Breakfast News Recap: Witkoff in Russia as Sudan toll rises and NATO boosts Black Sea patrols

US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Saint Petersburg for talks with President Vladimir Putin, as Washington continues shuttle diplomacy over the war in Ukraine. Donald Trump has meanwhile urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a deal with Russia, saying the United States has received nothing back for its support, while Republicans at home are pushing back over reports of a Russian diesel deal and a pause in sanctions on Moscow. 🔗 🔗 🔗

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In the Black Sea region, NATO is sending extra maritime patrol aircraft, radar systems, drones and intelligence personnel after a series of deadly suspected drone attacks. The move underlines growing concern about maritime security and the risk of escalation around the sea lanes linking Ukraine, Russia and the wider region. 🔗

In one of the deadliest incidents reported in this window, a drone strike on a market in Sudan's disputed Abyei border region has killed at least 153 people, according to a local official. A fire at a nearby fuel depot was still burning, adding to the scale of the destruction. 🔗

Iran has further raised tensions in the Gulf, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming it struck two oil tankers with mines in the Strait of Hormuz, setting both vessels on fire. The IRGC also threatened wider strikes, while Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov was in Tehran to reaffirm Moscow's support for Iran in talks with Abbas Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. 🔗 🔗

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In Africa, Nigeria has confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja after a woman who had travelled from Uganda tested positive, prompting concern about regional spread. Separately, the EU has approved a EUR 20 million defence assistance measure for Nigeria under the European Peace Facility, the first bilateral support of its kind for the country. 🔗 🔗

Across Europe, the UK has re-arrested two men in a counter-terrorism investigation linked to suspected assistance for Iran's intelligence services near RAF Fairford, while Italy has sent 500 troops to Milan and tightened protest laws after violent unrest over the cost of living. In Westminster, the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill has passed the Commons and now goes to the Lords. 🔗 🔗 🔗

Britain also approved drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, a decision that will feed into the winter energy debate. At Windsor Castle, King Charles III hosted Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq for a state visit that highlighted Muscat's role as a regional mediator. 🔗 🔗

Elsewhere in Europe and beyond, Romania has sworn in a new prime minister and cabinet after months of deadlock, Serbia's student protest movement is trying to turn street momentum into electoral power, and UN experts have urged India to stop what they called excessive force against protesters amid the election list dispute. The EU has also revised its Arctic strategy to put security and resilience first, appointed Ilze Brands Kehris as its new human rights special representative, and adopted new recommendations on housing exclusion and homelessness. 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗

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In the Americas and Pacific, Alberta voters have backed remaining in Canada, giving Mark Carney a political boost, while Donald Trump faces a fresh lawsuit over tariffs on Canadian goods. In Australia, Tasmania approved a $20 million loan to the troubled Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter despite advice that repayment risk was high. France's Emmanuel Macron has begun a state visit to Qatar after a Gulf tour focused on energy and defence, and The Gambia says proceeds from the sale of Yahya Jammeh's former mansion in the United States will go into a reparations fund. 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗 🔗

Trump has also ordered new data centres to generate their own power, signalling a tougher US energy stance, and has been touting a larger Republican election war chest ahead of the midterms. In Israel, the coming October 27 election is already being shaped by debate over the Knesset's voting record on Palestinians after the Gaza war and the wider conflicts involving Lebanon and Iran. 🔗 🔗 🔗

Financial glimpse

Wall Street finished sharply mixed, with the Nasdaq and S&P 500 under pressure as mega cap tech and chip shares sold off, while the Dow Jones and banks held up better. Meta and Nvidia were among the notable drags. 🔗

Asia Pacific trading was mixed, with Japan's Nikkei 225 edging higher at the close while Hong Kong and Seoul slid and Australia outperformed. Oil and gold eased, while precious metals had held firmer earlier in the session and FX moves kept risk appetite uneven. 🔗 🔗

Europe opened mixed, with the FTSE 100 edging higher as the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 slipped. Sterling strengthened against the dollar, while gold and natural gas fell and Brent crude was softer. 🔗

Sources in this recap

#Ukraine #Sudan #Iran #markets #NATO #breakingrecap #recapbreakfast

360LiveNews Recap | 21 Oct 2026 08:52 LONDON