Aletho News

UK to deploy fighter jets to back Saudi aggression against Sanaa

Al Mayadeen | October 20, 2026

The UK government announced Tuesday that it will deploy fighter jets and additional military personnel to Saudi Arabia, expanding its military support for Riyadh amid the renewed aggression against Yemen.

The British Ministry of Defense said the deployment would provide “additional defensive military support” to Saudi Arabia, including Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets tasked with protecting Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from aerial attacks. […]

Alongside the fighter jets, Britain will send a military transport aircraft to facilitate the movement of defense equipment within Saudi Arabia. British military advisers will also assist Saudi staff officers, according to the Ministry of Defence.

British Defense Minister Wes Streeting condemned the Yemeni Armed Forces’ retaliatory operations, describing them as “absolutely despicable,” but neglected Saudi attacks that have targeted civilian sites across Yemen. … Full article

White House envoy declares kinetic action against Yemen ‘fruitless’

The Cradle – October 20, 2026

US special envoy Tom Barrack conceded that a “ground kinetic” battle in Yemen by the US “seems fruitless” during a talk at the Global Security Forum in Qatar on 20 October.

“I think the president’s been clear that he supports Saudi Arabia and the backing that they need logistically he will supply. But America getting involved in a ground kinetic battle somewhere else seems fruitless.” … continue

Ukraine deployed thousands of microdrones in Iraqi Kurdistan: Tasnim

Al Mayadeen | October 20, 2026

Ukraine has deployed drone personnel and thousands of microdrones across countries surrounding Iran, including Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, an Iranian security source told Tasnim News Agency, highlighting the deployments as part of a broader network of hostile activities directed against Tehran.

According to the security source, Kiev had established an operational microdrone network across the region, with thousands of drones deployed in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

The source withheld the names of the countries hosting Ukrainian personnel and equipment, stating that the information remained confidential and would be disclosed in due course. … continue

University of Tehran to open branch in Iraq offering 14 academic programs: Minister

Press TV – October 20, 2026

Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology has announced that a branch of the University of Tehran will soon begin operating in Iraq, offering 14 academic programs, following approval by the Iraqi government.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony at University of Science and Technology on Tuesday, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf said the university would begin operations in Iraq in the near future.

“God willing, the University of Tehran’s branch will soon begin operating in Iraq with 14 academic programs,” he said, adding that the initiative had received approval from the Iraqi government.

Emphasizing the importance of international academic and cultural exchanges, the minister said education contributes to the promotion of peace, ethics and tolerance, particularly when it extends beyond national borders. … Full article

Plan for more US-Israel integration puts our military tech at risk

By Andrew M. Leonard | Responsible Statecraft | October 19, 2026

When the Senate returns to session after the midterm elections, it will face sharp debate over a highly contested Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The House version passed with a slim margin of 216-212, and included a provision entitled, “United States – Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative,” often referred to simply as “Section 219”; the pending Senate bill contains a related, but not identical provision, entitled “Section 1217: United States-Israel Framework for Upgraded Technologies, Unified Research, and Enhanced Security (FUTURES) Act of 2026”.

In title, the U.S.-Israel FUTURES Act sounds like one of many bilateral cooperative agreements between the U.S. military and a partner military force anywhere in the world. But in reality, as written, the provision would pressure existing security cooperation entities to expand and accelerate bilateral technological integration through a statutory executive agent arrangement that lacks clear precedent even among the U.S.’s closest allies. … continue

48% of active-duty US troops oppose war on Iran: Poll

Al Mayadeen | October 20, 2026

Nearly half of active-duty US service members oppose the military’s involvement in the US war on Iran, with 48% expressing opposition, according to a poll conducted by Change Research for the veteran-led advocacy group Common Defense and published by Responsible Statecraft.

The poll surveyed 156 active-duty service members, 431 veterans, and 144 immediate family members of active-duty personnel between September 15 and 28. Its findings showed broader opposition to the war among respondents, with 49% opposed and 44% supportive.

Opposition was strongest among military families, who opposed the war by a 38-point margin, while active-duty personnel opposed it by 16 points. Veterans were the most supportive group, with 53% backing the war and 44% opposing it. … Full article

Iran calls for emergency UNSC meeting over Trump’s ‘brazen’ bomb talk, Israeli threats

Press TV – October 20, 2026

Iran’s Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN has urged the world body’s Security Council to hold an emergency meeting and condemn threats by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic’s territory and critical infrastructure.

Gholamhossein Darzi made the remarks in a letter dated Monday and addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the president of the Security Council.

The letter cited recent US media reports that the White House and the US Department of War had prepared fresh military options, including the possible use of the GBU-43/B, known as the Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) or so-called “Mother of All Bombs,” against Iran.

Darzi noted that US President Donald Trump had discussed the weapon in a televised interview and threatened further attacks. … continue

Iranian sources reveal details of Russia-China Hormuz proposal

Al Mayadeen | October 20, 2026

Tehran no longer views Pakistani and Qatari mediation as yielding tangible results, Iranian sources told Al Mayadeen on Tuesday, as a Russian initiative coordinated with China proposes joint management of the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.

Iranian sources told Al Mayadeen that Tehran has come to view Pakistani and Qatari mediation as ineffective in delivering tangible results, citing Islamabad and Doha’s limited ability to influence the US position. This has prompted Iran to explore alternative channels for mediation.

In this context, Iranian international affairs expert Mehdi Khan Alizadeh told Al Mayadeen that a new Russian diplomatic move could pave the way for Moscow to assume a more substantive mediating role, amid coordination between Russia and the United States. He pointed to a Russian initiative developed in cooperation with China that proposes joint management of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.

