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Thirteen men and a dog in the Grote Markt in Groningen. The 'Grandparents for Climate' are starting their impressive protest march through Groningen. (translated)

Today marked the beginning of a new era for the Finnish Air Force and for Finland’s national defence. The new F-35 fighter jets will enhance Finland’s defence capability for decades to come. https://t.co/yXiPBp2DGJ #Ilmasotajouko #Puolustusvoimat #F35 #FI

Kurier 8h

Norway announces that it is well-prepared for large gas deliveries to Europe after the country has become the continent's largest gas supplier since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, sending a reassuring signal at a time of rising gas prices and low storage levels before the start of the winter season. (translated)

Norwegen beruhigt Europa: „Gerüstet für große Gaslieferungen“

"Wir schulden jeder Frau und jedem Mädchen in Südafrika ein Land, in dem sie nicht berechnen muss, wo sie gehen darf, zu welcher Zeit sie reisen darf, was sie anziehen darf, wem sie vertrauen darf und ob ein Nein ihr Leben in Gefahr bringt"Er stehe hier mit "schwerstem Herzen" und spreche nicht nur als Staatschef, sondern auch als Mann, als Ehepartner sowie als Vater von Töchtern, sagte Cyril Ramaphosa gleich zu Beginn seiner Fernsehansprache. #Femizide #GewaltGegenFrauen #Südafrika

Südafrikas Präsident räumt Versäumnisse bei Gewalt gegen Frauen ein
www.tagesschau.de

Letschert in a tight spot! The Jewish and Israeli students in Maastricht are stating it clearly. They are no longer carried away by the dialogue merry-go-round of the D66 Minister of Education, after spending years in her merry-go-round when she led the university. Result: an antisemitic climate and the import of hate rallies. Letschert's reward: the plush of The Hague. Read the letter below. Support these brave students who let their voice, and only their voice, be heard. Who do not bow to the established order and do not allow themselves to be exploited and misled by them. Bravo! To the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, IJAR Maastricht has learned that Minister of Education Rianne Letschert intends to organize a meeting about Jewish students, following the recent developments at Maastricht University. As the representative organization of Jewish and Israeli students at Maastricht University, we have received no formal invitation from the minister or her ministry. Nor have we been informed about the purpose, the mandate, the intended participants, or the measures that may be considered. If the subject concerns the position and experiences of Jewish and Israeli students at Maastricht University, consultations should begin with the organization that represents these students and within the university environment where the relevant events take place. During Ms. Letschert's previous term at Maastricht University, Jewish and Israeli students and their representatives spoke with her and other members of the university administration on numerous occasions. They repeatedly expressed concerns about safety, intimidation, the campus climate, institutional decisions, and the implications of those decisions for Jewish and Israeli students. From those discussions, it appeared that consultations were taking place, but in our experience, they did not lead to measures that corresponded to the issues raised. Clear lines of accountability were also not established for what followed. This history means that the mere fact that there is again a meeting cannot be considered an achievement in itself. Other Jewish organizations and individuals elsewhere in the Netherlands may have legitimate perspectives on broader issues concerning Jewish life, antisemitism, or national policy. However, they do not represent the Jewish and Israeli students at Maastricht University and cannot replace the representative organization of the students whose campus, lecture halls, and daily living environment are directly at stake. A meeting held elsewhere, with discussion partners who do not represent these students, can be viewed as discussions with Jewish organizations, but cannot reasonably be presented as a consultation with the representative organization of Jewish and Israeli students studying at Maastricht University. For that reason, we believe that if the minister wishes to address what is happening at Maastricht University, she should come to Maastricht and engage directly in conversation with the representative organization of Jewish and Israeli students here. The location is important, as responsibility must be aligned with where the issue occurs and not be disconnected from it: the issues being discussed involve this university, the decisions being made here, and the students who experience the consequences of those decisions. Thus, consultations regarding Maastricht should take place in Maastricht and begin with those who are institutionally responsible for representing the involved students. Before such a meeting takes place, we also demand clarity about what the minister aims to achieve with it. We expect to know what questions are being investigated, what decisions or measures remain open, what responsibility the ministry will take on itself, what responsibility it expects from Maastricht University, what concrete follow-up steps are foreseen, and how the outcomes of the meeting will be recorded and communicated. Without that information, participation threatens to serve mainly as proof that consultations have taken place, rather than as a means by which those consultations can actually have an impact. Our concern, therefore, is not about whether there will be a meeting, but about the relationship between consultation and responsibility. We have previously participated in discussions, we have laid out the problems before, and our presence has previously shown that a dialogue existed. What too often has remained unclear, however, is who was responsible for acting on what was raised during those discussions and what actually changed as a result of those discussions. A representative consultation should not end once the participants leave the room, but should record who is responsible for the issues raised, what actions follow from that, and how those actions will be assessed. We remain willing to engage seriously with the minister in Maastricht. However, that consultation must take place with the representative organization of the Jewish and Israeli students whose situation is at stake, with a clear purpose, with well-defined responsibilities, and with an explicit connection between listening and acting. Anything less than that threatens only to reproduce the form of consultation, while the substance — and the responsibility for it — remains unresolved. Signed, The Board of IJAR Maastricht *link to the original letter in the tweet below (translated)

