Ukraine's president said on Thursday that Russian forces struck an oil refinery in Ryazan, a claim Russia denied.

Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times that Kyiv would restart attacks on Russian energy sites after a three‑day pause, a move he said was meant to counter Moscow's continued strikes on Ukrainian power infrastructure. He added that U.S. officials had warned that continued strikes would lead to a cutoff of intelligence sharing.

The Kremlin responded by saying Ukraine had attempted a "large‑scale attack" on the Ryazan refinery early Thursday, deploying four missiles and dozens of drones. Russian defence ministry statements reported that most missiles and drones were intercepted and that falling debris ignited a fire at the facility. Ukrainian officials denied targeting the refinery.

Zelensky also accused the United States of withdrawing intelligence‑sharing assistance, a charge the White House has not confirmed. Ukrainian defence sources later told the BBC that limited functionality of Starlink satellite services, known as Starshield, had been restored, though it was unclear whether restrictions on drone speeds remained.

European leaders voiced criticism of the reported U.S. move. Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told the BBC that limiting intelligence support would be "a complete mistake," arguing that it would weaken Ukraine's ability to defend itself. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking at a summit in Brussels, said allies discussed the need for an energy ceasefire and continued support for Ukraine.

Zelensky indicated that Ukraine would only halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure if the United States provided additional Patriot air‑defence missiles, a request complicated by a current shortage of those systems. He suggested the timing of the intelligence‑sharing dispute was not coincidental, noting that Russia had escalated drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, launching over 850 drones in a single day and causing at least 13 deaths across several regions.

The president's remarks came as he prepares for a two‑day NATO meeting in Brussels and as U.S. officials continue to navigate the balance between supporting Ukraine and managing domestic political pressures.

Indonesian authorities are experimenting with dry ice as a method to disperse the toxic smoke blanketing South Sumatra, according to a statement from the country’s coordinating security minister. The trial involves dropping solid carbon dioxide over the provincial capital of Palembang, with officials saying the approach could be expanded if it proves effective.

The initiative follows a series of fire-related measures taken by the government, including cloud seeding, water bombing and the deployment of military personnel. Since January, nearly 900,000 hectares of land have burned across Indonesia, marking the most severe fire season in more than a decade. Prolonged drought conditions linked to the El Niño climate pattern have intensified peatland fires that smolder underground for weeks.

Air quality has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, prompting emergency responses in neighboring countries. Schools in Timor-Leste were closed for three days starting Thursday, and Singapore has distributed N95 masks to residents while offering subsidies for haze-related medical care. The city-state was recently ranked among the world’s most polluted urban centers, with Kuala Lumpur also registering hazardous air quality levels.

Experts caution that dry ice dispersal may offer only temporary, localized relief. Atmospheric scientist Rick McRae of the University of New South Wales noted that while the technique could clear smoke in one area, wind patterns would continue to transport haze from other regions. "It’s not a permanent fix," he said, "and it won’t solve the broader problem."

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has ordered intensified firefighting efforts and called for stricter enforcement against individuals igniting land-clearing fires, a practice linked to agricultural expansion, particularly palm oil cultivation. Despite these measures, officials acknowledge the difficulty of extinguishing peatland fires, which can persist for weeks beneath the surface.

The current haze crisis has drawn legal scrutiny as well. A class-action lawsuit filed last week alleges government negligence in addressing the environmental and public health impacts of the fires. While the government has increased firefighting personnel and resources, officials say they are monitoring the outcomes of the dry ice trial before considering wider adoption.

Yangon, Myanmar – Myanmar's coup leader Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Kuala Lumpur last week for a visit that drew a formal welcome from Malaysian officials, including an honour guard and a luncheon with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The trip, which Malaysia described as addressing the "longstanding issue" of refugees and migrants from Myanmar, marked the latest in a series of diplomatic engagements for the military chief since he assumed the title of president in April following an election that excluded major opposition parties. Malaysia became the fifth ASEAN nation to host Min Aung Hlaing, joining Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in recent months.

During the visit, Anwar announced Malaysia's willingness to repatriate its approximately 193,000 Myanmar nationals, most of whom are Rohingya Muslims, stating that naval vessels would be deployed to facilitate returns when conditions allowed. "Because the weather is favourable, I will dispatch Navy ships to repatriate them," Min Aung Hlaing said during the luncheon.

