German economy minister arrives in Ukraine, pledges energy support

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche arrived in Kiev on Friday with a business delegation, pledging support to help Ukraine get through the coming winter amid ongoing Russian attacks on its energy system.

“We will do everything we can to ensure Ukraine gets through this winter,” Reiche told reporters upon her arrival in the Ukrainian capital. She emphasized that the focus would be on supporting the reconstruction of destroyed energy infrastructure.

From the very beginning, Russia had deliberately targeted Ukraine’s energy supply in an attempt to wear down its people, Reiche explained. Highlighting the severity of the situation, she noted that between 55% and 60% of the country’s gas infrastructure has been damaged by Russian attacks.

Reiche also signaled increased financial support from Germany and stronger involvement of German energy equipment producers. Additionally, Germany will provide extra funds for the purchase of natural gas to help stabilize Ukraine’s energy needs.

Berlin has already contributed one third of the €390 million ($452 million) energy support fund for Ukraine, Reiche added, underscoring Germany’s commitment to the country’s recovery.

As part of the visit, German drone manufacturers are expected to sign cooperation agreements with Ukraine’s defense industry, further strengthening the collaboration between the two nations.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the invasion launched by Russia for more than three and a half years, relying on ongoing support from Western countries. This latest visit and pledge of support from Germany come at a critical time as Ukraine prepares to face the challenges of winter.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/german-economy-minister-arrives-ukraine-080720936.html

Shiba Inu Price Prediction: SHIB And DOGE Compete For Meme Coin Dominance In 2025, Could This Be A Battle Royale?

The meme coin market is poised to enter a new phase in 2025, with Shiba Inu and Dogecoin set to lead the pack once again. Investor sentiment is shifting as speculators look beyond the horizon to projects offering proper use cases and expanding ecosystems. The ongoing rivalry between SHIB and DOGE highlights how meme coins continue to evolve from internet culture tokens into assets with broader market relevance.

### Shiba Inu and Dogecoin: Leading Meme Coins

While Dogecoin proudly holds the title of the original meme coin, Shiba Inu’s steady development of its ecosystem has brought it close to challenging DOGE’s dominance. This rivalry exemplifies the dynamic changes in the meme coin space, where community and utility increasingly dictate success.

### Shiba Inu and Dogecoin Price Movements

**Shiba Inu (SHIB)** is currently trading at $0.00001023, up 1.77% in the last 24 hours, with a market cap of approximately $6.02 billion. Trading volume has risen to $143.53 million, indicating strong retail investor activity. One key factor that may bring more pricing stability in the future is SHIB’s Layer 2 network, **Shibarium**, along with various community-driven projects.

In contrast, **Dogecoin (DOGE)** is valued at $0.2005 with a 2.95% increase over the past day. It boasts a market cap of $30.33 billion and a trading volume of $2.07 billion, reflecting its widespread acceptance and liquidity advantage. Although Dogecoin sees fewer technical upgrades, it remains deeply rooted in payment use discussions, particularly as merchant adoption gains momentum.

Both coins remain staples among retail investors. The ongoing debate over which will perform better in 2025 adds complexity to the Shiba Inu price prediction landscape.

### Why Remittix (RTX) Is Standing Out in 2025

While meme coins dominate headlines, investors searching for the next significant altcoin in 2025 are turning their attention to **Remittix (RTX)**—a DeFi project with genuine real-world functionality.

Currently priced at $0.1166, Remittix has raised over $27.5 million and sold more than 679.6 million tokens, making it one of the most successful crypto presales of 2025. The platform facilitates crypto-to-bank transfers across 30+ countries, addressing a major adoption hurdle that many leading tokens have yet to solve.

#### Key Features Attracting Investors:
– **Global Reach:** Crypto-to-bank payments available in over 30 countries.
– **Security:** Fully verified by CertiK and ranked #1 among pre-launch projects.
– **Referral Rewards:** 15% rewards paid in USDT through a new referral program.
– **Limited-Time Bonus:** A 50% bonus available with promo code **RTX50** on the Remittix website.

