News

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz, causing a limited fire and a power outage. The crew extinguished the fire, with no injuries or environmental damage reported, before the vessel continued its voyage.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the United States to provide healthcare and compensation for people affected by its nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, and to release classified information related to them. Washington says it finally settled all claims in 1986 and continues to provide medical assistance and environmental monitoring programmes.

The Sudanese army announced on Friday that it had taken control of the Al-Mazroub area in North Kordofan state after clashes with the Rapid Support Forces, saying its operations were continuing along several fronts. The area is of military and economic importance because it lies on routes linking parts of the state, which forms a corridor between central and western Sudan.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the resources provided to the European Aspides mission were insufficient to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Rome renewed its call for greater participation, while European foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the mission needed more than 10 warships.

The United Nations Children’s Fund said more than 145,000 people, including around 79,000 children, were displaced in western Yemen between 3 and 28 September as fighting resumed and front lines shifted. It said families in Taiz were living in overcrowded camps amid limited access to clean water, healthcare and basic services.

Thousands of civilians have fled El Fasher and its surrounding areas for Tawila in North Darfur, while food shortages, disrupted aid and fighting reaching new areas have driven others to leave. The displacement comes amid an escalation in North Kordofan and warnings of famine and acute hunger threatening around 28 million people.

Israeli forces carried out raids in several areas of the West Bank, arresting 6 Palestinians. A Palestinian body documented 2,051 attacks during September, including 647 carried out by settlers that resulted in the deaths of 3 Palestinians, as well as damage to thousands of trees and attempts to establish 21 settlement outposts.

UN envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg warned of the risks that military escalation in Taiz governorate poses to residents, following reports of casualties, infrastructure damage and road closures. He called on the Houthis to halt their attack, stressing that he was continuing contacts with the parties to contain the fighting, ensure civilian movement and facilitate aid access.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with no crew members injured. The incident coincides with the disclosure of an Iranian bill requiring permits for some vessels and banning the passage of vessels from countries Tehran classifies as hostile.

A televised debate scheduled in Rio de Janeiro before the first round of Brazil’s presidential election was cancelled after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declined to take part and his rival Flávio Bolsonaro withdrew. The boycott prevented 158 million voters from watching the leading candidates face each other directly before Sunday’s vote.

Towns and valleys in southern Lebanon came under artillery fire and gunfire from Israeli forces early on Friday, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency. The attacks came months after the war began and amid a ceasefire announced on 20 June, which helped reduce the frequency of attacks in the area.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was responding to Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea and seeking to halt the maritime transport of equipment, ammunition and fuel. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had targeted a bridge in Kyiv, a cargo ship in the Black Sea and an industrial complex at the port of Izmail.

Russian strikes targeted Kyiv’s southern bridge, while Moscow said it had hit a cargo ship and industrial and power facilities. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia had launched 108 drones overnight, while Ukraine’s General Staff said it had targeted drone-control centres and Russian troop-concentration sites.

The first two F-16V fighter jets arrived at an air base in Taitung as part of an $8 billion US deal covering 66 aircraft. Taiwan aims to strengthen its military capabilities through the deal, while awaiting Washington’s approval of a separate $14 billion arms package.

Disputes have intensified inside Libya’s House of Representatives after 86 MPs said they were barred from entering its Benghazi headquarters to hold a reform session, while the House presidency denied that any official session had been scheduled. The dispute extends to the quorum, authority to call meetings, amendments to the rules of procedure and leadership elections, amid concerns about its impact on the electoral process and the unification of state institutions.

The African Union Commission expressed deep concern over rising tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt, urging the three countries to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The position came after Asmara severed diplomatic relations with Addis Ababa, while Ethiopia and Egypt exchanged decisions to expel diplomats within 48 hours.

The incident involving a Flydubai plane travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv has placed security at the centre of political competition ahead of Israel’s elections scheduled for 27 October, amid accusations traded between the government and opposition and renewed attention to hijackings and attacks targeting Israel-linked flights between 1968 and 1986.

The Global Alliance for Palestine, joined by organisations and coalitions in 60 countries, has called for demonstrations, sit-ins and cultural and educational events across six continents to demand the application of international law and restrictions on the arms trade with Israel, while pressuring parliamentarians to debate arms exports.

A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, causing a fire, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. The agency said the vessel’s crew was safe, as the incident came amid repeated attacks on ships and disrupted maritime traffic in the waterway since the conflict with Iran began.

Arab countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned the Houthi group’s targeting of a power station supplying the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, describing the attack as a violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and Egypt affirmed their solidarity with the Kingdom and support for its measures to protect its security and stability.

British counter-terrorism police arrested a 25-year-old British-Iranian man in central London as part of an investigation into a security alert near RAF Fairford. The arrest came amid British and US allegations that a foreign party may have been involved, which Tehran rejected as it summoned the British ambassador.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow was ready to resume negotiations on the war in Ukraine on terms acceptable to Russia, accusing Kyiv of complicating the process through attacks during Russia’s elections. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the first combat mission using a domestically developed Ukrainian tactical ballistic missile.

Iraq is entering a new security and political phase after the end of the international coalition’s mission and the full transfer of responsibility for security to the Iraqi authorities. The transition comes amid debate over completing national sovereignty, placing weapons and decisions on war and peace under state control, and the continued influence of US instruments and Iran’s role in domestic affairs.