Alizadeh explained that the initiative concerns the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf security. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Tehran addressed these issues, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to visit Moscow again, reflecting continued efforts surrounding the Russian proposal. … continue

Democratic senators demand Pentagon reveal ‘true cost’ of damage to US bases during war on Iran

Press TV – October 20, 2026

Democrats on the US Senate Armed Services Committee have urged the Pentagon to publicly disclose the cost of damage to US military bases and facilities during the unprovoked war on Iran.

In a letter addressed to Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), on Sunday, five Democratic senators demanded that the Pentagon reveal the “true cost” of the war on Iran.

Senator Elizabeth Warren led efforts to prepare the letter, which was also signed by senators Mazie Hirono, Richard Blumenthal, Tammy Duckworth, and Gary Peters. They called on CENTCOM to release the estimate publicly, stating, “There is no rationale for classifying that cost estimate.”

“Americans deserve to know how much of their money is being burned on Trump’s war with Iran,” Warren said in an X post on Monday.

Video footage, satellite images, photos, and media reports have offered a glimpse of the destruction, painting a “dire picture of US bases and facilities damaged and destroyed by Iran,” the senators wrote.

The lawmakers are requesting unclassified responses by November 2, emphasizing that “Congress and the public need this information to determine the steps necessary to recover from this debacle.”

The Congressional Budget Office’s report last month estimated the cost of the war at $38 billion but stated that the Pentagon had not shared figures for damage to US military bases and facilities. … Full article

Another Round Against Iran Will Break What Is Left of the Gulf

By Larry C. Johnson – SONAR21 – October 20, 2026 

Washington and Israel are talking again about “finishing the job” in Iran. Before they do, someone should take a hard look at the bill for the jobs already done. My friend Karl Miller, who has called this region correctly more often than most of the people paid to do it, sent me his latest assessment on Monday. His conclusion is blunt: on the current course, another round of escalation is coming, and the countries paying for it will be the ones that never got a vote. … continue

Ukraine’s strikes on Russian civilian sites are ‘off the charts’ – Moscow

RT | October 20, 2026

Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian facilities are “off-the-charts,” with around 8,200 strikes recorded over the past week alone as Kiev continues to reject US demands to stop attacks on oil refineries, Rodion Miroshnik, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s mission tracking alleged Ukrainian war crimes, said.

Speaking to TASS on Tuesday, Miroshnik reported that the attacks averaged nearly 1,200 daily, with 22 killed and 211 wounded, among them 13 children over the past week. He added that drone strikes accounted for 96% of the casualties.

According to the diplomat, the worst-hit areas include the Russian regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson, as well as the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics – all of which are close to the front line and have been intensely bombarded by Ukraine throughout the conflict.

Miroshnik also accused Kiev of deliberately targeting more than 280 passenger buses since the beginning of the year. Ukrainian drones have often hunted civilian vehicles, including ambulances, in the frontline regions in recent months.

Ukraine has also shown no signs of moving toward an energy ceasefire, which was proposed by US President Donald Trump, Miroshnik said, pointing to drone attacks on two oil refineries in the regions of Saratov and Ryazan. Another drone raid on Sunday on St. Petersburg sparked a fire at an oil terminal. The attack killed one and injured five others, the local authorities said. … Full article

Corrupt Ukrainian draft officer accused of beating recruit to death

RT | October 20, 2026

A Ukrainian conscription officer previously convicted of bribery has been accused of beating a recruit to death in the western city of Lviv, Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation (DBR) said on Tuesday.

In September, the suspect, together with other officers of the Territorial Center of Recruitment and Social Support (TCC), the body overseeing mobilization, brutally beat a prospective recruit, who could not defend himself with his hands cuffed behind his back.

“At the hospital, medical staff discovered that the man had sustained multiple rib fractures, severe lung damage, and other life-threatening injuries,” the DBR said in a statement. “Despite the efforts of the medical team, he could not be saved.”

The officer, who received a non-custodial sentence for bribery in August, is now formally suspected of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death as part of a group. … Full article

Six injured in shooting at Kiev conscription center

RT | October 20, 2026

Six people have been injured after a man opened fire inside a military recruitment center in Kiev, local officials have reported.

The shooting occurred on Monday evening in the Ukrainian capital’s Pechersky District, amid mounting tensions over Kiev’s forced mobilization campaign and repeated incidents of violent resistance.

The National Police reported that three of its officers and three military personnel were injured and hospitalized. The recruitment center said the suspect “obtained a firearm” on the premises but did not explain how.

Journalist Roman Bochkala, who reported from the scene, identified the suspect as a man in his early 40s who allegedly used a SIG Sauer handgun. The man had reportedly been taken to the center after being seized by a patrol. … Full article

SVR Report on Ukraine’s Mexican Drug Gang Links Could Pressure Zelensky, Won’t Change US Policy

Sputnik – 20.10.2026

“It’s quite possible that these facts could serve as a tool to exert pressure on the Kiev regime,” but the US government “will never publicly acknowledge that they have leveraged drug cartels to further their own interests,” RAS Institute of Latin America senior researcher Alexander Stepanov told Sputnik.

Commenting on the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s report that the US is looking into the deployment of 80+ cartel members to Ukraine for drone training, Stepanov said he suspects Washington won’t take any substantive measures “because the criminal networks and cartels operating in the Western Hemisphere are affiliated with the US intelligence community.”

“These groups serve as proxy instruments for the US, deployed when necessary to pressure opposing governments and act as a key destabilizing factor – thus creating opportunities for the US to exert influence over the region.”

