Russian authorities have informed the World Health Organization that no plague epidemic has been recorded in the country. The WHO verified this information and confirmed it. The cause of death of 28-year-old Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute employee Darya Shipilova, who died on October 2, remains unknown. The official diagnosis is pneumonia of unidentified etiology. According to the WHO's assessment, there are no signs of ongoing transmission of an infection linked to this case. However, laboratory infection cannot be completely ruled out.

News on the Plague and Epidemics in Regions of Russia

There Is No Plague Epidemic in Russia

Russian authorities have informed the World Health Organization (WHO) that no plague epidemic has been recorded in the country. The WHO verified this data and confirmed it.

Death of an Employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute

The reason for the publications was the death of Darya Shipilova, an employee of the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. She was 28 years old. She died on October 2 after a rapidly progressing severe pneumonia.

Media outlets reported that the cause of death could have been pneumonic plague. According to these reports, the woman became infected while working in a laboratory. The WHO learned of them from the publications and requested official information from Russia several times.

The Russian side responded that no cases of plague have been registered in Irkutsk Oblast. It also reported that all people who had contact with the deceased were tested for a range of dangerous infections, including plague. All results were negative.

WHO Assessment

Based on these data, the WHO reported that it sees no signs of continued transmission of an infection associated with this case.

The cause of the employee's death, however, remains unknown. The official diagnosis is pneumonia of unidentified etiology. The WHO emphasizes that, until the cause of death is established, laboratory infection cannot be completely ruled out.

The organization intends to continue monitoring the situation. According to it, the WHO may request additional documents.

Police and Criminal Cases in the Regions

In the Tula Region, a district police officer was arrested. She had won the regional stage of the "People's District Officer" contest twice, in 2023 and 2024. Three years ago, regional media aired a feature about her ahead of Police Day. At that time, the senior district officer from Bogoroditsk said she had joined the police to help people, and she considered the ability to listen and understand people the most important part of her work. Since then, she has become deputy head of the district officers' department.

According to the investigation, the police officer herself offered a local resident to resolve his issue for 200,000 rubles. The matter concerned closing a criminal case against his son, who was suspected of forging a driver's license. The father contacted the security services. The money was handed over under FSB supervision in a car in Tula, where the police officer was detained. The court remanded her in custody. She faces up to 12 years in prison.

The speaker believes that such cases are inevitable. In his view, the work of a district police officer is hard and thankless, especially in the regions. He described police stations as places with mold, old linoleum, and furniture in poor condition. District officers, he said, deal with antisocial groups, including homeless people, drug addicts, and people with mental illness. He called their pay extremely low. The speaker claims that 99% of district officers could be charged under similar articles. He also stated that police reform has amounted to renaming the militia and changing uniforms, while decent working conditions have not been created. According to him, employees receive low salaries, have no career prospects, and work in poor conditions, which, in his opinion, explains bribery, planting drugs, and falsifying criminal cases.

Comments by a Former DPR Fighter and Patriotic Film Producer

On social media, attention was drawn to posts by Vladislav D., a former DPR fighter who calls himself a producer of patriotic films. He wrote that if a man wants to start a family, he should choose his future wife at 14 or 15 and begin sexual relations with her at 16.

The administrator of the public group where these comments appeared claimed that girls begin their first menstruation at 10 or 11 and that sexual desire emerges along with it. According to him, in the following years girls struggle with sexual urges, watch porn, and show interest in their female friends. By the age of 20, in the author's opinion, they lose their adequacy. Vladislav D. agreed with the administrator and added that girls aged 18 to 20 pose a great risk and are not suitable as wives. Therefore, in his conclusion, one should choose girls aged 14 or 15.

The "Bearer of Light" Public Group and a Paid Course

These recommendations appeared in the "Bearer of Light" public group, which has existed for almost nine years. According to media reports, the community teaches men to hate women and manipulate them for sex. Women there are called "teddy bears" and "service staff." The group's main product is a paid course called "Conqueror of the Natashas." Its creators promise to teach men how to persuade a woman into sex within a few minutes. According to media reports, participation in such trainings can cost up to 350,000 rubles.

The comments of Vladislav D. and his like-minded associates were noticed by blogger Polina Bogdanova, who spoke about them publicly.

Pressure on Journalists and Telegram Channels

The Telegram Channel "Ostorozhno, novosti" and Its Administration

In 2024, Bogdanova sought to have the "Ostorozhno, novosti" community blocked. The channel continues to operate.

Journalists established that the administrator's name is Vladislav Chubur. He also calls himself Vlad Donskoy.

Biography of Vladislav Chubur

Vladislav was born in Ukraine and lived in Kyiv, where he was engaged in business. During the Maidan, he was an activist and blogger. He then became deputy head of a village in Cherkasy Oblast. In 2016, he abruptly changed his views, moved to Donetsk, and joined the "Pyatnashka" brigade. He then served in the armed forces of the DPR under the call sign "Yamshchik."

Since 2022, he has been making patriotic films and running a video podcast studio. He is a member of the Union of Journalists of Russia.

Response to Journalists' Requests

Vladislav did not respond to journalists' questions. In his Telegram channel, he called the screenshots a forgery. He stated that he had filed lawsuits for defamation and for the protection of honor and dignity.

Statements in the "Nesushchiy svet" Community

Vladislav is a regular commenter in the "Nesushchiy svet" community. He insultingly refers to women. In one post, he complained that after fifty, it had become harder to meet girls. He stated that he does not want to communicate with women over thirty.

Vladislav compared himself to Harvey Weinstein, who was convicted of rape. According to him, supporters of the LGBT movement and radical feminists were against him.

Post About the Age of Participants

In one of the subsidiary channels of "Nesushchiy svet," journalists found a post with a photo of Vladislav. The administrators wrote that their fifty-two-year-old student had succeeded with a twenty-two-year-old girl on the first day of training.

