Europe Watch

Trump sold out Ukraine for a bad diesel deal. Every ally is watching– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Trump sold out Ukraine for a bad diesel deal. Every ally is watching– www.washingtonexaminer.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

President Donald Trump’s apparent decision to cut Ukraine’s military off from the use of a key technology that allows it to strike targets deep inside Russia is shortsighted and deeply unwise. It is yet another example of how the president’s penchant for rapid, 180-degree shifts in policy undermines America’s ability to work with allies, thereby undermining national security.

The technology at issue is Starshield, a military application of Elon Musk’s Starlink. Starshield apparently allows Ukraine’s drone operators to pilot and guide the drones over Russian airspace at high speeds. This allows the operators to avoid Russian air defenses and ensure the weapons hit their targets.

WARZONE: Muslim and Leftwing Rioters In France Armed with AK47s and Submachine Guns– gellerreport.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

WARZONE: Muslim and Leftwing Rioters In France Armed with AK47s and Submachine Guns– gellerreport.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

And the media is covering for the savages.

Nothing to see here BBC calls France’s radical-left riots ‘mostly peaceful’ while showing cities in flames

Propaganda Media Downplay France’s Islamo-Marxist Riots– thefederalist.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Propaganda Media Downplay France’s Islamo-Marxist Riots– thefederalist.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Propaganda media exist for one reason and one reason only — to advance their left-wing political allies’ destructive agenda. Anyone who tuned into their coverage of this weekend’s French riots experienced this unspoken mission statement firsthand.

As far-left radicals and Islamists dressed in dark clothes and masks and wielding Palestinian flags desecrated historic buildings and landmarks throughout the once-respectable republic, the “democracy dies in darkness” crowd worked overtime to convince audiences at home that these violent riots were nothing more than “student protests” against school policies.

While characterizing the riots as “some of the worst violence the country has ​witnessed for decades,” Reuters described the leftist and Third Worlder violence as “demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services [that] spiralled out of control.” The Associated Press similarly dubbed the riots “nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.”

On X, the Seattle-based KOMO News summarized this weekend’s violence as “student demonstrations over teacher shortages and poor school conditions [that] broadened into a nationwide protest over rising living costs and fuel prices.” The English division of the Qatari-backed Al Jazeera also described the riots “spreading” in France and other European nations as “student protests.”

Trump admin blinks on ‘very unpopular’ push to deport 100K Ukrainians before midterms– www.rawstory.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Trump admin blinks on ‘very unpopular’ push to deport 100K Ukrainians before midterms– www.rawstory.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Just ahead of the midterms, the Trump administration appears to be softening one of its signature policy pledges, immigrant advocates told The Washington Post.

According to a Trump administration official who spoke with the Post on the condition of anonymity, and to the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to extend Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, which shields noncitizens from certain countries from deportation, for around 100,000 Ukrainians whose protections were scheduled to expire Monday. An embassy spokeswoman said the extension is expected to last six months.

DHS did not confirm the extension. “An announcement on Ukraine’s TPS will be made at the appropriate time. Until such an announcement is made, Ukrainian individuals present in the U.S. under TPS remain under protection,” the department said in a statement.

The move follows DHS’s decision last month to let TPS remain in place for around 232,000 migrants from El Salvador. The administration never formally announced a decision, instead issuing what the Post described as a “last-minute notice.” The lack of a clear timeline has forced Salvadorans “to grapple with an uncertain future,” the Post reported. Sudanese TPS holders, also set to lose protections Monday, will keep them until further notice, DHS said.

“This is different,” said Jessica Bansal, an attorney focused on TPS litigation, speaking with the Post.

Rioters in France desecrate statues of St. Joan of Arc during violent weekend– www.lifesitenews.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 1

Rioters in France desecrate statues of St. Joan of Arc during violent weekend– www.lifesitenews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:


(LifeSiteNews) — An unidentified rioter veiled the head of a statue of St. Joan of Arc near the city center of Toulouse, appearing to mimic a hijab, along with a Palestinian flag, while video from Paris shows vandals climbing and putting political stickers on a statue of the patroness of France as violence raged across the country over the weekend.