US intelligence even “oversees the recruitment of individuals from these cartels, categorizing them based on technical proficiency, equipment, and intended use,” Stepanov pointed out, highlighting the historical use of American prisons for this purpose, and the fact that “virtually the entire leadership of Mexico’s cartels comes from security or military backgrounds, including the special forces.” … continue

China accuses US of undermining South China Sea security

Al Mayadeen | October 20, 2026

China’s military accused the United States of undermining regional maritime security and stability on Tuesday after a US warship entered waters near Xianbin Reef in the South China Sea, according to RIA Novosti.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command Navy said the USS Charleston, a US littoral combat ship, entered waters adjacent to the reef, part of the Nansha Islands, without authorization from the Chinese government.

“On the morning of October 20, the US littoral combat ship USS Charleston intruded into the waters adjacent to Xianbin Reef of Nansha Islands without permission of the Chinese government,” the Chinese navy said.

The statement added that Chinese naval forces were dispatched to track and monitor the vessel in accordance with the law. … Full article

Believe It or Not. NASA Study Finds the Arctic Melt Season Stopped Lengthening in 2010

By Charles Rotter | Watts Up With That? | October 14, 2026

A new paper, “A recent stabilization in the lengthening of the Arctic sea ice melt season into a highly variable regime,” from NASA Goddard and the University of Maryland, published in Communications Earth & Environment, reports that the Arctic sea ice melt season stopped getting longer around 2010. For the fourteen years from 2010 through 2023, it actually got slightly shorter. … Full article

The Great Arctic Ice Meltdown That Wasn’t: Comical Calamity of Climate Prophecy

By John O’Sullivan | Principia Scientific International | October 6, 2026

In the grand theater of climate alarmism, nothing has been more comical—or as consistently flop-ridden—as the doom mongering over Arctic sea ice predictions. ‘Science’ promised monumental long-term melting – what we got instead was MASSIVE ICE GROWTH.

In 2007, after a dramatic summer melt, NASA scientist Jay Zwally declared the Arctic could be nearly ice-free by 2012. The BBC reported summers ice-free by 2013. Norwegian polar officials floated 2008. U.S. Navy researchers and others circulated timelines of five to seven years. At the 2009 Copenhagen summit, Gore cited work suggesting a 75% chance the entire north polar ice cap could be gone in summer within five to seven years—placing the deadline around 2014–2016.

Nineteen years later, the ice is not only still there. In fact, according to satellite data highlighted by independent analyst Tony Heller, Arctic sea ice extent on comparable early-October dates has increased more than 25% since the day Gore collected his prize. […]

Perhaps the most revealing aspect is the media asymmetry. A new record low extent triggers front-page treatment and solemn warnings. A cold polar summer or a rebound in extent is met with quiet. The DMI chart sits publicly available. The NSIDC maps are free. The side-by-side extent images require no specialized training to interpret. Yet the institutions that spent years amplifying the most aggressive forecasts have shown little interest in updating the public with equal energy when those forecasts fail. Trust erodes for a reason.

Climate is complex. Natural variability is large. Observations constrain models. When observations repeatedly diverge from the most alarming near-term projections, the rational response is humility and recalibration—not louder repetition of the original script with a later deadline.

The Arctic ice did not vanish in 2013, 2014, 2016, or 2020. It is still here in 2026, after a summer cold enough that the high Arctic never rose above freezing. That is not a crisis averted by policy. It is a prediction falsified by reality. … Full article

British Government Employees Were Fact-Checking the News at the BBC. Nobody Told You.

By Cindy Harper | Reclaim The Net | October 19, 2026

In the UK, the BBC has been taking in public employees from government departments, and letting them work on news content, specifically “fact-checking” and drafting material for BBC News and its “fact-checking” arm, BBC Verify.

The secondments came from the Government Statistical Service, and took place over the past eight years, with 39 civil servants spending three or six months at the BBC, while their salaries were still paid by their own departments.

The Government Statistical Service is now advertising more of these secondments for 2027. … continue

FBI subpoenas pro-Palestine activists over Israeli weapons plant disruption

By Wyatt Reed – The Grayzone – October 19, 2026

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has begun quietly subpoenaing American activists who disrupted operations at an Israeli weapons manufacturing facility in New Hampshire responsible for arming the Israeli army amid its ongoing ethnic cleansing campaigns in Gaza and southern Lebanon, according to documents reviewed by The Grayzone.

Subpoenas obtained by this outlet show the US Department of Justice is seeking to compel statements from two pro-Palestine activists, Sophie Ross and Bridget Shergalis. The pair previously pled guilty to minor charges and were sentenced to 60 days after they acknowledged they worked to prevent the factory from producing more weapons meant to facilitate Israel’s genocidal actions in the Middle East.

Prosecutors originally sought to jail both of the young women and a third activist, Calla Walsh, for 37 years each, for helping deface the exterior of Israel’s Elbit Systems weapons manufacturing facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and using bike locks to temporarily impede access to the main entrance. … Full article

Israeli Colonizers Injure Palestinians, Steal Sheep, Attack School

IMEMC | October 19, 2026

Illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers escalated their attacks on Palestinians and their property across the occupied West Bank early Monday, injuring Palestinians in the Ramallah and Nablus governorates, attacking homes and farmers, stealing sheep, olives, and harvesting equipment, burning cars and cutting power to a home.

A group of paramilitary Israeli colonizers attacked Jalud School, in Jalud town south of Nablus, forcing the school administration to evacuate he entire educational facility.

In the Ramallah governorate, in the central West Bank, colonizers attacked the al-Ka’abna Bedouin community near the town of at-Taybeh, east of Ramallah, injuring two Palestinians. They also attacked a Silwad Municipality ambulance as it traveled to the area to treat the wounded.

In addition, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said a Palestinian was wounded when Israeli colonizers assaulted him in Deir Abu Mashal town, west of Ramallah.

