Noontime News Recap: Russia intensifies Ukraine strikes as Middle East tensions and anniversary events dominate

Russia launched one of its heaviest overnight assaults of the war on Ukraine, killing at least 11 people and hitting multiple cities, including energy infrastructure, in what President Volodymyr Zelensky said was among the most severe attacks so far.  🔗

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A separate report said the barrage involved missiles and drones across the country, again striking power sites and other targets, underlining the pressure on Ukraine's energy system as winter approaches.  🔗

In Brussels, the European Commission disbursed EUR 1.24 billion to Ukraine under the defence component of its wider support package, adding fresh financial backing as Kyiv faces renewed battlefield and infrastructure strain.  🔗

In the Middle East, Shell said refinery margins are likely to rise sharply in the July to September quarter because war damaged plants have tightened fuel supplies, a sign that conflict related disruption is still feeding through global energy markets.  🔗

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Also in the region, Houthi forces stepped up cross border attacks, with Yemen's Transport Ministry saying Aden International Airport was hit by ballistic missiles and explosive laden drones, while Saudi Arabia was also targeted.  🔗

Israel marked the third anniversary of the Hamas led 7 October 2023 attack with memorials and a nationwide moment of silence, as remembrance events again intersected with politics ahead of elections.  🔗  🔗

In Iran, hardline MPs moved to impeach Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his talks with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of UN discussions, highlighting domestic backlash to diplomatic engagement with Washington.  🔗

Across Europe, France suspended police use of stun grenades against school protesters after a teenager lost his hand in an incident linked to the demonstrations, while Russia marked 20 years since the killing of journalist Anna Politkovskaya amid renewed concern over press freedom.  🔗  🔗

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Elsewhere, Russia asked Vietnam for aircraft on wet lease with crews and maintenance support as its grounded Western fleet continues to deteriorate, and Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Kuala Lumpur for talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on repatriation efforts.  🔗  🔗

Separately, Europol urged early action on quantum computing threats to crypto wallets and sensitive data, warning that the technology could undermine current digital security systems if organisations do not prepare now.  🔗

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