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Military

For the third time this year, Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s rocket-fuel rubber plant in Samara Oblast. This time they reach the raw-material shop feeding it. OSINT channels recorded fires at the same butyl-rubber shops in April and September.

Captured Russians say there is one place on Kupiansk front they will not go: “Orion” safety corridor. Ukrainian robot unit says it built that corridor, and runs supply and evacuation through it with almost no losses.

Russia apparently meant a tank division for Druzhkivka. A Ukrainian push in the south drew the bigger part of it away. A Ukrainian observer says the larger part of the division ended up defending near Velyka Novosilka rather than attacking toward the Donbas fortress cities.

Plane parts for Russia’s air force, rubber for its industry—Voronezh’s factories came under drone attack. The aircraft plant belongs to Russia's state aviation holding, and the rubber plant to the petrochemical giant Sibur.

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine plans to rebuild its air force on NATO’s model by 2035. Its Air Force already knows which fighter it wants next, and why. Ukraine’s F-16s face thousands of Russian targets a month, many of them worn jets bought secondhand.

Ukrainian intelligence: Russia can probably add 10–15 Su-34 bombers a year, but no new Tu-95s or Tu-22M3s. Ukraine’s military intelligence also listed Russian jets destroyed or critically damaged in 2026, including two Tu-95MS bombers hit at Engels.

Ukraine raises its stalled Patriot request with Washington again after almost a month without Hegseth’s signature. The order came after a meeting with Ukraine’s defense minister, foreign minister, and army chief on supplies of air defense interceptors.

International

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy welcomes Student List’s win in Serbia and says Kyiv is “ready to keep increasing cooperation”. The party itself plan to end the trade that brought Ukraine €800 million in ammunition.

17 public broadcasters mapped Russia’s hybrid war on Europe. Germany: four dots. One point on the map may stand for several incidents of the same type nearby or in quick succession.

Kazakhstan prepares a list for Moscow, Kenya appeals to Kyiv: three governments try to get citizens out of Russia’s war. Kyrgyzstan says some of its migrants are forced into contracts, and Russia told Kenya that unit commanders rule on requests to quit, case by case.

More than a US briefing: Brussels security talks on Ukraine planned for 27 or 28 October, Kyiv says. Zelenskyy also ruled out neutrality and limits on Ukraine’s army as the Kremlin says Putin is ready in principle for new three-way talks in mid-November.

Humanitarian and social impact

Sixteen Ukrainian doctors who work near fighting went through three Western trauma programs in one week. American surgeons led drills. On the front line, drones and shrapnel often tear through several parts of a soldier’s body at once.

Guided bombs on Izium, strikes on Zaporizhzhia: Russian overnight attacks wound six, later strikes kill three. It was the second night running that Russia sent at least 140 drones, and strikes hit 15 locations both times.

Drones keep sinking ships off Romania and Bulgaria—French and US patrol planes are watching. Days after NATO promised more planes and forensic teams, a drone sank a cargo ship near Constanța, killing a Ukrainian sailor.

Political and legal developments

Russia promises “favorable conditions” to European firms a month after seizing control of Nestlé and Auchan. In a state TV interview, the Kremlin’s leader claimed Russia’s friends in Europe nearly cried when European companies had to leave, while his own decrees handed the Russian businesses of firms that stayed to Kremlin-picked managers.

Ukraine is stalling EU-required reform of bureau that can raid any official, risking European money it badly needs. The version the government may pass would satisfy Brussels on paper but leave the State Bureau of Investigation under the President’s Office.

Read our earlier daily review here.

LONDON – Arshad Khan, the Pakistani tea seller who rose to fame after his photograph went viral in 2016, has expanded his café business in Britain with a third outlet in New Malden, south London.

The new branch of Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan is being launched by British-Pakistani businessman Asif Khaliq, the brand’s UK master franchise holder. He opened the first outlet in Tooting in January 2025, followed by a second in Sutton.

Mr Khaliq said two more branches were planned within the next month as part of efforts to expand the business across Britain.

Speaking at the New Malden opening, he said demand for Pakistani tea and street food was growing among British Pakistanis, other South Asian communities and the wider public.

“We are doing our best to promote Pakistani culture through food and hospitality,” he said.

