Türkei ist politisch hochbrisant geworden.
(Die Texte datieren von 2022, dem Produktionsjahr des Programms.)
Reportage (D 2022, 32 Min)
Video verfügbar bis zum 30/11/2025
Die Istanbulerin Çiçek Yiğit macht im Moment vor allem eines – Schulden. Die dreifache Mutter und ihr Mann gehören zur Istanbuler Mittelschicht. Früher lebten sie gut mit dem Verkauf von Damenbekleidung. Doch mit der Inflation sind die Verkäufe eingebrochen. Ohne Einnahmen werden für die Familie selbst Miete und das tägliche Brot zu teuer. Sie sind auf staatlich subventioniertes Brot Halk Ekmek angewiesen, übersetzt: Volksbrot. Sie sind nicht die Einzigen: Die Schlangen vor den Verkaufsständen werden immer länger.
Eigentlich produziert die Türkei 20 Mio. Tonnen Weizen jährlich selbst. Doch der Ertrag nimmt seit Jahren ab. Im Hinterland der Schwarzmeerküste baut Landwirt Sadik Turan Weizen an. Obwohl der so heiß begehrt ist, sind seine Aussichten dieses Jahr düster. Weil sich der Preis für Dünger vervierfacht hat, konnte Turan in den letzten Monaten kaum düngen. Zudem explodiert der Diesel-Preis und eine Dürre im letzten Jahr hat viele Bauern in den Ruin getrieben. Nun hofft Turan auf Regen, staatliche Hilfen und ordentliche Preise an der Weizenbörse.
Hinzu kommt die Lage aufgrund des Kriegs in der Ukraine – einem der größten Weizenexporteure der Welt. Das bekommt Özgen Nama von Halk Ekmek, der der Partei CHP angehört zu spüren: Er muss schon jetzt Mehl-Nachschub für den Winter organisieren. Er will die Brotmarke zum sozialen Vorzeigeprojekt der türkischen Opposition machen. Bald will er eine neue Halk-Ekmek-Fabrik in Betrieb nehmen – die größte der Türkei. Zur Eröffnung erwartet er die Führung der türkischen Opposition – die Brotversorgung in der Türkei ist politisch hochbrisant geworden.
(Die Texte datieren von 2022, dem Produktionsjahr des Programms.)
Reportage (D 2022, 32 Min)
Video verfügbar bis zum 30/11/2025
Baroness Mone-linked Company Ordered to Repay UK Government £122m over PPE Contract | BBC News
Oct 1, 2025 | A company linked to peer Baroness Mone and her husband Doug Barrowman has been ordered to pay £122m ($164m) in damages after a judge ruled it breached a UK government contract for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid pandemic.
The Department of Health and Social Care sued PPE Medpro over claims the medical gowns it supplied did not comply with relevant healthcare standards.
The High Court ruled Medpro failed to prove whether or not its surgical gowns, which were to be used by NHS workers, had undergone a validated sterilisation process.
In response to the ruling, Baroness Mone said it was "shocking but all too predictable".
The Department of Health and Social Care sued PPE Medpro over claims the medical gowns it supplied did not comply with relevant healthcare standards.
The High Court ruled Medpro failed to prove whether or not its surgical gowns, which were to be used by NHS workers, had undergone a validated sterilisation process.
In response to the ruling, Baroness Mone said it was "shocking but all too predictable".
Pete Hegseth Declares War on ‘Fat Generals’, ‘Woke Garbage’ and ‘Beardos’
THE IRISH TIMES: US defence secretary says all fitness tests to be set to male benchmarks, and emphasises importance of grooming standards
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth slammed “fat generals” and diversity initiatives that he said had led to decades of decay in the military, and told a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday they should resign if they do not support his agenda.
Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, was joined by US president Donald Trump, himself a former reality television host, for an on-camera event in Quantico, Virginia, that had a made-for-TV character to it, with generals and admirals assembled on short notice.
“Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading and we lost our way. We became the ‘Woke Department’,” Mr Hegseth said as he kicked off the event. “But not any more,” he said.
Addressing an auditorium full of top brass summoned from around the world without explanation last week, Mr Hegseth defended his firings of flag officers, which include the top US general, who is black, and the Navy’s top admiral, who is a woman. He said the officers he relieved were part of a broken culture. » | Reuters | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth slammed “fat generals” and diversity initiatives that he said had led to decades of decay in the military, and told a rare gathering of commanders on Tuesday they should resign if they do not support his agenda.
Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, was joined by US president Donald Trump, himself a former reality television host, for an on-camera event in Quantico, Virginia, that had a made-for-TV character to it, with generals and admirals assembled on short notice.
“Foolish and reckless political leaders set the wrong compass heading and we lost our way. We became the ‘Woke Department’,” Mr Hegseth said as he kicked off the event. “But not any more,” he said.
Addressing an auditorium full of top brass summoned from around the world without explanation last week, Mr Hegseth defended his firings of flag officers, which include the top US general, who is black, and the Navy’s top admiral, who is a woman. He said the officers he relieved were part of a broken culture. » | Reuters | Wednesday, October 1, 2025
IHIP News: Trump's Shutdown Turns to Chaos after Secret Plan Revealed
Very strong language alert!
Tax these bas****s until the pips squeak! They can afford it. Take multiple billions away from them to provide UNIVERSAL healthcare for the people. — © Mark Alexander
What Trump & Hegseth's Lecture to Generals Really Means
Democracy Now! can be supported here.
Hegseth schimpft vor Militärführung über Diversität und übergewichtige Menschen
Drones : avec ses attaques, Poutine veut intimider l’Europe pour qu’elle retire son soutien à l’Ukraine
LE FIGARO : DÉCRYPTAGE - Faute d’avancée significative sur le terrain, Moscou cherche à saper l’unité européenne en faveur du soutien militaire à Kiev.
Ce n’est plus un nuage, c’est une tornade. Il y a eu, le 22 septembre, le survol de drones, vraisemblablement russes, au-dessus de l’aéroport de Copenhague, à l’approche du sommet européen de ce jeudi. Auparavant, au début du mois, des intrusions se sont produites en Pologne, clairement attribuées à la Russie - même si cette dernière nie toute implication -, puis en Roumanie, sans compter la violation de l’espace aérien estonien par des avions de combat russes. Cette série d’événements, qui ont exacerbé les tensions avec l’Otan dans le contexte de la guerre en Ukraine, ne constitue que le volet le plus spectaculaire d’une vaste stratégie mise en œuvre par Moscou : le recours de plus en plus massif aux engins aériens sans pilotes. » | Par Alain Barluet, correspondant à Moscou | mercredi 1 octobre 2025
Réservé aux abonnés
Ce n’est plus un nuage, c’est une tornade. Il y a eu, le 22 septembre, le survol de drones, vraisemblablement russes, au-dessus de l’aéroport de Copenhague, à l’approche du sommet européen de ce jeudi. Auparavant, au début du mois, des intrusions se sont produites en Pologne, clairement attribuées à la Russie - même si cette dernière nie toute implication -, puis en Roumanie, sans compter la violation de l’espace aérien estonien par des avions de combat russes. Cette série d’événements, qui ont exacerbé les tensions avec l’Otan dans le contexte de la guerre en Ukraine, ne constitue que le volet le plus spectaculaire d’une vaste stratégie mise en œuvre par Moscou : le recours de plus en plus massif aux engins aériens sans pilotes. » | Par Alain Barluet, correspondant à Moscou | mercredi 1 octobre 2025
Réservé aux abonnés
Taliban Imposes Internet Shutdown in Afghanistan | BBC News
Sep 30, 2025 | Afghanistan's main airport is at a standstill as the country grapples with the fallout of a nationwide internet shutdown imposed by the Taliban government.
The Taliban has yet to give an official reason for the decision, which took effect on Monday, but did say it would last until further notice.
Communication within Afghanistan, and out to the wider world, has been severely impacted, as have essential services - including banking and payments - and access to online education, a lifeline for many women and girls.
The Taliban has yet to give an official reason for the decision, which took effect on Monday, but did say it would last until further notice.
Communication within Afghanistan, and out to the wider world, has been severely impacted, as have essential services - including banking and payments - and access to online education, a lifeline for many women and girls.
Scott Lucas: Threatening Lawsuits Are Trump’s modus operandi
Oct 1, 2025 | “Trump’s play here is to break the US system.”
Trump’s strategy of suing media companies and universities means he’s “effectively the equivalent of a mafia boss” demanding protection money, says Professor Scott Lucas.
Trump’s strategy of suing media companies and universities means he’s “effectively the equivalent of a mafia boss” demanding protection money, says Professor Scott Lucas.
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