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**Putin wants Trump and Xi to help him divide Ukraine.** **Putin proposes a summit with Trump and Xi to discuss an agreement on Ukraine** *Zelensky would not be included in the proposed negotiations, as the Russian leader seeks to negotiate an end to the war on terms favorable to Moscow.* The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, proposed that he, President Trump, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping meet next month to talk about Ukraine, in an attempt to negotiate an end to the four-year conflict on terms favorable to Moscow, according to people familiar with the discussions. The plan represents Putin's effort to capitalize on the rapprochement between Trump and the Russian leader, which has alarmed Ukraine and its allies in Washington and Europe. A summit of this kind — without the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — would be unprecedented and trigger alarms in European capitals and elsewhere. ## What's at stake The proposal would reportedly take place on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19. Putin is said to have floated the idea in a phone call with Trump on October 9; Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that talks about a possible meeting are underway, but without an agenda or agreement defined. The central point is not just "ending the war": it's **who decides the future of Ukraine**. Excluding Zelensky — and, implicitly, the European Union — would transform peace into an agreement among powers over territory, security, and spheres of influence, rather than negotiations with the invaded country. ## Critique of Putin Putin is trying to convert the invasion into a negotiation of great powers. By proposing a sort of "new Yalta," he seeks three gains: to legitimize Russia's territorial gains, to divide Western allies, and to present Russia as an equal partner to the U.S. and China. His logic is cynical: a country that launched an aggressive war wants the victims and European neighbors to be mere objects of decision. Any "peace" shaped without Kyiv will have little legitimacy and low chances of lasting because Ukraine will continue to have the capacity and will to resist. ## Critique of Trump Trump may not have accepted the summit yet, but his reluctance to immediately refuse is dangerous. By leaving the door open for a meeting without Zelensky, he risks validating Putin's premise: that Ukraine's fate can be resolved by Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. There is also a serious contradiction: Trump presents himself as the man capable of "ending the war," but a hasty peace that rewards aggression would not be peace — it would be a pause that encourages the next invasion. And the report of a potential agreement on Russian diesel, arising in the same conversation, reinforces the perception that economic and personal interests may weigh more than European security. ## Critique of Xi Xi stands to gain a lot by accepting to host or mediate: it places China at the center of the reorganization of European security without bearing the cost of war. However, his neutrality is fictitious; Beijing maintained close economic and political ties with Moscow during the invasion and has an interest in weakening American influence in Europe. If Xi participates in a format that excludes Ukraine, he will cease to be a mediator and become a co-author of a geopolitical arrangement. This would be especially serious for Central and Eastern European countries, which view the defense of Ukraine as a matter of principle and their own security. ## The decisive test A conference can only be legitimate if it includes Ukraine as a participant with full veto rights and involves the European partners who finance and support its defense. Without this, it is not diplomacy: it is an attempt to **divide influence at the expense of a sovereign country**. https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/putin-floats-a-summit-with-trump-and-xi-to-de (translated)

The author said cardiovascular disease caused 1.7 million deaths in the EU each year and that up to 80% of premature cases could be prevented. They said implementing the Safe Hearts Plan, including earlier detection and stronger national cardiovascular plans, could save lives. The author said the message was addressed to an IPHA-EFPIA conference. https://t.co/9UJeDrlTJO #CardiovascularHealth #PreventiveCare #HealthForAll #EU

PlayStation news pointed out that at Rockstar Games, employees had creative freedom to propose details and small mechanics that enriched the games. As an example, it cited Jason Schreier, who mentioned that the idea of horses' testicles shrinking in the cold in Red Dead Redemption 2 came from an employee to enhance immersion and not from a directive from their superiors. The account added that this kind of detail was also present during the development of GTA 6. #RockstarGames #GTA6 #RedDeadRedemption2 (translated)

PlayStation News reported that Jason Schreier had shared details about GTA 6 and Rockstar Games that he did not include in his Bloomberg article. According to the publication, some artists had been working on the game for more than a decade, and preparations had begun in 2015. It also noted that Rockstar started the development of its games by creating the map and that, while most of the team finished Red Dead Redemption 2, some artists continued working on GTA 6. The publication added that one of the early creative decisions was to design narrower roads with more traffic than those in GTA 5. According to the text, Rob Nelson mentioned that in 2014 a prototype of Red Dead Redemption 2 was presented that allowed players to greet or insult non-player characters instead of aiming at them; that system would also return in GTA 6, more advanced. PlayStation News also indicated that Rockstar tested alternatives to the weapon wheel but eventually decided to revert to the classic system. #GTA6 #RockstarGames #juegos (translated)