Images posted across social media from Toulouse show an unidentified masked man, who appears to be African, standing on the bronze statue located on Place Jeanne d’Arc after placing a yellow vest on the saint’s head in the shape of a hijab and the Palestinian flag on the statue’s side. Separate video from Paris shows another unidentified reportedly foreign rioter being cheered on by a mob after climbing on and placing political stickers on the statue of the country’s patron saint in the Place des Pyramides.

Video from Saturday evening in Toulouse shows a courageous yet to be identified young man removing the yellow vest and flag from the statue.

Ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC– www.bbc.co.uk

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Ukrainians dying because US restricting intelligence sharing, Zelensky adviser tells BBC– www.bbc.co.uk
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EXCERPT:

Ukrainians have died because Kyiv is still not receiving reliable US warnings of incoming Russian attacks, according to a key adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov told the BBC that lives had been lost because there had not been time to warn citizens about ballistic missile strikes, saying: “It’s dangerous… I think it’s really very bad… People [have] already died.”

The adviser also said restrictions to Ukraine’s use of the Starlink internet network were ongoing.

The White House said there had been no changes to intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Belgium’s Euthanasia Explodes

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Over 1,100 people have been euthanized by Belgian authorities for ailments that are not immediately terminal. In 2025, euthanasia deaths jumped 12.4% from last year. They accounted for 4% of all national deaths.

Belgium Euthanized Over 1,100 People for Common Ailments in 2025 as Assisted Killing Surges to Record High– slaynews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Belgium euthanized more than 1,100 people suffering from common ailments whose deaths were not expected in the short term in 2025, a new government report reveals, as the country’s assisted death regime reaches record levels.

The Federal Commission for the Control and Evaluation reports that 1,117 deaths, 24.9% of all registered euthanasia cases, involved patients who were not approaching an imminent death.

The findings expose how far the practice extends beyond terminal patients in their final days, encompassing chronic conditions, psychiatric illness, and cognitive disorders such as dementia.

Belgium recorded 4,486 euthanasia deaths in 2025, a 12.4% increase from the previous year and approximately 4% of all deaths nationwide.

Nearly One in Four Were Not Facing Imminent Death

The commission’s report identifies more than a quarter of the registered cases as involving people whose deaths were not “expected in the short term.”

Those patients had conditions described as incurable, including multiple chronic ailments common among older people.

Some cases involved psychiatric or cognitive conditions.

Although most people euthanized were elderly, the 2025 figures also include a teenager.

European Parliament Runs out of Patience with Islam

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

The European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning the Muslim Brotherhood and calling on action to be taken against Islamists in Europe. French European Parliament member Céline Imart said of the passage, “This is a historic victory because it is a European first.”

European Parliament Condemns Muslim Brotherhood, Calls for Crackdown on Islamist Influence › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

The European Parliament has approved a resolution condemning the Muslim Brotherhood and calling for stronger action against Islamist influence in European institutions. The resolution is a significant development in the continent’s efforts to combat political extremism.

The center-right European People’s Party spearheaded the resolution, which follows the Trump administration’s designation of the Muslim Brotherhood and four affiliated branches as terrorist organizations.

French European Parliament member Céline Imart, who sponsored the measure, celebrated the vote as a breakthrough.

“This is a historic victory because it is a European first,” Imart said, describing the resolution as Europe’s first parliamentary action specifically confronting Islamist infiltration and the Muslim Brotherhood.

The resolution warns that organized Islamist networks threaten democratic institutions, religious freedoms, the rule of law and equality between men and women.

It calls for greater scrutiny of foreign funding, particularly involving organizations connected to Qatar and Turkey, and increased transparency surrounding European Union funding of groups suspected of Muslim Brotherhood ties.