Turkish rubble women, easily recognizable by their headscarves, begin the rebuilding before the first Africans arrive to help them, Germany 1945. (translated)

Guus Til always plays his way into the coach's mind. A player who often doesn't appear in the ideal eleven at the beginning of the season, but then proves his worth. Xavi is already there with the Netherlands now. (translated)

tScheldt 12h

STORY to START THE DAY She filed a complaint against 'tScheldt. 'She' is Mrs. articulate and pretentious, Sihame El Kaouakibi. SET, the so-called owner of Tscheldt, was arrested due to the articles about Sihame El Kaouakibi on 'tScheldt. The Heavy Banditry unit started an investigation into 'tScheldt following El Kaouakibi's complaint. It cost 'tScheldt a fortune to fend off years of complaints and various lawsuits from El Kaouakibi against 'tScheldt. But it was worth it. After many years, 'tScheldt won all the cases initiated by Sihame El Kaouakibi. A bit strange, though, that all the good newspapers published nothing about these actions of El Kaouakibi. Probably because they are jealous that that stupid 'tScheldt found the fake invoices that the couple Sihame and her friend had drawn up to have their bedroom in Antwerp redecorated at the expense of a Brussels non-profit subsidized by Jan Jambon. Those invoices were leaked by Bart De Wever to Faroek Özgünes, who proudly told in the VTM news that he had found the documents after 'long' research. Özgünes revealed himself to be a petty, small, dishonest little journalist. In the case of Sihame El Kaouakibi, many politicians have dirt on their hands. Her trial starts today. Let's see how the totally untrustworthy judges of the Antwerp Court of First Instance will play along with El Kaouakibi's game. Because do you know what? El Kaouakibi is going for acquittal due to Trial by Media. Ten to one she will misuse the satirical articles in 'tScheldt that day after day unraveled and exposed her fraud to argue that she can no longer get a fair trial due to what has been written about her. (translated)

More than ever, I have the feeling that a huge gap has arisen between the reality as it is presented to us daily and what you hear when you talk directly to people. That the media - and by extension its celebrities - try to convince us that "the majority of the population" agrees with a certain narrative. That the population collectively believes in climate madness. That toy drones pose a real threat to Europe. That everyone is for more weapons, more escalation, and an expansion of the war. And so on. But… when you talk to people themselves… on the street, in a café, at work, among friends. Just, outside the media and social media bubble, I find something completely different. Of the people I speak to, the vast majority does not agree with that madness at all. On the contrary. And then I begin to wonder: Is this really "public opinion"? Or are we mainly hearing what public opinion is supposed to be? Or do people no longer dare to speak out of fear, thinking that their opinion is that of a small minority? (translated)

The USA has ended its anti-IS military operation in Iraq after more than a decade, which is celebrated as the beginning of a new phase of Iraqi sovereignty, while Donald Trump presents the withdrawal as a victory for the United States. (translated)

Irak: USA beenden Anti-IS-Militäreinsatz nach mehr als einem Jahrzehnt

The VVD is already starting to doubt its own coalition plan to tax more wealthy individuals in Box 3, 'we need to take another look at that' (translated)

It is starting to dawn on Wendy van Eijk (VVD) that it is not wise to take advantage of self-employed podcast makers with a small savings and investment account as a pension to please the Israel-hating leftists of PRO. There is still hope, brothers and sisters. #AFB (translated)

The Rouse by China Miéville From the bestselling, award-winning master of uncanny fiction comes a defining work, twenty years in the making—a deeply moving, decade- and continent-spanning epic of personal grief, global tumult, and grim conspiracy. Maur’s life has been shaped by loss: an apparently ordinary tragedy. But in its aftermath arise deeper, stranger questions. Their answers may lie within the dark heart and darker history of an old soldier who shares Maur’s obsessions and who is violently pursued by the same unknown, unquiet forces. So begins a book unlike any other: at once an encyclopaedic and multitudinous saga of a bloody century and the intimate story of two lives, their loves, regrets, and secrets—and a terrifying journey into infinite mystery.