Furthermore, Remittix has confirmed upcoming listings on centralized exchanges such as BitMart and LBank, expected to enhance liquidity once live. The project’s beta wallet is already being tested, marking a significant step toward real-world integration.

### The Meme Coin Showdown and the Rise of Utility

As the Dogecoin vs. Shiba Inu price prediction debate continues, the distinction between utility tokens and hype tokens becomes increasingly apparent. Meme coins will likely remain dominant on social media, but projects like Remittix are setting new standards for practical crypto adoption.

With over $27.5 million in capital backing, an audited team verified by CertiK, and a $250,000 giveaway to engage the community, Remittix demonstrates that practical crypto applications can coexist alongside popular meme coins such as SHIB and DOGE.

While the battle for meme coin dominance captures media attention, the ultimate winners may be those who successfully bridge cryptocurrency with the real-world economy.

### Discover the Future of PayFi with Remittix

Explore Remittix and learn more about their innovative approach to crypto payments:

– **Website:** [Insert Remittix website link]
– **Socials:** [Insert social media links]
– **$250,000 Giveaway:** [Insert giveaway details/link]

*This publication is sponsored. Coindoo does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or any other materials on this page. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before engaging in any cryptocurrency-related actions. Coindoo will not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any damages or losses resulting from the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned.*

**About the Author**
Krasimir Rusev is a reporter at Coindoo with many years of experience covering cryptocurrencies and financial markets. Specializing in analysis, news, and forecasts for digital assets, Krasimir provides readers with in-depth and reliable insights into the latest market trends. His expertise makes him a trusted source of information for investors, traders, and anyone interested in the dynamics of the crypto world.
https://coindoo.com/shiba-inu-price-prediction-shib-and-doge-compete-for-meme-coin-dominance-in-2025-could-this-be-a-battle-royale/

Public works starts two infrastructure improvement projects this month

City of Paso Robles Begins Neighborhood Road Repairs and Downtown Parking Lot Renovations

The City of Paso Robles Public Works Department has initiated two key infrastructure improvement projects aimed at repairing neighborhood roads and renovating downtown parking areas to better serve the community.

Neighborhood Road Repairs

The Crestline/Fairview Neighborhood Road Repairs Project, funded by Measure I-24—a voter-approved half-cent supplemental sales tax—began on October 20. Prior to the start of construction, contractor crews distributed door hanger notices to residents to inform them of upcoming work.

This project entails removing the top layer of old pavement, adding a new base layer to level the surface, applying a final pavement layer, and finishing with fresh road markings. Initial preparation work includes potholing utilities, lowering utility covers, adjusting driveway connections, constructing rolled curbs, and performing localized dig-out repairs to ready the roadway for paving.

As construction moves through the neighborhood, “No Parking” signs will be posted in active work zones.

Paving operations are expected to commence toward the end of November, with full project completion anticipated by January 2026.

Downtown Parking Lot Renovations

The second phase of the Downtown Parking Lot Renovation Project is scheduled to begin the week of October 27 and will focus on the Marv’s Pizza Parking Lot.

Renovations will include repaving the parking lot surface, adding new concrete gutters to improve drainage, and installing new streetlights alongside decorative string lights to enhance both visibility and aesthetic appeal.

Construction will be carried out in stages to minimize disruption and maintain business access throughout the project.

The renovated parking areas will:

  • Increase available parking capacity
  • Improve vehicle and pedestrian access
  • Enhance lighting and safety
  • Expand ADA parking spaces
  • Improve drainage
  • Beautify the downtown environment

Meanwhile, the first phase of the Downtown Parking Lot Improvements Project at the city parking lot located at 12th Street and Railroad Street is already underway and expected to be completed within the next month.

