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A parcel device has wounded a Ukrainian oligarch and two others in Monaco, in what officials described as an unprecedented attack in the principality's history, with a suspect caught on camera fleeing toward France.

Elsewhere, Iran and the US continue to send conflicting signals over the next round of Hormuz negotiations, while Britain has unveiled a long-delayed defence plan centred on drones and autonomous systems.

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2️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran and Oman hold first Hormuz talks as US deal teeters: Iran said it held its first meeting with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz since signing a framework deal with the US, while simultaneously denying reports of planned fresh talks in Qatar. Trump responded on Truth Social that Iran had "requested a meeting" and it would take place in Doha, directly contradicting Tehran's statement, as the Strait remains Iran's primary leverage in the ongoing negotiations.

3️⃣ 🇨🇳🇺🇸 Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui sentenced to 30 years for fraud: A US federal court sentenced exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui to 30 years after being convicted in July 2024 on nine counts including securities fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, with a $889m forfeiture order also imposed. Guo, who sought US asylum in 2017 claiming CCP persecution, used his profile as an anti-communist dissident to attract investors, with prosecutors describing him as "a con artist, a scammer and a thief."

4️⃣ 🇿🇦 South Africa deploys heavy security ahead of anti-migrant protests: South Africa deployed security forces across major cities ahead of coordinated anti-immigration marches marking an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave, with President Ramaphosa urging demonstrators to act without "intimidation, threats or ultimatums." More than 12,000 immigrants have been deported or repatriated since a wave of protests began earlier this year, with transit camps housing mostly Malawian nationals being dismantled ahead of the deadline.

5️⃣ 🇬🇧 UK unveils defence plan centred on drones and autonomous systems: Britain announced a Defence Investment Plan prioritising drones, autonomous submarines and self-flying jets, committing to reach NATO's 3.5% GDP spending target by 2035 after months of dispute between military leaders and the Treasury over costs. Former defence secretary John Healey resigned in June arguing spending must hit 3% of GDP by 2030, with his successor given a budget reportedly higher than the £13.5bn Healey was offered but far less than the £28bn military officials sought.

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Major Story

🇲🇨🇺🇦 Monaco parcel bomb blast severely wounds Ukrainian oligarch

A parcel bomb detonated in a residential building in Monaco on Monday evening, leaving a couple with life-threatening injuries, in what the principality's minister of state described as the first such incident in Monaco's history. 

A source close to the investigation identified one of those wounded as Ukrainian oligarch Vadym Yermolaiev, a Monaco resident subject to Ukrainian government sanctions since December 2023, reportedly over business activity in Russian-occupied Crimea. 

Monaco's minister of state said the device contained bolts and buckshot, with a suspect caught on surveillance footage fleeing toward the French municipality of Beausoleil, prompting a cross-border manhunt with around 80 security personnel and 50 firefighters at the scene. 

Prince Albert II condemned the attack as a "heinous crime" and "a shock to the entire Monegasque community."

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Other News

1️⃣ 🇪🇺🇨🇳 EU and China launch trade mechanism to avert escalation: The EU and China agreed to establish a new Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism covering trade balancing, export controls and intellectual property rights, following EU leaders' calls for urgent action on the bloc's widening trade deficit with Beijing. Trade Commissioner Šefčovič said he would visit China in October seeking "first tangible results" and welcomed Chinese assurances that existing rare earth export controls would not disrupt EU supply chains.

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