Important to note that the home secretary has the power to begin the process of deproscribing Palestine Action at any point. There is no material reason to wait for the Supreme Court review. #PalestineAction #HomeSecretary #Deproscribing #PS

Africa Daily Report — 30 September 2026 Major developments reported during the previous 24 hours. 1. Morocco — Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri appointed first woman prime minister. King Mohammed VI appointed El Mansouri following the September 23 parliamentary election. Her Authenticity and Modernity Party won the largest number of seats, and she now has to form a coalition. The appointment is historic, while the next government will also inherit major economic reforms and preparations for the 2030 World Cup. Direct source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/moroccos-king-appoints-first-woman-pm-following-sept-23-election-2026-09-29/ 2. Ethiopia — Fighting intensifies around Tigray amid wider regional accusations. Fighting between federal and Tigrayan forces has escalated, with territorial shifts and concern that the conflict could again spread across northern Ethiopia. Ethiopian officials have accused regional rivals of supporting armed groups, while communications disruptions and displacement are complicating independent assessment and humanitarian access. The renewed conflict threatens the fragile post-2022 settlement. Direct source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/29/fighting-in-ethiopia-intensifies-whats-the-latest 3. Somalia/Puntland — Five tanker crew members killed in piracy incident. Puntland authorities said Somali pirates killed five crew members of the petroleum-products tanker MT Honour 25 before security forces rescued the hijacked vessel. The incident is a serious reminder that piracy remains an operational security threat off the Horn of Africa despite years of international maritime-security efforts. Importance: HIGH — maritime security and Red Sea/Indian Ocean trade routes. Direct source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/somali-pirates-killed-5-crew-members-hijacked-tanker-before-rescue-mission-2026-09-29/ 4. Kenya/Nigeria — Dangote advances $16 billion Lamu refinery. Dangote is moving ahead with the planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery at Lamu. The project is intended to reduce East Africa's dependence on imported refined fuels and could generate more than 50,000 jobs, but it faces infrastructure, environmental and land-rights challenges. A Kenyan court dispute could restrict some site activity pending an October 14 hearing. Importance: VERY HIGH — potentially transformative for East African energy supply, fuel imports, logistics and industrial development. Direct source: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/dangote-begin-construction-16-billion-east-africa-refinery-kenya-2026-09-30/ 5. South Africa — Foreign direct investment more than doubles in Q2. South Africa's central bank reported FDI inflows of 49.8 billion rand in the second quarter, up from 20.3 billion rand in Q1. The increase is an encouraging investment signal, although it needs to be considered alongside the country's broader growth, fiscal and structural indicators. Importance: HIGH — investment flows are a key indicator for Africa's most industrialised economy. Direct source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africas-foreign-direct-investment-inflows-pick-up-q2-2026-09-29/ 6. Ghana — Environmental regulator intensifies mining-sector enforcement. Ghana's Environmental Protection Authority issued a pre-closure notice to Chinese-owned Cardinal Namdini Mining over an alleged unreported incident and is reviewing an inspection of Gold Fields' Tarkwa operation. The regulator says it is moving from periodic inspections toward continuous monitoring and enforcement as Ghana seeks stronger environmental compliance, state revenue and local participation in its gold industry. Importance: HIGH — regulatory tightening can materially affect major international mining investors and Ghana's gold industry. Direct source: https://kfgo.com/2026/09/29/exclusive-ghanas-environmental-authority-targets-chinese-owned-cardinal-and-others-in-mining-crackdown/ 7. DR Congo — Annual audits of major miners planned from 2027. The DRC plans annual audits of major mining companies' subcontracting practices and compliance with local-content requirements beginning in 2027. The world's largest cobalt producer and Africa's leading copper producer is tightening oversight to direct more procurement and contracts toward Congolese-owned businesses. Importance: HIGH — potentially significant for global copper/cobalt supply chains and mining contractors operating in DRC. Direct source: https://ca.marketscreener.com/news/congo-to-audit-major-miners-annually-from-2027-as-part-of-local-content-drive-regulator-says-ce785adddc81f221 8. Tunisia/Mediterranean — Migrant shipwreck leaves at least two dead. Sea-Watch said it rescued 28 people after a shipwreck off Tunisia and recovered two bodies, including a child. Survivors reported at least six people missing, including three children. More than 1,970 people have died or gone missing attempting Mediterranean crossings in 2026, according to Sea-Watch, even as arrivals in Italy have fallen sharply from 2025. Importance: HIGH — migration, humanitarian protection and EU–North Africa policy remain closely linked. Direct source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/migrant-shipwreck-off-tunisia-leaves-at-least-two-dead-six-reported-missing 9. Guinea-Bissau — Ousted president plans return ahead of December election. Former president Umaro Sissoco Embalo, removed in the November 2025 coup, plans to return on October 4 and seek the presidency in elections scheduled for December 6, according to a source cited by Reuters. A recently approved constitutional residency requirement could become relevant to his eligibility. The military-led authorities have reportedly said he is welcome to return. Direct source: https://kfgo.com/2026/09/29/ousted-guinea-bissau-leader-to-run-in-december-election-source-says/ 10. Sudan — Currency collapse brings fuel queues back to Khartoum. Long fuel queues have returned in Khartoum and several other areas as the Sudanese pound reportedly weakened beyond 8,000 to the US dollar on the parallel market. The currency deterioration is adding to transport and commodity pressures in an economy already devastated by war and disrupted production and trade. Importance: VERY HIGH — the currency/fuel shock compounds Sudan's humanitarian and economic crisis. Direct source: https://sudantribune.com/article/319408 #TopNewsOfAfrica #Africa #AfricaNews #AfricaDaily #Morocco #FatimaEzzahraElMansouri #WomenInLeadership #FirstWomanPrimeMinister #MoroccanPolitics #NorthAfrica #Kenya #Nigeria #Dangote #LamuRefinery #EastAfrica #EnergySecurity #RefineryProject #IndustrialDevelopment #Infrastructure #Investment #Somalia #Puntland #Piracy #MaritimeSecurity #HornOfAfrica #ShippingSecurity #IndianOcean #RedSea #AfricanEconomy #AfricanSecurity #Geopolitics #wrldorg

