Iran steps up Hormuz ship attacks as Trump threatens a "big blow"

The Houthis warned civilians to leave Saudi oil sites they called "legitimate targets", then a barrage hit Aramco's Dhahran headquarters. The energy ministry reported no injuries, but a fire spread across several floors. The Houthis claimed attacks on Aramco sites and Riyadh's airport, closed until October 17, and vowed more; they said they hit a Saudi Typhoon over Saada, which Riyadh did not confirm. Trump said the Houthis had "emerged again", probably at Iran's behest, to lift oil prices.

Overnight, 39 missiles and about 128 drones hit energy sites, leaving 600,000 without power. Suspilne counted at least 17 killed across Ukraine in 24 hours, including six in Lutsk, and a Kropyvnytskyi drone raid killed three. Zelensky called it "ostentatious disrespect" for Trump's energy ceasefire, which the Kremlin says was never specified. The Washington Post and Semafor reported the US may halt intelligence sharing; Trump said it continues.

After a call with Putin, Trump announced Russia will supply diesel to US and global markets under a temporary Treasury sanctions licence through April 7, 2027. Twelve US senators, six from each party, asked him to rescind it, calling it "a gift to our adversary". Italy's Meloni called it a "very risky choice", as did Zelensky, Germany, the UK and the EU. Russia said negotiations were still under way, while Trump claimed over 300,000 tons would flow immediately.

The Vatican said Pope Leo XIV's operation at Rome's Gemelli hospital went well, with no complications, and that he spent a peaceful night afterwards. Surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung and confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. His doctors said recovery was progressing as planned: he was walking in his room and eating normally, and post-surgery tests were normal. Official events are cancelled until October 20, and further tests will show whether the cancer has spread.

Police raided Halk TV's Istanbul headquarters, halting live broadcasts, and the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund took over running the channel. Prosecutors said 11 people were detained and arrest warrants issued for 17 in a corruption, bid-rigging and money-laundering investigation. Halk TV is the main private opposition channel in Turkey, and its staff were unable to enter the building.

Protesters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa clashed with police over the emergency declared by President Zardari, which suspended the PTI-led provincial government. Police fire injured at least five people. The chief minister and some cabinet members were detained along with hundreds of PTI members, and the party called the move a coup.