In Burqa village, east of Ramallah, Israeli colonizers assaulted Palestinian farmers and forced them out of their lands.

In a separate attack on the community the previous night, colonizers damaged a home and stole money and 25 sheep.

In Deir Abu Mash’al, west of Ramallah, colonizers accompanied by Israeli soldiers invaded the al-Mazar area and prevented Palestinian farmers from harvesting olives.

In Turmus Ayya, north of Ramallah, Israeli colonizers assaulted Palestinian farmers before burning a home and a car.

In the Nablus governorate, in the northern West Bank, colonizers attacked olive harvesters in Bizzariya, Beita, Qusra, Qabalan, Burqa, and Madama. They assaulted farmers and stole olives and harvesting equipment.

In Talfit, south of Nablus, Israeli colonizers attacked residents and stole a flock of sheep from the village.

In Qaryout, south of Nablus, Palestinians were injured by live fire during confrontations with illegal paramilitary Israeli colonizers and Israeli occupation forces after the colonizers invaded Palestinian lands. … Full article

Four Palestinians martyred, others injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza

Palestinian Information Center – October 19, 2026

GAZA – Fresh Israeli military attacks across the Gaza Strip left at least four Palestinian civilians dead and several others injured on Monday, according to medical and media sources.

The Palestinian Information Center reporter said that a young man was killed and several others were injured when an Israeli drone targeted a tent sheltering a displaced family near the Isra Mosque in Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.

Another drone strike claimed the life of one citizen and wounded others near al-Tabaeen School in Gaza City’s al-Daraj neighborhood.

In southern Gaza, two citizens were killed in a drone strike in the Qizan Rashwan area, south of Khan Yunis.

Earlier in the morning, a citizen was injured by Israeli gunfire in the Nahr al-Bared displacement camp of Khan Yunis.

Lavrov says Trump’s Gaza plan remains ‘ink on paper,’ calls for Palestinian statehood

MEMO | October 19, 2026

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip remains “ink on paper,” arguing that the principles outlined in the initiative have not been respected.

Lavrov made the remarks during the ninth ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Bahrain’s capital, Manama.

According to remarks reported by Sputnik Arabic, Lavrov criticized the lack of progress in implementing the US-backed initiative and said the prospect of a political settlement leading to an independent Palestinian state remained distant.

The Russian foreign minister also praised regional mediation efforts aimed at preventing further escalation, emphasizing the need for solutions that address the underlying causes of regional conflicts. … Full article

Egypt collaborates with Israel to build ‘Green Rafah’ project over erased Palestinian city

The Cradle | October 19, 2026

Egyptian construction firms coordinated with Israel on a US-backed “Green Rafah” project aimed at “housing” tens of thousands of Palestinians in the city that was eradicated by Tel Aviv’s genocide, sources told Middle East Eye (MEE) on 19 October.

“Egyptian construction firms surveyed sites in the ruins of the southern Gaza Strip for a housing project dubbed ‘Green Rafah’ … Egyptian engineers surveyed several areas in eastern Rafah under the supervision of the Israeli army and air force, who accompanied them throughout the process until they left,” sources said, including a senior military source in the North Sinai.

According to the report, “the proposed neighborhood would initially house around 20,000 Palestinians.”

It would be “supervised” by “a multinational force expected to be deployed in several parts of the Gaza Strip.”

The report likely refers to US President Donald Trump’s plan to form a so-called International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza.

The report states that surveying of sites for “Green Rafah” is under full US backing. “Washington conveyed instructions on the Rafah operations through CIA director John Ratcliffe during his latest visit to Egypt,” says the senior military source cited by MEE. … continue

Egypt’s Civil Democratic Movement rejects involvement in regional war

Al Mayadeen| October 19, 2026

Egypt’s Civil Democratic Movement rejected any involvement of the Egyptian armed forces in a regional war on behalf of any side, insisting that Cairo make its decisions independently of foreign influence.

The movement said Monday that no outside party should dictate Egypt’s position, arguing that the country’s most important role lies in pursuing “wise mediation to establish peace.”

Turning to domestic affairs, the movement called on civilian opposition groups, its own members included, to begin preparing for the presidential election scheduled for 2030. The call follows President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s recent statement that his presidency will end in 2030 and that the matter of constitutional changes to alter that timeline is “completely settled.”

The statement comes as Egypt’s parliament has yet to take up a proposal to authorize the president to send troops abroad. Lawmakers adjourned an emergency session devoted to discussing support for Saudi Arabia, and deliberations were due to resume on Monday. The debate was postponed again on Monday, this time until October 26. … continue

Any new aggression against Iran will trigger global energy crisis, IRGC warns

Press TV – October 19, 2026

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that any new act of aggression against Iran will be met with a more crushing response, fueling a “serious energy crisis” across the globe.

IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi made the remarks in an interview with the Tehran Times on Monday as the United States escalates its brazen threats against the Islamic Republic amid its failure to make the nation surrender through illegal war and blockade.

Asked about the possibility of renewed military strikes, he said the United States waged the previous war with all its might, and it is certainly not in a position now to launch a new military assault that would yield any different outcome.

Most US bases in the region have been rendered inactive, he added, noting that US forces are exhausted and worn out, and that they have withdrawn hundreds of kilometers away from Iran.

“From a technical and military standpoint, the US lacks the capability to launch a new conflict. However, as [midterm] elections are approaching, the US may seek to manufacture some achievements,” Mohebbi said.

“We do not rule out any possibilities and are prepared to respond. This time, our response will be much more forceful. Even if the US action is limited, the world will face a serious energy crisis.” … Full article

Israeli Pegasus spyware used to hack Serbian rector before election

Al Mayadeen| October 19, 2026

Citizen Lab announced Monday that the iPhone of Vladan Djokic, rector of the University of Belgrade, was infected with Pegasus, the spyware built by the Israeli company NSO Group.