Lawmakers also urged the European Council to consider whether Brotherhood-linked individuals and organizations should be added to the EU’s terrorist list.

Trump accuses Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war, defends Russian sanctions waiver– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Trump accuses Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war, defends Russian sanctions waiver– www.cbsnews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

President Trump said Sunday he is “in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” and accused Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy of not wanting to end the war.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Mr. Trump criticized Zelensky for “using Diesel Refineries in Russia as a target” and alleged “he doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”

“He could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now. His country is in shambles, a large portion of his land is lost, his oceans and seas are gone, and his male population is low, wounded, and/or dead,” Mr. Trump wrote.

The comments come amid a deepening rift between the Mr. Trump and Zelensky, with the U.S. president criticizing his Ukrainian counterpart for attacking Russian oil infrastructure.

 

Zelensky Says Critical U.S. Intelligence Is Flowing Again — But One Major Dispute Remains– wltreport.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Zelensky Says Critical U.S. Intelligence Is Flowing Again — But One Major Dispute Remains– wltreport.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

The most important American intelligence channel in the Ukraine war is reportedly flowing again.

President Volodymyr Zelensky says the United States has restored the specialized warning information Ukraine uses to detect Russian ballistic-missile launches after a three-day interruption.

The restoration also exposes the bigger fight still hanging over Washington and Kyiv: whether U.S. intelligence and satellite support are being used as leverage to restrain Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure.

Macron rejects minister’s resignation as rioting and looting expose policing failures– abcnews.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Macron rejects minister’s resignation as rioting and looting expose policing failures– abcnews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

PARIS — France’s interior minister offered his resignation over the weekend’s rioting and looting in several major cities, but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay to respond to police needs in an emergency situation, Macron’s office said Monday.

Macron refused Laurent Nuñez’s resignation “given the need for continued command of law enforcement in the current context,” according to the statement.

He instructed Nuñez “to take all necessary steps to ensure full transparency about the failures in planning and intelligence-gathering that led to the violence,” Macron’s office said.

Macron also asked for the introduction of “new policing tactics on the ground as quickly as possible” to put an end to violent events.

On Sunday evening, groups of people set fires to trash bins, bicycles and other objects in the streets and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities, a day after major violence erupted Saturday during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. At least 2,400 people were arrested across the country.

GOP Lawmaker Calls For Investigation After Rubio Says Ukraine’s Starlink Slowdown ‘Sort Of Happened’– dailycaller.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

GOP Lawmaker Calls For Investigation After Rubio Says Ukraine’s Starlink Slowdown ‘Sort Of Happened’– dailycaller.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Republican Ohio Rep. Mike Turner said on Sunday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s explanation for Ukraine’s Starlink slowdown is not good enough.

When CBS News host Margaret Brennan asked on “Face the Nation” whether “it sort of happened” was a sufficient explanation, Turner, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, said, “Absolutely not,” and called for a congressional investigation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that Ukraine’s use of the SpaceX satellite network remains partially restricted, Axios reported.

“Secretary Rubio said no one at the White House ordered it to be slowed down this week so that drones couldn’t use it. But effectively, that was the outcome,” Brennan said before playing Rubio’s remarks.

Rubio said “nobody ordered that Starlink speed to be slowed down. It sort of happened. But my understanding is it’s been restored.” He made the remarks Saturday evening before leaving on a trip to India, according to Axios.

“Absolutely not. I mean, this is something where there needs to be an investigation. There needs to be a congressional investigation,” Turner said.

GOP senator rebels against Trump’s ‘beyond irresponsible’ new war ‘capitulation’– www.rawstory.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

GOP senator rebels against Trump’s ‘beyond irresponsible’ new war ‘capitulation’– www.rawstory.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is furious that President Donald Trump put sweeping new Russia sanctions on hold. Trump signed those sanctions into law only last month.

“Beyond irresponsible,” Tillis wrote on X Saturday. “What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?”

“It’s unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and butchers innocent civilians every single day,” he added.