The café’s menu includes halwa puri, Lahori chanay, parathas, desi omelettes, samosa chaat and kebab rolls, alongside karak chai, doodh patti and Kashmiri chai.

Mr Khaliq said the response to the Tooting and Sutton outlets had encouraged further expansion. The aim, he added, was to introduce Pakistani flavours to customers from different communities.

Khan welcomed the brand’s progress under Mr Khaliq, crediting him with helping expand its presence in Britain.

From roadside stall to café business

Khan became an internet sensation in 2016 after photographer Javeria Ali photographed him serving tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad. The image drew international attention and led to modelling, advertising and business opportunities.

He established his café business in Pakistan in 2020 before pursuing overseas expansion through franchise arrangements. While his cafés in Pakistan have since closed, the overseas business has continued to grow.

Dispute with former franchise partners

The expansion follows a dispute involving an earlier UK franchise arrangement, which began with an outlet in Ilford, east London, in June 2023.

Khan and his business partner, Syed Kazim Hasan, became involved in a disagreement with former franchise partners Nadir Durrani and Yawar Akbar Durrani over contractual obligations, royalty payments, trademark registration and the commercial use of Khan’s name and image.

Khan and Hasan initiated proceedings at the UK Intellectual Property Office to challenge a figurative trademark registered by a former business partner.

In their legal case, they alleged that the registration used Khan’s likeness without continuing authorisation after the franchise relationship ended. According to their filing, the arrangement was terminated in April 2025, while the disputed trademark application was submitted in August that year.

The material provided did not include a response from the former franchise partners or an outcome of the proceedings.

The post Arshad Khan’s café brand opens third UK outlet appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

The Australian sharemarket had a muted morning but finished in the green thanks to a rally by BHP and Rio Tinto shares.

ISLAMABAD – Pakistanis face another increase in fuel costs after the federal government raised petrol by Rs1.54 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs2.16 per litre for Tuesday.

OGRA linked the adjustment to developments in international markets, including changes in Platts benchmark rates, premiums and incidental costs.

Diesel users have now faced two successive increases. On Friday, the government raised HSD by Rs1.91 per litre while leaving petrol unchanged. Together, the two revisions have added Rs4.07 per litre to diesel prices.

The domestic increase comes as global crude markets pulled back on Monday, with hopes of easing hostilities between the United States and Iran reducing some supply concerns. However, persistent attacks on Saudi Arabia kept investors cautious and oil prices near six-month highs.

Brent crude futures fell $2.03, or 1.7%, to $114.70 per barrel at 10:37am ET, equivalent to 1437 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $2.60, or 2.5%, to $100.71 per barrel.

 

The post Petrol hits Rs379.25, Diesel climbs to Rs395.82 in Pakistan appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

ISLAMABAD – Clips doing rounds online as evidence of fierce clashes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir turned out to be manipulated, as artificial gunfire was added to create the impression of an armed confrontation.

The posts being pushed in bulk by Indian accounts claimed that widespread fighting had erupted in Chitra Topi, South Bagh and other locations, leaving parts of the region facing warlike conditions.

FAKE NEWS

Clashes Reported in Chitral, Topi, South Bagh and POK

The situation reportedly resembles a war zone, with security forces conducting operations across the areas. The scale of the activity has raised concerns among local residents. https://t.co/mRi407QZeE

— SILENT BRIEF (@SilentBriefHQ1) October 26, 2026

Footage presented as proof of intense clashes had been edited through the addition of gunfire sounds. It said the editing gave viewers a misleading impression of the events shown. Several other clips show large-scale military operations in Chitral, Topi, South Bagh and Azad Kashmir and these are AI-generated or fabricated.

Indian-linked digital networks of repurposing unrelated footage and adding artificial audio to promote claims of unrest and action by state institutions. Establishing who created the videos, or whether their circulation was coordinated, would require further evidence.

Pakistanis are urged to check the original upload, location, recording date and credible local reporting before sharing footage presented as evidence of a security incident.

 

The post FACT CHECK: Viral Videos by Indian accounts claiming Clashes in Azad Kashmir are FAKE appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

LAHORE — A meeting of Board of Directors of The Bank of Punjab (BOP) was held on October 26, 2026, wherein the Bank’s unaudited financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, were reviewed and approved.

