UKRAINE, RUSSIA, PUTIN, ISRAEL

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2026

PODCAST: BBC NEWSHOUR

LIFE AND NEWS NOTES FROM A CHILDLESS CAT LADY

· Three weeks ago, Trump signed a set of tough sanctions against Russia, named after Lindsey Graham. Yesterday he waived those sanctions. Zelensky called it betrayal. It is.

· “It’s a tragic day.” A member of the Ukrainian parliament said. “It undermines the credibility” of the U.S. “All Ukraine is doing is defend ourselves.” These actions will only “encourage Putin.” It is expected to be a terrible winter in Ukraine.

· The Russia Editor for the BBC: Donald Trump’s diesel deal. Trump blames Zelensky for any attack on diesel. Russia continues to lose large numbers of soldiers on the battlefield.

Brazilian Rain Forest

· Under Bolsonaro deforestation increased. Lula was much better for the rainforest. The Bolsonaro son is a continuation of his father’s lack of concern for the rainforest.

· Bolsonaro thinks industrialization is a better option than conversation of the rainforest.

Spanish Civil War: La Bola Negra

· A movie about Spanish history. La Bola Negra. Lorca play. Won an award at Cannes film festival. The story is by Federico Garcia Lorca. 1930s. Thought to have been Lorca’s lover. The history of the civil war. Lorca was murdered in his mid-30s. It is thought that his gender status was pat of his targeting. The film is thought to be bringing younger people in touch with their history (See Wikipedia, IMDB, New York Times Review, Netflix,BBC ).

UKRAINE

· Dan Johnson from front line. Ukraine is saying that they are making gains.

PODCAST: ISRAEL

Podcast: The Daily Briefing: The Times of Israel 10/17/2

· There is a Haredi woman running for office.

She is a professor.