Trump signed an executive order Friday that pauses the package. He told Congress the move was in the national interest, the Associated Press reported. The White House didn’t immediately say how, and the order came before the sanctions took effect, according to CNBC.

The law is named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a longtime Russia hawk who died in July. It targets Russian officials, banks and the “shadow fleet” of tankers that carries Russian energy. It also tells the president to put tariffs of up to 100% on the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas.

Bessent warns Zelenskyy to ‘be very careful’ about claims about U.S.– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Bessent warns Zelenskyy to ‘be very careful’ about claims about U.S.– www.cnbc.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday to “be careful” in public statements about U.S. support for Ukraine.

U.S.-provided Starlink internet was recently restricted in Ukraine, hindering the war-torn country’s ability to respond to Russian assaults. Ukraine uses Starshield, the military and government-controlled version of the commercial Starlink, to conduct military operations.

In an earlier interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Zelenskyy said he believed the U.S. government was responsible for the slowdown, and that Ukraine was “blocked” from U.S. intelligence for a period of time. Zelenskyy said Starshield-linked vehicles and drones are still being restricted in speed.

Bessent cautioned Zelenskyy about making those claims.

“President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Marco] Rubio have categorically said that no one under the Trump administration did that, and I think it is very reckless for President Zelenskyy to make such a charge,” Bessent said on “Meet the Press.”

No 10: Hegseth ‘wrong’ to say most non-US Nato soldiers didn’t fight in Afghanistan – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

No 10: Hegseth ‘wrong’ to say most non-US Nato soldiers didn’t fight in Afghanistan – UK politics live | Politics– www.theguardian.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Downing Street has delivered a rare public reprimand to a member of Donald Trump’s administration, saying Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, was “wrong” to suggest that most non-American Nato soldiers in Afghanistan did not do any fighting.

Hegsth made the comment in a speech at the University of Tennessee, where he recalled serving in Afghanistan himself. He said:

I was a captain in Afghanistan and we would go to the headquarters in Kabul and there would be 50 flags at the headquarters. It was a beautiful thing to see, 50 different countries contributing to the Nato alliance and the Isaf [International Security Assistance Force] mission there.

Except there were maybe five that contributed. It was actually closer to one or two that by the end were actually involved in kinetic operations. In fact the patch Isaf, we joked it meant ‘I Saw Americans Fighting’.

Congress Passed Tough Russia Sanctions, So Trump Found Section 115 – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Congress Passed Tough Russia Sanctions, So Trump Found Section 115 – PJ Media– pjmedia.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

On September 18, President Donald Trump signed a law designed to punish Russia for continuing its war against Ukraine. The Senate had approved it 86-11. On October 16, as its major new penalties approached, Trump issued an executive order that waived much of what Congress had just enacted.

Lawmakers gave him authority in a provision they included in the statute: Section 115.

The Graham Act was meant to increase economic pressure on Moscow and its trading partners. It authorized duties as high as 500% on Russian imports and up to 100% on goods from certain countries buying Russian oil and gas. It also targeted Russian officials, banks, energy interests, and efforts to evade existing sanctions.

Section 115 permits the president to waive sanctions, restrictions, or duties under the act. Before doing so, he must send Congress a written certification, accompanied by an explanation, that the waiver serves America’s national interests. The text doesn’t require Russia to make concessions before a waiver can be issued. Congress expressly gave the president discretion.

Trump used it. Section 4 of his October 16 order waives new tariffs under Sections 112 and 113 and includes a long list of sanctions provisions. Anyone looking only at the announced diesel arrangement would miss the decision’s breadth. The order also directs trade officials to monitor Russian energy purchases and sanctions evasion, preserving the possibility of future penalties if the administration changes course.

Ukraine carries out eight attacks on DPR in past day – Military & Defense– tass.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Ukraine carries out eight attacks on DPR in past day – Military & Defense– tass.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

DONETSK, October 19. /TASS/. The Ukrainian army carried out eight attacks on residential areas in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) over the past day, the regional government’s department documenting Ukraine’s war crimes said in a statement.