Building on its strong performance during the first half of the year, the Bank maintained its steady growth momentum, delivering sustained business expansion, robust core earnings, and consistent operational performance. The results reflect BOP’s strengthening financial fundamentals, effective strategic execution, and growing competitive position within Pakistan’s banking industry, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth and long-term value creation for stakeholders.

Financial Highlights at a Glance

Financial Performance	9M 2026	YoY Growth
Net Interest Income	Rs. 69.40 billion	19%
Non-Markup Income (excluding gains)	Rs. 18.04 billion	47%
Operating Profit (before provisions and gains)	Rs. 34.42 billion	34%
Profit Before Tax	Rs. 30.46 billion	15%
Profit After Tax	Rs. 14.53 billion	22%

Sustained Earnings Momentum Reinforces BOP’s Financial Strength

The Bank of Punjab continued its upward earnings trajectory during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, demonstrating the strength of its core banking franchise and the effectiveness of its business strategy. Operating Profit (before provisions and gains) climbed to Rs. 34.42 billion, marking an impressive 34% year-on-year increase. The Bank’s revenue performance remained equally encouraging, with Net Interest Income reaching Rs. 69.40 billion, up 19%, while Non-Markup Income (excluding gains) advanced to Rs. 18.04 billion, recording 47% growth. These results highlight the Bank’s ability to generate sustainable earnings through strategic balance sheet management, strengthening non-funded income streams, and a diversified revenue base.

The sustained strength in core earnings, complemented by disciplined expense management, continued to support the Bank’s overall profitability. Profit Before Tax rose to Rs. 30.46 billion, representing 15% year-on-year growth, while Profit After Tax increased to Rs. 14.53 billion, reflecting a 22% improvement over the corresponding period last year. The Bank’s continued focus on productivity, cost optimization, and operational discipline contributed to improved efficiency, with the Cost-to-Income Ratio (excluding gains) improving by 3.03%. This combination of revenue growth, profitability, and enhanced operating efficiency reflects BOP’s progress towards building a stronger, more competitive, and financially resilient banking institution.

Robust Advances Growth & Improved Deposit Mix

The Bank also demonstrated sustained business momentum during the nine months ended September 30, 2026, with gross advances registering an impressive 28% year-on-year growth, reflecting the Bank’s expanding lending footprint and continued support for economic activity. Despite a broadly stable overall balance sheet, the Bank made significant strides in strengthening its core deposit franchise, with current deposits growing by 16% year-on-year, while average current deposits recorded a remarkable 25% increase over the corresponding period last year. This strong growth in low-cost deposits underscores the Bank’s continued focus on improving its funding mix, enhancing funding efficiency, and building a more sustainable foundation for long-term profitability. Total assets and deposits stood at Rs. 2,456 billion and Rs. 1,928 billion, respectively, while gross advances reached Rs. 1,073 billion, highlighting the Bank’s continued emphasis on productive asset deployment and strengthening its core banking business.

Strengthened Capital Base & Regulatory Compliance

The Bank further reinforced its capital position, supported by strong financial performance and continued equity support from the Government of Punjab. During the period, the Bank received Rs. 15.6 billion from the Government of Punjab under the equity injection arrangements, representing a significant step towards strengthening its capital base. As of September 30, 2026, the Bank’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 13.94%, while its Leverage Ratio reached 4.07%, both comfortably above the regulatory requirements prescribed by the State Bank of Pakistan. The Bank also maintained full compliance with applicable IFRS 9 provisioning requirements, reaffirming its commitment to prudent financial management, regulatory discipline, and long-term financial resilience.

Strategic Milestones & Growing Institutional Recognition

The year 2026 marked significant strategic achievements for The Bank of Punjab, further strengthening its institutional standing and growth prospects. The Bank’s long-term credit rating was upgraded by PACRA to the highest AAA category with a Stable Outlook, reflecting its strengthened financial profile and institutional resilience. Expanding its international footprint, BOP also secured in-principle approval from the State Bank of Pakistan to establish an Overseas Wholesale Banking Unit in the Kingdom of Bahrain, opening new avenues for cross-border business and regional connectivity. Complementing these milestones, the Bank continued to earn prestigious national recognition, securing three accolades at the Pakistan Banking Awards 2026 for Agriculture Inclusion, SME Banking, and Women’s Inclusion. These achievements extend BOP’s remarkable track record of consecutive awards across key banking segments, reinforcing its growing market standing, commitment to financial inclusion, and pursuit of sustainable long-term growth.

