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Mercedes Chief Warns EU Against Excluding Britain from ‘Made in Europe’ Industrial Rules

14 October 2026 at 20:16

Mercedes-Benz chief executive Ola Källenius has warned that excluding British manufacturers from European industrial preference rules would damage automotive production on both sides of the Channel, increasing pressure on Brussels ahead of negotiations over its proposed Industrial Accelerator Act.

The head of Mercedes-Benz has warned that excluding British manufacturers from the European Union’s proposed industrial preference rules would damage the competitiveness of carmakers across Europe, challenging Brussels over legislation intended to protect European production from growing international competition.

Ola Källenius, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz and president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), criticised the prospect of restricting British participation in the forthcoming “Made in Europe” framework during discussions in Brussels on Wednesday, 14 October.

His intervention comes as European governments negotiate the Industrial Accelerator Act, which would introduce European-content requirements affecting public procurement and certain forms of industrial support.

The proposed legislation is intended to strengthen manufacturing within the EU, but its treatment of production in neighbouring countries has become contentious, particularly in an automotive industry whose factories and suppliers operate across national borders.

European production extends beyond the EU

British manufacturing remains closely integrated with continental European automotive production despite the United Kingdom’s departure from the single market.

Components manufactured in Britain are incorporated into vehicles assembled in EU member states, while British factories depend on engines, batteries, electronics and other parts produced in continental Europe.

The value of this integrated manufacturing system depends on companies being able to source components across borders without unnecessary restrictions.

Källenius warned that excluding the UK from the proposed rules would weaken manufacturers operating on both sides of the Channel.

His position reflects industry concerns that a narrowly defined European-content regime could impose additional costs on companies already facing pressure from Chinese competition, slowing demand and substantial investment requirements.

As EU Today reported in September, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been pressing Brussels to recognise the UK as a trusted industrial partner under the emerging framework.

Germany has also supported a broader approach that would allow selected trading partners to qualify under European-content rules where reciprocal conditions are met.

France has favoured stronger preferences for production within the EU itself, reflecting differences among member states over how far European industrial policy should extend beyond the Union’s borders.

A dispute over industrial sovereignty

The Industrial Accelerator Act proposed by the European Commission is intended to strengthen Europe’s manufacturing base and support production in strategically important sectors.

Its provisions address public procurement and industrial incentives affecting products including vehicles, steel, aluminium and clean technologies.

The Commission wants European public spending to support local industrial capacity rather than reinforce dependence on imports from major international competitors.

China has become the principal focus of those concerns because of its expanding manufacturing capacity, particularly in electric vehicles and batteries.

However, measures designed to counter Chinese industrial competition could also affect established trading partners whose manufacturers form part of European supply chains.

The United Kingdom, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey occupy different legal positions in their economic relations with the EU, but all maintain important industrial connections with member states.

An approach that treats their production as equivalent to imports from countries with substantially different market conditions could require European companies to reorganise existing supplier relationships.

For manufacturers, replacing a supplier may involve more than simply ordering components from another factory. Production standards, technical certification, logistics and long-term investment arrangements can make changes expensive and difficult.

Industry demands regulatory certainty

Following an ACEA board meeting on Wednesday, European manufacturers called for faster progress on the wider automotive legislative package.

In its 14 October statement, ACEA urged EU institutions to advance negotiations so that the package could be finalised early next year.

The association argues that manufacturers require a predictable regulatory framework to plan investments in electric vehicles, production facilities and new technologies.

Källenius linked the industry’s transition towards zero-emission mobility with the need to preserve employment and strengthen economic security.

European manufacturers are simultaneously investing heavily in electrification while competing against Chinese companies with established battery supply chains and significant production capacity.

The resulting financial pressures are particularly serious for manufacturers that must develop new vehicle platforms while maintaining existing factories and dealer networks.

Additional restrictions on component sourcing could complicate those decisions at a time when companies are seeking to reduce costs.

Britain refuses to follow EU tariffs automatically

The dispute has acquired a further dimension following remarks by British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Speaking on Wednesday, Reynolds indicated that Britain would not automatically follow the European Union in imposing tariffs on Chinese vehicles.

The UK government maintains that trade measures must be determined according to British economic interests rather than adopted simply to align with Brussels.

That position complicates London’s attempt to secure favourable treatment under European industrial rules.

EU policymakers have argued that closer alignment on trade defences could support Britain’s claim to be treated as a trusted partner.