Dave De Kock was sentenced to 30 years in prison, of which 25 years are without the possibility of parole, for the murder of young Dean Verberckmoes in 2022, while his ex-partner Romy Wuytack was acquitted of kidnapping but found guilty of possession and distribution of images of sexual violence against minors. #Justice #Meurtre #Belgique (translated)

Bally Bagayoko expressed the solidarity of the City of Saint-Denis – Pierrefitte-sur-Seine with the municipalities affected by violence and damage, notably Limoges, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Calais, and Grenoble. He extended his support to the victims, the injured, their families, as well as to the residents, elected officials, agents, and traders. He condemned the violence and damage and reaffirmed his commitment to republican values, respect for people and property, and the freedom to protest peacefully. He specified that the city would not organize a gathering as part of the AMF call but would prioritize local actions with traders and youth, while the municipal police would be mobilized for public tranquility. Bagayoko called for de-escalation and stated that the situation required concrete political and social responses from the President of the Republic and the government. According to him, the response could not be solely security-oriented but must address inequalities and precariousness. He also warned that gatherings should not justify a disengagement of the State nor the transfer of its responsibilities to municipalities. Finally, he supported the demands of high school students, university students, and others calling for measures against the cost of living. #Solidarité #JusticeSociale #Désescalade (translated)

Dave De K. has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the kidnapping and death of 4-year-old Dean, along with 15 years of compulsory treatment, while his ex-girlfriend Romy W. has been acquitted of kidnapping but found guilty of possessing child abuse images. #DaveDeK #ontvoering #kindermisbruik (translated)

'Beyond pathetic': Darline Graham under fire after 'weak' defense of her dead brother She talked with South Carolina reporters a day after Trump put on hold the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Her brother had spent more than a year lining up votes for it before he died.