The finding landed less than a week before Serbia’s parliamentary election on Sunday, according to the Canadian research group and Reuters.

The Toronto-based lab also reported that Rade Bajic, a former prosecutor, received an Apple notification warning that his device had been targeted with mercenary spyware. Neither Bajic nor the researchers could say for certain whether his phone was actually breached.

Pegasus is marketed by NSO Group, an Israeli firm that says it supplies its tools only to government clients. … continue

Albania on fire: who’s behind the riots?

RT | October 19, 2026

Anti-government rioters have torched Albania’s education ministry and supreme court, as protests spread across the Balkan nation. Prime Minister Edi Rama is refusing to step down and blames the unrest on Russia. What’s really going on? … continue

Rising fuel prices and shortages have helped drive ongoing protests and rioting in France

Remix News | October 19, 2026

France’s fuel shortages persisted Monday, with roughly 14 percent of the country’s service stations reporting at least one product out of stock and hundreds completely dry, as diesel prices hovered near multi-year highs and President Emmanuel Macron began a Gulf tour aimed at securing additional supplies.

Official data from the Economy Ministry showed 14 percent of stations nationwide facing shortages of diesel or gasoline as of 9 a.m. Monday, up from 10 percent on Saturday.

Independent trackers drawing on the same government feed reported more than 1,600 stations with at least one temporary shortage and several hundred that had run completely out of the fuels they normally sell. Diesel was among the products affected, with median prices around €2.35–€2.36 per liter. … continue

EU Struggles to Find Another $78B for Ukraine After Zelensky’s Request – Report

Sputnik – 19.10.2026

European Union countries do not know where to find an additional 70 billion euros ($78.4 billion) to aid Ukraine in 2027 after Vladimir Zelensky asked for that at the recent EU summit, an Italian newspaper reported on Monday, citing an unnamed EU official.

“We do not know where we can get it,” the official told the newspaper.

The EU has already agreed to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro loan for 2026-2027. Of that amount, 60 billion euros are earmarked for military spending and 30 billion euros for budget support.

Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have already stated that they will not participate in providing the new loan. Notably, they also did not join the 90-billion-euro loan, though they did not stand in the way of its disbursement.

The situation is complicated by the fact that EU allies, including the United Kingdom, have failed to fulfill their commitments to provide the full amount of aid, La Repubblica reported. Only Norway has so far kept its pledge

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged on Friday that Ukraine’s financial needs would continue to grow for as long as the conflict continues, and called on other international partners to increase their assistance to Kiev.

Public opinion on Ukraine is wrong – Italian defense minister

RT | October 19, 2026

Most Italians oppose aid to Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has said, as the country grapples with cost-of-living protests.

“We are fully aware that the majority of our public opinion, also influenced from abroad, is opposed to aiding Ukraine,” he told the BBC in an interview published on Saturday.

“It is difficult to explain that you have to help a nation resist and that helping it resist does not mean that you are opposed to peace.”

He nevertheless argued that Italy should continue to support Kiev, while acknowledging public anger over rising energy prices linked to the sanctions on Russia. He went on to claim that ‘Russian disinformation’ is fueling discontent.

“We cannot give in to public opinion when we believe that public opinion is wrong,” Crosetto said, adding that “it is difficult to explain that, at this moment, we cannot give Russia any gift.”

An Eumetra poll conducted last month found that 61% of Italians opposed supplying weapons to Ukraine, while 20% supported it and 18% expressed no opinion. … Full article

Tokyo protests demand Takaichi’s resignation over support for ‘Israel’

Al Mayadeen | October 19, 2026

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Japan’s National Diet in Tokyo, demanding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s resignation over her government’s stance on Palestine and its alignment with US and Israeli military policies.

The protesters expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemned the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and aggression across West Asia.

Demonstrators criticized Japan’s refusal to recognize the State of Palestine, its failure to impose sanctions on “Israel,” and its continued purchases of weapons from Israeli companies. … continue

South Korea, US Launch Large-Scale Joint Military Exercise – Reports

Sputnik – 19.10.2026

SEOUL – South Korea launched a large-scale annual military exercise, Honguk, on Monday that will include joint drills with US forces deployed in the Asian country, South Korean television reported.

The exercise is taking place on October 19-30. The number of troops involved in the drills will be similar to the ones in previous years, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. It will include joint operations of ground, naval and air forces, as well as the operation of opposing forces and simulated combat training. … Full article

Elderberry Extract: Nature’s Answer to Influenza

How Elderberry Extract Compares With Pharmaceutical Influenza Treatments on Effectiveness, Recovery Time, and Risks

By Dr Mark Trozzi MD | October 13, 2026

For years, the conventional response to influenza has centred on vaccination and pharmaceutical antiviral drugs. Yet the results and assured safety have often fallen far short of the claims made by the dinosaur media and old-world institutions. As we have previously reported, the 2025 Cleveland Clinic analysis calculated −26.9% effectiveness for the influenza vaccine, meaning vaccination was associated with a higher—not lower—risk of influenza.

Now they are trying to push new mFlusiva mRNA influenza “vaccines,” which have essentially zero efficacy and share the risks and dangers associated with mRNA technology that we have been exposing for years in the COVID “vaccines.” Meanwhile, another pharmaceutical product, Tamiflu, has long been promoted as a treatment for influenza while failing to live up to the assurances.

These conventional pharmaceutical interventions continue to prove ineffective at best, and dangerous at worst. However, studies of standardized elderberry extract point to a striking natural alternative, with symptom improvements measured in days rather than hours and far fewer reported risks. … continue

Araghchi to Trump: ‘Be our guest,’ Iran has ‘unfinished jobs’ too

Al Mayadeen | October 19, 2026

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dared US President Donald Trump to attack Iran again on Sunday, October 18, writing that the last time Washington wanted to “finish the job,” Iran “emerged even stronger.”

