Former Israeli commander warns Israel faces ‘irreversible collapse’

Israeli activists hold placards during a demonstration in Herzliya on October 29, 2026, (Photo by AFP)

Press TV

2026/11/02

Retired Israeli commander Itzhak Brik says Israel has become an international pariah, warning that its growing isolation is unsustainable.

Retired Israeli commander Itzhak Brik has warned that Israel is facing an “irreversible breakdown” across its military, economy, and institutions, saying it has lost international legitimacy and allies and could not endure prolonged isolation.

In an opinion article published by Israel’s Maariv daily on Sunday, Brik called the results of last Tuesday’s parliamentary elections “the official death certificate of the [regime] of Israel as we knew it,” criticizing television commentators for focusing on parliamentary seats and coalition negotiations while ignoring the regime’s mounting structural problems.

He likened their coverage to “an orchestra playing aboard the Titanic in its final moments,” noting that the political debate was obscuring a far deeper crisis.

The regime is not in a “political crisis, it is in the process of a total, multi-system collapse, from which there is no way back,” he added.

Brik, a former commander of military colleges and former Ombudsman for Soldiers’ Complaints at the ministry of military affairs, said Israel had become an international pariah, warning that its growing isolation was unsustainable.

“We have lost legitimacy and allies,” he wrote, adding that Israel could not remain completely isolated for an extended period.

He also warned of a structural collapse within Israel’s ground forces, citing deteriorating morale and an inability to adequately defend the occupying entity against simultaneous threats from within and beyond its borders.

According to Brik, an exhausted army would be unable to stop large-scale incursions or protect civilians in a broader regional war.

The former military commander further pointed to the economic consequences of prolonged warfare, saying Israel’s national debt had reached 1.4 trillion shekels ($445 billion).

He pointed out that economic sanctions, restrictions on arms supplies and increasing financial isolation were placing additional pressure on the Israeli economy.

Brik dismissed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to use cryptocurrencies to circumvent potential European sanctions as “naive and absurd,” warning that further economic deterioration could put Israelis’ savings at risk.

Turning to Israel’s internal divisions, Brik said the occupying entity was experiencing a “silent civil war,” rather than merely political polarization.

He warned that the departure of doctors, scientists, technology entrepreneurs, and other highly skilled professionals was draining decades of accumulated expertise and weakening the regime’s institutional and economic foundations.

Brik also slammed Israel’s political leadership for undermining the rule of law and public institutions, arguing that political loyalty and appointments had increasingly taken precedence over competence and integrity.

The October 27 parliamentary election left Netanyahu’s bloc with 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, compared with 48 seats for the opposition bloc led by Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot and 19 seats for Arab parties.

Neither of the two main blocs secured the 61 seats required to form a parliamentary majority.

Via https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/11/02/779736/former-israeli-commander-warns-israel-faces-irreversible-collapse

Trump pushed Justice Dept. to subpoena reporters covering war on Iran

Trump has reportedly pushed the Justice Department to issue subpoenas to reporters covering the war in Iran in an effort to uncover their sources.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly pushed the Justice Department to issue subpoenas to reporters covering the war against Iran in an attempt to uncover their sources, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Trump delivered his message on a sticky note bearing the word “Treason” written in Sharpie, which he placed atop a stack of printed articles handed to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a White House meeting, officials said.

Following the meeting, the department issued several subpoenas, including to The Wall Street Journal, which first revealed the probes.

One official told CNN that the Justice Department’s National Security Division was already preparing to examine some of the stories’ sources, but Trump’s stack of articles accelerated the effort.

A source told CNN that the investigation aims to identify government employees who leaked information, not the reporters themselves.

Nevertheless, the subpoenas represent one of the administration’s most aggressive attempts against leaks concerning the administration.

Trump, who has complained about leaks of classified information to reporters since his first term, has been particularly furious when his private comments or details of his briefings related to the Iran war became public, according to several people familiar with his response.

Months into Trump’s second term, former Attorney General Pam Bondi revised Justice Department policy to allow federal investigators, in certain cases, to seek reporters’ phone records, notes, or testimony through court orders, warrants, or subpoenas.

The move, which made it easier for investigators to identify sources, reversed a years-long ban imposed after revelations that Attorney General William Barr had secretly sought reporters’ emails during Trump’s first term.