The EU warns of very high energy prices in winter. For Europe, energy supply will once again become significantly more expensive. Expensive winter: The EU does not expect supply problems in the coming winter, but explicitly warns of very high prices. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jörgensen stated on September 29, 2026, that Europe is heading into a challenging winter. Billion burden: Since the beginning of the war between Iran and the USA and Israel, the EU has reportedly had to spend more than 100 billion euros additionally for fossil fuels, according to Jörgensen. Rising global market prices are impacting both citizens and the European industry, according to the EU. The high energy prices remain a significant cost factor for households and businesses in Europe. Thank you for this important note! (translated)

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A president of the constitutional protection agency must be politically neutral. This is THE foundation of his office. And this is precisely why the statements in the Thuringian investigative committee are so explosive. The accusation is that political considerations by Stephan Kramer may have played a role in decisions made by the constitutional protection agency. The fact that he cannot be an apolitical figure is already demonstrated by the following fact: Stephan Kramer was appointed president of the Thuringian constitutional protection agency in 2015 under the then Thuringian Interior Minister Poppenhäger (SPD) and the Minister-President Ramelow (Linke). His appointment was controversial from the beginning because the Thuringian constitutional protection law requires that the president should generally have the qualifications for the judiciary – which Kramer does not possess. The Interior Ministry referred at that time to the discretionary scope of the statutory requirement. A rogue thinks ill of it. If the court confirms that he has violated his duty of neutrality, the next question inevitably arises: How reliable are the agency's previous decisions? (translated)

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, the designated head of the Moroccan government, stated that consultations to form the new government would begin within the Authenticity and Modernity Party before… #ΦάτιμαΕζάχτρα #Πρωθυπουργός #ΙστορικήΕξέλιξη

Ιστορική πρωτιά στο Μαρόκο: Η Φάτιμα Εζάχτρα Ελ Μανσούρι αναλαμβάνει την πρωθυπουργία
www.tovima.gr

The leftist MP Martha Kleedörfer is having a sad dispute with journalist Harald Martenstein. He made the serious mistake of questioning gaps in her worldview, which aims to reconcile feminism and Islam, says Pauline Schwarz in the Apollo Newsroom. (translated)