French forces could be at war with Russia by 2028, the country’s newly appointed chief of staff, General Fabien Mandon, has claimed.

Moscow has repeatedly rejected claims that it plans to attack EU countries, saying any such allegations are being used by European politicians to scare the population and justify growing military spending. Russia has also said it is defending itself in the Ukraine conflict, accusing NATO of provoking the hostilities.

Mandon, who became France’s top general in early September, told lawmakers on the National Assembly’s Defense Committee on Wednesday that “Russia is a country that may be tempted to continue the war on our continent.”

Federal politics: Nationals senator says 'malicious intent' behind Barnaby Joyce One Nation push — as it happened

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie says she thinks former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce will remain in the Nationals party room after he left the door open to joining One Nation.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-23/federal-politics-live-blog-oct-23/105922588

YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT — SINCE 2005.

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

The plans are devised by Justice Michael Snow. He is the epitome of judicial prejudice. When Julian Assange appeared before Snow in the first hearing after being dragged from the Embassy, Snow called Assange a “narcissist” even though Assange had said nothing but to confirm his name, and no evidence had been led.

36 Minute Trials and No Jury – Starmer’s Fascist Mass Courts

Olympic organizers have approved a croc-infested river as a venue for rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Games in Brisbane, Australia, according to local media reports.

The Fitzroy River, some 600km north of Brisbane, was designated as an Olympic venue in March, but faced criticism from national and international organizations that warned the waterway did not meet technical standards. As well as its crocodile population, the river is known for its strong tides.

However, on Tuesday, Queensland state lawmaker Matt Canavan confirmed to the media that the river had successfully passed initial testing by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA).

“We now have a green light for rowing in 2032. All the data is in, and there are no longer any barriers to holding rowing events here,” Canavan said.

Kiev and Stockholm have agreed to work on a major long-term arms contract under which Sweden would provide between 100 and 150 domestically-produced Gripen fighter jets, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Wednesday.

The meeting came a day after the Ukrainian parliament approved amendments to this year’s budget that increased military spending by additional 325 billion hryvnia ($7.7 billion), bringing it to a record 2.96 trillion hryvnia ($70.86 billion).

The two sides have yet to ink the deal, with Sweden only confirming that it had signed a letter of intent on the issue. Zelensky insisted that both parties should ensure that Kiev’s forces start operating Gripen jets “next year.”

EU countries are at odds over how to use a proposed loan for Kiev funded by frozen Russian assets, with some pushing to restrict spending to European-made weapons while others want US arms included, Politico reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

EU officials are debating the so-called “reparations loan” of about €140 billion ($162 billion) to Ukraine that would be guaranteed by Russian assets immobilized by the West after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

According to the proposal, Kiev would repay only if Moscow covers damages incurred by the conflict. Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western efforts to use its frozen funds to aid Ukraine, calling the move “theft.”

Somerset as Stand-In – Funeral Etiquette for Abandoned Lads

In the Unted States at least 25% of homes are without a Father. (Representing 18 Million children.)

In the United Kingdom another 25% of homes are single-parent, and of these 80% lack a Father.

In Germany over 18% of homes with minor children are single-parent, about 86% having no Father.

In France 30% of kids are living single-parent, in 85% of the cases enduring life absent a Father.

In Russia almost 40% of all children reside with a singular parent, nearly 90% of these lack a Father.

BY GUY SOMERSET

US President Donald Trump is set to support South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham* at a fundraiser and golf tournament next month, according to US media reports.

The upcoming November event has already been dubbed the “Trump-Graham Classic.”

The US President formally endorsed Lindsey Graham - running for his fifth term in the Senate in what the Cook Political Report calls a “solid Republican race” - in a Truth Social post earlier this year. Trump called him a “wonderful friend.”

Following a haul of $1.7 million in the third quarter, Graham’s cash on hand total sits at $14.5 million. This is believed to be the largest war chest of any Republican senator up for reelection next year.

When Sanae Takaichi became Japan’s first female prime minister, headlines hailed a “historic moment” – a symbol of progress and national renewal. A conservative firebrand molded in Shinzo Abe’s image, she vowed to “work, work, work” for Japan’s rebirth.

Meet the woman vowing to Make Japan Great Again but serving her foreign masters
Behind Sanae Takaichi’s nationalist swagger lies a country still marching to US orders

By André Benoit

Before the cock crows, I’m happy to admit I was educated in the Roman Catholic tradition under the largely effective tutelage of the Dominican Fathers. Like the Jesuits, the Dominicans placed special emphasis on study, critical thinking and the pursuit of truth. As I slouch into my winter years, I’m still trying to think critically and pursue truth whatever that is and wherever it might take me.

John Schumann

Many Australian journalists think Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ambassador Kevin Rudd did a wonderful job this week in handling the corrupt narcissist who runs the United States, Donald Trump.

Of course, forelock tugging to monarchs is an essential in the Australian political leaders’ toolbox (former prime ministers Paul Keating and Gough Whitlam excepted).

Greg Barns

Bob Katter claims Gaza refugees are part of Hamas, as the Queensland MP continues to position himself as one of Parliament’s most outspoken defenders of Israel. Stephanie Tran reports.

Bob Katter marched alongside thousands of protesters in Brisbane on Sunday at a “March for Australia” rally, one of several anti-immigration demonstrations held across the country.

Addressing the crowd, Katter criticised Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for allowing Gaza refugees into Australia, describing the refugees as “part of Hamas”.

The US not only helped create conditions that brought Cambodia's Khmer Rouge to power in 1975, but actively supported the genocidal force, politically and financially. By January 1980, the US was secretly funding Pol Pots exiled forces on the Thai border. The extent of this support-$85 million from 1980 to 1986-was revealed six years later in correspondence between congressional lawyer Jonathan Winer, then counsel to Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation.

The Long Secret Alliance: Uncle Sam and Pol Pot

by John Pilger (9 October 1939 – 30 December 2023)

Covert Action Quarterly Fall 1997

On the Afghan–Uzbek border, the first thing you notice is the noise. Trains, trucks, and buses move in both directions almost without pause. For the first time in decades, the hum of trade has replaced the sound of gunfire.

How trade is winning the war that armies couldn’t

Trade replaces war on the CIS’s southern frontier

By Timofey Bordachev

Meanwhile, the recent border clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan is unlikely to escalate into full-scale war. Neither side has the resources – or the appetite – for a long conflict. For most regional governments today, stability and commerce are preferable to military adventure. The Middle East and South Asia remain fragile, but they are calmer now than just a few years ago.

The Australian Financial Review’s editorial cartoonist David Rowe has won the Australian Cartoonists Association’s Gold Stanley for best cartoonist of the year for a record-extending 11th time.

Rowe was also awarded the Bronze Stanley award for best caricaturist at the association’s 41st Annual Stan Cross Awards, held in Hobart on Saturday night. It was the 15th time Rowe had taken out the award.

It is Rowe’s third consecutive Gold Stanley, an award he first won in 2002.