The host of the video material notes that such a story contradicts the rhetoric about traditional family values and the protection of children. According to him, such men advise looking out for fourteen-year-old girls.

The Host's Position on Online Persecution

The host claims that authorities react differently to Telegram channels and publications. A comment that could be interpreted as support for the LGBT movement or Ukraine can lead to a search and a criminal case. He describes cases in which police arrived at six in the morning, forced people to lie on the floor, and opened cases. According to him, the pretext was posts on VKontakte, public groups, and old images allegedly promoting suicide.

The host believes that communities where explicit calls for violence against children are published operate calmly, since they do not threaten traditional values as currently understood. He suggests that some people who are able to open cases share these views themselves or envy them.

The host states that he cannot explain what is happening. He hopes that public attention and public scandals will affect the situation and lead to the punishment and isolation of such people.

Film About Artificial Intelligence

The film "Artificial Intelligence," about the company OpenAI, will be released soon. One of the main roles in it was played by Russian actor Yuri Borisov. According to the host, the topic of artificial intelligence is especially relevant today. The technology is used for work, study, and everyday tasks, and interest in it is growing.

Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies

The greatest benefit from new technologies goes to those who apply them systematically, and this is especially true for business. Asking a chatbot to write a letter or put together a table is relatively simple. Getting artificial intelligence to work with documents on its own, answer customers, and handle other routine tasks requires a different approach.

Companies don't need to develop their own neural network for this. It's enough to competently implement existing tools. This is what AI integrators do.

State Duma Initiatives

Proposal for the Equitable Distribution of the Burdens of War

State Duma deputy Anatoly Lokot of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) put forward an initiative to distribute the burdens associated with the war equally among Russian citizens. He is a former mayor of Novosibirsk and returned to the State Duma in September of this year. The statement was made during a discussion of the federal budget's execution.

Lokot stated that the weight of the war should fall equally on all citizens of the country. In his words, overcoming the emerging difficulties should unite society rather than divide it.

The author of the material assesses this initiative critically. He points to the contrast between the situation of ordinary citizens and that of other groups. Some people are dying at the front, losing loved ones, or trying to survive on small wages and pensions. Others continue to profit from the war. State Duma deputies, according to him, live well-fed and safe lives, including Lokot himself.

The author asks whether the deputies are prepared to take on the burdens themselves. He names deputies' salaries, privileges, and official cars. In his view, without this, the statement about equality looks incomplete. He also asks whether suffering should be shared equally only among ordinary citizens.

Entry Ban for a Belarusian Citizen

Belarusian citizen Maksim Stasevich has been banned from entering Russia for 100 years. He took part in the 2020 protests against Alexander Lukashenko. According to the author, Lukashenko suppressed these protests with the support of Vladimir Putin.

Persecution of Participants in Events in Belarus and Karelia

The Belarusian authorities are persecuting participants in the 2020 protests. Many of those who did not manage to leave ended up in prison. Maksim Stasevich also fled to Russia, to Karelia.

Since 2022, Stasevich had worked at the "Polar Circle" children's camp on the shore of the White Sea. He was a counselor and taught children cynology and marine tourism. This period did not last long.

Detention in St. Petersburg and the Decision Not to Extradite

Last December, Stasevich was detained in St. Petersburg. The Belarusian authorities declared him wanted for participating in the 2020 protests and demanded his extradition to Belarus. The Russian prosecutor's office decided there were no grounds for extradition. Under the law, participation in a demonstration in Minsk is not considered a crime in Russia, so the Belarusian was not extradited.

Repeated Detention in Karelia

A few months later, Stasevich was detained again. It turned out that he had been in a border area of Karelia without a special permit from the FSB. He was fined. However, the court decided not to deport him from Russia.

Expulsion and Entry Ban

Employees of the Center for Combating Extremism of the Karelian Ministry of Internal Affairs sought his expulsion. They proceeded from the premise that Stasevich was hiding from criminal prosecution in his homeland and considered that he could not remain in Russia. The agency ruled to expel him with an entry ban for 100 years.

Stasevich himself approached Belarusian investigators. His case was requalified from criminal to administrative, and he was ultimately given a fine. The Petrozavodsk court took this into account and overturned the deportation decision. The police appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court of Karelia, and the court sided with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Entry into Russia is now closed to Stasevich. Theoretically, he could return in 2126.

Assessment of the Situation

The author notes that it is not entirely clear to him why a participant in the protests against Lukashenko chose Russia as a place to hide. In his view, this was a short-sighted decision. He acknowledges that there may be decent people working in the Karelian Ministry of Internal Affairs and in the center for combating extremism who could have sympathized with Stasevich. The author believes that Stasevich ignored warnings. After the first and second court decisions in his favor, he did not leave the country and stayed, despite repeated court proceedings. In the author's view, the Karelian security officials concluded that sooner or later Stasevich would receive a criminal or administrative punishment, and decided to expel him for 100 years so that he would find a safe place. The author directly states that he sees no other explanation for Stasevich's behavior and admits that Stasevich may have wanted to end up in a Russian prison.

The Darwin Awards and Curious Stories

Artificial Intelligence-Generated Icon Consecrated in Belarus

In Belarus, an icon created with the help of artificial intelligence has been consecrated. It depicts Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15. Last year, the Catholic Church canonized him as a saint.

Acutis was passionate about programming. He created an online catalog of church miracles that cannot be explained from a scientific standpoint, and he earned the nickname "Cyber-Apostle."

The image was consecrated last Sunday at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in the town of Navalukoml, Vitebsk Region. Three specialists worked on it: an industrial engineer, a designer, and a photographer.