Building a Future-Ready Bank | Strategic Outlook

The Bank of Punjab continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic and increasingly competitive financial institution, combining its established public-sector relationships with a growing commercial banking franchise. Beyond its traditional role as a key financial partner to the Government of Punjab, BOP is progressively broadening its business horizons through deeper customer engagement, diversification of banking services, and a sharper focus on sustainable, relationship-driven growth.

Bank remains committed to leveraging technology, digital innovation, and operational excellence to enhance customer experience, improve service delivery, and build a more efficient and agile banking model. With a clear emphasis on strengthening core banking capabilities, maintaining prudent risk management, and capitalizing on emerging domestic and international opportunities, BOP aims to translate its institutional progress into enduring financial performance. Looking ahead, the Bank’s strategic direction remains firmly anchored in profitable growth, customer-centric innovation, financial inclusion, and sustainable stakeholder value, while continuing to play a meaningful role in Pakistan’s economic development.

The post BOP powers ahead with Strong 9-Month 2026 Operating Performance, strengthened Capital Base, Accelerated Lending Growth appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

Readers respond to Polly Toynbee’s article on the possibility of rejoining the EU

With all due respect to Polly Toynbee, why do we assume that we would need another referendum to return to Europe (Shall we have another EU referendum? Maybe – but not yet, 19 October)? The last one didn’t work out too well. Asking the electorate to vote a simple yes or no on such a complex and multifaceted deal was never going to be the right approach; nor will it be to go back in.

Call it what you will – Brejoin, Bre-entry, Brehabilitation – it shouldn’t be an all-or-nothing deal. The one thing that Brexit has given us is the opportunity to cherrypick the elements of a relationship that are of mutual benefit to both parties. How about approaching it on a piecemeal basis, processing it through normal parliamentary procedure? No buses required.
Gary Jones
Wimbledon, London

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© Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/AFP/Getty Images

© Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/AFP/Getty Images

Amid widespread protests, Muriel E Cockcroft has sympathy for French youth but fears how much steam will be let out at the next convulsion

I’m writing in response to your editorial (The Guardian view on France’s protests: a polarised country is in a perilous political moment, 19 October). While the focus is on Emmanuel Macron, let us not forget the hierarchical structure of French administration, from mayors to MPs to senators to prefects and heads of region. All are part of the government, but few stood up to bring leaky school roofs and missing teachers to national consciousness. I deplore the senseless destruction of shops and state buildings. But I also deplore the fact that students had to protest to be heard. In the many administrative tiers of this highly hierarchical country, no one acted and inertia prevailed.

Centrally, the government is financially challenged but refuses to acknowledge that having a huge deficit, an ageing population and a low retirement age are perhaps connected. Modest attempts to increase the retirement age also provoked violent protests. Financial tools for individual retirement remain complex and restricted. Thus, this sclerotic system presses on until the next crisis.

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© Photograph: Roses Nicolas/ABACA/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Roses Nicolas/ABACA/Shutterstock

© Photograph: Roses Nicolas/ABACA/Shutterstock

NEW YORK – US President Donald Trump took his Michigan campaign rally into viral moment as he made wild comment about Nicki Minaj’s A**, asked her to stand and then told the cheering crowd he hoped she was not offended.

“By the way, I looked at one hell of a beautiful A** before, Nicki Minaj. That’s hard to miss,” Trump said in Port Huron event. The rapper stood and waved as supporters cheered. Trump followed with: “I hope Nicki wasn’t insulted, but we love Nicki. She’s been with us for a long time.” The exchange came as Trump campaigned for Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections, with Minaj joining him after travelling to Michigan aboard Air Force One.