“Eight attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces were recorded. A civilian was reported killed. Damage was confirmed to a truck, a car, and two civilian infrastructure facilities,” the statement reads.

The Ukrainian military’s attacks involved 11 projectiles.

Macron condemns rioting during nationwide day of protests – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser October 19, 2026 1

Macron condemns rioting during nationwide day of protests – National– globalnews.ca
News Source
EXCERPT:

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday voiced the public’s “anger” and “shame” over rioting and looting during nationwide protests against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools. At least 2,400 people were arrested.

Macron echoed other government officials in blaming much of the violence on far-left activists, accusing them of attacking police and public buildings to foment chaos.

“Those who looted will have to pay for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said in a televised address to the nation.

He denounced “unrestrained violence” by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”

Macron earlier held an emergency meeting with senior government officials, a day after masked groups set fires and attacked city halls in several cities. He said he had instructed prefects to work with mayors to protect public buildings and businesses in the coming weeks, including by banning protests when necessary.

Government Buildings Torched As French Riots Reach the ‘Point of No Return’ – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Government Buildings Torched As French Riots Reach the ‘Point of No Return’ – PJ Media– pjmedia.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

In France, more than half a million people poured into the streets as mobs of radical left rioters, students, labor unions, and antifa thugs rampaged through historic districts, burning government buildings and bringing the country to a “point of no return,” according to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

“Behind all this, there is obviously a political battle to wage,” Mr. Lecornu said.

The ancient city hall in Limoges, a classic example of neo-Renaissance and Louis XIII-style architecture, was burned to the ground overnight, along with other symbols of the national government.

Season Of Anger: Protests Break Out Across France, Italy, Portugal, US– www.ndtv.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Season Of Anger: Protests Break Out Across France, Italy, Portugal, US– www.ndtv.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

New Delhi:

Major protests have been reported from many countries in recent days, with some of them continuing to simmer and spread. From France to Argentina, many of these protests seemed to be over issues that have been commonly seen in nearly every nation, issues such as economic strain linked to housing costs, inflation, public-service funding and anti-incumbency.

France and Albania at the moment face the most serious challenges to their policies from wave after wave of protesters, leading to situations that could spread like wildfire. We look at some of these protests.

Massive protests have broken out in France due to two reasons concerning government policies linked to anger over high prices ahead of the presidential election, and a massive student and teacher movement protesting school conditions as well as education funding cuts. The election will put the curtains down on President Emmanuel Macron since the country’s laws make him ineligible to contest any more.

The France student crisis began last month as a small, localised protest to demand education funding by both teachers and students in Paris before it spread to a larger area. Violent clashes have been reported ever since the protest began, with classes disrupted in many areas.

Far-Left Rioters Destroy Historic French Landmark Amid Weeks-Long Riots– trendingpoliticsnews.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Far-Left Rioters Destroy Historic French Landmark Amid Weeks-Long Riots– trendingpoliticsnews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

A combination of predominantly African Muslim and leftist rioters destroyed a historic French landmark amid month-long nationwide riots that are supposedly about “education.”

In Limoges, the 1883 Hôtel de Ville, a listed neo-Renaissance building inspired by Paris City Hall and standing approximately 141 feet at its central clock tower, was set alight by masked individuals after a march. The roof collapsed onto lower floors except the west wing, two-thirds of the exterior was destroyed, and the hand-crafted clock tower ultimately collapsed into the blaze.

Local prefect Maurice Barate described the result as a “heritage catastrophe.” The structure, which had survived two world wars, was assessed as largely lost.

In Lyon, a branch of the city tourism office occupying an 1852 pavilion on Place Bellecour was looted and burned. Hooded individuals dressed in black first accessed the roof, removed signage letters, then entered the building and ignited a fire. Fire crews were delayed by hostile groups throwing projectiles and fireworks.