Criticism from the Russian Orthodox Church

The rector of a church in Kaluga Region, Vladislav Beregovoy, stated that images created with the help of artificial intelligence are impossible in Orthodox churches. In his words, iconography is governed by canons that have existed for thousands of years. At the same time, the priest emphasized that he has no intention of teaching Catholics how to paint their icons.

Religion and New Technologies in Churches

Artificial Intelligence in Icon Painting

According to the speaker, icons created by neural networks are unlikely to appear in churches of the Russian Orthodox Church. High technology is used there for other purposes. For example, Photoshop is used to remove Patriarch Kirill's expensive watch from photographs, as well as, according to the speaker's assumption, the yachts and expensive cars of church hierarchs. This way, parishioners are not embarrassed or tempted.

The Russian Orthodox Church treats new technologies selectively. It meets some with suspicion and actively uses others. The speaker considers such an approach logical.

He calls himself a non-believer and states that what happens in the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches is of no concern to him. From the standpoint of commercial pragmatism, however, he believes that a church with key performance indicators for attracting new parishioners should keep up with the times. In his view, an icon created with artificial intelligence is a successful PR move.

He also allows that artificial intelligence may deliver sermons better than some priests who, in his words, preach heresy. The speaker gave an example: in a church, a parishioner would hear a sermon from the voice assistant "Alice." He believes this could attract young people.

Tkachev on Good People

Archpriest Tkachev, according to the speaker, said that one should not strive to be a good person. By his logic, there are many good people in hell, while in heaven one can meet former robbers and repentant prostitutes.

The speaker paraphrases the priest's position as follows: one should not strive to be a good person, since this is a dubious characteristic. Everyone interprets the concept of "good person" in their own way. According to Tkachev, there are as many good people in hell as herring in a barrel.

The speaker interprets these words as follows. Being merely good is not enough. It is more advantageous to be a sinner, repent in time, build a church, or make a donation.

He cites as an example a parishioner from St. Petersburg who kissed an icon and then immediately robbed the icon case. In the speaker's view, this man built a strategy for salvation.

The speaker calls Tkachev a slick operator who knows how to curry favor with superiors. According to him, this explains why the priest chooses such formulations.

The speaker draws an analogy with medicine. Doctors do not need healthy people: a healthy person does not buy medicine, does not see doctors, and does not undergo expensive operations. Likewise, in his view, the same holds for the church. If everyone becomes a saint, there will be no donations, new churches will stop being built, and there will be no one to buy off sins. Priests then will have no need for a congregation.

As confirmation, the speaker recalls the 1990s, when church construction flourished. According to him, a "New Russian" could shoot someone and then build a church, and an official could build a church to protect his reputation. He also mentioned the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was erected by Luzhkov.

In the speaker's view, the church is more interested in clients who have sinned and then bought off their sins. Good people of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to him, are uninteresting because there is nothing to get from them. Much more interesting are other people who later give the patriarch watches, which then have to be painted over in Photoshop.

Monument to Nicholas II in Kemerovo

A monument to Nicholas II, the last Russian emperor, was unveiled in Kemerovo. At the ceremony, Metropolitan Aristarkh of Kuzbass explained why the monument is important precisely now.

According to the metropolitan, Russia was gaining enormous strength and in 1913 became a leading world power. As historians note, the West unleashed a world war to weaken Russia. As a result of the war, the Russian Empire fell.

The speaker points out an inaccuracy in this version. In World War I, Russia did not fight against the entire West, but together with Great Britain and France as part of the Entente.

In his view, the monument was erected to a ruler who entered a major war expecting a quick victory and ultimately lost the empire. At the opening, it was declared that the monument is especially relevant. The speaker ironically assessed this statement as obviously relevant.

Carl Bushby's Journey Across Eurasia

British traveler Carl Bushby has returned home. The journey to England took 28 years and nearly 50,000 km.

In early October, the fifty-year-old adventurer swam from France to the English coast. He crossed the English Channel by swimming, spending about 20 hours in the water over three days. Originally, Bushby planned to walk through the service tunnel under the Channel, but he was denied permission on safety grounds. The expedition is not yet complete. About 400 km remain from Dover to his mother's home in the town of Hull. Bushby expects to arrive there on November 1, exactly 28 years after the start.

The journey is part of the "Liaf Expedition" project. The name refers to the biblical giant and emphasizes the scale of the challenge: to circle the planet on foot and by swimming, without any transport. The expedition's main rule requires moving only under one's own power. A train, car, or ferry breaks the conditions, and using any of them would mean failure for the entire undertaking.

The expedition began on November 1, 1998, in the Chilean city of Punta Arenas. Bushby planned to complete it in 12 years, but visa problems, the pandemic, and the political situation delayed the route.

He traveled through the southern part of Central America and reached Alaska. He then crossed the Bering Strait over the ice and entered Russia. Formally, his entry was illegal. Bushby had a Russian visa, but he bypassed the official checkpoint, did not receive a stamp in his passport, and found himself in a closed border zone without a special permit. Border guards detained him. The court ruled to deport the traveler with a five-year entry ban.

The deportation decision was overturned by the then-governor of Chukotka, Roman Abramovich. After paying a fine, Bushby received permission to continue the journey.

Due to the tense situation, he refused to go through Iran. Instead, he sailed across the Caspian Sea for 31 days. The traveler decided that a month in open water was safer than the route through Iran.

Bushby did not use any transport on the water sections either. He walked across the frozen ice of the Bering Strait. He crossed the Caspian Sea and the English Channel exclusively by swimming, in a wetsuit and flippers. In both cases, he was accompanied by boats with crews. They served only as floating hotels for overnight stays and meals. He says he covered every kilometer of the distance on his own.

The route then passed through Siberia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. Bushby crossed Russia from east to west and never once stood in a line for gasoline.

