Day News Recap: Ukraine toll rises as Middle East tensions, Iran pressure and global probes widen

Ukraine said at least 20 people were killed in overnight Russian strikes that spread across central and eastern parts of the country, with rescue work continuing after the attacks.  🔗

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In the Middle East, Yemen's conflict escalated again as Houthi missiles and drones targeted Aden International Airport, forcing a passenger flight diversion, while Saudi forces said they intercepted a missile near Riyadh and no casualties were reported.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Yemen's internationally recognised government also said it had launched Operation Dawn of Yemen and pushed a renewed offensive on the Red Sea coast, including moves near Bab al Mandeb and an assault on the mountainous al Waziiya district in Taiz, with coalition air support intensifying.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz deepened after Tehran warned it was ready for pre emptive operations, a tanker named On Peace was struck in the strait and caught fire off Oman, and Washington pressed Tehran for a major cut in uranium enrichment as nuclear talks continued.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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Iran also came under domestic and legal pressure, with hardline MPs moving to impeach Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over his talks with the US envoy, and parliament approving penalties for interviews or cooperation with media it labels hostile.  🔗  🔗

Elsewhere in the region, Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least four Palestinians, while Israel marked the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks with memorials and a nationwide moment of silence ahead of elections.  🔗  🔗  🔗

In Africa, Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al Burhan rejected negotiations and vowed to retake all Rapid Support Forces held territory, as fighting widened, while Mali's army entered Kidal after Tuareg separatists withdrew, giving the junta a symbolic gain.  🔗  🔗

Security and political developments also rippled through Europe and Asia, with Germany's former intelligence chief August Hanning arrested in a widening treason and espionage probe, three Iranian men going on trial in London over alleged spying and an attack plot, and a UK counter terror investigation leading to a seventh arrest linked to RAF Fairford.  🔗  🔗  🔗

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In the Asia Pacific, Japan's Okinawa governor urged Tokyo to act after a US Marine was arrested over the killing of a local woman, New Zealand opened a probe into the background of the flydubai co pilot accused of trying to hijack an Israel bound flight, and satellite images showed eight light attack aircraft at a new Chinese military facility in Laos.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Other notable developments included Bulgaria ending its search after a drone strike sank a cargo ship in the Black Sea, Russia facing fresh scrutiny over a suspected second plague case in Siberia, and Russia asking Vietnam for aircraft wet lease support as its grounded fleet deteriorates.  🔗  🔗  🔗

In the Americas and wider policy news, the United States redirected MQ 9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador for anti narcotics work, Brazil's presidential race tightened as Flavio Bolsonaro outperformed polls, and Venezuela's worsening power cuts continued to fuel public anger and protests.  🔗  🔗  🔗

Business and domestic policy stories included Paramount completing its takeover of Warner Bros Discovery to form Skydance, Shell forecasting a sharp rise in refinery margins as war damaged plants tighten fuel supplies, India raising its repo rate for the first time since 2023, and Equinor warning the UK could become less attractive for investment if Rosebank and Jackdaw are not approved.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

Further political and social updates saw Kosovo elect Justina Shiroka Pula as president amid protests and crisis, Libya's eastern parliament replace longtime speaker Aguila Saleh, France suspend stun grenade use in school protests after a teenager lost a hand, and Ireland begin rolling out new body armour to its Defence Forces for the first time in 20 years.  🔗  🔗  🔗  🔗

Australia's High Court blocked the Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion in a ruling campaigners say could shape future climate cases, while the Australian Defence Force suspended use of the Supacat troop carrier after a fatal rollover near Darwin.  🔗  🔗

European Union officials also headed to China for talks on cheap hybrid car imports, and the European Commission proposed stricter safeguards for future EU members to curb democratic backsliding.  🔗  🔗

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