He warned that Tehran has unfinished jobs of its own and said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing the United States into another war to avoid a prison sentence.

His post came hours after Trump said the US could “soon finish the job” against Iran unless it changes course, in a Truth Social message giving Netanyahu his “complete and total endorsement” ahead of “Israel’s” October 27 election.

Trump called Netanyahu a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and wrote that Iran had been “systematically destroyed” militarily and financially. He said that if “Israel” elects any leader other than Netanyahu, America will have to do the work itself, which he said he is not inclined to do.

Netanyahu released a video thanking Trump. … Full article

Imprisoned Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil faces difficult detention conditions

Palestinian Information Center – October 18, 2026

Imprisoned Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil, 33, is facing repeated beatings and exposure to gas sprayed inside her solitary confinement cell at Ohalei Oz Prison in Beersheba, amid deteriorating health conditions and deprivation of basic necessities. Israeli prison authorities have also renewed her administrative detention for an additional four months.

In a statement on Sunday, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) said information obtained following a recent visit to al-Tawil revealed that she has been held in solitary confinement for approximately 50 days.

According to the PPS, Israeli prison guards have repeatedly raided her cell, subjecting her to physical assaults and verbal abuse. The most recent attack occurred two days before the visit. She is also kept under constant camera surveillance. … Full article

When Israeli settlers attack, Washington speaks of ‘friction’

Al Mayadeen | October 18, 2026

Four fractured vertebrae, a broken rib, repeated kicks, and stolen equipment. Yet when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Israeli settler attack on American photojournalist Heidi Levine in the occupied West Bank, Washington described the images as “disturbing” and warned against further “friction”.

A day later, Israeli settlers assaulted European diplomats accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest, attacking a French mayor and damaging a diplomatic vehicle.

The incidents exposed the contrast between the violence on the ground and the diplomatic language used to address it. While Western officials expressed concern over the attacks, Palestinians continued to face settler assaults threatening their lives, land, and livelihoods.

The disparity raises questions about the significance of condemnation when it is not accompanied by measures capable of ensuring accountability.

Rubio’s remarks followed Friday’s attack on Levine, who was covering Palestinian farmers harvesting olives near Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah.

According to reports, Israeli settlers attacked farmers, burned olive trees, and hurled stones. Levine, wearing protective clothing clearly identifying her as a journalist, was knocked to the ground, repeatedly beaten, and robbed of her equipment.

She described being kicked for approximately ten minutes while attempting to protect her belongings before being hospitalized with serious injuries.

Despite the brutality, Rubio’s response emphasized Washington’s concern rather than announcing consequences for those responsible.

“We’re very disturbed by those images and what we’re seeing,” he told reporters Saturday.

“We’ve asked the Israelis and continue to ask them to crack down on that stuff.”

The phrase “that stuff” reduces repeated physical assaults and attacks on Palestinian agricultural land to a vague category of misconduct, while “disturbed” expresses disapproval without specifying accountability measures.

Rubio also emphasized that US President Donald Trump wanted to prevent further “friction”.

“The president’s been very clear. He said this repeatedly. He does not want to see friction or anything, a crisis going on in the West Bank.”

The wording notably downplays the violence in the West Bank by framing it as “friction” or “a crisis”, rather than directly acknowledging the attacks, killings, and destruction affecting Palestinians. The term “friction” suggests a relatively minor or mutual disagreement, obscuring the realities of military operations and settler violence, while “anything” further dilutes the seriousness of the situation.

By focusing on the president’s desire to avoid a crisis, the statement emphasizes political stability and the risk of escalation rather than the underlying violence, its perpetrators, or its impact on Palestinians. … Full article

Five Palestinians martyred, others injured in Gaza

Palestinian Information Center – October 18, 2026

GAZA – Five Palestinian civilians, including two children, were martyred in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, four in fresh Israeli attacks and another who succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained earlier.

The Palestinian Information Center reporter said that a child identified as Tamer Shadi was killed and two other people were injured by Israeli gunfire in the Tal al-Dahab area, northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza.

A young man was also pronounced dead after succumbing to bullet injuries sustained two days ago in Beit Lahia.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces opened fire on a tent camp for displaced families in northern Gaza’s al-Atatira area, injuring several civilians, including one critically.

In Gaza City, a drone strike killed a citizen and injured several others in the ash-Shalihat area.

Another drone strike wounded some citizens, one of them critically, near an ambulance site in Gaza City’s al-Rimal neighborhood.

In southern Gaza, a young woman called Wijdan Sharab was shot and killed by Israeli forces on as-Sikka Street, east of Khan Yunis.

Israeli forces also opened fire towards Nasser Hospital in the west of Khan Yunis, injuring a citizen.

Earlier in the morning, six-year-old Misk al-Dallu was killed after Israeli forces opened fire towards tents sheltering displaced families in al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

Two fishermen were injured after an Israeli quadcopter dropped a bomb on them while they were working off the coast of ash-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City.

Another citizen was critically injured by Israeli gunfire in the east of al-Masdar village in central Gaza.

Additionally, widespread military activity, including shooting incidents, artillery shelling, drone overflights, and demolitions, was reported in other areas of Gaza today.

Israel’s occupation ‘root cause’ of insecurity gripping West Asia: Iran FM

Press TV – October 18, 2026

Iran’s foreign minister has denounced Israel’s warmongering in West Asia, saying insecurity in the region emanates from the regime’s occupation and land theft policies.

