Overnight papers led with UN figures of more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians killed or wounded in 2026, up 55% on 2025, with reports of sexual violence by Russian troops, while Kyiv reported intensified raids.
Attention shifted to Chancellor Merz's surprise trip to Kyiv, struck during his presence by a Russian attack that hit the North Bridge. Merz urged Putin to stop the war and pledged 1 billion in military aid as Moscow said it would fight for 0.01% of Donetsk and Zelensky said Washington sought trilateral talks by late October.
Live sport coverage interrupted with the rain-delayed Malaysian Grand Prix won by Verstappen ahead of Antonelli, while evening editions turned to Garlasco, where Chiara Poggi's parents told television Stasi remained the culprit for them, and to Brazil, where early counts put Bolsonaro above 50% ahead of Lula.