Donald Trump and the US Elections

Donald Trump has again demanded that presidential elections be held in Ukraine. In his view, it is time for Volodymyr Zelensky to hand over the post to another candidate. Preferably one who would agree to make a deal with Putin.

According to the author of the material, Trump is indifferent to both Ukraine and Russia.

Donald Trump and the US Elections

Demand for Elections in Ukraine

Donald Trump insistently demands that elections be held in Ukraine and repeats this demand again and again. In the author's view, accusing Zelensky of being a dictator for not holding elections can serve as a justification for any pressure on the President of Ukraine. In addition, this position diverts attention from the responsibility of the United States.

The argument for the need for elections seems reasonable, since it is hard to object to voting. However, according to the author, the purpose of such a statement is to change the subject quickly, before questions arise about how to hold elections in a country at war. The author compares this technique to an attempt to rename the ocean: attention is shifted to a different object.

The author also argues that Trump's demand rests on the stable American attitude toward voting as something that must be done in any situation. He notes that such a demand fits neatly into a short video clip. In the author's opinion, its ultimate aim is to sow doubts about support for Zelensky and to remove responsibility from the United States.

Historical Examples of Voting During War

The author recalls that in 1864 Abraham Lincoln was re-elected during the Civil War, and victory was not guaranteed. After the election, he stated that if the rebellion had forced a refusal to vote, the rebels could have considered themselves the winners. The author notes that at that time there were no missiles or drones, and the rear and the front were clearly separated. Nevertheless, in his words, the conclusion took hold in the American consciousness: the US was able to hold elections, and the question is why other countries cannot do the same.

The author also cites the example of September 11, 2001. At 9:28, four Islamist terrorists seized United Airlines Flight 93 and claimed that there was a bomb on board. They killed one passenger and demanded that the others remain in their seats. According to the commission investigating the terrorist attacks, the passengers, having learned of the other attacks, realized that their plane could be directed at a building. They saw that the plane was turning toward Washington.

The passengers discussed the possibility of taking control of the aircraft. Jerry Glick called his wife and reported the decision. To decide whether to resist, a passenger named Bemer organized a secret vote. There were 44 people on board. The majority voted to resist. At 9:57, the passengers tried to retake the plane from the terrorists. At 10:03, the plane crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. In the author's view, the passengers who voted, by sacrificing themselves, likely saved the lives of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people in Washington.

Postal Voting and the Conditions in Ukraine

The author points out that in the American understanding, elections are often associated not with standing in line at a polling station but with voting from home. According to the election commission's data for 2024, about 30% of votes were cast by mail, that is, almost every third vote.

The author argues that Americans may propose transferring postal voting to Ukraine. He lists the problems with such a solution. A serviceman is at the front, his family has moved abroad, and his hometown is occupied. The author asks where the ballot should be sent, how to ensure the secrecy of the vote, and how to give military personnel the opportunity to nominate candidates and take part in the campaign. In addition, in his words, Ukrainian law explicitly prohibits holding elections under martial law.

The author notes that Trump reduces this complex problem to a single phrase: "Zelensky is a dictator without elections." In the author's view, such a formula fits into any short clip. The author himself, in his words, explains the whole situation in a four-minute episode.

Renaming Oceans and Bodies of Water

Trump has proposed renaming one of the oceans. At a rally in Tennessee, he said that he wanted an ocean and suggested calling the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean the Trump Ocean or the Ocean of Americans.

The author points out that this is not the first such initiative. Last year, Trump ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be renamed the Gulf of America. In August of this year, he announced that Lake Ontario would be renamed Lake America.

In the author's opinion, Trump may be able to make the gulf's renaming official for American government agencies. However, making the rest of the world call the Atlantic Ocean the Trump Ocean will be much harder. The author observes that the president, apparently, is not embarrassed by this. In a joking tone, he adds that after rivers, lakes, and oceans, Trump may move on to the planets of the Solar System.

Immigration Detention in the US and Deportations from Russia

Deportation of a Hunger Strike Organizer

One of the organizers of a mass hunger strike at the Folkston immigration detention center in Georgia, Idris Mahmudov, has been deported to Russia. He is a Russian citizen born in Kazakhstan. In July 2024, Mahmudov arrived at a border crossing in Arizona and requested asylum in the United States. He was detained. He spent more than two years in custody. He had no criminal conviction: throughout this time, he was held under immigration proceedings.

Hunger Strike at the Folkston Immigration Detention Center

In early October, a mass hunger strike began at the Folkston immigration detention center. At least 73 people took part. Among them were citizens of Russia, China, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, and other countries. Many of them had applied for asylum in the United States.

Detainees complained of terrible conditions, poor nutrition, unsanitary conditions, the lack of proper medical care, and the impossibility of contacting lawyers and relatives. According to them, prison management directly threatened them with deportation. They said that one of the wardens promised to send detainees from Russia back to the gulag.

Circumstances of Mahmudov's Deportation

After the hunger strike began, one of its organizers was sent to Russia. According to Mahmudov, everything happened suddenly. A week and two days earlier, he had been told that he could not be deported because an appeal was pending. He said that after the hunger strike began, the administration decided to get rid of him. He was told that if the appeal were approved, he would be returned to the United States.

Mahmudov flew on commercial flights with connections in Atlanta, Miami, and Morocco. He said that during the trip he was not given food or water. At one of the connections, he lost consciousness. On October 11, he arrived in Russia. He said that the border interview in Russia was quick, and that so far he is fine.

Risks of Returning to Russia

Returning to Russia may end badly for many citizens of the country. Anti-war activist Leonid Melyokhin was deported from the United States. He was detained in Russia. In early October, he was sentenced to six years in a penal colony on charges of justifying terrorism. In the narrator's view, people who fled Russia and sought asylum in America may end up in Russian penal colonies after several years spent in an American immigration detention center.