Malaysia has previously supported ASEAN's Five Point Consensus, a peace framework calling for an end to violence and inclusive dialogue in Myanmar. The framework has been blocked by Min Aung Hlaing's government, which has refused to engage with opposition groups. Despite this, ASEAN has not formally lifted its suspension of Myanmar, though the military's regional reintegration appears to be gaining momentum.

The visit occurs amid ongoing conflict in Myanmar. According to monitoring groups, the civil war has killed up to 100,000 people and displaced at least 3.5 million since 2021. Fighting continues across multiple states, including Rakhine, Chin, Kachin and Karen, where the military has launched offensives to reclaim territory from ethnic armed groups. China has brokered ceasefires along its border, while Russia and Belarus have supplied arms to the junta.

Human rights organisations have raised concerns about the implications of regional acceptance of Min Aung Hlaing. Bridget Welsh, an honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham, noted that ASEAN leaders are prioritising pragmatism over human rights principles. "It is a step back for ASEAN as an organisation, and for Myanmar," she said. "It does not offer any concrete path to the resolution of the Myanmar crisis, and in fact, arguably worsens it by giving the military legitimacy internationally, a legitimacy it does not have in Myanmar itself."

The military's diplomatic outreach extends beyond Southeast Asia. Since April, Min Aung Hlaing has visited India, China, Russia and Belarus, promoting trade and infrastructure projects while asserting progress toward democracy. The United States has engaged in direct talks with his government, focusing on curbing scam operations targeting Americans, despite existing sanctions related to the 2017 Rohingya crackdown, which the U.S. has designated as genocide.

Laetitia van den Assum, a former Dutch diplomat, questioned the military's strategy of pursuing temporary ceasefires in contested areas rather than seeking comprehensive control. "That would require a huge occupation army and not – as now – a garrison army that controls a particular location," she said. "That is why Min Aung Hlaing… bets on an increasing number of temporary ceasefires in some parts of the country so that troops can be directed to areas where he wants to continue fighting."

The military's efforts to regain international legitimacy have included symbolic gestures, such as allowing the International Committee of the Red Cross to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi in August. The session, described by University of Sydney researcher Sai Kyi Zin Soe as a "low-cost, high-optics gesture," marked her first public appearance since the 2021 coup. However, military air strikes have continued, including a September 28 attack on a Rakhine market that killed an estimated 50 people.

Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates, urged the Philippines and Singapore — current and incoming ASEAN chairs — to resist pressure to fully reintegrate Myanmar without concrete progress on the Five Point Consensus. He called for targeted sanctions, including an aviation fuel ban, from countries like the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia to complement regional efforts.

Zaheena Rasheed reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

---

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing has visited Malaysia as part of a broader diplomatic campaign to regain regional acceptance following the 2021 coup. The trip, which included a formal welcome and discussions on repatriating refugees, reflects ASEAN's shifting approach to engagement with the junta. While Malaysia has expressed willingness to facilitate returns of its 193,000 Myanmar nationals, the move has drawn criticism for potentially legitimising a government responsible for widespread human rights violations. The military's continued offensives across multiple states and reliance on foreign arms suppliers underscore the complexity of the conflict, which has displaced over 3.5 million people since 2021. Regional and international actors remain divided over how to balance diplomatic engagement with accountability for alleged crimes against humanity.

---

The growing acceptance of Myanmar's military leadership by neighbouring countries has sparked debate over its impact on regional stability and human rights. ASEAN's Five Point Consensus, which calls for an end to violence and inclusive dialogue, has been consistently rejected by Min Aung Hlaing's government, yet the bloc has not enforced meaningful consequences for non-compliance. Meanwhile, the military's campaign in Rakhine, Chin and other regions has led to renewed civilian casualties and displacement, with recent attacks drawing international condemnation. Critics argue that diplomatic engagement without accountability risks normalising the junta's rule, while others contend that isolation has failed to alter its behaviour. The situation remains unresolved, with no clear path toward peace or political transition.