Abbas Araghchi made the remarks on Saturday during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi on the sidelines of the 52nd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Baghdad.

“The root cause of insecurity in West Asia is Israel’s occupation and expansionist policies. Over the past three years in particular, alongside genocide in Palestine, Israel has launched military aggressions against Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, thereby jeopardizing peace and security worldwide,” Araghchi said.

He also emphasized Iran’s commitment to using diplomacy in a bid to prevent further escalation of insecurity.

However, he added, the United States has repeatedly obstructed diplomatic efforts by reneging on its commitments and resorting to force, undermining the security of international commercial shipping.

Iran has been attacked twice in the midst of talks over its peaceful nuclear program.

The US and the Israeli regime waged their first illegal war against Iran, which lasted 12 days, in June 2025. Their second aggression began on February 28, 2026, and came to a halt in early April after 40 days.

In both wars, Iran’s resistance and successful retaliatory operations forced the aggressors to accept a ceasefire.

Iran has also maintained a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz since the early days of the second imposed war amid the US’s acts of mischief in the region.

Additionally during the meeting, Araghchi and Zaidi discussed the latest regional developments, including the Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict, as well as ways to help end the naval blockade of Yemen and de-escalate tensions. … Full article

Yemen rejects Saudi claims over Oman talks, says Riyadh failed to honor commitments

Press TV – October 18, 2026

Yemen’s Ansarullah spokesperson and chief negotiator has rejected Saudi claims that Sana’a refused to meet Saudi representatives in Oman, saying Riyadh failed to act on Yemeni proposals to lift the blockade and address humanitarian issues.

Mohammed Abdulsalam said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia had failed to honor its commitments toward Yemen, adding that its attack on Sana’a International Airport in July had brought the truce and de-escalation efforts to an end.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister for public diplomacy at the Foreign Ministry accused Sana’a of refusing to meet Saudi representatives in Muscat, Oman, at the beginning of the escalation in July.

“We asked them to meet in Muscat, Oman, and they refused,” the official said.

Abdulsalam, however, said the Yemeni delegation had repeatedly called on Saudi Arabia to lift its blockade on Yemen and implement the roadmap for addressing humanitarian issues, but Riyadh had failed to take any action. … Full article

Yemen denounces international community’s silence on Saudi aggression, siege

Press TV – October 18, 2026

Yemen has condemned the international community’s silence on Saudi Arabia’s ongoing aggression and blockade, saying it emboldens Riyadh to continue its atrocities.

The Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in a statement released on Saturday, said the Saudi military continues to target ordinary people and civilian infrastructure, as it has done over the past years.

The ministry denounced Saudi strikes on civilians and non-military installations as a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and Additional Protocol I of 1977.

In the latest attack, a series of Saudi airstrikes targeted a residential neighborhood in the Maqbanah district of Yemen’s southwestern Ta’izz province, killing nine civilians, including a woman and a girl, and injuring 16 others. … continue

UAE and Saudi Arabia move toward renewed coordination against Sanaa

Al Mayadeen | October 18, 2026

The United Arab Emirates has reportedly agreed to resume funding selected forces in southern Yemen fighting the Yemeni Armed Forces, while Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide air cover for those forces, according to sources in Yemen.

The reported arrangement signals a possible thaw in relations between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi after months of disagreement over the scope of each other’s political influence in Yemen.

The renewed coordination comes as the Yemeni Armed Forces continues to make gains and Saudi Arabia faces repeated drone and missile attacks targeting its territory, airports, and energy infrastructure. … continue

How Iran’s two-week retaliatory strikes exposed cracks in US military architecture in Persian Gulf

By Mohammad Molaei | Press TV | October 18, 2026

The two-week exchange of fire between the United States and Iran, triggered by Washington’s attempt to force open an illegal southern corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, represented the most consequential direct military confrontation between them since the 40-day war.

The Iranian response to the unprovoked and illegal American aggression was not a chaotic escalation but a methodical, layered military campaign that drew on years of doctrinal development, weapons investment, and operational planning.

The efforts of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces, spearheaded by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) aerospace and naval branches, executed a decisive and swift response.

What unfolded was a layered operation with nine distinct but interlocking lines of effort. Each line reinforced the others. Infrastructure degradation reduced American operational tempo; area denial forced repositioning that compounded the effects of that degradation; extended-range precision strikes demonstrated that repositioning offered no sanctuary; ISR attrition blinded American targeting systems; terrorist suppression closed the land flank, while strikes on utility infrastructure imposed costs on host nations and denied services to American bases.

One can employ the open-source reporting, satellite imagery, and the observable pattern of strikes to examine each dimension of Iran’s military response in detail, and construct a coherent operational picture. It is getting exceedingly clear that the ceasefire period has very likely translated to a window for reconstitution and preparation in Iranian strategic calculus. … continue

Iran says it possesses technology behind US 14-ton GBU bunker-buster

Al Mayadeen | October 18, 2026

Iran has obtained the technology behind a US-made 14-ton GBU bomb and now possesses samples of the weapon, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, senior advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), stated.

Speaking during the “Fedayeen for Iran” military exercise in Sari, Naqdi said Iranian forces acquired some of the bombs after they failed to detonate during the 12-day war, allowing local forces to seize them and study their technology.

“We should recall that during the 12-day war, 14-ton bombs were dropped,” Naqdi said, adding that “the failure of some of the 14-ton bombs to explode enabled the local forces to seize them.”

“Today, Iran possesses samples of these bombs alongside the manufacturing country,” he asserted, adding that Iranian forces have analyzed all the technologies associated with the US 14-ton bomb and now possess its technology in full. … continue

The mother of all propaganda: Why the hype over US MOAB strike against Iran is nothing but theater

By Arman Shariati | Press TV | October 18, 2026

American media this week began circulating a carefully placed story, claiming that the US military has drafted strike options against Iran that include deployment of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, the weapon branded as the “Mother of All Bombs.” … continue

It’s Been 70 Years: Why Does The US Still Control South Korea’s military?