Both parking lot renovations are funded by the city’s General Fund and supplemented by an EVC Grant dedicated to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Stay Informed

For the latest updates on these and other city projects, please visit bit.ly/prcityprojects.
https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/public-works-starts-two-infrastructure-improvement-projects-this-month/215272/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=public-works-starts-two-infrastructure-improvement-projects-this-month

Mirantis’ Kubernetes Management Platform k0rdent Reaches v1.2.0

Mirantis has announced the release of version 1.2.0 of its open-source distributed container management platform, k0rdent. Marketed as a “super control plane,” k0rdent is designed to assist platform engineers in managing Kubernetes infrastructure across multiple environments.

### What is k0rdent?

k0rdent aims to help teams build secure and consistent Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs) for modern workloads by providing three core components:

– **k0rdent Cluster Manager (KCM):** Manages the lifecycle of Kubernetes clusters, handling upgrades and scaling.
– **k0rdent State Manager (KSM):** Deploys and manages services such as Istio, Flux, and cert-manager using declarative templates.
– **k0rdent Observability & FinOps (KOF):** Provides cost visibility and analysis by generating metrics, logging, and dashboards through integrations with VictoriaMetrics and OpenCost.

### The Motivation Behind k0rdent

In a blog post earlier this year, Mirantis highlighted the increasing complexity of modern enterprise applications. These applications now encompass not only frontend interfaces and API endpoints but also databases, processing pipelines, data storage, and compute resources distributed across multiple locations.

This complexity is especially pronounced in AI-related applications, where inference, training, and data processing are often spread across diverse infrastructures, including on-premises infrastructure, public clouds, and edge environments. Mirantis aims to address this management gap with k0rdent.

### What’s New in Version 1.2.0?

The headline feature of version 1.2.0 is the addition of an OpenStack Hosted Control Plane template. This functionality had high demand from the community but was delayed due to a bug in the Cluster API Provider OpenStack (CAPO).

To overcome this, the team developed a workaround that removes the dependency on CAPO for creating networks, subnets, routers, and load balancers. However, this workaround requires administrators to manually build this infrastructure themselves.

Additional updates in this release include:

– **Improved ARM64 support**, enhancing compatibility with ARM-based systems.
– **Enhanced community documentation** to ease implementation, although some limitations remain.
– **More flexible Azure templates**, allowing users to specify alternative image sources beyond the default marketplace options.
– **Observability & FinOps module upgrade**, transitioning from the VictoriaMetrics collector to OpenTelemetry. This module now features four distinct collectors:
– Kube cluster collectors for cluster statistics
– Node daemon collectors for host metrics
– K0s components collector for polling etcd and the controller manager
– Syslog collector with Grok pattern extraction capabilities for advanced log processing

### Enterprise and Community Ecosystem

k0rdent serves as the upstream open-source core for **Mirantis k0rdent Enterprise**, which offers additional enterprise-class features and 24/7 support. Mirantis also provides **k0rdent AI**, an enterprise-grade AI lifecycle management solution built on the same foundation.

Mirantis is actively engaging with the community to share experiences and usage stories. The first community call took place in July and was led by maintainer Dina Belova.

The platform has been tested across a variety of environments, including AWS EC2, AWS EKS, Azure Compute, Azure AKS, vSphere, and OpenStack. Furthermore, it is designed for easy extension to support other public and custom providers.

### Design Philosophy

At its core, k0rdent promotes organizational freedom, allowing teams to use preferred technologies without facing vendor lock-in.

### Community Feedback

In a Reddit discussion about managing large-scale Kubernetes clusters, user *liltaf* recommended k0rdent:

> “You should look into k0rdent, it addresses all of your needs. It leverages capi but makes it very easy to use. No more complex terraform scripts to manage, it uses templates that are plain YAML files that you can GitOps. It also allows you to manage services running on each cluster and their versions using the same principle. And it is open source.”

### Competitive Landscape

k0rdent enters a burgeoning market alongside other “super control planes” such as:

– **Cloudfleet:** Targeting enterprises requiring hybrid and edge Kubernetes management. Their distribution, CFKE, offers centralized lifecycle automation, infrastructure provisioning, built-in template support, and seamless scalability for on-premises and multi-cloud deployments.

– **Rafay:** Provides SaaS-first Kubernetes operations for managing clusters and services across disparate infrastructures. It features built-in security and lifecycle automation designed for public cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.