Detention in the US Without Urgent Medical Care

Next, the story concerns another case in the US: American police detained a person who urgently needed medical care.

Police Incident in Arizona

The incident took place in Arizona in February of last year. Details became widely known only after the victim applied to federal court.

The victim's name is Bradley Page. While driving on a highway, he suffered a stroke. Page managed to pull the car onto the shoulder. When police officers approached the vehicle, he could no longer explain what was happening. The man was disoriented, poorly understood requests, and did not comply with police orders.

The officers surrounded the car and opened fire with rubber bullets. The front and rear windows were shattered. When Page stuck his arm out of the window, one of the deputy sheriffs released a police dog on him. The dog clamped down on the man's arm and held it for more than a minute. During this time, the officers pulled Page out through the broken car window.

The dog damaged the muscles, tendons, and blood vessels in the arm. The injuries were so serious that reconstructive surgery was required.

After the arrest, the officers congratulated each other and praised the dog for good work. Page was held in handcuffs in a patrol car for more than an hour before being taken to the hospital. Doctors determined that the man had suffered a stroke. No signs of drugs or other prohibited substances were found in his body.

Earlier, the police had charged Page with resisting officers and dangerous driving. These charges were later dropped. Page filed a federal lawsuit against the Arizona State Police, the county sheriff's office, and several officers.

The man survived a stroke, and then faced even more severe consequences of the police's actions.

Cases of cruelty by American police are widely debated in the United States. Some members of society argue that police act brutally and without sufficient grounds, and cite examples where officers opened fire on a suspect over a careless gesture. Others consider such actions justified. They point out that gun ownership is permitted in the US, that some gun owners have mental health problems, and that a driver's behavior during a traffic stop cannot be predicted. In their view, the driver may be armed and may attack the police. Supporters of this position also refer to cases where detentions were carried out in a similar manner.

Incidents and Law Enforcement

Armed Detention and Questions About Police Actions

The actions of the police officers were deemed justified, since the person who was stopped did indeed have a weapon. The host noted that the specific actions of the officers in this situation require a separate assessment. According to him, the investigation will be carried out by oversight bodies.

The host believes that working with detainees should include a basic ability to recognize a sudden deterioration in health, such as a stroke. In his view, such a condition could have been recognized in this case.

Tiger Attack at a Yorkshire Zoo

Correspondent Konstantin Pinaev in London reported the details of the incident that took place on Saturday at a Yorkshire zoo. At 1:30 p.m., a 24-year-old visitor entered the enclosure of a Siberian tiger named Amur. To get inside, he climbed over two barriers. Visitors saw him walking along the enclosure beforehand wearing headphones.

The tiger attacked the visitor in front of other people and killed him. The victim was named William Chapman. Zoo workers managed to isolate the animal in another part of the enclosure. Medics who arrived to attend to Chapman could only pronounce him dead from multiple wounds.

It later emerged that Chapman suffered from a mental illness. He had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was under the supervision of Doncaster's psychiatric services but largely lived independently. As a child, he appeared in films, including a children's documentary about the vaccine pioneer Edward Jenner.

The correspondent recalled that two years ago in the city of Stockport, a man attacked a nursery school. He also appeared in films as a child and had several psychiatric diagnoses. After that attack, the scene was closed for five days.

The zoo stated that it would not put the tiger down, since the animal acted like an ordinary tiger. The zoo and the police asked that the video of the attack not be shared. They justified this request by citing respect for the family and the victim.

Donald Trump's Reaction

Donald Trump posted a video of the tiger attack on the social network Truth Social. The post appeared at 2:00 a.m. He accompanied it with the phrase: "Never mess with nature."

Trump then posted an AI-generated video. In it, he, who is 80 years old, runs with a tiger, hugs it, and tumbles beside it.

Repeal of Restrictions in Hungary

Hungary's new government has begun repealing previously introduced bans. The Hungarian parliament voted to repeal a provision of the so-called "LGBT propaganda" law. This law was adopted five years ago under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Bills and Content Restrictions on Social Media

Repeal of Restrictions on Information About Gender Diversity in Hungary

The Hungarian law was adopted in 2021. Its official justification was the protection of children. Films, books, advertising, and school educational materials fell under the restriction. The ban did not apply only to pornography or sexual content. It extended to any information about gender diversity.

The European Union sharply criticized the Hungarian authorities, and legal proceedings were launched against the country. In April of this year, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the restrictions violated European law.

After 16 years of Viktor Orbán's rule, Péter Magyar came to power in May. The new government began reviewing the decisions of its predecessors. As a result, the ban on depicting and disseminating information about sexual and gender diversity in materials for minors was repealed. In its place, a general provision on protecting children from content that may harm their physical or emotional development was retained. According to the narrator, this is the first change to legislation of such a notable scale since Orbán's departure.

The narrator noted that until recently, Russian authorities had cited the Hungarian law as an example that Europe also protects traditional values. Now Hungary is abandoning these bans, while Russia, in his words, is tightening them. He expressed hope that similar bans in Russia would also be repealed.

Man Convicted of Inflating Streams of AI-Generated Music in the US

A federal court in Manhattan sentenced 54-year-old Michael Smith of North Carolina to 18 months in prison. The court also ordered him to return the illegally obtained funds and imposed two years of supervised release after his imprisonment. This is said to be the first criminal case of its kind in the United States.

The scheme operated from 2017 to 2024. Smith created songs using artificial intelligence and uploaded them to the largest streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Neural networks produced hundreds of thousands of tracks for him.

To inflate the streams, Smith used an army of roughly 10,000 bots that imitated ordinary listeners and played his songs repeatedly. In April 2023, his tracks had nearly 81 million streams on YouTube Music. Over the same period, Taylor Swift's songs on the same family plans had 9.3 million streams.