SNEAKO’s FACE when Trump says Nicki Minaj has “one hell of an ass” and then STARES at it

BRO WAS NOT READY FOR THAT https://t.co/6ZCnjqZ4Yz

— sneakoko (@sneakoko) October 26, 2026

His remark followed detailed explanation of his earlier comments about Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted’s physique. Trump insisted those observations concerned Husted’s football background and had been made “in fun”, arguing that reports had missed the context.

“I’ve never done that with a man before. Off the record, women? Yes. Men? No,” he said, before switching his attention to Minaj.

Nicki Minaj used her appearance to rally support for Republican candidates. Slaying in gold Gucci suit, the 43-year-old rapper led chants of Trump’s name and described the election as a major turning point for the United States. As she left the stage, Trump offered more praise: “She never looked more beautiful. She gets it. She’s smart.”

Her trip also sparked talk of a possible White House role after communications director Steven Cheung shared a video of her discussing the administration’s economic and foreign policies aboard Air Force One. “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” Cheung wrote on X.

Controversy grows over hidden Epstein files involving allegations that Trump sexually abused a minor

The post Trump goes off script with ‘One Hell of Beautiful Ass’ Comment about Nicki Minaj appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.

TEHRAN – Senior officials from Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Turkey concluded high-level meeting in Tehran aimed at preventing further escalation and opening a path towards an agreement amid regional tensions.

The meeting was held at Iranian capital’s Saadabad complex, and talks brought together leading political, defence and intelligence figures from the four countries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged the participants to put shared interests at the centre of regional diplomacy, saying differences could be addressed more effectively through constructive engagement.

Moments from Major General Rezaei’s meeting with senior Turkish, Saudi, and Pakistani officials. https://t.co/V3OD1WZr3U

— IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) (@iribnews_irib) October 26, 2026

He said regional problems would become easier to resolve if countries managed their disagreements wisely and concentrated on common ground instead of issues that deepen divisions.

Pakistan was represented by its Chief of Defence Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin also attended. Joining Pezeshkian on the Iranian side were Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Saudi Arabia termed discussions positive efforts to prevent tensions from escalating further and create conditions for an agreement. The supplied account did not detail any final agreement or joint declaration following the meeting.

The meeting comes after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a defence and security agreement on August 7 this year, known as the Makkah Pact.

 

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Current German law strictly requires teachers to remain politically neutral. However, a recent incident involving Maya Tischler, a 30-year-old Green Party politician, raises questions about whether this neutrality is properly enforced.

Before being elected to the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Tischler worked as a history teacher in Ribnitz-Damgarten. Controversial comments she made regarding her former students are now coming to light, highlighting the censorship Germans who do not fall in line with left-liberal ideologies face.

Tischler reportedly stated that she fought daily against discriminatory, racist, and violent rhetoric in her rural school environment. She even openly admitted to frequently removing AfD stickers from classroom furniture and noted that many local parents were involved with the right-wing party.

Germany using mass surveillance and censorship to crush political opposition

“I’m simply fed up,” she said at a 2025 Green Party conference, adding that she had “stopped counting how many AfD stickers we unfortunately had to scrape off the chairs in the classrooms,” according to Junge Freiheit.

Tischler also expressed immense relief at being able to openly label the AfD as “definitely far-right” to her students, noting she was exhausted from dealing with the issue, particularly after a tense debate with students during a field trip to the Ravensbrück concentration camp memorial. She also previously confirmed her support for a ban on the AfD.

As vice president of the state parliament in Schwerin, Tischler is expected to remain impartial, a mandate for both teachers and politicians. Her critics are now questioning her suitability for either profession.

The EU’s censorship machine: Dutch conservative influencer Eva Vlaardingerbroek gets X shadow ban lifted but worries about DSA grow

Thore Stein, the AfD’s parliamentary manager in the state, condemned her appointment to the parliament’s presidium, telling JF it was “an absolute mockery of the principle of neutrality in office.”

Last year, German influencer Eva Vlaardingerbroek had her shadow ban on X lifted by Elon Musk, in a case where the EU claimed it had restricted her account due to the EU’s Digital Services Act. While her account regained its normal status, many conservatives in Germany and across Europe continue to have their voices muffled. And with teachers like Maya Tischler, this censorship campaign starts early.