Last month, just one day after the US president fired Bondi, Trump publicly threatened to send an unspecified reporter to jail as part of a hunt for the “leaker” behind reports of an injured Air Force officer missing inside Iran.

Following Trump’s threat, Blanche stated that the Justice Department “will always investigate” leaks involving classified information, particularly those that put US service members at risk.

“And we will investigate if it means sending a subpoena to the reporter,” he said. “That’s exactly what we should do, and that’s exactly what we will be doing.”

The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that it had received a grand jury subpoena for reporters’ records related to an article published five days before the war began.

The article concerned Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine and others at the Pentagon who had warned the president about the risks of an extended aggression against Iran.

“The government’s subpoenas to The Wall Street Journal and our reporters represent an attack on constitutionally protected newsgathering,” a spokesperson for Dow Jones, which publishes The Journal, said in a statement to CNN. “We will vigorously oppose this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting.”

In addition to The Journal, other news outlets have received subpoenas in recent months, a person at one of the news outlets said on condition of anonymity. However, some of those news organizations have chosen not to comment on the matter for the time being.

Via https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/05/12/768483/Trump-pushed-Justice-Department-subpoena-reporters-covering-Iran-war-Report

US Judge orders Trump administration to stop intimidation of election officials

This image, taken on June 3, 2026, shows voting ballots being inspected at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center in the City of Industry, California, following the state’s primary election. (File photo by AP)

Press TV

2026/11/02

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by labor unions and other groups, who filed a complaint against the Trump administration for interfering in the administration of the midterms.

US District Judge Trina Thompson, who is based at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California, ruled on Friday that the Trump administration was operating outside of its constitutional authority and likely violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits “attempting to intimidate, threaten or coerce” officials facilitating the election process.

“Although Defendants claim that their actions are designed to halt unlawful voting by non-citizens, their actions are likely to have the effect of interfering with election administration and disenfranchising lawful voters,” she said.

The judge issued a temporary restraining order that expires on November 16, almost two weeks after Election Day.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed just a day earlier by labor unions and other groups, who filed a complaint against the Trump administration for interfering in the administration of the midterms.

Later on Saturday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) challenged the California judge’s ruling.

A DOJ spokesperson said in a statement that “the judge issued an order against the federal government without even waiting to hear from the US, while in other cases the Department’s own urgent election claims are delayed by judges until after Election Day.”

On Friday, the Trump administration also lost an appeal against an earlier ruling by another federal judge, who denied the DOJ’s request for California to block more than 20,000 ballots from alleged non-citizens, noting that it “violates longstanding constitutional principles mandating that states have control over their elections.”

On Saturday, District Judge Tanya Chutkan warned that the Trump administration’s efforts to intervene in elections could have a “chilling effect.”

“The government has made no secret of their determination to purge the voter rolls” of individuals they believe to be noncitizens, Chutkan said. “Past efforts to do so have resulted in US citizens being swept up into this law enforcement dragnet.”

Chutkan said she was concerned people may not go to the polls if they’re afraid they could be wrongly accused of noncitizen voting.

The Trump administration is said to be considering taking legal action against more states in the lead-up to — or possibly after — the midterm elections as part of its effort to force states to comb through voter rolls for noncitizens trying to vote in federal elections.

NBC News average of national polls, published on Sunday, suggested that 52 percent of US voters preferred a Democrat-controlled Congress, while 44 percent are in favor of one with a Republican majority.

Via https://www.presstv.co.uk/Detail/2026/11/02/779742/judge-orders-trump-administration-to-stop-intimidation-of-election-officials

Israeli opposition leaders rally behind Eisenkot as PM amid government formation talks

(Photo credit: Israel Hayom)

The Cradle

NOV 2, 2026

Opposition politician Avigdor Liberman says he rejects forming a government with Netanyahu or with Israeli-Palestinian parties

Israeli opposition politician Avigdor Liberman will recommend Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot for prime minister and support B’Yachad’s Yair Lapid for Knesset speaker, Israeli media reported on 2 November.

Liberman, who leads the Yisrael Beytenu Party, made the announcement at a press briefing on Monday.