With its open-source roots, robust feature set, and community-driven development, k0rdent presents a compelling solution for managing complex Kubernetes environments across diverse infrastructures.
https://www.infoq.com/news/2025/10/mirantis-k0rdent-12/?utm_campaign=infoq_content&utm_source=infoq&utm_medium=feed&utm_term=global

Jordan Pointe neighborhood on edge as plans to allow data center clears initial hurdle

**Proposal for Data Center in Apex Raises Concerns Among Jordan Pointe Neighbors**

APEX, N.C. (WTVD) — A proposal to bring a data center to Apex has some Jordan Pointe neighbors on edge. On Thursday night, the town’s Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) greenlit a rezoning recommendation proposal for the plan, sparking concerns among local residents.

Michelle Hoffner O’Connor, a resident of the Jordan Pointe neighborhood, attended the EAB meeting and expressed her surprise. “The whole thing was a surprise last night,” she said.

The proposal, submitted by Natelli Investments, would develop a data center on a 190-acre parcel of land near Old US Highway 1. During Thursday’s hearing, the EAB raised several critiques regarding the developer’s plans.

“There is wildlife that is valued by the community, also. So you might want to take a look at that,” said one EAB board member, highlighting the importance of environmental considerations.

The primary criticism from board members centered around noise concerns from the proposed data center site. Neighbors share these worries, with many voicing their apprehension about additional noise, environmental pollution, and possible strains on the power grid.

Yvonne Brubacher, another Jordan Pointe resident, expressed broader community concerns. “We don’t need a data center here, we need services. We don’t have a grocery store; we don’t have a gas station. We don’t have so much as a fast-food restaurant,” she said. “We’re already strained and they want to put additional strain on it.”

ABC11 News reached out to the Town of Apex for a response to the neighbors’ concerns. While a spokesperson did not directly address the community’s issues, they noted that a public hearing might not be held until at least March.

The town spokesperson also explained that the EAB’s role is to make zoning condition recommendations to the applicant and that they do not make recommendations on the rezoning itself.

Natelli Investments released the following statement regarding the project:

“Natelli Investments, an experienced third-generation, family-owned business, is excited for the proposed New Hill Digital Campus that will be located on 190 acres designated for industrial projects in southwestern Wake County. The secure facility will support cloud computing, AI operations, and other digital infrastructure for the region, and it aligns with the community’s long-term growth vision and brings more than $1 billion in economic activity. We are committed to open communication and community engagement and look forward to conversations and dialogue as the process moves forward.”

Neighbors say their goal is for decisions to be made responsibly, with meaningful input from residents likely to be impacted.

“Here we want responsible growth,” said Hoffner O’Connor. “Of course, we don’t want this here at all, but if it’s going to end up here, it has to be in a much more responsible manner than they’re going about it right now.”

Residents plan to continue voicing their concerns to town leaders, including at the next town council meeting scheduled for October 28.

*Download the ABC11 App for alerts and updates on this developing story.*
https://abc11.com/post/data-center-clears-initial-hurdle-apex-jordan-pointe-neighbors-edge-beg-responsible-growth/18028019/

Public Mining Companies Secure Billions in Debt to Shift Focus Towards AI Development

**Public Mining Companies Raise Billions in Debt to Pivot into AI and HPC Services**

Public mining companies are increasingly raising large amounts of capital to transition from traditional Bitcoin mining toward artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) services. By leveraging sizable debt offerings, these firms aim to fund expansions into AI infrastructure, signaling a significant strategic shift within the sector.

### Shift in Funding Strategies

In late 2024 and early 2025, public mining companies made headlines by raising billions in debt to support their foray into AI and HPC ventures. For instance, Bitfarms secured $500 million through convertible senior notes, while TeraWulf proposed a substantial $3.2 billion debt issuance to finance its data center expansion.

This marks a departure from previous financing methods, where mining rigs themselves served as collateral for loans. The total debt raised by mining firms in late 2024 hit a record $4.6 billion—the largest influx since 2021. Although debt issuances dipped below $200 million early in 2025, they rebounded sharply to $1.5 billion by the second quarter, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for AI and computing infrastructure as core growth drivers.

