Sep 28, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the European Union "will not tolerate attacks" on its territory after authorities identified two suspects with ties to Moscow regarding explosive drones discovered in Leipzig. The warning comes amidst heightened conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow announcing a renewed campaign targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

In response to sustained Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian petroleum facilities—which have disrupted domestic supplies and forced Moscow to import fuel—Russian forces launched fresh drone raids on Kyiv. Local officials reported that at least one civilian was injured during the overnight attacks on the capital. The military escalation follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which he described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "patient zero" of the war.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Military friction between American and Iranian forces has escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following a series of naval and missile engagements. U.S. Central Command reported sinking five Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels after an attempted assault on U.S. Navy warships.

In response, Tehran fired 20 missiles at U.S. military positions in Jordan. Iranian state media claimed counterattacks struck six vessels, including three tankers and an aircraft carrier. Washington disputed these assertions, confirming only that a commercial ship caught fire before crews contained the blaze.

Although U.S. intelligence officials warned that Iranian forces could further escalate hostilities, U.S. President Donald Trump maintained that the strategic maritime passage remains operational, remarking that "Tehran is in great difficulty."

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

At least five people were killed and 16 others injured following a wave of Russian bombardments across the Dnipropetrovsk region in eastern Ukraine over a 24-hour period. Local emergency services reported nearly 60 separate attacks targeting five districts in the area.

The heaviest casualties occurred in Kamenske district, where three fatalities and five injuries were recorded. Missile and artillery strikes in Pavlohrad left two dead and seven wounded, while additional casualties and infrastructure damage were reported in Nikopol district as firefighters worked to extinguish blazes caused by the shelling.

Ukrainian rescue personnel continue operations across affected areas as local authorities assess the extent of structural damage from the sustained artillery and missile strikes.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă

Tehran maintains that the Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until Washington fulfills several demands, including lifting oil sanctions, unfreezing assets, ending port blockades, and ceasing military operations. Although US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal for a seven-day temporary reopening intended to facilitate negotiations, Iranian officials stated they are still awaiting an official, definitive response from the United States.

Concurrently, military activity in the strategic corridor has escalated. Following an American strike on Larak Island, US forces began escorting oil tankers at night, while Iran responded by deploying rocket-launched naval mines into critical shipping lanes.

Sources: Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace plan backed by US President Donald Trump, insisting that troops will not retreat without complete militant disarmament.

In televised remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Israeli military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." The announcement underscores growing tension between Tel Aviv and Washington ahead of Israel's scheduled October 27 national election. Netanyahu faces pressure from right-wing coalition partners opposed to territorial concessions, even as US diplomatic intervention has led to a practical pause in Israeli strikes across Gaza.

Hamas had previously accepted the US-backed proposal. Despite the rejection, Washington continues pushing for a lasting cessation of hostilities.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.