Liberman, Eisenkot, and Lapid are among Israel’s most prominent opposition leaders. They are seeking to form a coalition of opposition parties to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party from power as prime minister.

Under Israel’s Basic Law, President Israel Herzog must consult the political parties represented in the Knesset before deciding which member of parliament should attempt to form a government, which requires 61 of the 120 Knesset seats to form a majority.

When asked whether he expected to be nominated as prime minister, Liberman said he had no expectations and was working to form a government as soon as possible.

Until now, Eisenkot had called for the leader of the largest party in the opposition bloc to become its candidate for prime minister.

Among opposition parties, Eisenkot’s Yashar led with 21 seats in last week’s Knesset election, followed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid’s Together Alliance with 12.

However, Liberman announced no agreement on the arrangement within the opposition bloc.

The four-party opposition bloc won 48 seats, compared with 53 for Netanyahu’s bloc. Parties representing Palestinians with Israeli citizenship won another 19 seats.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett, who leads the B’Yachad party, announced on Sunday that he would recommend Eisenkot to President Herzog as its candidate to form the next government.

If opposition parties cannot form a coalition, new elections may result.

Another possibility is that Netanyahu’s bloc will reach an agreement with members of Eisenkot’s bloc to form a national unity government.

Such an outcome could allow Netanyahu to remain prime minister.

The Palestinian-Israeli parties have said they are willing to cooperate with the opposition bloc to ensure Netanyahu is ousted.

If Eisenkot partners with the Palestinian-Israeli parties, they could form a coalition with 67 seats, prompting Herzog to give Eisenkot the mandate to form a government.

However, Liberman continues to reject forming a government with Netanyahu or one that is reliant on support from Palestinian-Israeli parties, which he says would “survive less than a year.”

Herzog is expected to begin consultations with party representatives on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, opposition party leaders also plan to oust Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, a member of Netanyahu’s Likud party.

“Also regarding the Knesset speaker, all the speculation and nonsense – we were not extortionists, and we do not intend to extort,” Liberman said. “Yair Lapid said he wants to be Knesset speaker. We will support Yair Lapid’s candidacy for Knesset speaker.”

If Ohana is replaced as speaker, the opposition bloc will gain greater control over the parliamentary agenda, including votes, legislation, and committee appointments, even if Netanyahu remains prime minister.

Via https://thecradle.co/articles/israeli-opposition-leaders-rally-behind-eisenkot-as-pm-amid-government-formation-talks

STUDY: Natural Soil Bacteria Combo Completely Eradicates Tumors Across Multiple Human Cancer Types in Mice

A-gyo and UN-gyo achieved 100% complete tumor regression in animal models of human colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer, with no observable systemic toxicity.

***

A remarkable study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering reports 100% complete tumor regression in mouse models of human colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer using a naturally occurring bacterial combination.

Researchers at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) demonstrated that two highly synergistic soil- and water-associated bacterial species could fully eliminate established tumors, even in mice with severely compromised immune systems.

The results were extraordinary across the tested human cancer xenograft models:

  • Colorectal cancer: 100% tumor elimination
  • Ovarian cancer: 100% tumor elimination
  • Pancreatic cancer: 100% tumor elimination

Two Naturally Occurring Bacteria Working Together

See this video.

Two intravenous doses of a bacterial combination consisting of Proteus mirabilis and Rhodopseudomonas palustris produced complete tumor regression in the experimental groups.

The researchers named this combination AUN, consisting of two complementary bacterial strains that perform distinct biological functions.

1. Proteus mirabilis (A-gyo): The Primary Tumor Destroyer

A-gyo is the principal tumor-destroying component of the combination. After administration, the bacteria selectively accumulate and proliferate inside tumor tissue, where they contribute to the destruction of tumor blood vessels, extensive tissue necrosis, and cancer-cell death.

Remarkably, the bacterial combination induces localized thrombosis, disrupting the blood supply that tumors depend on for continued growth:

See this video.

A-gyo also undergoes structural changes that increase its ability to move through and penetrate cancerous tissue:

2. Rhodopseudomonas palustris (UN-gyo): The Protective Synergistic Partner

UN-gyo suppresses A-gyo’s potentially harmful biological activity while promoting its transformation into highly motile, tumor-penetrating forms.