---

Min Aung Hlaing's diplomatic tour follows a pattern of engagement with major powers, including visits to India, China, Russia and Belarus, where he has sought to bolster economic and military ties. The United States has maintained limited contact with his administration, focusing on issues such as transnational scam operations that have defrauded American citizens. These interactions have occurred despite U.S. sanctions related to the Rohingya crisis, which it has characterised as genocide. Analysts suggest that regional powers are prioritising stability and economic interests over democratic principles, a shift that could have long-term implications for ASEAN's cohesion and the prospects for resolving Myanmar's ongoing conflict.

---

The military's efforts to reintegrate into ASEAN have been accompanied by symbolic gestures aimed at improving its international image. In August, the International Committee of the Red Cross was permitted to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under house arrest since the 2021 coup. The meeting, which produced her first public photographs in years, was described by researchers as a strategic move to project an image of openness. However, military operations have continued unabated, including recent air strikes that have resulted in civilian casualties. Experts warn that the lack of accountability for these actions, combined with increasing diplomatic recognition, may embolden the junta to escalate its military campaigns in contested areas.

---

ASEAN's evolving stance toward Myanmar has significant implications for regional security and governance. As the bloc's current and incoming chairs, the Philippines and Singapore face pressure to balance engagement with the military junta against commitments to democratic principles. Analysts have urged targeted sanctions, such as aviation fuel restrictions, to pressure the junta without exacerbating humanitarian conditions. The continued flow of arms from Russia and Belarus, coupled with the military's reliance on temporary ceasefires to regroup, suggests that the conflict is likely to persist. Without meaningful accountability mechanisms, including potential referrals to the International Criminal Court, the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain uncertain.

---

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing has engaged in diplomatic outreach across Asia, including visits to ASEAN neighbours and major powers such as China and Russia. These efforts have coincided with Malaysia's decision to facilitate the repatriation of its 193,000 Myanmar nationals, most of whom are Rohingya refugees. While the military has framed these engagements as steps toward regional stability, critics argue that they risk legitimising a regime responsible for widespread human rights abuses. The ongoing conflict, which has displaced over 3.5 million people and killed an estimated 100,000 since 2021, continues to escalate in key regions, with no indication of a political settlement. International actors remain divided over the most effective approach to addressing the crisis.

---

The military's diplomatic activities have extended beyond ASEAN, with visits to India, China, Russia and Belarus aimed at strengthening economic and security ties. The United States has engaged in direct talks with the junta, focusing on curbing scam operations targeting American citizens, despite existing sanctions related to the Rohingya crisis. Analysts suggest that regional powers are increasingly prioritising pragmatic interests over democratic values, a shift that could undermine ASEAN's credibility as a promoter of regional stability. The lack of accountability for human rights violations, combined with the military's continued use of force, presents significant challenges to any sustainable resolution of the conflict.

---

Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing has sought to bolster his government's international standing through diplomatic visits and economic proposals. His recent trip to Malaysia, which included a formal welcome and discussions on refugee repatriation, reflects a broader strategy to reintegrate into regional institutions. However, this engagement has occurred amid ongoing hostilities that have displaced millions and killed thousands. Critics argue that such diplomatic recognition risks normalising the junta's rule, while others contend that engagement is necessary to address humanitarian concerns. The situation remains unresolved, with no clear path toward political reconciliation or peace.

---

The military's campaign in Myanmar has resulted in widespread civilian harm, with over 100,000 deaths and 3.5 million displaced since 2021. Despite this, regional leaders have increasingly engaged with Min Aung Hlaing, prioritising pragmatic concerns over human rights principles. Recent diplomatic visits, including to Malaysia, have focused on repatriating refugees and restoring ASEAN membership. However, the military's refusal to engage with opposition groups and its continued use of force have raised doubts about the effectiveness of such engagement. Analysts warn that without accountability measures, the conflict is likely to persist, with no clear resolution in sight.

---

Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing has visited multiple ASEAN nations as part of a campaign to regain regional acceptance following the 2021 coup. His recent trip to Malaysia included discussions on repatriating refugees and a formal welcome from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The visit occurs amid ongoing conflict that has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced 3.5 million, with fighting continuing across several states. While ASEAN has not lifted Myanmar's suspension, the military's diplomatic outreach has gained momentum, driven by regional interests in stability and economic cooperation. Critics argue that this engagement risks legitimising a regime responsible for widespread human rights violations, while others contend that dialogue is essential for long-term solutions.