### AI and HPC Infrastructure as New Revenue Sources

Mining companies are actively pivoting toward building AI and HPC infrastructure to diversify their income streams beyond volatile Bitcoin mining operations. Bitfarms, for example, obtained a $300 million loan to develop HPC facilities at its Panther Creek project.

These initiatives offer the potential for more stable, long-term growth. The expansion into AI infrastructure also aligns with the surging global demand for cloud computing and AI services. By tapping into this expanding market for data-driven applications, mining firms hope to reduce their dependency on cryptocurrency profits and mitigate the volatility associated with mining.

### Risks Associated with Debt-Fueled Expansion

While the AI pivot opens new horizons, it carries notable financial risks. The heavy reliance on debt means companies must meet ambitious performance goals to justify their borrowings. Failure to generate expected revenue from AI or HPC projects could result in significant equity dilution, adversely impacting shareholders.

External challenges compound these risks. Increased mining difficulty has squeezed Bitcoin mining profitability, while rising costs of debt financing add further pressure. To remain competitive, mining companies must carefully balance innovation investments against financial stability.

### Looking Ahead

Public mining companies are experimenting with new financial models in hopes of successfully transitioning into AI and data services providers. This strategic shift has the potential to transform the industry landscape, but its success depends heavily on how well these firms manage their debt and deliver consistent growth.

The coming months will be critical in determining whether this pivot can create sustainable value or whether the risks associated with mounting debt and market uncertainties will outweigh the potential upsides.

*Stay tuned for more updates on how the intersection of cryptocurrency mining and emerging technologies like AI and HPC is reshaping the future of public mining companies.*
https://coincentral.com/public-mining-companies-secure-billions-in-debt-to-shift-focus-towards-ai-development/

Crypto Educator Says ‘This Is Where It Begins’ Predicts XRP to $1,000

**Ripple’s $1 Billion GTreasury Acquisition Set to Propel XRP to Four-Digit Price Range, Claims X Finance Bull**

*Written by Abdulkarim Abdulwahab | Follow TheCryptoBasic*

A widely followed XRP community educator known as “X Finance Bull” recently claimed that XRP’s price is on the verge of going parabolic, potentially reaching the four-digit range. According to him, the key catalyst driving this explosive growth is Ripple’s $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury. He believes this strategic move will spark a massive capital flow event unlike anything previously seen in the crypto space.

### “This Is Where It Begins”

In a recent tweet, X Finance Bull emphasized that Ripple’s acquisition of GTreasury is far more than a simple company buyout. For him, it represents a game-changing development that embeds XRP deeply within the corporate treasury system.

For context, GTreasury manages billions in daily cash flow for over 1,000 of the world’s largest corporations and is now integrated into the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This integration positions XRP as a core component of global real-time liquidity management.

Essentially, this deal transforms XRP from merely a cryptocurrency into the backbone for cross-border settlements and enterprise-grade transactions.

### XRP Ledger Set to Scale Tokenized Assets and DeFi

According to X Finance Bull, the XRP Ledger is now primed for handling tokenized assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) on a large scale. With GTreasury integrated, the XRPL can support stablecoins, tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), and yield-generating mechanisms, further expanding its utility.

### Regulatory Compliance Paves Way for Institutional Adoption

Another crucial aspect of this acquisition is Ripple’s increased alignment with regulatory standards. GTreasury’s platform is fully compliant with the requirements of Fortune 500 companies, which could open the door for institutional investors to hold XRP as part of their reserves.

With this regulatory-compliant infrastructure, X Finance Bull predicts a surge of institutional capital flowing into the XRP ecosystem—including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and custodial solutions—potentially bringing XRP into mainstream financial markets.