The researchers found that the presence of UN-gyo moderates bacterial activity, reduces hemolytic effects, and enhances cancer-specific activity.

The combination initially consists of approximately 3% A-gyo and 97% UN-gyo, illustrating how a relatively small population of tumor-destroying bacteria can operate alongside a larger population of regulatory bacteria.

Complete Tumor Regression Without Observable Systemic Toxicity

Despite its extraordinary anticancer activity, the bacterial combination demonstrated a favorable safety profile at the tested therapeutic doses in mice.

Researchers reported no observable systemic toxicity or cytokine release syndrome, and long-term histological examinations conducted 150 days after treatment revealed no apparent tissue damage in major organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys.

Importantly, safety depended on the precise bacterial ratio and dosing regimen. Excessive doses or improperly proportioned bacterial mixtures caused fatal reactions in mice, highlighting the importance of maintaining the naturally occurring 3:97 ratio of A-gyo to UN-gyo.

Conclusion 

The central discovery is remarkable: two naturally occurring bacterial species, working synergistically, eliminated established tumors in multiple experimental cancer models while demonstrating favorable tolerability at the tested therapeutic regimen.

Nevertheless, this remains preclinical research. Human safety, optimal dosing, and clinical efficacy have not yet been established. Further research on this promising bacterial combo is urgently needed as cancer rates continue to climb.

[…]

Via https://www.globalresearch.ca/study-natural-soil-bacteria-combo-completely-eradicates-tumors-across-multiple-human-cancer-types-mice/5944730

Finland and Norway Reach Out to Putin as Peace Talks Loom

On October 27, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At the request of Helsinki and Oslo, they discussed ways to end the war in Ukraine, planned trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi in November involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, and security issues in the Baltic Sea and northern Europe. According to the Kremlin, the sides also agreed to maintain direct phone contact.

Immediately afterward, Stubb and Støre called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked them for their active support. The Finnish and Norwegian leaders emphasized that they spoke as representatives of their countries, not on Europe’s behalf. Stubb described the discussion as frank and substantive, noting that the war’s outcome will directly affect Nordic and broader European security and that ending it requires direct dialogue. Støre stressed the importance of de-escalation.

The call was unexpected, given that Stubb has previously made negative remarks not only about the Russian state but also about Russian culture, identity, and history. The timing is significant, though. In recent weeks, Stubb has emerged as one of the European figures most often mentioned as a possible mediator or channel for the European Union in any settlement process. Only days earlier, Zelensky publicly said he wanted the EU at the negotiating table.

European capitals increasingly recognize that an upcoming trilateral meeting among the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and the US will likely produce major decisions about the war, leaving Europe on the sidelines. A direct channel would allow Helsinki and Oslo to bring European perspectives into the discussion. However, greater European involvement could complicate and delay the process, giving Zelensky more grounds to postpone or condition talks, while Europe continues its futile attempt to weaken Russia.

Moscow’s acceptance of the call is notable because Russian officials have repeatedly said they prefer to address core issues with the US, yet they were willing to engage with Stubb and Støre. This strengthens Stubb’s credentials as a potential European interlocutor in the eyes of other EU leaders and shows that the Kremlin is prepared to talk with him despite earlier rhetorical clashes.

Finland and Norway both border Russia. Finland has suffered particularly severe economic consequences from the anti-Russia sanctions: trade, energy, and logistics ties once vital to its economy have been severed. Norway, meanwhile, is an Arctic coastal state with a direct stake in the emerging Northern Sea Route and does not want to be left out.

The phone call immediately sparked a rare public split among the Nordic states. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was “very skeptical” of the uncoordinated move and claimed Russia’s ongoing military pressure on Ukraine as evidence that Putin has no serious interest in peace. Frederiksen likened the call to earlier unilateral initiatives, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Moscow, and argued that Europeans have long insisted on acting together rather than allowing individual countries to open separate channels.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he believed everyone except Putin wants peace, that he had low expectations for direct talks of this kind, and that such discussions risk dividing Europe. He added that any talks that make Russia more willing to accept a decent peace on Ukraine’s terms would be welcome.

All four leaders were in Helsinki for a Nordic Council session when the news broke, underscoring how unusual this open disagreement is among countries that have otherwise remained closely aligned on Ukraine, sanctions, and military support.