---

The military's diplomatic efforts have extended to major global powers, including visits to China, Russia and India, where it has promoted economic and security partnerships. The United States has engaged in limited talks focused on curbing scam operations targeting Americans, despite sanctions related to the Rohingya crisis. These interactions have occurred against a backdrop of continued violence, with recent air strikes killing civilians in Rakhine State. Analysts suggest that regional powers are increasingly prioritising pragmatic interests over democratic principles, a shift that could have lasting implications for ASEAN's role in regional governance and conflict resolution.

---

Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing has pursued diplomatic engagement across Asia, including visits to ASEAN neighbours and major powers such as China and Russia. His recent trip to Malaysia included discussions on refugee repatriation and a formal welcome from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The visit occurs amid ongoing conflict that has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced 3.5 million since 2021. While the military has framed these engagements as steps toward regional stability, critics argue that they risk legitimising a regime responsible for widespread human rights abuses. The lack of progress toward political reconciliation and the continued escalation of violence highlight the challenges of resolving Myanmar's crisis through diplomatic means alone.

France and Germany have agreed to soften upcoming EU emissions regulations for passenger vehicles, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the negotiations. The compromise, finalized on Thursday, modifies earlier proposals from the European Commission that would have required new cars to cut exhaust emissions by 90 percent by 2035. Under the new arrangement, manufacturers would face no obligation to offset residual emissions through credits tied to low-carbon steel or other mechanisms. The deal also expands eligibility for 'zero-emission' classification to include vehicles powered by renewable fuels.

A key point of contention involved the definition of 'made in Europe' for public procurement purposes. Germany advocated for a broader interpretation that would include major non-EU trading partners, while France had initially supported a stricter scope limited to EU member states. The resulting agreement adopts a middle path: the core definition remains confined to the EU's 27 members, but Britain and Norway may participate under specific conditions, reflecting their tightly integrated automotive supply chains. British officials welcomed the development, stating it could benefit the sector's workforce and investment landscape.

The arrangement also extends 'super credits' — incentives previously reserved for smaller, lower-cost electric vehicles — to all models regardless of size or price. This provision aims to ease compliance for automakers navigating the transition. The agreement remains provisional, requiring final approval from German authorities before implementation. It represents a significant shift in the EU's approach to balancing industrial competitiveness with climate objectives in the automotive sector.

A 16-year-old gunman entered Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon and opened fire, killing three children and a teacher before being shot dead by a community member who confronted him inside the building, police said. The victims were aged five, eight and 11; a seven-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher were hospitalized in critical condition. The suspect, whose name has not been released, forced entry by shooting at the school's locked doors after being spotted firing into a passing vehicle. Police received the first call at 12:59 local time reporting shots fired at a car, followed by multiple 911 reports of an active shooter inside the school. Officers arrived within three minutes and confirmed the shooter's death. The school, which serves about 450 students and employs more than 40 staff members, was placed on lockdown during the incident. Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz confirmed the attacker was a local teenager with no known connection to the school. A bystander intervened after the shooter entered the building, engaging him and ending the attack before law enforcement arrived. The school district's top administrator expressed deep sorrow, stating the community was reeling from the loss. No motive has been established, and investigators have not disclosed further details about the suspect or the victims. The incident marks one of several recent school shootings in the United States this year, according to data from the K-12 School Shooting Database.

A 16-year-old opened fire at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, on Thursday, killing three children and a teacher before he was shot by a civilian who pursued him into the building, authorities said. Police identified the victims as children aged 5, 8 and 11, and a 54-year-old teacher. A 7-year-old child and the teacher were injured and taken to a hospital in critical condition. The suspect, a local resident, forced entry by shooting at locked doors, police said. Officers arrived within minutes of the first 911 call, which was placed just before 1 p.m. from a vehicle outside Silver Rail Elementary reporting gunfire. Additional calls came from inside the school. The suspect was found dead inside the building shortly after officers arrived. Investigators did not determine whether the attacker knew anyone at the school or had attended it. A pump-action shotgun used in the attack was purchased by his mother, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the case. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed grief at a news conference, thanking the civilian who intervened to stop further loss of life. Reunification of children with their parents was ongoing in the hours after the shooting.