British ministers, however, must consider whether restrictions on Chinese imports would benefit domestic manufacturers and consumers.

The disagreement will form part of the broader economic relationship being discussed ahead of the next UK–EU summit, scheduled for 20 November.

The wider implications for EU–UK relations

The automotive dispute follows earlier negotiations over British participation in European defence procurement and other industrial programmes.

In both cases, London wants access to initiatives designed to strengthen European production while remaining outside the EU’s institutional framework.

Brussels must determine how far preferential treatment can extend to non-member countries without undermining the objectives of its industrial policy.

The Commission’s proposals have already revealed disagreements between governments favouring a tightly defined European manufacturing base and those seeking to preserve wider commercial partnerships.

Källenius’s intervention strengthens the argument that industrial protection cannot be considered separately from the supply chains on which European manufacturers depend.

The final legislation will influence investment decisions, procurement arrangements and the position of British suppliers within the continental automotive industry.

The outcome will also provide an indication of how far the EU is prepared to accommodate its closest trading partners as it attempts to strengthen European manufacturing against growing competition from China.

F-35C Makes First Arrested Landing Aboard A Ford Class Carrier

14 October 2026 at 18:10

A U.S. Navy F-35C has made the first arrested landing for the type aboard a Ford class aircraft carrier, with the milestone taking place aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) in the Western Atlantic on October 13, 2026. The milestone marks a major step in testing the Navy’s stealth fighter aboard its newest carrier class, following years of challenges integrating advanced launch and recovery systems.

Two F-35C test pilots assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23), part of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), flew to the carrier as part of an ongoing Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) campaign. A team from the Patuxent River-based F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF), detached to the ship, is conducting the evaluation using a specially instrumented example of the carrier-capable stealth fighter. The imagery released shows two jets, although only one is seen landing on the flattop. The other is seen carrying inert Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs externally.

An F-35 test pilot from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), flies an F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft to the PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) in the Western Atlantic Oct. 13, 2026. This is the first time an F-35C has landed on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. A Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) team detached to the ship is conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) with the specially instrumented carrier variant of the stealth jet. ACT assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft.
An F-35 test pilot from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), flies an F-35C overhead the PCU John F. Kennedy in the Western Atlantic on Oct. 13, 2026. U.S. Navy

The Navy took preliminary acceptance of the carrier from Newport News Shipbuilding on September 29, following successful acceptance trials in August. That development allows the ship and its crew to conduct at-sea testing and build underway proficiency while the shipbuilder completes final systems testing ahead of formal delivery, scheduled for spring 2027.

Two F-35 test pilots from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), fly F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft to the PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) in the Western Atlantic Oct. 13, 2026. This is the first time an F-35C has landed on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. A Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) team detached to the ship is conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) with the specially instrumented carrier variant of the stealth jet. ACT assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft.
Two F-35 test pilots from VX-23 fly F-35Cs to the PCU John F. Kennedy in the Western Atlantic on Oct. 13, 2026. U.S. Navy

The test is an important step in validating the integration of the F-35C with the Ford class. The Navy’s newest carriers use electromagnetic catapults and advanced arresting equipment, replacing the steam-powered launch systems and conventional arresting machinery found aboard the preceding Nimitz class.

Aircraft Compatibility Testing assesses the operational capabilities of a ship’s aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. The process helps engineers evaluate how the carrier’s systems interact with individual aircraft and collect data needed to validate their performance.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. John F. Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)
A U.S. Navy F-35C of VX-23 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. John F. Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)
A U.S. Navy F-35C of VX-23 catches the wire on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey

The F-35C is specifically designed for carrier operations, with larger wings, reinforced landing gear and a beefier tail hook compared with the Air Force’s F-35A. Its ability to launch from a carrier and recover through an arrested landing is central to its role in the Navy’s carrier air wings, which also include F-35Cs operated by the U.S. Marine Corps.

The use of a specially instrumented aircraft is particularly relevant to the test campaign. Instrumentation allows test teams to record data during flight-deck operations, helping them assess system performance and identify any issues requiring further evaluation.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. John F. Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)
A U.S. Navy F-35C of VX-23 with its airframe liberally adorned with telemetry markings — these act as precision visual references used during flight testing to capture exact spatial data. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. John F. Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)
A close-up of one of the U.S. Navy F-35Cs of VX-23 reveals a full set of underwing stores pylons and a load of three inert 500-pound JDAM-series weapons. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey

The first arrested landing aboard John F. Kennedy demonstrates that the ship has reached an important F-35C compatibility milestone. It does not, however, establish that all testing, certification, or operational qualification requirements have been completed.

