28 April 2026
Iran Ceasefire
The proposed Iranian plan of both the US and Iran to cease the Strait of Hormuz blockade without nuclear negotiations does not sit well with President Trump. Before the war, between 120 and 140 ships would sail through the Strait; only seven did so yesterday, including a superyacht linked to the sanctioned Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov.
The administration will address the Iranian proposal “soon”.
Mali
Mali’s Prime Minister, Abdoulaye Maiga, is asking civilians not to panic after the nationwide attacks that occurred. It has been confirmed that the northern city of Kidal has fallen to Tuareg separatists. Tuaregs and jihadists seized multiple towns and military bases over the weekend.
Ukraine
Russia’s oil refinery at Tuapse has come under Ukrainian drone attack again. A fire broke out at the refinery due to “falling drone debris”. This is a common excuse when a facility is hit by a drone. On 20 April, a Ukrainian drone attack destroyed 24 of the facilities’ oil storage tanks, and it has been raining oil on the town since.
President Zelensky is threatening sanctions on Israel for buying stolen grain from Russia. Panama-flagged bulk carrier Panormitis, allegedly carrying grain stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, entered the Haifa Bay last week. Israeli newspaper Haaretz found that four shipments of stolen grain have entered Israel.
UAE
The UAE announced that it will be leaving the oil cartel OPEC on 1 May. Rumours emerged that this would be announced, as the UAE has not been happy with oil production restrictions and increasing tensions with Saudi Arabia.
Nigeria
The Islamic State is claiming responsibility for attacks that killed 29 civilians. Civilians gathered at a local soccer field in the Guyaku community, located in Gombi Local Government Area near the border with Cameroon. It is believed that Boko Haram was responsible, but the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) issued a statement.
Eight children are still missing after gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage in Nigeria’s north-central Kogi State and kidnapped 23. 15 children were retrieved quickly by security forces.
US-South Korea
The US is restricting intelligence-sharing with South Korea over North Korea’s nuclear programme. This comes after Unification Minister Chung Dong-young referred to North Korea’s Kusong region as one of the three sites where the country’s uranium enrichment facilities are located at a parliamentary session last month. The US believes the information originated in the US, but the unification minister’s office claims it came from open-source intelligence.
Afghanistan
The Afghan Taliban claim that Pakistan fired mortars at a university and residential neighbourhoods in the eastern province of Kunar on Monday, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 80. Pakistan denies this claim.
Pakistan destroyed Afghan Taliban posts in Balochistan’s Chaman sector. This came after the Afghan Taliban fired mortars into Pakistani territory in the Chaman sector, killing one.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The DRC will create a US-backed paramilitary group to protect the country’s large mine sites. The $100 million plan, backed by the US and the UAE, is to help secure critical minerals from rebel forces in the east. The DRC is responsible for 70% of the global output of cobalt.
United Kingdom
The Army will be ‘cautiously’ undertaking trials of the Ajax infantry fighting vehicle after it was reported earlier this year that 30 soldiers reported illness and vomiting. The MoD believes that the illnesses were caused by “a combination of factors” including technical issues, training variability, cold exposure and air quality.
Canada
The Canadian government is considering joining the sixth-generation fighter project as an observer, with Italy, Japan and the UK. The Global Combat Air Programme emerged from the Tempest project, which aimed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Social Media Wires
Tuapse oil refinery and export terminal
Tuareg and jihadist looting in Mali
Featured Photo: “Burnt Ukrainian wheat field” – Wikimedia Commons, 2026
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The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.