Despite reactions in Copenhagen and Stockholm, Zelensky publicly defended Stubb and Støre, describing their relations as very good and noting that they have provided genuine practical help. He said Putin’s diplomatic isolation had already been broken by the Alaska meeting with Trump and that Europeans have maintained contact with Russia since then, though usually less openly. According to Zelensky, the Finnish-Norwegian call simply made the channel transparent.

There were also other European reactions beyond Denmark and Sweden. Italian officials were irritated as the call underscored the lack of an agreed European representative. A source in Rome warned that constantly changing formats and separate national initiatives weaken Europe’s influence, adding that Europe “cannot continue to act randomly.” The European Commission spokesperson simply noted that the call was bilateral and that negotiations were already underway in several formats involving the EU.

At the same time, European involvement in the peace process could mean that, within months, Putin and Zelensky may be dealing with different leaders, depending on election and coalition outcomes across the continent.

The Finnish-Norwegian call shows that Europe’s claim to a seat at the table still hinges on individual capitals acting alone. Brussels has not even identified a suitable interlocutor to open channels with Putin, so states will now act independently of the bloc to defend their interests, which have been ravaged by the boomerang effects of anti-Russia sanctions.

Via https://www.globalresearch.ca/finland-norway-reach-out-putin-peace-talks-loom/5944808

Will Netanyahu’s Extremist Government Fall, or Will Israeli General Eisenkot Transform Israel Into a Moderate State?

There is no clear winner in the Israeli election as of October 29. The Netanyahu bloc received 53 seats, the Opposition Eisenkot bloc received 48 seats, and the Arab bloc received 19. If Eisenkot allies with the Arab bloc, Netanyahu’s extremist gol be out.

But, if Benjamin Netanyahu is able to remain in power, there will be significant implications for the future of the Middle East, shaping regional security, relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His continued leadership may influence tensions with Iran, the prospects for peace, and efforts to establish a Palestinian state.

As the region continues to face political uncertainty and conflict, Netanyahu’s return to power raises important questions about whether the Middle East will move toward greater stability or experience further tensions and confrontation.

Journalist Steven Sahiounie interviewed Nizar Sadawi, a Palestinian journalist and Middle East correspondent for TRT World. Mr. Sadawi is giving his own personal analysis, and not representing the views of TRT World.

Steven Sahiounie (SS): How could the election results influence Israel’s policy towards Iran? Could they change the course of military confrontation?

Nizar Sadawi (NS): I believe the election results may change how Israel manages its confrontation with Iran, but not necessarily its strategic objectives. There is a broad consensus across Israel’s political and security establishment that Iran represents a major strategic threat.

The main difference lies in approach. Netanyahu has relied heavily on military pressure and confrontation, while Eisenkot, as a former military chief, may place greater emphasis on strategic calculations, coordination with Washington, and the political costs of military operations.

However, an Eisenkot-led government would not necessarily mean an end to military confrontation. Ultimately, US policy, regional dynamics, and the calculations of both Israel and Iran may prove more decisive than the identity of Israel’s next prime minister.

SS: What impact could the election results have on settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and on Palestinian statehood?

NS: A Netanyahu-led government, particularly one dependent on far-right parties, would likely continue expanding settlements and pursuing policies that further undermine the possibility of an independent Palestinian state.

An Eisenkot-led government could adopt a more restrained approach towards settlement expansion and settler violence, particularly under international pressure. However, this should not be confused with a fundamental shift towards ending the occupation or recognising Palestinian statehood.

The fundamental problem is that much of Israel’s political debate concerns how to manage the occupation rather than how to end it.

In my view, changing the Israeli government alone will not revive the two-state solution. That requires concrete steps to end the occupation, halt settlement expansion, and recognize Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent, sovereign state.

SS: Could Netanyahu and Eisenkot form a national unity government despite their political rivalry?

NS: The election has created a complicated parliamentary situation, with neither camp securing a clear majority. Ironically, the Arab parties could hold the balance of power with their historic parliamentary representation, yet most major parties in both camps remain unwilling to rely on them to form a government.

I see two main scenarios. The first involves defections or political realignments within the opposition that could give Netanyahu the additional seats needed to reach a majority of 61.

The second is a national unity government, despite the deep mistrust between Netanyahu and Eisenkot.

