BREAKING: French President Emmanuel Macron says France will increase its number of nuclear warheads and will no longer disclose the size of its arsenal. He also signaled France could deploy nuclear assets abroad for the first time under a new “forward deterrence” strategy.

Königsberg independence party announces plans to protest against the militarization of the region A conference of the Baltic Republican Party, which advocates independence for the Kaliningrad region and the restoration of its historical name, was held in Berlin. Around 50 people originally from the region attended the event. Participants elected Vadim Petrov, a regional activist designated a “foreign agent” in Russia, as the party’s chairman.

Geopolitical Realignment: The Kremlin Considers Breaking with China and Pivoting Toward the United States The Kremlin is reportedly considering a fundamental break with China, with discussions already underway about ending Russia’s strategic dependence on Beijing and gradually shifting toward the United States. The alleged trigger was an ultimatum from Xi Jinping concerning Russian natural resources in exchange for Chinese support for a peace agreement. China reportedly demanded priority access to mineral deposits in Siberia and the Russian Far East, preferential prices for raw materials, and long-term guarantees for Chinese companies extending decades into the future. Beijing allegedly wants these arrangements finalized before the war in Ukraine ends, ensuring that the potential lifting of American sanctions would not allow Western capital to return to Russia and challenge China's position. According to these claims, the Kremlin's leadership interpreted Beijing's demands as an attempt to exploit Moscow's weakness and permanently reduce Russia to a raw-material appendage of China. Russian officials have reportedly begun examining an alternative scenario: rejecting Beijing's demands and accepting a potential American proposal for joint development of natural resources in exchange for investment, technology, and sanctions relief. Trump is reportedly willing to discuss the return of American oil, gas, and mining companies to Russia once the war ends. Moscow hopes to exploit competition between Washington and Beijing to prevent either power from gaining exclusive control over its natural resources. Russia's economic officials fear that a sudden confrontation with China would immediately disrupt imports, financial transactions, and energy exports. Nevertheless, according to the account, the Kremlin has already ordered preparations for a plan to reduce dependence on China if Beijing refuses to soften its demands. The end of the war in Ukraine could therefore mark the beginning of Russia's most significant geopolitical realignment in decades.

EU set to scrap Associate Member offer for Canada - Politico politico.eu/article/eu-set-t…

Westminster Voting Intention: LAB: 28% (=) CON: 24% (+1) RFM: 23% (+1) LDM: 11% (+1) GRN: 7% (-1) RES: 5% (=) SNP: 2% (-1) Via @Moreincommon_, 23-26 Oct. Changes w/ 16-19 Oct.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 US national debt reaches new all-time high of $40.5 trillion.