The milestone comes against the backdrop of the Ford class program’s difficulties integrating some of its advanced aviation systems. The lead ship, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), introduced the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), technologies intended to improve aircraft-launch flexibility, recovery performance, and overall sortie generation. Development and reliability challenges with both EMALS and AAG have contributed to delays in the class’s progress. In a 2019 report, TWZ highlighted concerns that Ford class carriers would not be ready to operate the F-35C for years.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. John F. Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)
A U.S. Navy F-35C makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy for the first time. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey

USS Gerald R. Ford was designed and built before the F-35C’s full carrier-integration requirements were sufficiently mature, so the Navy deferred several upgrades to a later modernization period rather than delaying the ship’s delivery. Following congressional pressure, the Navy adopted a single-phase delivery approach for USS John F. Kennedy, incorporating these modifications during construction instead.

The USS Gerald R. Ford completed its Aircraft Compatibility Testing in January 2020, following 16 days at sea, during which the crew launched and recovered 211 aircraft, testing five different airframes — but the F-35C was not included.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, attached to the "Salty Dogs" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), marking the first time an F-35C lands on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. John F. Kennedy is underway conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing, which assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey)
A U.S. Navy F-35C, attached to VX-23, after an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard PCU John F. Kennedy. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kaitlyn Bailey

Beyond EMALS and AAG, integrating the F-35C on Kennedy requires modifications to the carrier’s maintenance infrastructure and support systems. These include specialized spaces for handling the aircraft’s sensitive mission systems and classified data, computer networks and interfaces linking its maintenance and logistics systems with the Navy’s existing infrastructure, and facilities and equipment to support the upkeep of its low-observable coatings and materials. The Navy has also identified the need for more robust jet blast deflectors (JBDs), which protect flight-deck personnel and equipment from the F-35C’s intense engine exhaust.

Earlier F-35C integration work aboard Nimitz class carriers included JBD modifications to improve heat resistance and cooling, while planning for John F. Kennedy explicitly included both JBD upgrades and changes to maintenance spaces and information systems.

An F-35 test pilot from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23), Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), flies an F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft to the PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) in the Western Atlantic Oct. 13, 2026. This is the first time an F-35C has landed on a Ford-class aircraft carrier. A Patuxent River F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) team detached to the ship is conducting Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) with the specially instrumented carrier variant of the stealth jet. ACT assesses the operational capabilities of the ship's aircraft launch and recovery equipment with U.S. Navy aircraft.
An F-35 test pilot from VX-23 flies an F-35C to the PCU John F. Kennedy in the Western Atlantic on Oct. 13, 2026. U.S. Navy

The latest test represents progress toward resolving the compatibility question, although the full scope of the remaining work will depend on the results of the ongoing evaluation.

The development also comes as China advances its own carrier aviation capabilities. Unlike the U.S. Navy, its Fujian aircraft carrier has demonstrated electromagnetic catapult launches and arrested recoveries involving several aircraft types, including the J-35 stealth fighter.

A J-35 is prepared for takeoff on Fujian. via Chinese internet

In contrast to the U.S. Navy, which accumulated decades of experience with steam-powered catapults before adopting electromagnetic launch technology, China chose electromagnetic catapults for its first catapult-equipped carrier.

Although China’s demonstrations aboard Fujian and the F-35C compatibility testing aboard Kennedy involve different aircraft, ships, and stages of development, both underscore the technical demands of integrating advanced aircraft with modern carrier launch and recovery systems.

For the U.S. Navy, the immediate priority is to demonstrate that the Ford class can reliably support its intended aircraft. The F-35C’s first arrested landing aboard Kennedy is a significant step in that process, with further testing — not least an EMALS takeoff — needed before the milestone can begin to translate into an operational capability.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

The post F-35C Makes First Arrested Landing Aboard A Ford Class Carrier appeared first on TWZ.

Trump fa la guerra, Zelensky riceve il conto

14 October 2026 at 12:33

President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at the UN headquarters. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Associated Press / LaPresse Only italy and spain

Donald Trump ha trovato il responsabile del caro carburanti: il presidente del Paese invaso da Vladimir Putin. Gli ucraini colpiscono le raffinerie russe, il gasolio scarseggia, dunque fermino i droni. La guerra americana contro l’Iran, le rotte del Golfo sconvolte, gli impianti danneggiati scivolano sullo sfondo. Il conto arriva a Kyjiv.