The post “I’m simply fed up,” says German state parliament VP and former teacher as she recounts pulling AfD stickers off classroom chairs appeared first on Remix News.

Another day in France, another minor revealed to me the victim of forced prostitution. 

Five men are facing trial at the Rhône Assize Court from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2 on charges of aggravated pimping involving a 12-year-old girl, referred to by the pseudonym Louna. While the suspects are being prosecuted, none of her clients face charges.

Louna, a vulnerable out-of-school youth who was also the alleged victim of a gang rape at age 10, ran away twice in 2022. On June 17, 2022, she left a campsite in southern France where she was vacationing with her grandmother. Six days later, a client recognized her from a missing person flyer and notified authorities, writes Le Progres. 

‘One must kill a White and blonde child and cut off their head’ – The rape and murder of 12-year-old Lola may have been occult ritual, reports French journalist

Police located Louna in a rundown apartment on Quai Gillet in Lyon’s 4th arrondissement, discovering physical injuries (bruises and knife cuts) and that she had cocaine in her bloodstream.

The minor told police that she was manipulated online by a 19-year-old named Moha, whom she believed was her boyfriend. Moha and three accomplices allegedly groomed her with promises of luxury items, coerced her into using cocaine, and managed her prostitution.

‘She is in a state of total shock’ – 12-year-old French girl collapses after judge releases 2 men arrested for gang raping her in an Airbnb

Using the now-defunct website Coco, she was forced to see roughly 30 clients in a single week. The suspects threatened her with physical violence if she did not generate €500 to €1,000 a day, monitoring her actions closely.

This is just the latest in a slew of sex crime cases involving minors. Back in 2022, 12-year-old Lola Daviet was brutally raped and murdered in Paris by an Algerian woman, with the case possibly linked to a North African custom involving the killing of a White child with blonde hair.

Grooming gangs have also been on the rise. Child prostitution in France has risen by 43 percent over the past four years. French police are identifying “younger and younger girls” being trafficked.

The post France: 5 men face child prostitution charges, aggravated pimping appeared first on Remix News.

Speaking at her party’s opening campaign rally in Orléans, Marine Le Pen, presidential candidate of the National Rally (RN), spoke repeatedly about rebirth, or a renaissance, calling on the French to embrace a shift away from the disastrous policies of current President Emmanuel Macron.

Her campaign comes on the back of the disastrous riots that have seen France pillaged and burned. During her speech in Orléans, in line with her past messaging, Le Pen pledged to bring the French better security.

“We are not living the end of the world but the end of a world. It is up to us to build the one that is coming. The Renaissance of France begins today!” Le Pen posted to X.

Nous ne vivons pas la fin du monde mais la fin d’un monde. À nous de bâtir celui qui vient. La Renaissance de la France commence aujourd’hui ! https://t.co/UuTWqKI1Uh

— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) October 25, 2026

“No one thinks that we are stronger today than yesterday, or that after 10 years of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency, we are walking on a field covered in rose petals,” she told supporters, as cited by Euronews Hungary.

“The battle for facts has already been won; everyone in France agrees with us,” she added.

“Who can claim that there is a rule of law when hordes come to ransack and burn our buildings?” she asked during her launch speech.

“The rule of law is not law against the state,” said Le Pen, promising strict legal action against those who commit crimes, including the expulsion of foreign criminals, echoing sentiments from right-wing leaders across Europe.

The Great Replacement is driving the French riots, says right-wing politician Éric Zemmour. "I believe that what we saw yesterday is the true face of the Great Replacement. It has an appearance: hordes of North African and African barbarians who ransack cities." Follow: @RMXnews

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 19, 2026

She also called for greater French sovereignty, arguing that France must secure itself a “double border: French and European.”

Le Pen additionally struck out at Zelensky, noting that under her leadership France has no intention of send its youth to die in a war “that is not ours.”

Salvini reelected as head of Lega, sets agenda for Italy’s 2027 elections

RN Chairman Jordan Bardella turned his sights on Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) who has been adamant in his support for the ongoing riots. Bardella accused Mélenchon of “stirring the embers of rebellion” and called LFI unfit for the “highest functions of the state.”

