In the Shadows

South Africa and Australia face off in the first Test at Durban, with the opening day's toss under way. The match comes shortly after South Africa sealed the one-day series, powered by centuries from David Miller and Temba Bavuma, and with the World Cup approaching the Proteas are eyeing a full series sweep. The fixture also revives memories of the sandpaper ball-tampering affair that has shadowed meetings between the two teams.

The Atlantic Council argues that Ukraine, having gained unique experience countering Russian hybrid tactics, can help Europe defend itself against Russia's escalating shadow war of sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks. The piece suggests European governments should draw directly on Ukrainian expertise and lessons learned since 2014 as incidents across the continent mount.

A photographer shared a black-and-white street image of decaying urban architecture, described as 'closer to the surface,' drawing attention from monochrome and urbex photography communities. The work emphasises light, shadow, texture and decay, themes that consistently resonate within street photography circles.

Erling Haaland says Manchester City must 'stick together' as the club faces more than 100 Premier League charges over alleged breaches of financial regulations. The striker's comments come as the case continues to cast a shadow over the champions' season, with possible sanctions including points deductions or expulsion being widely debated.

Reuters has published a photo report documenting scenes from the frontlines of an Ebola outbreak, showing health workers and affected communities living in the shadow of the virus. The images highlight the conditions facing responders on the ground and the human toll of the disease as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on 17 oil tankers it says are part of Iran's 'shadow fleet', a network of vessels used to move Iranian crude in violation of international restrictions. The action is part of a broader American campaign to tighten economic pressure on Tehran, targeting the shipping channels that generate revenue for Iran's government.

Analysts Ryan Prior and Maria Kovach argue that Ukraine can help Europe counter Russia's escalating shadow war. They contend that with Russia set to remain a threat, European leaders must find ways to defend their countries while projecting strength convincingly to the Kremlin, with Ukraine playing a central role in that effort.

Fantasy football managers are turning their attention to NFL Week 5, with ESPN releasing its Fantasy Playbook featuring Shadow Reports, lineup locks and projected scores. The weekly guide helps players decide which starts and sits to make ahead of the weekend's slate of games as the fantasy season reaches a key stretch.

The United States has imposed sanctions on 17 Iranian tankers accused of operating as part of Iran's so-called shadow fleet, which moves sanctioned oil and petrochemicals to foreign buyers while evading detection. The measures target vessels used to transport Iranian energy exports in violation of existing sanctions. The move signals continued U.S. pressure on Tehran's oil revenue channels and comes amid heightened tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional activity.

A new report warns NATO that Russia is waging a 'shadow war' of sabotage, cyberattacks and drone incursions against member states, and urges the alliance to adopt a more confrontational stance in response. The warning points to an escalation of hostile actions below the threshold of open conflict.

A remote airfield once used by the CIA is now being operated as a Chinese military base, according to a news report. The facility, linked to covert American operations during the Cold War, has reportedly been repurposed, drawing attention to China's expanding military infrastructure and the long shadow left by past US intelligence activity in the region.

Giovanbattista Fazzolari, close ally of Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni, said it is 'not yet the moment' for her to be elected president of the Republic at the Quirinale. He also described the shadow of possible Russian interference in Italy's elections as a concrete risk, comments drawing attention amid debate over succession and foreign meddling.

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on 12 additional tankers described as part of Russia's 'shadow fleet', the network of ageing vessels used to move Russian oil while evading price-cap and export restrictions. The move comes as monitoring shows growing Russian shipping traffic along Arctic routes, raising concerns that Moscow is expanding covert oil exports through northern waters.

The United States has announced Operation Economic Outcast, a new sanctions campaign targeting what it describes as Iran's shadow fleet network. The measures aim to disrupt vessels and entities allegedly used by Iran to evade existing sanctions and move oil covertly. The action, publicized through the US Virtual Embassy Iran, forms part of Washington's broader pressure campaign on Tehran's economy.

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran's so-called shadow fleet, the network of vessels used to move Iranian oil and bypass existing restrictions. The measure forms part of Washington's ongoing pressure campaign on Tehran's oil exports. Details of the specific companies or ships targeted were not provided.

Attention is on the Italian daytime soap Il Paradiso delle Signore, with viewers looking ahead to the October 9 episode. Recent previews point to Diana scheming in the shadows, a storyline that has been building over early October episodes. Fans of the show are following the spoilers and anticipation for what her plotting means for the other characters in the coming days.

A publication titled 'How We Built Everything You Need to Participate in the Black Economy' is drawing attention for openly addressing informal, untaxed economic activity. The black economy refers to work and trade that escapes official record-keeping and taxation. Interest centres on what the guide contains and whether it offers practical tools or simply a commentary on the scale of unregulated commerce worldwide.

House Democrats held what they called a 'shadow hearing' on election security in Queens, New York. The informal session, staged outside regular congressional proceedings, focused on safeguarding elections. Details beyond the event's location and subject remain limited, with coverage so far consisting mainly of the announcement itself. It signals Democrats' continued emphasis on election protection issues.

The UK government has announced a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's financial services sector and the so-called 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers used to move Russian crude in circumvention of existing restrictions. The move follows earlier rounds of British and allied sanctions aimed at cutting off revenue streams funding Russia's war in Ukraine.

Players of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 are sharing in-game screenshots of Lumière, the game's ruined city, at the moment of the gommage. One image shows heavy evening shadows falling across wreckage and rubble in the city's alleys. The screenshots are part of a virtual photography trend among fans showing off the game's lighting and art direction.

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal spoke at a CT Mirror 'In the Room' event, addressing Donald Trump and matters of war while notably steering clear of questions about his age. The discussion comes as age concerns continue to shadow senior US politicians across both parties, making his silence on the topic an eyebrow-raiser for observers.