Per capire il rovesciamento bisogna distinguere due crisi energetiche e il rapporto che le lega. La prima esplode con l’aggressione russa del 2022. La seconda con la guerra americano-israeliana contro l’Iran nel 2026. Attribuire una percentuale esatta a ciascuna sarebbe inventare una precisione che i dati non consentono. Individuarne le cause principali è invece possibile.

Putin aveva cominciato a stringere il rubinetto prima dell’invasione. Nell’ultimo trimestre del 2021, i flussi russi via gasdotto verso l’Europa erano già diminuiti di circa un quarto rispetto all’anno precedente. Nel 2022, le esportazioni verso l’Europa Ocse si dimezzarono. La favola secondo cui ci saremmo inflitti tutto da soli con le sanzioni cancella l’uso del gas come arma di pressione.
L’Europa reagì cercando altri fornitori e comprando più gas liquefatto. Ridusse la dipendenza da Mosca, ma aumentò la propria esposizione alla concorrenza asiatica e alle rotte marittime. È su questo sistema già trasformato dalla guerra di Putin che si è abbattuta quella di Trump.

Le dimensioni del nuovo shock sono documentate dall’Agenzia internazionale dell’energia: la maggiore interruzione dell’offerta nella storia del mercato petrolifero mondiale. Attraverso Hormuz passava circa un quinto del commercio mondiale di gas liquefatto. Nella regione quasi tre milioni di barili al giorno di capacità di raffinazione sono stati fermati dagli attacchi o dall’impossibilità di esportare. Qui sta il centro della nuova emergenza.

Le responsabilità del regime iraniano, che attacca navigazione e infrastrutture, restano intere. Altrettanto intera resta la responsabilità politica di chi ha aperto una guerra senza riuscire a governarne le conseguenze. Trump non può rivendicare il comando e attribuire ad altri il disastro.

Gli attacchi ucraini alle raffinerie russe contribuiscono alla scarsità di carburanti? Sì. Lo riconosce la stessa Agenzia internazionale dell’energia. Negarlo sarebbe un favore alla propaganda avversaria. Ma un effetto economico non stabilisce da solo una responsabilità politica. Kyjiv cerca di indebolire la macchina bellica del Paese che la invade. Se ogni costo internazionale della sua resistenza diventasse una ragione per proibirgliela, all’aggressore basterebbe rendere economicamente scomoda la difesa dell’aggredito.

È questo il ricatto che l’Europa deve respingere. Ha già pagato la propria dipendenza da Putin. Ora paga anche le conseguenze delle decisioni di Trump. Accettare che il rimedio sia disarmare l’Ucraina significherebbe aggiungere alla bolletta energetica una capitolazione politica. Poi c’è il paradosso che ieri Trump ci ha sbattuto in faccia. Sul suo social ha scritto che l’Unione europea ha pagato alla Russia duecentocinquanta miliardi di dollari per l’energia. Lo ha fatto per difendere il suo accordo con Putin sul diesel russo, e il ministro del Tesoro Scott Bessent aveva già accusato gli europei di ipocrisia. La cifra non è verificata: Mosca stessa parla di oltre 320 miliardi venduti dal 2022 a Paesi europei, ma si tratta di un totale su quattro anni, in gran parte del 2022 e 2023, con prezzi altissimi, e non tutto riguarda l’Unione Europea. Nel 2026, i flussi sono molto più piccoli, anche se il GNL russo ha segnato un record: quasi 8 miliardi di euro nei primi nove mesi.

È vero, dunque, che continuiamo a comprare, e la ragione è che le sanzioni non hanno riguardato gas e GNL, e l’uscita è fissata per regolamento al 2027. Questo è un buon motivo per criticare l’Europa. Non è un buon argomento per chi, nello stesso fine settimana, apre ai carichi di diesel di Mosca. Trump vuole il gasolio a basso prezzo. L’Europa non può permettergli di ottenerlo barattando la sicurezza del continente. Un carburante più economico pagato con la resa dell’Ucraina non è un affare: è una capitolazione anticipata.

L'articolo Trump fa la guerra, Zelensky riceve il conto proviene da Linkiesta.it.

