Aug 7, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte appeared before a parliamentary inquiry commission in Rome to defend his government's management of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conte temporarily resigned from his seat on the panel to deliver his testimony, which lasted over three hours.

During the hearing, the Five Star Movement leader stood by his administration's emergency decrees, health protocols, and vaccine procurement efforts. Rebuffing allegations of wrongdoing, Conte stated, "Scavate pure, da me nessun illecito." He also launched a counteroffensive by submitting an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors concerning a 100-million-euro transaction with supplier JC Electronics regarding potentially counterfeit masks. Conte criticized the inquiry as a political "plotone di esecuzione" while clashing with coalition lawmakers over procurement decisions.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

German security authorities and researchers are raising alarms over an increase in foreign hybrid operations, including over 100 suspected state-backed sabotage incidents and drone overflights across the country. Recent incidents, such as an explosive-laden drone detected near Leipzig/Halle airport and disruptions to rail infrastructure, have heightened concerns over national security.

Concurrently, intelligence officials report intensified Russian disinformation campaigns targeting mainstream political parties ahead of upcoming state elections, notably excluding the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Experts are pressing the federal government to accelerate defensive measures.

Meanwhile, defense analysts are evaluating whether the military's procurement strategy aligns with modern warfare demands, raising questions over heavy armor investments compared to cost-effective drone technology.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ

Spanish authorities have increased military and police deployments around Ceuta following a major border crossing, sending naval frigates and extra riot control officers to secure the enclave. Tensions remain over differing migrant counts: central government officials estimate roughly 2,500 migrants remain, including 500 unaccompanied minors, while local autonomous leaders report up to 6,000.

Initial asylum applications are currently being processed as border conditions stabilize, though some young migrants have reportedly opted to swim back to Morocco. Simultaneously, military forces have gathered migrant groups near perimeter fences for immediate return procedures. Friction persists between regional leadership and central ministries regarding border security strategies and foreign diplomatic handling.

Sources: Canarias7, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia

Cross-border aerial attacks have intensified as Ukrainian drone strikes caused casualties and fires across multiple Russian regions. In Moscow Oblast, local officials reported five deaths and ten injuries following a strike that damaged commercial infrastructure. Further north, in Leningrad Oblast, a drone barrage ignited a fire at a Wildberries warehouse in Krasny Bor, with air defense systems downing 17 drones over the area.

In Krasnodar Krai, regional authorities confirmed that a drone impact on a beach in Arkhipo-Osipovka left seven people dead, including three children, and injured dozens more. Commercial facilities belonging to Wildberries were targeted for consecutive nights, according to reports.

On the front lines, Russian forces secured a tactical advance near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast, while Ukrainian troops reported progress in southern Donetsk Oblast.

Sources: France24, Mediazona, Point, Радіо Свобода, The Insider