France heads to the polls in May 2027. Recent polling shows Le Pen in the lead, with as high as 38% of the vote, according to Reuters. Mélenchon would come in second, with as much as 18.5%.

The post “The rule of law is not law against the state” – Le Pen tells voters at campaign launch appeared first on Remix News.

Matteo Salvini has secured another four-year term as the leader of Italy’s League party after winning the leadership election at an extraordinary party congress in Milan. Salvini defeated his challenger, Massimo Garavaglia, by a decisive 465 votes to 146.

During the congress, Salvini sharply criticized internal party dissent, targeting unnamed critics who had pressured local officials to boycott major party rallies, labeling their actions a “betrayal” of the League’s values, writes Il Giornale.

Last week, in the wake of the violent riots in Milan, Salvini had posted on X after an approved security decree: “More troops for Safe Streets, including 500 already in Milan, delayed arrests thanks to cameras, and greater powers for the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement,” he wrote, adding that the government will also seek to enact legislation for “the revocation of citizenship and residence permits for adults who commit crimes, and the impossibility of obtaining citizenship for minors who deal drugs, loot, or vandalize.”

DA STASERA È LEGGE! Più militari per Strade Sicure, di cui 500 già a Milano, arresto in differita grazie alle telecamere e più poteri alle Forze Armate e alle Forze dell’Ordine. E poi avanti, in prospettiva, con la revoca della cittadinanza e del permesso di soggiorno ai maggiorenni che commettono reati e con l’impossibilità di ottenere la cittadinanza per i minorenni che spacciano, saccheggiano o devastano. Chi sbaglia paga. Perché chi devasta una vetrina o aggredisce una commessa non è un rivoluzionario: È UN COGLIONE.

— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) October 20, 2026

Looking ahead to upcoming elections, he declared that the party’s focus must remain firmly on “identity, autonomy, and federalism,” asserting that the League would not settle for simply being a minor partner in a center-right coalition.

In his pre-election address, Salvini had also staked out a hardline foreign policy stance, demanding an immediate halt to Italian financial and military aid to Ukraine. He announced that his re-election gives him a direct mandate to challenge the current government coalition on this issue, going as far as to question whether funds sent to Kyiv were being misdirected by corrupt officials close to President Zelensky.

Declaring a firm “No” to a European army, Salvini told those gathered, “We will defend our borders ourselves.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her congratulations to Salvini on his reelection. “Let us continue to work together, with responsibility and determination, in the interest of Italy,” she posted to X.

Congratulazioni a @matteosalvinimi per la riconferma alla guida della Lega. A lui e a tutta la comunità del partito i miei auguri di buon lavoro. Continuiamo a lavorare insieme, con responsabilità e determinazione, nell’interesse dell’Italia.

— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 25, 2026

The post Salvini reelected as head of Lega, sets agenda for Italy’s 2027 elections appeared first on Remix News.

With Halloween approaching on Oct. 31, German security authorities are intensifying preparations for planned youth protests in more than 20 cities, warning that the events could be overtaken by violent actors in patterns seen during recent mass unrest in France.

Many of the videos feature different social media influencers calling for French-style protests.

“On Oct. 31, we will all be on the streets. The French showed us how, now we’re following suit,” said one influencer who earned over 1 million views on TikTok.

"On Oct. 31, we will all be on the streets. The French showed us how, now we’re following suit." Social media influencers are calling for French-style protests on Halloween night in Germany. There are now warnings from police of potential unrest. Stephan Weh, head of the Berlin branch of the police union (GdP), stated: "We must be extremely careful that radical forces do not co-opt democratic protest as in France, use it to live out fantasies of violence, abuse the freedom of assembly, and feed the narrative of a police force hostile to citizens." GdP national chairman Jochen Kopelke warned of "unpredictable" protests on Halloween night with a risk factor of “young riot migrants who feel like using violence against the police.” Follow: @RMXnews

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) October 25, 2026

Police union and political figures have issued a number of warnings. Stephan Weh, head of the Berlin branch of the police union (GdP), stated: “We must be extremely careful that radical forces do not co-opt democratic protest as in France, use it to live out fantasies of violence, abuse the freedom of assembly, and feed the narrative of a police force hostile to citizens.”