Serious Discussions About Leaving the NPT: International Security and Iran’s Nuclear Future

14 October 2026 at 12:30
Iranian officials have confirmed top-level discussions about the country’s potential exit from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). What does this mean for the Middle East and for the world? Essence of the Matter Iran, as Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei noted at a briefing, continues, as before, to faithfully fulfill […]

Ukrainian OSINT channel: Russia turned a bare field into a Geran-5 launch site in a month—and drones are already arriving

14 October 2026 at 08:49

ukrainian osint channel russia turned bare field geran-5 launch site month—and drones already arriving · post millerovo drone base 13 2026 satellite tme/absolutely_reliable ukraine news reports

Russia has nearly finished the first section of a new launch site for jet-powered Geran-5 attack drones near the town of Millerovo in Rostov Oblast, anonymous Ukrainian OSINT channel Absolutely Reliable Source reported on 13 October. The channel’s bio says it covers Ukraine’s deep strikes and that its author belongs to a larger, unnamed structure. It says Russia rushed the build to scale up attacks after its September strikes on Kyiv.

The site is meant for the kind of drone Ukraine stops far less often than the older Shaheds. Ukraine downs 55% of jet-powered Shaheds, the class that includes the Geran-5, and more than 90% of the older propeller-driven ones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on 26 September. Russian industry makes about 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones a month, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) told Militarnyi in August. A new launch site is how Russia plans to fire more of them, the channel argues.

Built in weeks, by the channel’s count

The channel’s images from 1 September show no construction at the site. The latest ones show eight prepared positions for launchers and 32 places for preparing drones for launch, the channel wrote. Imagery from the day before its post shows drones being unloaded in one zone, it said.

Millerovo drone base, September 1
Millerovo drone base, 1 September 2026. Satellite image: t.me/absolutely_reliable
Millerovo drone base,
Millerovo drone base, 12 October 2026. Satellite image: t.me/absolutely_reliable

The channel’s headline says the work took a month. Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi, comparing the channel’s own images from 1 September and 12 October, put it at about six weeks. Both readings rest on the same images, which have not been independently verified.

Built like Tsymbulova

The construction style is very similar to Tsymbulova, Russia’s jet-drone base in Oryol Oblast, the channel wrote. That base has separate positions for storing, preparing, and launching jet drones, Militarnyi said. By late May, less than a month into an expansion of Tsymbulova, Russia was already building 10 more launchers there.

Ukrainian drones have hit Tsymbulova repeatedly, though most of the damage imagery comes from Absolutely Reliable Source. Militarnyi reported strikes on the base’s bunkers and hangars in September. Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck it again overnight on 1 October, damaging two ground shelters and drone preparation areas, Absolutely Reliable Source said. On 10 October, OSINT channel Exilenova+ reported another drone strike there, saying several bunkers, one jet-drone launcher, and a drone storage area were hit.

A IA previu o futuro do banco do Chelsea?

14 October 2026 at 08:42
Da Inteligência Artificial a pôr John Terry a treinar o Chelsea aos 80 anos até aos regressos de Marco Silva e Rúben Amorim. E ainda, o fenómeno do Sabah na Champions.

Shipowners are already avoiding Bulgarian ports

14 October 2026 at 07:17
A week after two cargo ships were struck by drones off the Bulgarian coast, the attack was repeated even closer to our territorial waters with a similar outcome: one vessel was sunk, and another was abandoned by its crew, resulting in injuries and likely numerous fatalities. This is already having tangible consequences for Bulgaria. “Attacks […]

L’Ucraina è un po’ più vicina all’ingresso nell’Unione europea

14 October 2026 at 06:26

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, walks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after participating in a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (AP Photo)

L’Ucraina compie un altro passo avanti nel percorso verso l’adesione all’Unione europea. Ieri in Lussemburgo, Kyjiv ha ottenuto l’apertura di altri due cluster negoziali, portando a quattro su sei quelli finora sbloccati. Si tratta di gruppi di riforme che i Paesi candidati devono completare per entrare nell’Ue. Il traguardo non equivale all’ingresso nell’Unione, ma permette di avanzare nel processo di integrazione, dopo una lunga fase di stallo. Con l’Ucraina, anche la Moldova è allo stesso punto del percorso.