Of course, these scenarios face significant political obstacles, particularly given Eisenkot’s previous resignation from Netanyahu’s war cabinet and their disagreements over the conduct of the war.

Ultimately, political necessity could push the two rivals towards an agreement, but even a unity government would not necessarily signal a fundamental change in Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians.

SS: How could the election results shape the wider Middle East conflict, and what are the prospects for a political solution guaranteeing Palestinian rights?

NS: Israel’s election will undoubtedly influence regional dynamics, particularly given the growing interconnectedness of the Iranian, Lebanese, and Palestinian fronts. However, I believe it would be a serious mistake to treat the Palestinian question merely as an extension of the confrontation with Iran.

The Palestinian struggle predates these regional rivalries by decades. Its roots lie in occupation, displacement, and the denial of Palestinian national rights.

A change in Israeli leadership could create opportunities for diplomacy and de-escalation, but it would not automatically produce a meaningful peace process.

The experience of recent years has demonstrated that managing the conflict through military superiority and temporary security arrangements does not address its underlying causes.

In my view, lasting regional stability requires a political settlement based on ending the occupation, stopping settlement expansion, and guaranteeing Palestinians’ right to self-determination and an independent, viable state.

Without addressing these fundamental issues, any change in Israeli leadership risks becoming a change in tactics rather than a genuine turning point towards peace.

SS: What is the real disagreement between Netanyahu and Eisenkot over the wars in Gaza and Lebanon? Is it about their military objectives, or rather the timing of operations and their political costs?

NS: The disagreement is mainly about strategy, timing, and the political cost of military operations, rather than the objectives themselves. Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot share broadly similar security priorities, but differ on how to achieve them.

In Gaza, Eisenkot has criticized Netanyahu for prolonging military operations without a clear political strategy.

[…]

Via https://www.globalresearch.ca/netanyahu-extremist-government-fall-eisenkot-transform-israel-moderate-state/5944827

Millions of Children About to Fill Halloween Bags With Arsenic-Contaminated Candy

As millions of American children prepare to go trick-or-treating this Halloween, troubling findings from the Florida Department of Health are raising serious concerns about toxic contaminants in some of the nation’s most recognizable candy brands.

Through its Healthy Florida First initiative, Florida tested 46 popular candy products and reported detectable arsenic in 28—over 60% of those tested:

I joined Finnerty on NEWSMAX to discuss these alarming findings and the potential health risks associated with arsenic exposure, particularly among children. Dr. Kelly Victory also joined the discussion to explain how arsenic can enter candy through contaminated ingredients and food-processing practices.

.

Click here to watch the video

Inorganic arsenic is an established human carcinogen and a systemic toxicant capable of damaging multiple organ systems, including the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Particularly concerning are Florida’s extraordinarily low estimated annual consumption limits for certain candies.

How Much Candy Can Children Consume Per Year?

According to Florida’s published calculations, the following are the approximate annual consumption amounts for children before exceeding the state’s estimated arsenic exposure safety limit:

  • Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme: 1.2 bars per year
  • Kit Kat: 2.4 pieces per year
  • Snickers: 2.4 pieces per year
  • 3 Musketeers: 2.4 pieces per year
  • SweeTarts Ropes: 3 ropes per year
  • Laffy Taffy Banana: 4 pieces per year
  • Twizzlers Strawberry: 4 pieces per year
  • Jolly Rancher Sour Apple: 6 pieces per year
  • Jolly Rancher Strawberry: 6 pieces per year
  • Twizzlers Cherry: 8 pieces per year
  • Tootsie Rolls: 8 pieces per year
  • Tootsie Roll Vanilla: 8 pieces per year
  • Tootsie Fruit Chew Lime: 8 pieces per year
  • Swedish Fish: 8 pieces per year
  • Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers: 12 pieces per year
  • Sour Patch Kids Watermelon: 12 pieces per year
  • Dots: 12 pieces per year
  • Black Forest Gummy Bears: 16 pieces per year
  • Twizzlers Watermelon: 18 pieces per year
  • Sour Patch Kids Tropical: 18 pieces per year
  • Nerds Gummy Clusters: 24 pieces per year
  • Sour Patch Kids Original: 36 pieces per year
  • SweeTarts Original: 48 pieces per year
  • Original Skittles: 48 pieces per year
  • Nerds Grape: 96 individual pieces per year
  • Nerds Strawberry: 96 individual pieces per year
  • SmartSweets Caramel: 1 bag per year
  • SmartSweets Sweet Fish: 1 bag per year

Which Candies Had No Arsenic Detected?