### XRP Price Predictions by X Finance Bull

In light of these developments, X Finance Bull offers highly optimistic price forecasts for XRP as the coin becomes further integrated into traditional finance:

– **Short-Term (3-6 months):** $2 – $3
– **Mid-Term (6-18 months):** $5 – $10
– **Long-Term:** $20 to $100+
– **Max Potential:** $1,000+

He believes that increased transaction volume, growing corporate adoption, and rising institutional interest will drive XRP’s price upward over the coming months and years.

### The Calm Before the Storm

Despite a recent 21% decline in XRP over the past week amid broader market pullbacks, X Finance Bull views the current market as the “calm before the storm.” He points out that Ripple’s strategic acquisitions—including prime brokers, stablecoin platforms, and now GTreasury—have laid the groundwork for massive long-term growth.

According to him, investors who held onto XRP through previous periods of FUD, legal challenges, and skepticism are early adopters who stand to benefit as the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are now in place for a parabolic surge.

With trillions of dollars in idle capital now potentially accessible through the XRP Ledger, X Finance Bull believes there is a clear path for XRP to reach unprecedented valuations.

### Conclusion

In summary, X Finance Bull boldly asserts that Ripple’s $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury marks the beginning of XRP’s dominant role in global finance. As tokenized assets increasingly move through the XRP Ledger, the future for XRP looks brighter than ever.

**Disclaimer:** This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Crypto Basic. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

### About the Author

**Abdulkarim Abdulwahab** is a seasoned crypto journalist known for his trusted voice in the blockchain and Web3 communities. With extensive knowledge of the crypto space, Abdulkarim excels at breaking down complex concepts into accessible language for a broad audience.
https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/10/17/crypto-educator-says-this-is-where-it-begins-predicts-xrp-to-1000/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crypto-educator-says-this-is-where-it-begins-predicts-xrp-to-1000

Ethereum Attracts Most Developers in 2025, Surging Past 16,000 New

**Ethereum Adds Over 16,000 New Developers in 2025, Maintaining Lead in Blockchain Development**

Between January and September 2025, Ethereum attracted more than 16,000 new developers, reinforcing its position as the most actively developed blockchain network worldwide. According to the Ethereum Foundation and data from Electric Capital’s developer tracker, Ethereum now boasts a total of 31,869 active developers across its core network and layer-2 solutions such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Unichain.

### Ethereum Remains the Leading Blockchain for Developer Activity

Ethereum leads the blockchain space with the largest developer ecosystem, encompassing contributors working on both the main network and various layer-2 platforms. The reported developer count excludes individuals contributing across multiple layers to avoid double-counting.

Year-over-year, Ethereum’s developer base grew by 5.8%, maintaining a steady upward trajectory. Key factors driving this growth include Ethereum’s consistent ecosystem, regulatory clarity, transparency, and ease of integration, which appeal to developers compared to newer blockchains.

The Ethereum Foundation credits its active community and robust tooling infrastructure for attracting thousands of new developers in 2025. Notably, Ethereum dominates developer activity in Latin America, accounting for over 75% of blockchain transactions in the region — a trend reflective of a broader global migration toward Ethereum’s stable ecosystem.

### Solana Experiences Strong Developer Growth Amid Data Concerns

Solana ranked second in developer growth, welcoming approximately 11,500 new developers during the same period. By September 2025, Solana’s active developer community reached 17,708 — marking a 29.1% increase from the previous year and a 61.7% growth over the past two years.

Despite these impressive numbers, the Solana Foundation has contested the dataset’s accuracy, stating that around 7,800 developers may be missing from Electric Capital’s tracking. Jacob Creech from Solana urged the community to update GitHub repository submissions to enhance data accuracy.

Solana’s allure stems from its fast execution times and scalable infrastructure, which have spurred faster developer activity growth compared to Ethereum. However, tracking methods remain under review to better capture the full scope of Solana’s developer base.

### Bitcoin’s Developer Growth Remains Steady But Slower

Bitcoin attracted roughly 7,500 new developers between January and September 2025, bringing its total to 11,036 active developers. This places Bitcoin third among the largest blockchain ecosystems by developer count.