Mayor Grégory Doucet called the loss a tragedy for an iconic, well-known historic structure. The building had served as a visitor facility after interior renovation in 2015.

POLL: Muslim Migration Is At Lowest Levels In Decades … Do You Support This?

Rubio Says Trump To Take up to 60 Days To Weigh Russia Sanctions– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Rubio Says Trump To Take up to 60 Days To Weigh Russia Sanctions– www.themoscowtimes.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

The day after waiving sanctions and tariffs related to Russian exports, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has yet to announce a final decision on the matter as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said officials want more time to evaluate the situation.

Rubio said on Saturday that the president will use up to 60 days to assess the economic impact of Russia-related sanctions and tariffs that he waived a day earlier.

“A lot of you don’t know what my decision is yet, but we’ll figure it out, and you’ll figure it out,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The waiver comes just weeks before November’s midterm elections, with Trump under pressure over high energy prices as war with Iran disrupts global oil supplies.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving key sanctions and tariffs under the law known as the Graham Act, which he signed last month at the urging of lawmakers who want to pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine.

‘Kristen, That’s Not True’: Scott Bessent Tussles With NBC Host On Russia Sanctions– dailycaller.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

‘Kristen, That’s Not True’: Scott Bessent Tussles With NBC Host On Russia Sanctions– dailycaller.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back Sunday when NBC News’ Kristen Welker asked why President Donald Trump is “rewarding a dictator” by waiving Russia sanctions.

Bessent said on “Meet the Press” that no sanctions were lifted and that European countries are still paying Russia for its energy. Trump effectively waived a law that would have added more sanctions, Bessent said, and the only thing lifted was the embargo on Russian diesel.

“No one has been tougher on Russian sanctions than President Trump,” Bessent said, pointing to Trump’s sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest energy companies.

“But you then are pushing for even tougher sanctions,” Welker countered.

France: Protests “brought the entire population together for a common purpose”– www.france24.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

France: Protests “brought the entire population together for a common purpose”– www.france24.com
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EXCERPT:

Video. Russia: Huge flames and smoke rise over St Petersburg after drone strikes– www.euronews.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Video. Russia: Huge flames and smoke rise over St Petersburg after drone strikes– www.euronews.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Footage shared on social media showed a major blaze at a warehouse operated by Ozon, Russia‘s second-largest online retailer, which said its logistics centre had been struck. Other images showed thick smoke rising from the area of the St Petersburg Oil Terminal, while an oil refinery and depot were also reportedly hit.

St Petersburg’s governor, Alexander Beglov, confirmed that air-defence systems had been activated after a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on the city overnight, while Leningrad Region governor Alexander Drozdenko initially reported that 126 drones had been shot down over the surrounding region. He later raised that figure to 144, with some reports putting it at 145.

The assault set the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Ruchyi oil depot alight and struck infrastructure in several districts of the city. Beglov said one person was killed and five others were injured, while operations at Pulkovo Airport were temporarily restricted for safety reasons.

The strikes came as President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would resume attacks on Russian oil refineries after briefly suspending them following Donald Trump’s declaration of an “energy ceasefire” on 11 October. Neither side formally confirmed the arrangement, and Zelensky accused Russia of carrying out 76 attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over the following week, including strikes on substations in four regions that left tens of thousands of families without power.

Europe can only cover gas deficit through supplies from Russia — deputy PM – Business & Economy– tass.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Europe can only cover gas deficit through supplies from Russia — deputy PM – Business & Economy– tass.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

MOSCOW, October 18. /TASS/. Europe will not be able to cover the gas deficit without Russian supplies, as the Strait of Hormuz is closed and the Qatari plant was shut down after attacks, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview with Vesti.

“We are sure that there is currently no way to cover the deficit, given that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and the plant in Qatar was halted as a result of March attacks. This is why, in my view, European politicians are shooting themselves in the foot if they ban supplies, including those from Russia,” Novak said.

He said that European consumers would pay the price.

Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European nations– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European nations– www.channelnewsasia.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

HANOI: Vietnam and four European nations outside the European Union (EU) signed a free trade agreement in Hanoi on Sunday (Oct 18), seeking to diversify their markets as United States tariffs disrupt global commerce.

The deal, between Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, eliminates or reduces customs duties, including on imports of industrial, fish and agricultural products.

The deal was signed in the capital in the presence of Vietnam’s top leader To Lam and representatives of EFTA governments.

Vietnam said the agreement showed the parties’ resolve to “reinforce the rules-based trading system amid continued volatility in the global economy”, according to a government statement.

It was also expected to help Vietnam “diversify its import and export markets” and “integrate more deeply into global value chains”, the government said.

Vietnam and EFTA concluded negotiations in July, more than a decade after the free trade talks officially began in 2012.

The parties relaunched negotiations in September last year, after they had stalled since 2018.

The agreement followed a global trade-disrupting tariff blitz by the US under President Donald Trump which has left Vietnam with a hefty tax on its US exports amid ongoing negotiations with Washington.

Experts say the new deal reflected a shared initiative to diversify commercial ties and reduce reliance on major trading partners.

“As the US increasingly exerts trade pressure on European countries, the agreement is a joint effort to turn economic integration into greater strategic autonomy and to develop alternative commercial relationships rather than relying exclusively on their largest partners,” history and politics scholar Do Dinh Lam Khang told AFP.

France in Chaos: Rioters Storm Marseille City Hall, Smash the Doors and Chant “We’re Taking the Bastille”– gellerreport.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

France in Chaos: Rioters Storm Marseille City Hall, Smash the Doors and Chant “We’re Taking the Bastille”– gellerreport.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Scenes of extraordinary lawlessness in France today. Rioters battered their way through the doors of Marseille City Hall, stormed the building, smashed furniture and toppled a bust of Marianne, the very symbol of the French Republic. Their battle cry: “It’s the Revolution, we’re taking the Bastille.” Palestinian flags were visible among demonstrators as violence spread through French cities. A municipal police station was also attacked, shops were vandalized, and riot police deployed tear gas. Storming government buildings and attacking police are acts of political violence, not peaceful protest. President Macron called for calm before the violence erupted. The question now is what his government will do to restore order.

Looters seize on massive French protests to raid and vandalise shops– www.france24.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Looters seize on massive French protests to raid and vandalise shops– www.france24.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Looters in several French cities on Saturday broke into stores ranging from a high-end luxury brand to a bakery, on the sidelines of cost-of-living protests, witnesses and authorities said.

In Paris, near the République square, the front window of a skincare brand came crashing down, with looters tossing beauty products to dozens of people massing outside.

Looters also threw mobile phones into the crowd after breaking into a telecommunications shop.

Read moreLooting, fires and clashes rock France amid massive nationwide protests

The main monument in Republique was covered in graffiti, with pavings tones ripped up from its feet, and a bar called “La Barrique” was ablaze.

Youths broke into a supermarket nearby, grabbing alcohol bottles and drink cans to hurl at police officers, another reporter said.

Ukraine Dismisses Russia’s Latest Claimed Territorial Advances as ‘An Illusion’– www.themoscowtimes.com

pgnewser October 19, 2026 0

Ukraine Dismisses Russia’s Latest Claimed Territorial Advances as ‘An Illusion’– www.themoscowtimes.com
News Source
EXCERPT:

Ukraine on Saturday rejected Russia‘s claim to have captured more than 1,800 square kilometers (695 square miles) of Ukrainian territory and nearly 100 settlements, including the eastern town of Dobropillia, since the beginning of September.

On Friday, the chief of Russia‘s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had captured 92 Ukrainian settlements and made significant territorial gains since last month.

Ukraine’s General Staff spokesman, Andriy Kovaliov, dismissed the claims.

“In fact, through their active operations, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have liberated more territory since the beginning of the fall than the enemy has managed to capture,” he said in an emailed statement.