Jul 28, 2026, 02:00 PM UTC

John Agius, 74, is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday morning following his arrest in connection with a shooting in Ta' Giorni that left two police officers injured.

Agius, a resident of St Julian's, was taken into custody on Friday after an armed standoff during which two officers were temporarily trapped inside a residential yard. Maltese authorities confirmed that formal charges are being finalized ahead of the arraignment.

Meanwhile, official updates indicate that the police officer who sustained injuries during the encounter remains in hospital in stable condition. Preliminary investigations into the standoff have concluded, and specific charges against Agius are expected to be presented during the court session.

Sources: The Malta Independent

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced plans to request €14.9 billion from the European Union's Safe fund for military procurement by year-end. The proposal prompted friction within the governing coalition, with Lega representatives emphasizing that "Parliament decides" on military allocations. The request aligns with early planning for the 2027 budget, estimated to begin at €15 billion to cover defense, energy, and tax cuts.

Concurrently, a new report by Istat and the Fondazione per la Natalità revealed that births in Italy fell to a record low of 355,000 in 2025, driven by economic barriers and career concerns among women. Meanwhile, the Senate opened preliminary hearings on electoral reform ahead of decisive parliamentary votes anticipated in the autumn.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Stampa.

In Japan's southwestern Kumamoto prefecture, emergency crews continue searching for survivors trapped following Thursday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake. The quake caused severe structural damage, splitting major highways and causing a partial collapse and explosion at a commercial center in Kashima.

Meanwhile, southern Europe faces mounting devastation from historic wildfires. In southwestern France, blazes have burned more than 42,000 hectares and advanced within 15 kilometers of Bordeaux. In Spain, officials report the largest wildfire in the country's recorded history, alongside major blazes in the Madrid region. Total evacuations across both European nations have surpassed 300,000 people. French President Emmanuel Macron urged national resilience, stating, "We will make it," as opposition figures criticized the government's disaster response.

Sources: Corriere della Sera

German tactical police have shot and killed 21-year-old suspect Abdul Ballout in Berlin's Spandau district following a 20-hour manhunt after a vehicle ramming at the city's Pride parade.

Authorities stated that officers raided a garden shed around 6:30 p.m. where Ballout was hiding. When entering, special forces were attacked by the suspect with a knife before officers opened fire, killing him at the scene.

Investigators confirmed the rental van driven into crowds at Tiergarten park, which killed one woman and injured 29 people, was booked under Ballout's name. Ballout, a former juvenile detainee linked to the Islamic State group, had previously attempted to travel to Syria and repeatedly refused post-release deradicalisation programmes. Following the operation, political leaders reiterated their commitment to protecting public safety and democratic freedoms.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Japanese prefecture of Kumamoto on Kyushu island at a depth of ten kilometers, leaving multiple people dead and dozens injured. A temporary tsunami warning was issued following the tremor but was quickly rescinded.

Local infrastructure suffered severe damage, with destroyed roads, collapsed bridges, and widespread power outages affecting around 40,000 households. Authorities urged more than 150,000 residents to seek shelter in designated evacuation centers.

In the town of Kashima, a floor of a shopping center collapsed following a reported explosion, trapping numerous visitors and staff inside. Emergency services also reported that at least twelve residential houses collapsed, burying occupants under debris. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed ongoing efforts to assess the full extent of the destruction and coordinate rescue operations.

Sources: ORF, TV 2 Nyheter, Die Zeit.