While Bitcoin continues to see steady development activity, its growth pace lags behind more versatile platforms like Ethereum and Solana. Bitcoin’s limited smart contract capabilities restrict broader innovation, leading many developers to favor ecosystems offering programmable features, such as Ethereum’s EVM-compatible infrastructure.

Overall, the first nine months of 2025 underscore Ethereum’s dominance in developer engagement and ecosystem growth, while Solana shows rapid gains albeit with some data reporting challenges. Bitcoin remains a foundational player with steady but comparatively slower developer expansion.
https://coincentral.com/ethereum-attracts-most-developers-in-2025-surging-past-16000-new/

YouTube’s Justine Ryst on Cinema Classics: ‘On YouTube, Films Don’t Disappear, They Live Again’

YouTube Celebrates 20 Years as a Cultural Platform for Heritage Film

LYON, France — Speaking at the International Classic Film Market (MIFC) in Lyon during YouTube’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Justine Ryst, head of YouTube’s France & Southern Europe branch, made a bold declaration: “YouTube is ‘the platform’ for heritage film, a place where culture endures, bridging generations of audiences.”

Addressing an audience of industry professionals from across Europe at the world’s largest market dedicated to classic film, Ryst emphasized YouTube’s vital role as an ally in preserving cinema history. While her remarks focused on the French market, their relevance extends well beyond France’s borders.

“In the U.S.,” Ryst reminded the crowd, “YouTube has become the most-watched video provider on television, outpacing traditional TV and other platforms.” She described YouTube as a unique space where contemporary viewing habits and classic cinema intersect, offering a kind of afterlife for film and television history by introducing these works to new online audiences.

“On YouTube,” she explained, “films and programs don’t disappear; they live again through clips, restorations, recommendations, and new forms of engagement.” According to Ryst, this ongoing dialogue between generations of viewers is central to YouTube’s role in cultural preservation.

She highlighted how young audiences discover films their parents once loved—often through a thumbnail image, a remix, or a short clip that draws them back to the original work. Ryst also praised the growing community of creators who produce curated film shows, breathing new life into heritage cinema for digital-native viewers.

Ryst was keen to clarify a common misconception: “YouTube is not a channel but a platform.” It does not produce or editorialize content but provides the infrastructure governed by algorithms and community guidelines. “YouTube is regulated by strict rules, and we take our responsibility seriously,” she emphasized, while adding that the platform’s defining feature remains personalization.

“Show me your YouTube and I’ll tell you who you are,” she joked, to laughter from the audience.

Highlighting success stories in France, Ryst pointed to the Institut National de l’Audiovisuel (INA), the country’s vast audiovisual archive. INA has uploaded thousands of hours of content—from classic television programs to historic interviews—across some 50 thematic channels.

“INA has developed a masterclass in multi-format strategy,” Ryst noted. “You can create short vertical clips, as well as longer videos of 10, 20, or even 90 minutes. They produce podcasts and live streams, with thousands of excerpts on every subject, uploaded rapidly to match current social topics. It’s a case study in bringing images from 50 years ago back to light.”

The second example she praised was Arte, the Franco-German cultural channel, known for its “strategy of omnipresence” across linear TV, its website, and more than 30 thematic YouTube channels. This strategy enables Arte to reach diverse audiences interested in arthouse cinema, pop culture, science, and more.

“These examples show that it’s not about competing with the platform, but using it to amplify reach,” Ryst explained.

Looking ahead, Ryst discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence within YouTube’s ecosystem, especially in areas like dubbing and translation. These AI tools have the potential to make French and European works more accessible, helping them cross language barriers and reach international audiences.

“These tools can be incredibly powerful for rights holders to take their work as far as possible,” she said. “It’s especially valuable when rights holders build direct communities on YouTube — what I call a live asset. When you approach distributors or represent other films, you can demonstrate that your YouTube community represents thousands, even millions of subscribers, and that you have millions of hours of content in your asset. That’s credibility.”

Ryst’s insights align with YouTube’s global strategy, which was also highlighted at this week’s Mipcom event. There, the platform’s significant presence underscored its pivotal role in the creator economy and TV industry. Industry leaders discussed how YouTube bridges traditional media and digital content, fostering new business models and collaborations with major studios.

