Brigitte Macron, First Lady of France, calls feminist activists 'stupid bitches' in leaked video.

Feminist activists from #NousToutes disrupted a Paris comedy show by Ary Abittan, protesting what they see as impunity for sexual violence despite rape charges against him being dismissed earlier in 2025.

The next night, Brigitte Macron attended his show and was secretly filmed backstage joking that if the protesters returned, they’d be kicked out, calling the protesters “stupid bitches”.

Trump:

Do we love miners? I love miners!

Germany’s Chancellor Merz slammed parts of the new Trump administration National Security Strategy as “unacceptable from a European perspective,” rejecting U.S. claims that Europe’s democracy needs saving.

“‘America First’ is fine, but ‘America Alone’ is not.”

Trump:

I got the biggest vote with Black people. They know a scam better than anybody!

They know what it is to be scammed.

WATCH: Sudan Army drone strike hit UAE-backed RSF gathering in Katila just one day after the RSF seized the vital Heglig oil fields.

At least seven RSF-allied tribal leaders and dozens of fighters were killed.

Ukrainian Envoy to the UN, Andrii Melnyk:

Our territory and our sovereignty is not to be traded. We are not at a Christmas market.

Russia wants Ukraine to capitulate and lay down arms.

And my answer is: You will get the hole of a donut, not Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

Russia is not planning to wage war against Europe and has no such intentions.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

Any hostile actions, including the deployment of European troops in Ukraine, will receive a response from Russia.

A Sudanese Armed Forces cargo plane crashed west of Port Sudan on Tuesday, killing at least three crew members during a food-aid mission.

The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76, went down about 10 kilometers from the city after a reported technical malfunction, with no signs of enemy fire.

Source: Al Bawaba

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov:

The proposals from the United States that Steve Witkoff brought say that it is necessary to ensure the rights of national minorities and religious freedoms in Ukraine — or “in whatever remains of Ukraine.”

Nigeria: Witnesses and Amnesty International say soldiers opened fire on women protesting in Lamurde, Adamawa State, killing nine and injuring ten.

The army denies this, blaming a local militia for the deaths.

£6.3bn Vehicle That Makes Soldiers Vomit: UK’s Ajax in Crisis

The UK’s troubled Ajax armoured vehicle programme—costing £6.3bn and built by General Dynamics—has been suspended again after a recent training exercise left soldiers with numb hands and feet, nausea, and vomiting.

One soldier told the Financial Times the vehicle was “literally shaking people to the point of vomiting,” adding:

“It’s worse than just hearing… it’s the vibrations.”

The problems stem from excessive noise and vibration caused by track tension, engine mounting, poor welding, loose fittings, and inconsistent hull designs, with six different hull variants creating structural inconsistencies.

Although the Ministry of Defence UK says fixes have reduced vibrations, experts warn these are mostly “mitigations rather than engineering solutions.”

Now the programme’s future is in doubt.

Defence Secretary John Healey said he is “prepared to take whatever decisions are required,” and defence analysts say full cancellation is now a credible option, despite over £5bn already spent.

Source: FT

French President Macron warns Europe’s industry is at a “life or death” moment and says China’s trade surplus is “untenable,” accusing Beijing of “killing their own customers” by flooding Europe with exports while buying too little in return.

He says Chinese firms must now invest in Europe, or the EU may hit back with customs duties.

Source: Politico

NEW: Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has officially admitted its wartime claim of shooting down Israeli F-35 jets was false.

Head of IRIB Peyman Jebelli said the reports were “not reliable” and “damaged our credibility,” adding:

“We were not in the sky to witness the crash.”

The reports had circulated during the brief June 2025 Israel-Iran war and were later exposed as AI-generated or unrelated footage.

Korea-Style Split for Ukraine?

The US, Ukraine, and European partners are discussing a new 20-point peace plan.

The proposal is split into three documents: — the peace framework itself, — long-term security guarantees, — a post-war economic recovery plan.

A demilitarized zone (DMZ) would be created along the entire ceasefire line, from Donetsk region to Kherson.

Behind the DMZ, there would be a deeper buffer zone where heavy weapons would be banned.

Negotiations include disputes over territory and borders.

One option is a “Korean-style” model: — a fixed line of separation, — the political status of contested territories postponed.
— The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant) would not remain under Russian control.
— The US may take over management of the facility to ensure security.
— Ukraine’s EU membership is targeted for 2027, with the US pressuring Hungary to lift its veto.
— Membership is expected to boost trade, investment, and tighten control over systemic corruption within Ukraine. (European Union)
— The United States would provide security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5 protection. (NATO)
— Ukraine wants these guarantees to be formally ratified by the US Congress.
— Ukraine’s sovereignty would be protected from any Russian veto power in future security arrangements.

There is debate over limits on the size of Ukraine’s army: — Proposals suggest raising the cap from 600,000 to 800,000 troops, — Ukraine rejects any formal restrictions on its military.
— The administration of Donald Trump proposes using $100 billion in frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. This amount could increase significantly.
— US officials are talking with BlackRock and the World Bank about setting up a Ukrainian Development Fund.
The fund could attract up to $400 billion for rebuilding Ukraine.
— Trump reportedly wants similar large-scale investments for Russia as well.

Source: WaPo

NEW: Norwegian Nobel Institute says Maria Machado will come to Oslo.

"Although she will not be able to attend the ceremony and today’s events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that Machado is safe and that she will be with us in Oslo."

NEW: Poland and Ukraine are in advanced talks on transferring Poland’s last ~14 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Unlike 2022, this would be a technology exchange, not a free donation.

Ukraine would receive jets, spare parts, and weapons; Poland wants Ukrainian drone and missile tech in return.

Politically backed by PM Donald Tusk; decision expected within weeks.