He added that the Halloween night timing compounds risks, given the common use of pyrotechnics during the night.

The protests stem from an initiative known as “Gen Z steht auf,” or “Gen Z stands up” in English, which has called for simultaneous demonstrations in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and others. Organizers, who report thousands of pre-registrations on their site, demand greater investment in education and health care, measures against rising living costs, climate action, and opposition to conscription.

Andreas Roßkopf of the GdP’s federal police section promised that state and federal forces “will proceed massively and consistently” against any riots, warning of radicals mixing into the demonstrations to attack officers “with violence and brutality” or simply to destroy property.

Many videos have called for peaceful protests, but others have alluded to the potential for rioting or looting.

These plans have drawn sharp attention after the Oct. 17 protests across France, which saw demonstrations devolve into violent riots involving masked groups setting buildings ablaze, looting shops, clashing with police, and causing widespread damage.

Authorities reported well over 1,000 arrests and hundreds of injured officers. Further online calls for Halloween gatherings targeting public buildings have also circulated in France as well on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

In Germany, the Federal Interior Ministry has confirmed ongoing risk assessments coordinated with partners including France and Italy, while the German domestic intelligence service (BfV) is increasing surveillance of relevant websites and social-media channels. A ministry spokesman noted the distinction between “peaceful student protests” and “a violence-prone extremist scene that potentially uses such protests to spread violence.”

Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) said authorities have the date “firmly in view” and that the protests are already being instrumentalized from the left spectrum.

He emphasized that police will be strongly positioned, will not tolerate violence against persons or property, and must prevent France’s situation from spilling over.

Bavaria’s Joachim Herrmann (CSU) urged that comparable tendencies “must be nipped in the bud,” describing the French events not as student protests but as heavy riots involving left-extremists and predominantly migrant men in street battles, arson, and looting.

GdP national chairman Jochen Kopelke has highlighted unpredictability as the core problem of the Halloween protests, unlike more routine large events such as New Year’s Eve, May 1, or football matches. Referring to reports from French colleagues, he described “street battles” and noted German precedents including the G20 in Hamburg and scenes in Leipzig-Connewitz and Berlin’s Rigaer Straße.

He warned of possible simultaneous, digitally mobilized demonstrations across multiple German and European cities, and of “young riot migrants who are included to use violence against the police.” Such actors, he said, “must be kept in check and can expect no mercy from us.”

Manuel Ostermann of the federal police union has cautioned that multi-day unrest with ugly images and possibly brutal violence cannot be ruled out, while insisting German forces are better prepared than their French counterparts and will permit no lawless zones.

The post Will Germany see mass riots on Halloween night? ‘France-style’ protests promoted across social media appeared first on Remix News.

The unnamed jockey was taken to hospital in a horsebox due to a lack of ambulance cover

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Vice President Vance will speak at an airplane hangar in Belgrade, Mont., touching down Monday in an unexpectedly competitive House district. Republican Aaron Flint is favored against Democrat Sam Forstag, but polls show a tight race in the typically safe red district. Vance’s visit comes about two weeks after President Trump rallied in Montana’s western…

RIYADH – Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed fresh attacks on Riyadh airport and pumping stations serving Saudi Arabia’s strategic East–West oil pipeline, a major route for transporting crude without passing through Hormuz.

Saudi authorities have yet to respond to the claims, leaving the reported strikes, their impact and any disruption to operations unconfirmed. The claims come amid an escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi airports, ports and oil installations over the past month. The pipeline and its pumping stations have also been targeted previously.

Operated by Saudi Aramco, the 1,200-kilometre pipeline carries oil from the kingdom’s eastern region across the Arabian Peninsula to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Its route gives Saudi Arabia an important alternative to shipping crude through the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest claims followed an announcement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis that it had struck two ballistic missile launch sites in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

According to the coalition, one of those sites had been used to fire a missile towards Riyadh. Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed the projectile in mid-air, the coalition said.

The competing statements underscore the widening threat to Saudi transport and energy infrastructure, although no Saudi confirmation of the latest claimed attacks was available in the supplied account.

 

The post Houthis claim Fresh Strikes on Riyadh Airport, Saudi Arabia’s Key Oil Pipeline appeared first on Daily Pakistan English News.