In closing, Ryst reflected on YouTube’s longevity as both a technology company and cultural platform. “We’ve been around for 20 years,” she said, “and we hope to be around for at least another 20.”

https://variety.com/2025/film/global/justine-ryst-cinema-classics-youtube-films-dont-disappear-1236555356/

Russian Drones, Missiles ‘Still Terrorizing Ukraine,’ Zelenskyy Says Ahead Of Meeting With Trump

**Zelenskyy Says Swarm of Russian Drones Attacked His Hometown Ahead of White House Meeting**

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a swarm of Russian drones struck his hometown, Kryviy Rih, in southeastern Ukraine on the evening of October 16, just before his scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Zelenskyy described the attack as a stark example of how Russia continues to “terrorize Ukraine.” He noted that dozens more attack drones were observed in Ukrainian skies, along with missile launches targeting critical infrastructure. “In fact, not a single night in recent weeks has passed without Russian strikes on Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X after arriving in Washington ahead of talks with Trump.

Highlighting the ongoing conflict, Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia will only stop the war when it can no longer sustain it. He stressed that Russia’s readiness for peace is demonstrated not through words but by ceasing attacks and killings. “Therefore, every air defense system for Ukraine matters,” he asserted. “Every decision that can strengthen us brings the end of the war closer. Security can be guaranteed if everything we have agreed on, including here in Washington, is implemented.”

### Discussions on Air Defenses and Long-Range Capabilities Expected

The upcoming talks between Trump and Zelenskyy are expected to cover Ukraine’s air defense needs and long-range strike capabilities. There is particular focus on the possibility of the US supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, a key point amid escalating tensions.

Earlier on October 16, Trump surprised many by announcing that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken by phone and agreed to meet in Budapest. According to Trump’s social media statement, a meeting of high-level advisers is planned for the following week to prepare for the summit, with an aim “to see if we can bring this ‘inglorious’ war, between Russia and Ukraine, to an end.”

Trump also revealed that the US delegation would be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The precise location for the meeting remains undecided, but Trump expects it to occur “within two weeks” and be hosted by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Orban, who has maintained cordial relations with Russia and been skeptical about military aid to Ukraine, welcomed the planned summit. On X, he described it as “great news for the peace-loving people of the world” and declared, “We are ready!”

### Kremlin and White House Praise Phone Call

Both the Kremlin and the White House hailed the Trump-Putin phone call as “good” and “productive.” Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov described the conversation as “extremely frank and trustful” and indicated that further details would be discussed in an upcoming call between Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Ushakov conveyed that Putin told Trump supplying Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine would not alter the battlefield situation but would undermine peace efforts and damage US-Russia relations.

### Zelenskyy Sees Signs of Moscow’s Eagerness to Resume Dialogue

After arriving in Washington, Zelenskyy posted on Telegram that Russia’s response suggested a keen interest in resuming dialogue, particularly upon hearing of possible US support with Tomahawk missiles. “We can already see that Moscow is rushing to resume dialogue as soon as it hears about Tomahawks,” he remarked on X.

### Trump and Zelenskyy Hold Two Calls Amid Missile Talks

Over the weekend, Trump and Zelenskyy spoke twice as discussions intensified regarding the potential US decision to provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. While Trump has not ruled out supplying the weapons, on October 16 he expressed concern about depleting US Tomahawk stockpiles.

Tomahawk missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers—enough to reach Moscow from Ukraine—and can be equipped with nuclear warheads. Trump described them as a “vicious, offensive, and incredibly destructive weapon,” adding, “Nobody wants Tomahawks shot at them.”

Trump confirmed mentioning Tomahawks during his call with Putin, who “didn’t like the idea.” The missile debate underscores the complex balance between supporting Ukraine’s defense and managing broader geopolitical risks.

*Stay tuned for further updates as diplomatic efforts and military developments continue to unfold.*
https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-trump-russia-ukraine-tomahawks-putin/33562274.html