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  1. 1

    Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineries after energy ceasefire collapses

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, telling the Financial Times, "The block is out. We're done." The move ends a three-day pause Kyiv observed at Washington's request after President Donald Trump declared an energy ceasefire. Russia reported Ukrainian attacks on refineries in Ryazan, where a fire broke out, and Saratov. Moscow kept striking Ukraine's energy grid, and the Kremlin's Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine was damaging US-led peace efforts. Trump called the renewed strikes a "disgrace" and said he found Zelenskyy harder to deal with than Putin. Zelenskyy linked the decision to US intelligence limits and Starlink restrictions, which Musk said the US government controls. Ukraine's defence adviser Serhii Beskrestnov called the restrictions no coincidence.

    Key facts

    • Zelenskyy told the Financial Times Ukraine would resume strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
    • Ukraine had paused energy strikes for three days at Washington's request
    • Russia reported Ukrainian attacks on refineries in Ryazan and Saratov
    • Trump called the renewed strikes a "disgrace" and said he found Zelenskyy harder to deal with than Putin
    • Russian strikes cut power to 600,000 Ukrainian citizens on Wednesday

    Commentary

    The strikes were predictable; what matters is that Kyiv tied its decision to Washington's own pressure, including intelligence and Starlink cutoffs, which Musk says the US controls. Trump's sanctions relief on Russian oil, with midterms weeks away, suggests Washington's energy goals now conflict with its peace push, and Ukrainian civilians are paying for that gap in power outages.

    Sources: DW.com, CNBC, The Guardian, Global News, Foreign Policy

  2. 2

    Carney says US trying to break Canada ahead of Alberta separation vote

    Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Albertans on Thursday to vote to remain in Canada in Monday's referendum, telling a Calgary rally that the vote comes at the worst possible time. He said some outside the country were working to break Canada so they could own it. The Associated Press reported this as a warning about the United States, though Carney did not name the US or President Donald Trump in that passage. Polls show most Albertans favor staying, but Carney said turnout will determine the outcome. Separatist leaders Tanya Clemens and Keith Wilson of Let Alberta Decide rejected his timing argument and said Carney's agreements with Premier Danielle Smith are 'pinky promises' that leave grievances unresolved.

    Key facts

    • Alberta votes Monday on whether to remain in Canada or begin a legal process toward a separation referendum.
    • More than 450,000 Albertans had already voted early or by mail, according to the BBC.
    • Carney's office estimated about 5,000 people attended his Calgary rally, while the BBC reported more than 7,000.
    • Premier Danielle Smith called the vote and says she supports Alberta remaining in Canada.
    • Carney said the proposed Pacific Link pipeline would create more than 140,000 jobs.

    Commentary

    The sharper shift is that a Liberal prime minister is campaigning on Alberta's own ground, leaning on pipeline promises rather than the polls that favor him. Wilson's claim that Carney would eventually tax oil exports shows separatists are now fighting over leverage with Ottawa, not just the result.

    Sources: BBC, ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos, KTVN, CGTN

  3. 3

    Iraq's parliament completes cabinet of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, including US-sanctioned deputy prime minister

    Iraq's parliament has completed the formation of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's government, approving 11 previously vacant cabinet portfolios and three deputy prime ministers on Thursday. One deputy, Laith al-Khazali, is a senior leader of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, which the US has designated a foreign terrorist organisation. A vote on the migration and displacement minister was postponed because parties disagreed. Al-Zaidi said the government will tackle economic and security challenges caused by the US-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28. He devalued the dinar by almost 15 percent to cover salaries and essential spending, and vowed to fight corruption, disarm non-state armed groups and complete the withdrawal of US forces.

    Key facts

    • Nayef al-Shammari was approved as defence minister and Yasir al-Maliki as interior minister.
    • The US has named Qais al-Khazali, Laith's brother, a "specially designated global terrorist".
    • The Treasury Department sanctioned both al-Khazali brothers in 2019 over the killing of protesters in Iraq.
    • Before the war, Iraq exported roughly 3.5 million barrels of oil daily through the Strait of Hormuz, generating 90 percent of revenue.
    • Al-Zaidi said the state needs about 10 trillion dinars ($6.7bn) a month for salaries and critical spending.

    Commentary

    The vote's harder question is financial, not parliamentary: a government that depends on oil revenue hit by the war must pay salaries while still holding a deputy premier whose group Washington has blacklisted. Al-Zaidi's pledge to disarm non-state groups will be tested from the start by that appointment.

    Sources: Al Jazeera, ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English

  4. 4

    US considers easing sanctions on shadow fleet tankers to lower record freight rates

    The Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on shadow fleet vessels that carry oil and petroleum products from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, a US official told Reuters, in an effort to bring down record-high global freight rates. The official said the talks concern allowing "legal oil" on previously sanctioned ships, with companies applying to the Treasury Department. Energy Secretary Chris Wright raised the idea at the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, saying high freight rates had reduced demand for US oil. The Department of Energy said easing would not help Russia move oil. Analysts quoted by WWD said relief would be limited, since sanctioned tankers are largely trading already and insurers remain bound by EU and UK rules. The move comes as high fuel prices pose a political risk for Trump before the November 3 midterm elections.

    Key facts

    • Trump administration is considering easing sanctions on shadow fleet vessels, a US official told Reuters.
    • Talks follow Trump's temporary suspension of sanctions on Russian diesel fuel.
    • Companies wishing to use sanctioned vessels would apply to the US Treasury Department.
    • Energy Aspects was skeptical that easing sanctions would greatly reduce freight rates.
    • Brent crude settled at $105.92 a barrel on Thursday, little changed.

    Commentary

    The sanctions move is the predictable part; the unexplained part is how little it can deliver, since Drewry and Energy Aspects both say the freight relief is capped by largely active tankers and EU and UK insurance rules. That suggests the White House is weighing a signal on fuel prices ahead of the midterms more than a real supply fix. Readers should watch whether the Treasury licensing process moves at all, because that will show whether the policy is serious.

    Sources: Ukrinform, Yahoo Finance, The Times of India, Українські Національні Новини (УНН), WWD

  5. 5

    US imposes new Iran-related sanctions on individuals, entities and Iraqi bank

    The US Treasury on Thursday imposed sanctions on 16 individuals and 10 entities over Iran links, including the Iraq Development Bank. Treasury said the bank abused the now-dissolved dollar wire auction and maintains ties to Iran government entities and militia groups in Iraq. The administration says the campaign aims to sever Iran's remaining economic lifelines and force it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department will not relent until Iran's coffers are empty. Iraqi researcher Hiba Abdulwahib said the move should not be seen as punishment of Iraq, arguing that authority there is fragmented and Washington understands those limits.

    Key facts

    • Treasury's FinCEN alert asks financial institutions to report potential Iranian abuse of khums religious tithe networks.
    • Iraq banned the Iraq Development Bank and seven other local banks from US dollar transactions in 2024.
    • Iraqi PM Ali Al Zaidi pledged to disarm militias by September 30, then pushed the deadline to June 2027.
    • WANA News Agency reported Treasury gave no reasons for the sanctions, while other reports cite its abuse allegations.
    • On September 29, 2026, Treasury sanctioned 10 individuals and entities over supplying weapons to Iran's Defense Ministry.

    Commentary

    The sharper development is that Washington is pressing Iraqi banks directly, not only Iranian actors, so lenders already cut off for years bear the cost. Abdulwahib's reading that Washington understands Baghdad's limited control suggests the pressure targets banks rather than government. Baghdad's best defence is to clean up its banks before further penalties arrive.

    Sources: Middle East Eye, WANA News Agency, The National

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