Jul 30, 2026, 08:00 PM UTC

Russian forces conducted a widespread missile and drone attack across Ukraine overnight, targeting major cities including Kyiv, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk. Ukrainian officials reported at least eight deaths and over a dozen injuries, with a missile striking a residential building in Kryvyi Rih. In response to strikes near NATO territory, neighboring Poland scrambled fighter jets to safeguard its airspace.

Ahead of the strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged citizens to seek shelter and called on international partners to accelerate air defense deliveries.

Concurrently, Ukraine launched long-range drone strikes against Russian territory. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that air defense units intercepted over 390 drones targeting the capital region, while Ukrainian media reported a drone strike on a steel mill in the Moscow region.

Sources: FAZ, ORF, Sweden Herald.

Spanish authorities have deployed military personnel to Ceuta following a sharp increase in migrant arrivals from Morocco into the North African enclave. At least nine fatalities have been confirmed after individuals attempted to reach Spanish territory by swimming around coastal breakwaters, using inflatables, or scaling perimeter fencing.

Local estimates indicate that between 2,000 and 3,000 people crossed on Thursday alone, pushing reception facilities beyond capacity. Footage showed crowds of predominantly young Moroccan men, along with families and children, arriving at Tarajal beach and border gates.

Ceuta’s regional leader, Juan Jesús Vivas, requested urgent assistance from Madrid, prompting the initial deployment of 60 soldiers to support border security.

Sources: BBC News, FAZ, La Vanguardia, Sweden Herald, TV 2 Nyheter.

Following his expulsion from the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), Walter Ruck has officially stepped down from his positions as president of the Vienna Economic Chamber and head of the Vienna Economic Federation. His departure followed the publication of secret audio recordings in which he boasted about political influence.

His former deputy, Margarete Kriz-Zwittkovits, has assumed both leadership roles, pledging to restore lost trust and initiate organizational reforms. Reports indicate the covert recording was made by Marko Fischer, head of the Social Democratic Business Association in Vienna, allegedly motivated by disputes over past chamber elections. While the Economic Federation board thanked Ruck for his service, political commentators emphasized that the scandal rendered his position untenable.

Sources: Die Presse, ORF.

At least four Palestinians, including children, were killed in recent Israeli military strikes in Khan Younis and al-Bureij within the Gaza Strip, according to local health officials. Israel's military stated it targeted Hamas infrastructure during overnight operations while expanding control in the region.

The strikes occurred amid a fragile ceasefire, even as talks in Cairo showed potential progress on a 15-point roadmap concerning Hamas disarmament. While Palestinian sources reported advancement in negotiations, an Israeli official tempered expectations regarding an agreement.

Concurrently, reports indicate the Israeli military signed orders to confiscate Palestinian Authority-controlled land in the northern West Bank to construct a road connecting two settlements.

Sources: ORF, Sweden Herald

European carmakers are posting contrasting financial and sales results as they navigate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). French manufacturer Renault saw a 47.6% surge in pure EV sales during the first half of the year, driven by electric remakes of classic models like the R5 and Twingo. Despite a minor 0.4% dip in overall deliveries caused by early-year logistical hurdles at its Dacia brand, EV sales accounted for 20% of Renault's total volume.

Meanwhile, Stellantis, owner of Opel, Peugeot, and Fiat, reported a return to profitability in the second quarter following recent market turbulence. However, investors remain cautious despite management signaling recovery.

Sources: ORF, FAZ.