The Central African Republic (CAR) is caught between two Russian mercenary forces — the long-established Wagner Group and the Kremlin-controlled Africa Corps.

Russia’s Defense Ministry wants CAR to replace Wagner with Africa Corps and pay for its services, but Bangui says it cannot afford it, offering gold, uranium, and iron instead. CAR officials prefer Wagner, praising its combat effectiveness and loyalty to President Faustin Archange Touadéra, despite its record of human rights abuses.

The Africa Corps, made up of Russian soldiers and ex-Wagner fighters, focuses more on training and resource deals than combat. Analysts say the Kremlin’s push reflects a broader geopolitical strategy to expand influence in Africa amid the Ukraine war, using low-cost operations to gain access to minerals and political leverage.

However, CAR’s resistance could strain ties with Moscow. The situation underscores a wider issue across Africa — governments relying on foreign forces for stability at the expense of national sovereignty.
APF

Trump Admits Doubts About Making Heaven, Says He’s Tried to Make Life Better for Many.

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed uncertainty about his chances of making heaven, admitting he is not confident about his eternal fate.

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he doubted that his deeds would earn him a place in paradise.
“I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to get me into heaven,” he confessed. “I’m not sure I’ll make it, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people. I don’t think I’m heaven-bound.”

The president also reiterated his belief that he could have prevented Russia’s invasion of Ukraine if the 2020 election had not been, in his words, “rigged.”
“Millions of people are dead because of a crooked election,” Trump alleged, describing his successor’s administration as “incompetent.”

Commenting on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Trump said the Israel–Gaza crisis had become “much harder to resolve” under the Democrat-led government.

This is not the first time Trump has linked his spiritual reflections to global peace efforts. In August, during a phone interview on Fox & Friends, he stated that one of his main goals for a second term would have been to broker international peace agreements as a way to “get to heaven.”
“I want to try to get to heaven if possible,” he said at the time. “I’m hearing that I’m not doing well.”

“I’m Not Sure I’ll Make Heaven, But I’ve Made Life Better for Many” — Trump Speaks on Salvation and Global Conflicts


Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed concern about his eternal destiny, admitting he is unsure of making it to heaven despite his belief that he has made life better for many people.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump told reporters that he does not feel confident about his salvation.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people,” he said. “I think I’m not heaven-bound.”


Trump also claimed that the Russia-Ukraine war could have been avoided if the 2020 U.S. presidential election had not been “rigged.”

“Millions of people are dead because of a crooked election,” he said, accusing his successor and the previous administration of incompetence.


The former president further criticized the current government for its handling of the Israel-Gaza crisis, saying the conflict became harder to resolve under the Democrat-led administration.

In August, Trump had also revealed his desire to secure global peace deals during a potential second term — a move he said could help him “make heaven.”

During a Fox & Friends phone interview, he lamented the devastating impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire to save lives.

“I want to try to get to heaven if possible… I’m hearing that I’m not doing well,” Trump had said, hinting at his hope for divine approval through his peace efforts.


While Trump’s remarks continue to stir mixed reactions globally, they reflect his ongoing attempts to balance his political ambitions with his personal reflections on faith and morality.

Ukrainian crypto trader and blogger, Konstantin Ganich, popularly known as Kostya Kudo, was reportedly found dead inside his Lamborghini on Friday amid a sharp downturn in the global cryptocurrency market.

The tragic incident comes as digital assets continue to experience extreme volatility, reigniting concerns about the mental health pressures faced by crypto traders and online influencers.

Ukraine has witnessed a surge in cryptocurrency adoption in recent years, with many citizens turning to digital assets as a hedge against economic instability. Ganich had actively promoted trading strategies during the ongoing market turbulence.

The recent market crash has triggered widespread anxiety within the trading community, particularly among high-profile investors and influencers whose reputations and livelihoods are tied to the performance of digital assets.

Ganich’s death underscores the growing mental health challenges in the crypto space, especially during periods of severe market stress and uncertainty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin swiped back on Thursday (Oct 2) at US President Donald Trump for calling Russia a "paper tiger",
, suggesting Nato might be
one and warning the United States that if it supplied Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine it would trigger a dangerous new escalation.
#news #USA #Russia #Nato #Europe

"At least three people have been killed and more than 30 injured in a "massive" overnight Russian aerial attack on Ukraine".- President Volodymyr Zelensky says.

Russian Hacker Groups Gamaredon, Turla Collaborate To Target Ukraine — ESET | Fintter

Cybersecurity researchers have found evidence of Russian hacking groups Gamaredon and Turla collaborating to target Ukrainian entities.

According to Slovak cybersecurity company ESET, Gamaredon tools such as PteroGraphin and PteroOdd were used earlier this year to execute Turla’s Kazuar backdoor on Ukrainian systems. Researchers say this indicates active cooperation between the two groups, both linked to Russia’s FSB.

ESET noted multiple attacks between February and June 2025, involving different variants of Kazuar malware deployed through Gamaredon’s toolset. The activity mainly targeted Ukraine’s defense sector.

Source: The Hacker News

Debt crisis: French government collapses after PM Bayrou Ousted in Confidence Vote.