Thankfully, several recognizable candies had no arsenic detected in the tested samples, including:

  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
  • M&M’s
  • Twix
  • Milky Way
  • Whoppers

Conclusion

It is deeply concerning that arsenic, a toxic element whose inorganic forms are established human carcinogens, was detected in so many popular candies consumed by children.

With Halloween approaching, parents would be well advised to avoid the specific candy products flagged in Florida’s testing until their arsenic levels and potential health risks are independently clarified.

Via https://www.globalresearch.ca/millions-children-fill-halloween-bags-arsenic-contaminated-candy/5944872

Pope Leo XIV first pope to vote in US elections

Al Mayadeen English

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pontiff in history known to have voted in a US general election, casting a mail-in ballot in Illinois ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Via https://t.me/almayadeenenglish/26588

Why Is Media Ignoring Stunning New Trump-Epstein Allegations?

Donald Trump and future wife Melania pose with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. (Davidoff Studios / Getty Images)

Elie v. U.S. / October 30, 2026

In this week’s Elie v. U.S., our justice correspondent asks why the media is obsessing over Obama’s Cheesecake Factory joke while largely ignoring allegations of Trump’s sexual assaults.

[…]

The president of the United States of America has been accused of rape. Again. The president of the United States has been accused of rape in a report issued by the Democrats of the House Judiciary Committee, as part of their ongoing investigation of Donald Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The president has been accused of raping two women, one when she was as young as 13, and sexually assaulting three more. They are among 11 women who provided evidence or testimony that Trump “abused, assaulted, and even raped numerous women alongside, and in coordination with, the most infamous sex trafficker in history.”

I have been made to understand that many people do not know about the Judiciary Comittee report—and the fact that five women have accused Trump of sexual assault while in or near the presence of noted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. I have been made to understand that this is because the mainstream media finds former president Barack Obama’s comments about the [checks notes] Cheesecake Factory more worthy of their attention than the current president’s abuse of multiple women.

If asked, mainstream media types would no doubt argue that the lack of coverage of these latest rape allegations stems from the fact that previous rape allegations failed to “move the needle.” Trump’s sexual misconduct (both alleged and litigated) is “baked in” to people’s understanding of the man. People either won’t believe the charges or won’t care—or else they do believe the women and do care and vote accordingly—but everybody knows what he’s been accused of, generally speaking at least.

I find this line of argument unadulterated bollocks that reveals the deep failure of our mainstream media. It is news when the president is credibly accused of rape. It is important news. While I, too, don’t think these latest sexual assault accusations will materially change the national conversation about Trump or his presidency, that is not an excuse for ignoring, downplaying, or skipping over brutal allegations that he repeatedly assaulted women, including minors.

Journalists cannot decide what other people think is important. Their job is to illuminate what they think is in the public interest. I think reporting on rape allegations levied against the president of the United States is in the public interest. And since I think that, it really doesn’t matter if the public agrees with me.

With that in mind, I, unlike people who work for Bari Weiss, read the Judiciary report. Here are some of the allegations:

  • Beatrice Keul, a former Miss Switzerland, accuses Trump of raping her at the Plaza Hotel in November 1993. She describes the rape as “brutal.”
  • Stacey Williams says that Trump groped her at Trump Tower while standing next to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Jill Harth claims that Trump forcibly kissed her at Mar-a-Lago; her allegations are corroborated by her former spouse. Harth also claims that Trump assaulted another woman, Lauren Petrella.
  • “Katie Johnson,” not her real name, claims that Trump and Epstein repeatedly raped her at Epstein’s New York residence in 1994, when she was just 13.
  • An unnamed Jane Doe claims Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1980s, when she was 13. She says Trump forcibly moved her head to his exposed penis and hit her when she resisted his assault. She reported these allegations to the FBI.

[…]

Via https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/newsletter-why-is-the-media-ignoring-the-stunning-new-trump-epstein-allegations/