NEWS NOTES

FROM THE CHILDLESS CAT LADY WORKING AWAY IN ONE OF THE SUB-BASEMENTS OF THE MINISTRY OF SNARK.

Article: “Zelensky says US intelligence sharing works now after talks with Trump envoy in Oslo.” BBC News.

LIFE AND NEWS NOTES FOR 21 OCTOBER 2026

· Witkoff is due to met Putin on Wednesday.

· Trump blamed Zelensky for increased oil prices in the US.

· “speaking after Zelensky’s news conference in Oslo, Trump again told reporters at the White House he wanted Kyiv to “make a deal.” He said it was “time for Ukraine to end this war.”

· Moscow currently controls about 20% of Ukraine.

· Drone attacks continued on Tuesday killing 10 people.

· “intelligence sharing” is evidently different from SpaceX’s Starlink satellite access. “after Ukraine’s military had reported in recent days speed restrictions on the US platform used by Kyiv to carry out drone strikes against Russia.”

· “Unconfirmed Reports earlier on Tuesday said the transfer of more US-made Patriot Interceptor missiles, the only effective weapon in shooting down Russian ballistic missiles, had not yet been approved.

· Vance said that he didn’t’ think Ukraine should be in Nato.

Documentary: BBC News. ‘Inside the shadowy world of anti-Putin sabotage from within Russia.” BBC World Service documentary about Russian saboteurs. Outside the U.K look at YouTube: Shadowmen: Russians working with Ukraine.

Article: The Washington Post. “Riots leave France divided as Macron enters his final stretch.”

· Right wing press blames riots on immigration (Steve Bannon’s AMVO)

· Morning Joe does the same thing. There is no mention of complaints about school funding inequality.

Article: The Guardian. “Nato increases Black Sea deployment amid escalating deadly Russian attacks. (10/20/26).

Article: The Guardian: “Italy to deploy 500 troops to Milan after days of protests and looting.

Article: Reuters “US envoy Witkoff to meet Putin, Trump presses Kyiv to settle.”

Article: “The secret terms of Trump’s Venezuelan oil deal.” Propublica (10/21/26)

· In August, Trump signed what he called “the biggest oil deal in world history.” The deal grants the U.S. “sweeping access to Venezuela’s oil reserves,” but “…the potential benefits to its people are largely absent from the text.”

· Trump’s partner in the deal is Alejandro Betancourt, a “…Venezuelan oligarch who has faced money-laundering investigations in three countries.”

Article: “Federal agents knock on doors to track down possible noncitizen voters ahead of midterms. CBS News (10/21/26)

· Agents, armed and in uniform, from the Department of Homeland Security have been knocking on doors in several states and checking the voter registration and immigration status of residents.

· This can discourage people from voting, just as the administration wants.

Article: “Russia frees retired American teacher as Trump envoy meets with Putin.” NBC News (10/21/26)

· Steve Witkoff hailed Putin as a “humanitarian.” (Note: Jesus).

· A retired American teacher was released. Hubbard, the teacher, was detained in Ukraine in 2022. He was being held on charges of fighting as a mercenary.