I due cluster appena aperti riguardano il mercato interno e la competitività, e sono anche i più ampi per numero di ambiti normativi interessati. «Dietro questi nomi tecnici ci saranno benefici concreti per gli ucraini», ha detto la commissaria europea all’Allargamento, Marta Kos, citando maggiori opportunità per le imprese, migliori condizioni di lavoro, più tutele per i consumatori, investimenti e posti di lavoro. «L’Ucraina è pienamente impegnata nelle riforme necessarie per l’adesione e intende portare avanti questo lavoro il più rapidamente possibile», ha aggiunto il viceministro ucraino per l’Integrazione europea, Vsevolod Chentsov.

Come scrive Reuters, l’apertura dei due nuovi cluster è stata possibile dopo che l’Ungheria ha ritirato le proprie obiezioni. Il governo di Budapest ha dato il via libera dopo che lunedì il Parlamento ucraino ha approvato una legge che amplia i diritti della minoranza ungherese e degli altri gruppi minoritari a ricevere un’istruzione nella propria lingua. Era una delle condizioni poste dall’Ungheria per consentire ulteriori progressi nel percorso europeo di Kyjiv. Nei mesi scorsi erano già stati aperti il primo cluster, relativo allo Stato di diritto e al funzionamento delle istituzioni democratiche, a giugno, e quello sulle relazioni esterne, a luglio.

Restano ora da sbloccare gli ultimi due gruppi di riforme. La Commissione europea e la presidenza irlandese del Consiglio dell’Ue puntano ad aprirli entro la fine del 2026. Il percorso, però, potrebbe diventare più complicato: tra i settori coinvolti ci sono l’agricoltura e i trasporti, nei quali l’Ucraina è competitiva e potrebbe rappresentare un concorrente per alcuni Paesi membri. Il timore è che le differenze economiche e regolamentari diventino un ostacolo politico all’allargamento.

Martedì anche Francia e Polonia hanno ribadito il loro sostegno all’apertura dei sei cluster. E la Commissione europea ha già indicato una possibile strada per affrontare il nodo agricolo. In una serie di proposte presentate il 6 ottobre sul futuro dell’allargamento, Bruxelles ha suggerito di prevedere un trattamento specifico per l’agricoltura ucraina durante il negoziato, invece di utilizzarla come motivo per bloccare l’avanzamento del processo.

L'articolo L’Ucraina è un po’ più vicina all’ingresso nell’Unione europea proviene da Linkiesta.it.

I giornali, le zone grigie, e il potere degli inserzionisti pubblicitari

14 October 2026 at 06:15

Giornali

Ieri i comitati di redazione di Corriere della Sera, Repubblica, Sole 24 Ore e Stampa hanno messo nero su bianco che «la distinzione tra attività giornalistica, interessi degli inserzionisti e strategie commerciali delle aziende editoriali non può avere deroghe o zone grigie» e occorre «difendere la professionalità, la deontologia e la reputazione delle giornaliste e dei giornalisti».

Il problema è che quelle zone grigie esistono da tempo e nessuno le ha mai davvero chiuse.

Il riferimento è all’inchiesta di Napoli su Multiversity-Pegaso. Secondo gli investigatori, soldi di pubblicità e rapporti commerciali sarebbero serviti a ottenere articoli favorevoli, a smussare notizie scomode o a farle sparire. Nelle carte compaiono quasi tutti i grandi giornali italiani e figure di primo piano: Mario Orfeo per Repubblica, Andrea Malaguti per La Stampa, Claudio Cerasa per il Foglio, Francesco Cancellato per Fanpage, Peter Gomez per il Fatto Quotidiano.

Sono ipotesi tutte da dimostrare, e non tutto ciò che viene descritto è automaticamente un reato. L’indagine ha avuto comunque una sua utilità perché ha fatto riscoprire improvvisamente il sistema delle garanzie: nessuna intercettazione sul caso Pegaso-stampa è uscita sui giornali, in meticoloso rispetto della legge, come ha notato ieri Claudio Caprara su Substack.

Ma chi pensa che il problema della libertà di stampa si esaurisca nel codice penale si sbaglia di grosso. La censura più efficace non arriva da fuori. È quella che si fa da soli. Non servono ordini, telefonate o interventi del direttore. Basta sapere che una notizia può far perdere un inserzionista importante o una collaborazione commerciale. A quel punto molti scelgono di non cercarla.

