ACO

A top Iranian army commander has stated that Iran controls both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman through which a large share of the world's oil passes. The remark underscores Tehran's leverage over global energy shipments and comes amid heightened tensions involving the United States, Israel and regional naval forces.

The European Union has urged member states to reduce energy demand and fill gas storage facilities as it keeps watch over an emerging price crisis in Europe's energy markets. The appeal, reported by Bloomberg and carried by Japanese outlets, reflects concern that tight supplies could push prices higher and strain households and industry across the bloc in the coming months.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy has captured a second US-made Remus 600 unmanned underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report. The incident points to continued friction between Iranian forces and the US Navy over surveillance drones operating in one of the world's most critical oil shipping lanes, and follows an earlier seizure of the same type of equipment.

South Korea's presidential office has issued a strong expression of regret to Ukraine, accusing Kyiv of violating a non-public agreement by announcing the repatriation of captured North Korean soldiers. The dispute centres on the confidential arrangement between the two countries regarding the fate of North Korean troops captured while fighting alongside Russian forces, and the public disclosure of their planned return.

A report by The Register describes long-standing file security vulnerabilities affecting Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The flaws, described as decades old, span all major desktop and mobile platforms, raising concerns about how widely shared code or inherited designs carried the weakness across the industry. Security professionals are discussing the disclosure and its implications for systems that have gone unpatched for years.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature held an event in Monaco focused on the circular economy, publishing its key takeaways under the theme 'Nature by Design'. The messages centre on designing production and consumption systems that reduce waste and work with nature rather than deplete it, reinforcing nature-based approaches as part of the global economic transition.

Apple has released patches for CVE-2026-86950, an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in CoreGraphics affecting older versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Processing a maliciously crafted file could allow arbitrary code execution. Apple says the flaw may already have been exploited in targeted attacks, prompting users of older devices to update promptly.

Justin Verlander, one of Major League Baseball's legendary pitchers, has brought his 22-year playing career to a close, according to reports circulating in Japanese baseball circles. Fans are sending messages of gratitude and congratulations to the veteran for his long run at the top of the sport.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has shared the latest developments on what punishment Manchester City could face over their alleged financial rule breaches. The Premier League charged the club in 2023 with numerous breaches of financial regulations, and speculation over a possible points deduction or other sanctions continues. Fans and pundits are closely watching for any sign of when a verdict might arrive.

Prince Albert II of Monaco and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, alongside Martins Seguro of Portugal, are set to address the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The two heads of state will deliver speeches to assembled parliamentarians in Strasbourg, an honour reserved for prominent European leaders on matters of shared concern.

Major League Baseball's wild card round is airing on Peacock, putting part of the postseason on the streaming service rather than traditional broadcast or cable channels. Fans are reacting to the exclusive streaming arrangement, with some discussing how to access the games and others weighing in on MLB's continued shift toward placing playoff content behind an additional subscription.

Typhoon No. 26 is approaching Okinawa, while heavy rain batters parts of Kyushu. In Nagasaki Prefecture, a landslide has been reported amid the downpours. Japanese broadcasters, including TV Asahi, are tracking the storm's path and urging residents in Okinawa, Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Nagasaki to stay alert to flooding and further landslides.

Japanese screenwriter So Kuramoto has died at 82. His final work, the 2024 film 'Silence of the Sea', was completed after a conception period of some 60 years, with Kuramoto reportedly saying 'it's finally finished'. Tributes and coverage of his career are circulating in Japanese entertainment media.

The Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros open their American League Wild Card Series on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET, with coverage on Peacock and NBCSN. Fans are checking game times, pitching matchups and broadcast details ahead of the first postseason meeting between the two clubs, as MLB's expanded playoff format begins.

Debate is growing over the MLB playoff system, with some calling it unfair because higher-seeded teams can be eliminated in a short series. The players' union has reportedly proposed a system modelled on NPB's format in Japan, where the top seed starts the series with a one-win advantage. Supporters say the change would reward regular-season performance; critics worry it distorts postseason competition.

As the MLB season reaches its final stretch, attention is on the wild card and division title races, with a particular focus on the Los Angeles Dodgers and other teams featuring Japanese players. Fans are tracking how Shohei Ohtani and fellow Japanese players' clubs are positioned heading into the postseason, and how the playoff picture is shaping up across the leagues.

Japanese baseball media report continued concern over Shohei Ohtani's physical condition, with the Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly addressing his current status. The coverage quotes a club official saying his condition remains the key issue, suggesting lingering worry over a possible injury despite his ongoing two-way play in MLB.

Max Verstappen, who drives for the Red Bull Formula 1 team carrying Ford branding, has publicly shared his view on recent changes affecting the Monaco Grand Prix. The circuit, long famous for its glamour but often criticised for limited overtaking, has been the subject of adjustments in recent seasons, and the Dutch champion's stance has drawn attention from motorsport fans.

The One Piece anime will not air its latest episode until next year, as the production team changes its approach starting with the Elbaf arc, according to Oricon. The move is being discussed as part of efforts to improve quality and pacing for the long-running series' next chapter.

Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who died in 2006 and became the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, is back in the spotlight as Italian media revisit the miracles attributed to his intercession. A new TV and cinema documentary tells his story, recalling his hospital stay and the healings recognized by the Vatican that paved his path to sainthood.