Over seven years, Smith received about $8 million in royalties.

The narrator noted that the amount of AI-generated content is growing rapidly across various platforms, including music and video hosting services. In his view, most of this content is created for profit rather than out of interest in art. He does not know what share of such content uses bots to boost its numbers, but he admits that the described case is not an isolated one.

The narrator advised users to downvote and report suspicious content. He acknowledged that competing with bots is difficult. He expressed hope that platforms would begin to prioritize human-created content.

Cyberattack on Supermarket Refrigeration Equipment in France

The narrator reported an unprecedented cyberattack on refrigeration equipment in supermarkets across France, which took place on the night of (the text breaks off at this point; no additional details are provided in the material).

Hacker Attack and System Failures

Hacking of Refrigeration Equipment in France

On the night of October 11 to 12, hackers breached the control system of refrigerators and freezers. Instead of cooling, the equipment began heating the products. The temperature rose to 50 degrees and held at around that level for about six hours. Smoke was reported in some stores.

Several major retail chains were affected. Supermarkets of the Intermarché company reported approximately 150 equipment failures. Other retailers also experienced problems.

All spoiled meat, fish, dairy products, and other goods had to be disposed of. Losses may reach tens of millions of euros.

The attack on equipment necessary for preserving fresh food and supplying the population has been recognized as an extremely serious and unprecedented case.

Purpose of the Heating Function and Internet Connectivity

The internet module is needed for remote temperature monitoring and notification of breakdowns.

The heating function is designed for automatic defrosting of ice that constantly forms on the components. Powerful heating elements are installed inside the freezers. In normal operation, they switch on for 15 minutes to melt the ice and then switch off.

The hackers remotely blocked the "on" state of this function. As a result, the heating elements operated at maximum power for several consecutive hours, which led to a sharp rise in temperature inside the chambers.

Investigation and Software Vulnerability

The investigation is being conducted by the French prosecutor's office and the local cybersecurity agency. Investigators discovered a possible vulnerability in the software of the Danish company Danfoss. The manufacturer stated that it is aware of the incidents that occurred and reminded users of the need to update systems in a timely manner.

Earlier, French experts had warned of attacks by Russian military hackers on corporate software. Who is behind this attack has not yet been established. Other possible risks in European countries are being checked in parallel.

Riots in France

On Saturday, protests in France escalated into mass riots. Groups of far-left radicals smashed shops, set cars on fire, and attacked administrative buildings.

In the city of Limoges, rioters set fire to the town hall. The historic building burned to the ground. A tower that had stood for a century and a half collapsed.

Grape Harvest and Champagne Production

The summer of 2025 was one of the hottest. Winegrowers summed up the results of the harvest. The grape harvest in France turned out to be the lowest in the entire modern history of winemaking. It is 14% below the average for the past five years.

The cause was named as climatic conditions. Five heat waves swept across the country. The Champagne region suffered the most.

Champagne producers had to change the recipes of the drink. This is related not only to the quantity of grapes but also to the characteristics of the finished product.

Champagne Regions and Appellations

Champagne is known as the region that produces sparkling wine. This year, the grape harvest there was 49% smaller than last year's. Early in the year, the Champagne vineyards were hit by severe frost. Then came five significant heat waves. Because of them, the grapes ripened very early. The berries were small, and there were few of them. The harvest was very small, so there will be very little Champagne this year. According to the speaker, this could affect prices.

Climate also affects another aspect that the speaker considers less obvious. In France, strict rules apply to each wine appellation, that is, to each wine-producing region. The rules for Champagne are also strict. They regulate many processes. In particular, they set the permitted yield. Grape clusters are counted on each vine. The rules also determine whether grapes are harvested by hand or by machine. Finally, they regulate the alcohol content of the wine.

Previously, Champagne could contain no more than 13% alcohol. For the 2026 vintage, an exception was made and Champagne with an alcohol content of 15% was permitted. The reason is as follows. The grapes were small and ripened quickly. In the heat, they accumulated a large amount of sugar. According to the speaker's logic, Champagne made from such raw material should turn out stronger.

The speaker clarifies that not all producers will necessarily release wine at 15%. He claims that 2026 will be a unique year, since for the first time in history Champagne can be produced at this strength. At the same time, he also notes that producing Champagne at 15% had been possible before as well, but only on condition that... The passage breaks off here, and the rest of the condition is not given in the original text.

Chaptalization and Wine Aging

Chaptalization and Permitted Strength

Chaptalization consists of adding sugar to the must to start fermentation. The exception concerned strength: under the rules, it could reach 15% ABV. For classic traditional champagne, whose production uses chaptalization, the must could not exceed 13% ABV. This year, this restriction may be exceeded.

Vintage Champagne 2026

Producers rarely indicate the harvest year on the label. In good years, they produce vintage champagne and mark the year on the bottle. Such bottles, according to the author, are unique. Champagne bottles labeled 2026 deserve special attention.

Crisis in the Champagne Industry

This year is a difficult one for winemakers. Champagne producers are facing serious difficulties. Champagne consumption is declining. Buyers are switching to prosecco. Champagne is an expensive drink and is the first to be cut from purchases. A hot summer adds further pressure.

You can support French winemakers by buying a bottle of genuine champagne. A bottle from the 2026 harvest, in the author's opinion, will hold its value and remain strong.

Starlink in the Huliaipole Direction

Ukrainian military forces have encountered serious problems with Starlink satellite communications. This has happened amid a worsening of relations between Kyiv and Washington.

On the night of Wednesday, SpaceX introduced a speed limit for military Starlink terminals. This concerns a special military version of satellite communications that Elon Musk's company developed for defense agencies, primarily the Pentagon.