AFRICA DAILY REPORT — 19 OCTOBER 2026 Most important news from past 24 hours 1. KENYA — EIGHTH EBOLA INFECTION CONFIRMED Importance: 10/10 — Critical Kenya's Director-General for Health, Patrick Amoth, confirmed the country's eighth Ebola infection. The latest patient is a 49-year-old attendant who cleaned utensils and linen and may have been exposed to the country's first patient, who died in Nairobi on 5 October after travelling from DR Congo. The man developed symptoms while under quarantine and tested positive on Sunday. The linked cases underscore the importance of contact tracing and infection prevention in healthcare settings. Source — Reuters, 18 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/kenya-confirms-eighth-ebola-case-regional-outbreak-spreads-2026-10-18/ 2. DR CONGO — AUTHORITIES CONFIRM EBOLA IN AN EIGHTH PROVINCE Importance: 10/10 — Critical DR Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research officially confirmed two Ebola cases, including one death, in North Ubangi province on the border with the Central African Republic. North Ubangi is the eighth Congolese province affected. The country's situation report recorded 9,415 confirmed cases and 4,536 deaths since the outbreak began, including 67 new cases and 26 deaths in the 24 hours to 16 October. The geographical spread increases demands on disease surveillance and treatment capacity. Source — Reuters, 18 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/congo-confirms-ebola-outbreak-spreads-eighth-province-2026-10-18/ 3. MALI — RIGHTS GROUP DOCUMENTS CIVILIAN DEATHS IN DRONE STRIKES Importance: 10/10 — Critical Human Rights Watch accused Mali's armed forces and their Russian Africa Corps partners of indiscriminate strikes and other abuses during a counterinsurgency campaign. ACLED data cited in the report show 47 drone strikes and 94 civilian deaths from April to August, compared with 22 strikes and 44 civilian deaths in the same period of 2025. The report also describes abuses by jihadist and separatist groups. Malian and Russian representatives did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The allegations require accountability and independent scrutiny. Source — Reuters / Human Rights Watch, 19 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mali-forces-russian-backers-kill-scores-civilians-drone-strikes-report-says-2026-10-19/ 4. NIGERIA — ARMY CHIEF VISITS BORNO TROOPS AFTER DEADLY BASE ASSAULT Importance: 9/10 — Very High Nigeria's army chief visited troops in the northeast after suspected Islamic State West Africa Province fighters overran a base at Mairari, Borno state. Military and local sources told AFP that 15 soldiers and five members of an anti-jihadist militia were killed, and that attackers looted and burned the base. The visit comes amid concern about rising insurgent activity around Lake Chad and the security of communities and transport routes in northeastern Nigeria. Source — Africanews / AFP, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/nigerias-army-chief-of-staff-visits-troops-in-borno-after-deaths-of-15-soliders/ 5. SUDAN–EGYPT BORDER — SURVIVORS DESCRIBE DEADLY STRIKE AT GOLD-MINING SITE Importance: 10/10 — Critical Survivors described an airstrike on the Jabal al-Uqaydat mining area near the Sudan–Egypt border that reportedly killed 72 people the previous week. Rights groups blamed Egypt's air force, while Egypt described operations against illegal mining without directly addressing the specific allegation. Sudan's army chief ordered an investigation. The precise responsibility and casualty figures require independent verification. The incident raises humanitarian and diplomatic concerns in a border area where displaced Sudanese rely on informal mining. Source — Africanews / agencies, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/sudanese-gold-miners-describe-deadly-airstrike-that-killed-72/ 6. CAMEROON — OPPOSITION MRC ELECTS FIRST FEMALE PARTY LEADER Cameroon's opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement elected Tiriane Balbine Noah to replace Maurice Kamto. Noah, previously interim president, was the only remaining candidate and received more than 96% of delegates' votes. She becomes the party's first female president. Party officials say they are preparing for 2027 local elections; the MRC has raised concerns about restrictions on opposition activity. The longer-term political significance will depend on the party's ability to organise and compete. Source — Africanews, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/cameroons-opposition-mrc-elects-its-first-female-president-tiriane-noah/ 7. DR CONGO — GOVERNMENT ALLEGES KABILA IS PREPARING BROADER ARMED CAMPAIGN Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya accused former president Joseph Kabila of preparing a wider attack on the state after Kabila aligned himself with M23-linked forces through the newly announced Front for the Refoundation of the Nation. Kabila has denied earlier government allegations against him and criticised the administration. Fighting continues in eastern Congo despite mediation efforts. The government's claims are allegations, not independently established findings. Source — Africanews / AFP, 18 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/18/drc-accuses-ex-president-kabila-of-planning-general-attack-on-the-country/ 8. EQUATORIAL GUINEA — MALARIA ELIMINATION PROGRAMME EXPANDS BEYOND BIOKO Importance: 9/10 — Very High Equatorial Guinea plans to expand a long-running malaria-control programme from Bioko Island to the mainland and Annobon. Bioko reduced malaria prevalence to approximately 7% through spraying, mosquito nets, monitoring and community outreach. A newly announced $116 million investment will support expansion. Authorities are considering R21 vaccination for children and new surveillance tools. Experts warn that larger territory, poverty and cross-border transmission make elimination much harder on the mainland. Source — Associated Press, 18 October 2026 https://apnews.com/article/malaria-equatorial-guinea-vaccines-r21-bioko-oil-6478c585067f176c2f17e83704a21a30 9. EGYPT — BLUE-CHIP SHARES DROP AMID REGIONAL TENSIONS Importance: 8/10 — High Egypt's EGX30 stock index fell 2.6% on Sunday, its steepest intraday decline since February, as Middle East tensions unsettled regional markets. The Egyptian presidency said Cairo was ready to support Saudi Arabia's security as attacks by Yemen's Houthis intensified. Elevated oil prices and regional instability may affect Egyptian financing conditions, transport costs and investor confidence. The market move alone does not establish a longer-term trend. Source — Reuters, 18 October 2026 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/oil-lifts-saudi-bourse-egypt-tumbles-regional-tensions-2026-10-18/ 10. DR CONGO — EBOLA OUTBREAK COMPOUNDS MENTAL-HEALTH EMERGENCY Importance: 9/10 — Very High Health workers in eastern DR Congo warned that Ebola-related bereavement, stigma and isolation are deepening psychological distress among patients, survivors and medical personnel. A report from Bunia described families affected by multiple deaths and reluctance among neighbours to interact with survivors. Ongoing conflict and displacement compound these pressures. Aid organisations say psychosocial care needs to be integrated with infection control and clinical treatment. Source — Africanews / Associated Press, 19 October 2026 https://www.africanews.com/2026/10/19/dr-congo-ebola-outbreak-deepens-mental-health-crisis-amid-stigma-and-conflict/ #Africa #AfricaNews #AfricaDaily #TopNewsOfAfrica #Kenya #Ebola #EbolaOutbreak #PublicHealth #HealthSecurity #DRCongo #AfricaCDC #EbolaResponse #Mali #MaliConflict #DroneStrikes #CivilianCasualties #HumanRights #Sahel #RegionalSecurity #Nigeria #Borno #Sudan #SudanConflict #Egypt #EgyptStockExchange #AfricanEconomy #Cameroon #EquatorialGuinea #MalariaPrevention #wrldorg