Nella politica queste cose si vedono meglio. Gli orientamenti dei giornali sono noti, le omissioni si confrontano, le deformazioni vengono contestate. In televisione è già più difficile: tempi stretti, talk show partigiani, censurati che non si vedono. Quando però entrano in gioco gli interessi economici dell’editore o dei grandi inserzionisti, diventa quasi impossibile accorgersene. Chi conosce i contratti pubblicitari? Chi sa quanto pesa davvero un cliente sul bilancio di un quotidiano? Chi può scoprire un’inchiesta che non è mai stata commissionata?

La stampa italiana ha una lunga tradizione in questo campo. Il Giorno nasce dall’Eni, La Stampa e poi Repubblica dalla Fiat, Il Messaggero dalla Montedison e oggi da Caltagirone, il Corriere salvato negli anni Ottanta da Fiat, Pirelli, Montedison e Mediobanca. I giornali servivano anche a proteggere gli interessi dei proprietari. Spesso non c’era nemmeno bisogno di intervenire: si sapeva già di cosa conveniva non parlare.

Non è solo storia antica. Nell’aprile 2024, con Repubblica ancora in mano agli Agnelli-Elkann, centomila copie di Affari & Finanza finirono al macero perché contenevano un pezzo di Giovanni Pons che toccava Stellantis. La redazione sfiduciò il direttore con 164 voti a 55. Due anni dopo, a settembre 2026, lo stesso comitato di redazione – con un altro proprietario e un altro direttore – è tornato a protestare per un’intervista non proprio graffiante a John Elkann.

Carlo Calenda ha più volte accusato Repubblica di non aver raccontato con sufficiente indipendenza la crisi di Stellantis e i suoi rapporti con gli aiuti pubblici. Ma gli attacchi della politica ai giornali su questo terreno sono rari, e si capisce perché: chi li muove teme ritorsioni. O peggio, di non essere più trattato affatto, come denunciava instancabilmente Marco Pannella, che peli sulla lingua non ne aveva.

Oggi forse il proprietario non è il problema principale. Secondo l’Agcom, tra il 2020 e il 2024 i ricavi dalle vendite dei quotidiani sono crollati da 865 a 551 milioni, quelli pubblicitari da 507 a 425. La pubblicità cala meno delle copie e il suo peso sui ricavi complessivi sale dal 33,5 al 37,4 per cento. Un giornale fragile diventa più ricattabile. Non serve comprarlo: basta comprarne la pubblicità. Qui sta il pericolo: non occorre comprare un giornale per influenzarlo, può bastare comprarne la pubblicità. Se è stato sempre vero, oggi è più vero ancora.

Il danno più grave non è la notizia ritoccata o ritardata. È quella che non viene mai cercata. Il giornalista che non propone un tema perché sa già la risposta del direttore, il direttore che anticipa i desideri dell’editore senza bisogno di chiedere. È la censura perfetta: non lascia documenti, non ha responsabili, non produce scandali.

Non si può affidare ai magistrati il compito di garantire l’indipendenza delle redazioni. Sarebbe un paradosso pericoloso.

Servono trasparenza sui rapporti economici rilevanti, separazione reale tra informazione e pubblicità, e autonomia professionale dei giornalisti. Sarebbe utile sapere se l’Ordine e la Federazione nazionale della stampa se ne stanno occupando, oltre ai Cdr delle testate coinvolte.

Il principio è semplice: il giornale vende informazione ai cittadini e spazi pubblicitari alle imprese. Sono due attività distinte. Se la distinzione sparisce, non c’è bisogno di abolire la libertà di stampa. Basta svuotarla.

Questo è un estratto di “La Linea” la newsletter de Linkiesta curata da Marco Taradash per orientarsi nel gran guazzabuglio della politica e della vita, tutte le mattine – dal lunedì al venerdì – alle sette. Più o meno. Qui per iscriversi.

L'articolo I giornali, le zone grigie, e il potere degli inserzionisti pubblicitari proviene da Linkiesta.it.

US Navy’s SSN(X) won’t arrive for years as China closes sub gap

14 October 2026 at 05:04

As the US Navy lays the groundwork for its next-generation SSN(X) attack submarine to replace its aging fleet, the US’s longstanding undersea supremacy faces an intensifying test against China’s rapid naval buildup, advancing acoustic stealth and superior shipyard capacity. The US Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) issued a sources-sought notice to survey domestic shipyard […]

The post US Navy’s SSN(X) won’t arrive for years as China closes sub gap appeared first on Asia Times.

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