The restriction works as follows. If a drone or other platform moves faster than 160 km/h, the connection is lost.

According to Ukrainian military sources, several important operations were disrupted as a result. In the Huliaipole direction, units experienced communication interruptions. When drones accelerated to 110–120 km/h, the connection dropped for 10–20 seconds. As a result, the military had to cancel several unmanned missions at once. Such interruptions can be critical for drone control.

In Kyiv, it is assumed that the restrictions may be related to the policy of the Trump administration. According to this version, the restrictions could have been influenced by a dispute over strikes on Russian oil refineries and scandalous agreements on the supply of Russian diesel.

The White House denies any involvement in the restrictions and promises to look into the situation. Musk himself has also declined to take responsibility.

The post by former Ukrainian Minister of Defense Fedorov, published in response to these statements, is not presented in full in the text.

Restrictions and Administration Policy

Control over Starshield Systems

Elon Musk wrote on the social network X that the Starshield systems belong to the US government and are under its control. According to him, any speed or usage restrictions are set by the American military and, ultimately, by the President of the United States. He also stated that the standard commercial Starlink service is intended only for civilian or defensive purposes and cannot be used for offensive operations.

Negotiations and the 160 km/h Speed Limit

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is negotiating with the United States, SpaceX, and NATO partners. The Ukrainian side reported that communications at speeds up to 160 km/h have been partially stabilized. Kyiv continues negotiations and demands that the restrictions be fully lifted.

According to the source, the 160 km/h limit makes it impossible to use Ukrainian interceptor drones. As a result, the AFU cannot destroy Russian Shahed jet-powered drones, which fly significantly faster.

It is still unclear whether the restriction is a technical decision or a political signal.

Pressure on Zelensky

Musk has several times in one week posted on social media a call for Volodymyr Zelensky to resign and for new elections to be held in Ukraine.

US Elections and Trump's Position

The Diesel Deal with Russia and Trump's Pre-Election Motives

Donald Trump continues to criticize Ukraine's actions. He needs to lower diesel fuel prices before the midterm congressional elections. According to a number of experts, the diesel deal with Russia has little effect on world prices. Russian volumes are minimal, and the US itself is among the largest diesel exporters in the world. The host believes the deal is a pre-election game. According to him, Trump has used a similar scheme before with Iran. He announced an agreement, oil prices fell for several days, and the president's rating rose.

In the host's view, Trump seeks to appear a tough negotiator who presses Volodymyr Zelensky, since he cannot press Putin. Ukraine continues to strike Russian refineries despite the deals Trump has concluded. Trump does not make decisions alone, however. He is influenced by European partners and the American voter. According to the host, many Americans sympathize with Ukraine more than with Russia, and Trump's policy toward Kyiv may cause discontent.

The Fuel Crisis on Bali

The Consulate General of Russia in Denpasar warned of possible fuel shortages, queues, and the unavailability of certain types of fuel. Russian tourists were advised to avoid unnecessary travel. The island's authorities explain the shortage by high demand and a delay in sea deliveries caused by logistical errors. They promise to resolve the problem soon. Tourists report cancelled excursions and difficulties with taxis. At some gas stations, premium gasoline is being sold, but at roughly twice the price of regular gasoline.

The Maple Tunnel on the Eizan Railway

The Eizan Railway runs through the mountains north of Kyoto. On one section lies the so-called Maple Tunnel, about 250 m long, along which dozens of Japanese maples grow. In the autumn season, trains slow down here. After dark, the trees are illuminated with floodlights, and the lights in the carriages are turned off. This is an operating line, and it can be ridden on regular tickets. In Japan, there is a tradition of admiring autumn foliage.

The Arrest of a Japanese Journalist in Russia

In Russia, a citizen of Japan, Imai Yuki, a correspondent for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was detained on charges of espionage. According to the host, the Russian side considers any foreign journalist who professionally takes an interest in Russia a potential spy. According to the host's account, Imai had been gathering information on the number of residents of the Kuril Islands sent to fight in Ukraine. The host claims that Imai hardly looks like a spy, judging by his track record and the behavior of the Japanese. Japanese authorities, he says, publish a so-called white paper with statistics every year. The Japanese archive almost all data. After the summer escalation, when Putin visited the disputed territories, Japan wanted to assert its claims to these islands.

The host notes that in recent years Russia has been using diplomatic methods reminiscent of "Petersburg back-alley" behavior. He believes Imai will likely remain in custody until Russia finds a way to exchange him for another convicted person. The host recalled that Japan recently extradited a Russian citizen to Germany. He also mentioned that Dmitry Medvedev recently called for replenishing the exchange fund with foreigners.

False Earthquake Alert in Japan

On Friday, at around 2:00 p.m., mobile phones of residents of Japan received an emergency alert about an earthquake and tsunami. The system showed a magnitude of 9.9, which exceeds the magnitude of the 2011 earthquake, which was 9.5. The source of the alleged earthquake was named as the area north of Hokkaido, off the Kuril Islands. In public places, including Disneyland, people were evacuated and made to lie down in open areas. Soon a second alert followed, which cancelled the threat. The host suggests that an employee probably entered the value by mistake instead of that of a magnitude-3 earthquake.

Discounts on the Moscow New-Build Market

In September, Moscow developers offered discounted apartments in mass-market new buildings. This is a record for the capital and for Russia as a whole. Over the year, the share of such offers grew by 8 percentage points. The reason is expensive mortgages and the caution of buyers, who are in no hurry to spend their savings. Discounts on individual apartments can reach 40%, but usually amount to 15–20% for full payment. Discounts for the Trade-in program and preferential mortgage terms are also offered. According to the host, record discounts do not mean housing is affordable. The promotions apply to individual apartments and operate under certain conditions. Developers' costs remain high, so market participants do not expect a mass decline in prices.