France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou has been removed from office after losing a parliamentary confidence vote over his controversial austerity budget, leaving President Emmanuel Macron in search of a replacement.

Bayrou, who had served for nine months, linked his government’s survival to approval of a €44bn ($52bn) spending cut plan aimed at curbing France’s record debt, nearly twice the EU deficit limit.

Ahead of the vote, he warned lawmakers: “You have the power to bring down the government, but you do not have the power to erase reality. Reality will remain relentless: expenses will continue to rise, and the burden of debt, already unbearable, will grow heavier and more costly.”

The National Assembly, however, rejected his proposal by 364 to 194 votes. According to Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler, “For Bayrou, this is a crushing defeat,” noting that both left and far-right lawmakers condemned the cuts as unjust, while even some conservatives abandoned him.

At 74, Bayrou is now the sixth prime minister under Macron since 2017, and the second within a year to fall to a confidence vote after Michel Barnier. His ouster deepens Macron’s challenges amid domestic unrest and ongoing international negotiations over Ukraine.

Opposition figures quickly reacted. Jean-Luc Mélenchon declared: “Macron is now on the front line facing the people. He too must go.” Marine Le Pen called it “the end of the agony of a phantom government” and demanded fresh elections.

Analysts argue Macron’s path forward is narrow. Hugo Drochon of the University of Nottingham observed: “Either he goes again for somebody from the centre-right party … or he reaches out to the socialists,” but either way, major concessions will be unavoidable.

Meanwhile, unions are gearing up for strikes and protests, piling on the pressure. As Butler concluded: “He’s not got many good choices. In fact, most of his choices are bad ones.”

Ukraine's main government building has been hit by Russia for the first time during the war, the prime minister says.

Kim Jong Un has met the families of soldiers killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, expressing his "deep condolences", North Korean state media says.

US Approves $825m Missile Sale To Ukraine

The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of 3,350 Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) air-launched missiles and related equipment to Ukraine, worth $825 million.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) confirmed that the deal — funded by Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and a U.S. loan guarantee — is aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s self-defense and regional security capabilities.

Congress must still sign off on the transaction before delivery.

The move comes as the war enters its third year, with President Trump urging Europe to shoulder more of the financial burden, contrasting the Biden-era $65bn U.S. aid to Kyiv.

#UkraineWar #USPolitics #MilitaryAid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday a meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would be "the most effective way forward" amid stalled diplomatic attempts to end the war, as he celebrated Ukraine's Independence Day u.afp.com/SAo6

Nigeria Risks Energy, Trade Instability in Russia-Ukraine War – Prof Akinyemi

Former External Affairs Minister, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has warned that Nigeria could face energy and trade disruptions if it gets entangled in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Speaking on Channels Television, Akinyemi said global power play between the US, Russia, and Europe will affect oil markets, tariffs, and trade flows, with direct consequences for Nigeria’s economy.

He advised African nations to avoid being pawns in conflicts between global powers, stressing that Nigeria must narrowly define its national interests to safeguard stability.

According to him, while Russia seeks to reassert Soviet-era influence, Nigeria should focus on energy security, trade resilience, and non-alignment in global rivalries.

#NigeriaEconomy #RussiaUkraineWar #EnergySecurity #GlobalPolitics

Russians Welcome Idea Of Putin–Zelensky Meeting

Many Russians have welcomed the prospect of direct talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, announced by US President Donald Trump after meeting both leaders last week.

It would be their first face-to-face meeting in nearly six years, following the collapse of diplomatic ties after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Some citizens expressed hope the talks could end the war, while others remained sceptical, doubting any peace breakthrough. Russia currently occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

#Russia #Ukraine #Putin #Zelensky #Trump #PeaceTalks #WarInUkraine

The Russian Foreign Ministry roundly rejected the idea of NATO forces serving as peacekeepers in Ukraine, a provision sought by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his European allies in U.S.-brokered peace talk.

US President Donald Trump says his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky can end Russia's war "if he wants to", but rules out Ukraine joining Nato as part of a peace deal.

Trump Gives Putin ‘Peace Letter’ From Melania at Alaska Summit

US President Donald Trump presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a letter from First Lady Melania Trump during their Alaska summit. The handwritten note, described as a “peace letter,” urged Putin to pursue peace “in the name of children.”

According to Fox News, Putin read the letter immediately as both delegations looked on. Without mentioning Ukraine directly, Melania appealed: “Mr Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter… In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone — you serve humanity itself.”

The gesture came after Trump warned of “severe consequences” if Russia refused a ceasefire but later softened his stance, saying the path forward was “a direct peace agreement” rather than a ceasefire.

The Alaska summit ended without a breakthrough, though Trump framed the exchange as a symbolic step toward ending the war.

#Trump #Putin #MelaniaTrump #PeaceLetter #Russia #UkraineWar #BreakingNews

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump greet each other with handshake on red carpet after landing in Alaska for Ukraine talks

President Donald Trump lands in Alaska ahead of talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin on Ukraine war.

Thousands of North Koreans are being sent to work in slave-like conditions in Russia to fill a huge labour shortage after Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, the BBC has learned.