Jul 29, 2026, 09:00 AM UTC

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated again as Tehran launched a series of ballistic missiles at American forces, ending a brief operational pause. U.S. Central Command reported that all incoming missiles were intercepted, while joint American and Saudi Arabian forces executed retaliatory strikes on Tehran-backed militias in Iraq.

At sea, regional maritime risks heightened after a commercial tanker hit a naval mine while navigating an unapproved route through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, rejected retaliation threats from Tehran following a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea, citing Tehran's direct military partnership with Moscow.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has issued an international arrest warrant for Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing him of facilitating terrorist activities.

According to Russian media reports citing the security service, the charges stem from allegations that Ukrainian intelligence services utilized a Telegram chatbot, alongside broader criticisms of insufficient content moderation on the platform. The Russian-born tech entrepreneur, who holds citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, currently resides in France.

The move marks an escalation in legal pressure against Durov, who is already confronting regulatory and judicial scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions over content governance on his messaging service.

Sources: Der Standard, ORF, Point

Clashes at the Turin-Lyon high-speed rail construction site in Val di Susa have left extensive physical damage and around 130 law enforcement officers injured. Investigators identified approximately 450 individuals following the unrest, which involved burned police vehicles and destroyed infrastructure. Reports indicated organized tactics among violent demonstrators, including role-coded gear and disguised footwear to prevent identification.

In Rome, opposition lawmakers demanded that Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini address Parliament regarding the incident. Within the governing coalition, Fratelli d'Italia and Lega are competing to lead new legislative security crackdowns. Government officials condemned the violence as "shameful guerrilla warfare," while No Tav organizers characterized the protest as a "great day of struggle."

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Stampa.

Deutsche Bank recorded a pre-tax profit of €2.68 billion for the second quarter, marking an 11 percent increase fueled largely by strong results in its investment banking unit. Following the earnings release, Germany’s largest lender stated it expects to surpass its long-term financial targets set for 2028.

While the financial figures provided support for the bank's market outlook, broader German equities faced headwinds. The DAX stock index opened under pressure as renewed military actions in the Middle East drove crude oil prices higher following reported strikes involving Iranian and US forces in the region. Despite these macroeconomic pressures, market sentiment regarding the bank's individual quarterly performance is expected to remain positive.

Sources: Tagesschau

US President Donald Trump described his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "great honor," as diplomatic discussions regarding the conflict continue. Their talks focused on military assistance, including Patriot air defense systems, alongside potential diplomatic avenues toward resolution.

Concurrently, international diplomatic contacts unfolded in Manila, where Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with US official Marco Rubio. During the exchange, Lavrov urged Washington to cease military shipments to Kyiv. Meanwhile, American officials in Washington are considering additional economic sanctions against Moscow.

In Ukraine, domestic political unrest persists, with public demonstrations in Kyiv entering their tenth day following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. On the ground, Ukrainian forces continue military operations against target positions.

Sources: Corriere della Sera.