The Largest Pretrial Detention Center in the Moscow Region

In the Moscow Region, plans are underway to build the largest pretrial detention center in Russia, with 4,000 places. Almost 38 billion rubles, or about 450 million dollars, will be allocated to the project. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2031. The facility will be located along the M11 "Neva" highway, on a plot of almost 428,000 m². The land previously belonged to agricultural use. According to the plan, buildings for men, women, and minors, a medical unit, a punishment unit, a food unit, a laundry, workshops, an exercise yard, a kennel for service dogs, and a dog-training ground will appear here. Currently, the largest such facility is considered to be the pretrial detention center in Kolpino, known as "Kresty-2" near St. Petersburg. The idea for the project emerged in 2022. The news report does not specify what caused the need to increase the number of places.

RZD's Capsule Carriages

RZD has begun production of capsule carriages for overnight trips. The launch of trains on routes is planned for 2028. Inside each capsule there is a separate sleeping place, soundproofing, individual lighting, and a place for hand luggage. The bed will be longer than a standard one. The level of quiet is comparable to a compartment, and the cost is closer to platzkart (open-plan). The new carriages will be wider and longer than standard ones, which will also make it possible to modernize platzkart, SV, and dining carriages. The format is designed primarily for solo travelers. Families with children and passengers with large luggage will find it cramped.

The host believes that Russian long-distance trains are among the most comfortable in the world. He evaluates the renewal of compartment and platzkart carriages positively. In his view, the large distances and the tradition of rail travel in Russia have shaped this industry. Europe has night trains, but developed air service and roads reduce demand for them. In the USA and Canada, according to the host, passenger rail transport has been displaced by aviation and automobiles. In Russia, on the contrary, there are problems with roads and air service, most flights pass through Moscow, and connectivity between cities is weak, so rail travel has become in demand.

Delays of German Trains

The host told about a trip from Berlin to Magdeburg on the high-speed ICE train, costing 35 euros. The morning train was 5 minutes late. The evening service to Berlin, which was scheduled to depart at 19:00, was first delayed by 40 minutes, then departed earlier, at 19:21. The host missed it. Due to the lack of information on the departure board, he moved to platform eight, then, on the instructions of a woman, to platform one. The train arrived and departed late. A passenger who fell asleep on the train passed his station and was woken by an elderly man. The train was heading back to Magdeburg. As a result, the host arrived in Berlin at 11:00 instead of the scheduled 8:15. He claims that, according to statistics, between 70% and 80% of trains at German stations are late or do not follow the timetable.

The Scandal Surrounding the Series About Ilya Yashin

Ilya Yashin released a new episode of a documentary series about himself. An episode with a joke about a fifteen-year-old girl caused a scandal. Oleg Kashin, commenting on the situation, considers the series a source of "cringe." In his view, discussing fans' personal letters during filming looks inappropriate. Kashin allows that the dialogue with a fellow party member contains sexism, misogyny, and rudeness. However, in his opinion, the accusations are turning into big press releases addressed to Western grant-makers. The filming took place in Germany, where personal data laws are strict. Kashin suggests that Yashin's party rivals used the situation. A director who wished to remain anonymous also ended up at the center of the discussion. Kashin cites a similar case involving Margarita Simonyan, who obtained an apology from a Western publication for mentioning her ethnic origin.

Fake Bears Generated by Neural Networks

In the Amur Region, a woman from the village of Magdagachi was fined 15,000 rubles, roughly 180 dollars. Using ChatGPT, she generated an image of a bear on a local street and sent it to a friend. The photo spread through chats, residents called the police, and the head of the district was told about a "dangerous beast." Forest wardens and special equipment were sent to search for it. The woman herself confessed to the fake. In the Sverdlovsk Region, a twelve-year-old girl generated a bear named Boriska in order to prank her grandmother. She was summoned to the school with her parents and also warned about possible registration with the police. The host claims that states have begun actively fighting such fakes. In some countries, the punishment can be considerably harsher.

Protests in Azerbaijan Against Hijabs in Schools

At the end of September, Azerbaijan's authorities approved new requirements for school uniforms. Students were prohibited from wearing clothing that does not conform to the principle of secular education. Girls began to be barred from attending lessons in hijabs. Protests began in Baku and other cities. Participants demanded that girls in hijabs be allowed to study together with the others. In some schools, boys announced a boycott of classes. In Baku, protesters clashed with staff of educational institutions. In one district, the car of a school principal was set on fire; in another, an attempt was made to set fire to a building. On October 12, police detained 37 people. Criminal cases were opened against some of them under the article on violating public order. The authorities explain the ban by the need to separate religion from state education. Opponents of the rules invoke freedom of religion. The host notes that the protesters demand that little girls wear headscarves, rather than freedom of choice. He recalls that Iran was a secular state before the Islamic Revolution.

Shipwreck Off the Coast of Djibouti

Off the coast of Djibouti, a boat carrying migrants heading to Yemen capsized. More than 300 people were on board. According to the UN International Organization for Migration, at least 139 people died, including 15 children. Another 84 people are listed as missing. Only 25 passengers survived, all of them citizens of Ethiopia. The vessel capsized at night during the sea crossing. The route is part of the Eastern Migration Route, which is considered one of the busiest and most dangerous in the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of migrants, mainly from Ethiopia and Somalia, attempt to reach the Persian Gulf states via this route. The causes of migration include armed conflicts in Ethiopia, forced mobilization, and droughts, floods, and famine in Somalia. The host claims that European open-door policy creates incentives for migration. He believes the way out of the situation lies in issuing humanitarian visas in countries of origin. The host also notes that in Germany, "Alternative for Germany" advocates a complete halt to migration.

Cancellation of a Qantas Flight Due to Bedbugs

A flight of the Australian airline Qantas from