By K. J. Noh | Popular Resistance | October 14, 2026

Over seventy years ago, the US took control of South Korea’s military. To this day, it still controls it.

Why?

This confounds every notion of state sovereignty: a supposedly sovereign country — South Korea — has its own military subjugated under US control.

Opcon (operational control) of one nation’s army by another country is usually temporary, usually during wartime among allies.

In Korea, it has lasted over 76 years.

South Korea has asked for opcon back, repeatedly. It has been three decades since South Korea first made the demand.

The US has always delayed, filibustered, waffled, and moved goal posts. … continue

Algeria reports 17 hydrocarbon discoveries, $37.5bln in export revenue

Al Mayadeen – October 18, 2026

Algeria recorded 17 new hydrocarbon discoveries in the first nine months of 2026, while state revenue from hydrocarbon exports reached $37.5 billion by the end of September, Hydrocarbons Minister Mohamed Arkab announced Saturday.

Speaking before parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee during discussions on the 2027 Finance Bill, Arkab said preliminary hydrocarbon production stood at approximately 128 million tonnes of oil equivalent, adding that exploration and production activities continued to yield new results.

Arkab attributed part of the export revenue performance to a 37% increase in the average price of Algerian crude oil compared with the same period in 2025. Sonatrach, the state-owned energy company, invested more than $6 billion by the end of September 2026, up 21% from $5.3 billion during the corresponding period last year, according to Algerian Radio.

The minister also reported that the hydrocarbon sector employed approximately 193,000 people at the end of the first half of 2026. Algeria is seeking to expand its oil and gas production capacity through further exploration and investment in the sector.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune previously announced that more than 141 exploration and production wells had been completed in the energy sector since he took office in December 2019.

The government’s plan targets annual growth of 2% in preliminary hydrocarbon production between 2023 and 2027, with output expected to reach approximately 209 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2027. … Full article

French protests reflect complete distrust of government, failure of neoliberalism: Analyst

Press TV – October 18, 2026

A French lawyer says the ongoing student protests in France reflect a deeper crisis of confidence among young people, as demonstrations increasingly converge with wider public anger over the simmering cost of living crisis in the country. Speaking to the Press TV website, lawyer and international consultant Arnaud Develay said the French youth have lost their vision for the future amid the failure of the Emmanuel Macron government.

“The fundamental grievances underpinning the current protests relate to the ever-increasing cuts in the education budget. This in turn has morphed into a wider range of demands which, taken together, express a complete distrust of the government on its ability to provide the youth with reasons to adhere to any kind of vision for the future,” Develay said. […]

He also linked young people’s frustration to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 period and subsequent government spending. He said young people had been asked to sacrifice two years of their lives between 2020 and 2022, only to see public debt rise sharply, which he attributed to spending on experimental vaccines and the transfer of 70 billion euros to the “corrupt regime in Kiev.”

Beyond education, Develay identified housing, employment and demographic changes as major structural sources of discontent among French youth.

“The problem is structural. France is a country where all the real estate is mostly in the hands of people born in the postwar period. Speculation has been out of control for the better part of the last 40 years while construction has lagged behind,” he said.

The lawyer added that France’s population had increased by 20% over the same period, while de-industrialization had contributed to persistent unemployment. Develay also noted that mass immigration had been used as a policy tool to depress wages and weaken working-class consciousness. The combined effect, he said, was “a neoliberal jungle where young people are deprived of the opportunities enjoyed by their parents and grandparents.”

The cost-of-living crisis has further widened the protests’ appeal. Rising housing, food, transport and energy costs have intensified concerns about whether young people can secure an independent and financially stable future.

The unrest has also acquired a broader political dimension. On Saturday, protests against high prices took place in Paris and other French cities, with a brutal police crackdown and hundreds of arrests. Tens of thousands marched through parts of the capital, while demonstrations in Lyon, Marseille and Lille included confrontations with heavily armed police. More than 130 people were arrested in Paris.

The demonstrations brought together overlapping grievances over purchasing power, inequality and police conduct. The Yellow Vest movement, which emerged in 2018 over planned fuel tax increases, has called for joint demonstrations involving its supporters and young people. The wider mobilization suggests that anger over the education crisis is increasingly intersecting with discontent among other sections of French society.

For Develay, this reflects a crisis extending well beyond France’s borders. “Neoliberalism has wreaked havoc in the West. The elites have essentially abandoned their citizens in pursuit of wealth on the world markets,” he told the Press TV website.

While the immediate triggers vary between countries, Develay said that the underlying pressures are similar. “Domestically, the triggering might differ from country to country, but essentially the trends are the same everywhere.”

The spread of student protests to neighboring European countries, including Belgium, has added to questions about whether France’s unrest could form part of a broader European movement driven by shared economic and educational pressures. … Full article

Protesters clash with police in downtown Milan

RT | October 18, 2026

Italian police have deployed tear gas and water cannons during clashes with protesters in Bologna and Milan amid nationwide demonstrations against the rising cost of living.

Organized by Italia in Piazza, a movement of students and young workers, the rallies began across Italy on Saturday to protest high fuel and energy prices, soaring rents, low wages, and deteriorating healthcare and education. Demonstrators also voiced opposition to military spending.

In Milan, where more than 5,000 people joined the march, participants carried a banner demanding “more money for families, less for wars.” In Genoa, crowds waved Palestinian flags and carried anti-war placards, calling for more funding for schools and housing rather than weapons. … Full article