Aug 8, 2026, 08:30 AM UTC

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during a parliamentary commission hearing, asserting that no illegalities were committed under his leadership. Rebuffing criticism from the ruling coalition, the Five Star Movement leader insisted emergency decrees and health protocols strictly followed scientific advice.

During more than three hours of testimony, Conte revealed that he submitted an anonymous document to Rome prosecutors regarding a 100-million-euro mask transaction involving JC Electronics and potentially counterfeit supplies. Responding to political opposition, he urged lawmakers to investigate all pandemic procurement thoroughly while warning against turning the parliamentary panel into a political execution squad.

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

German authorities are investigating more than 100 cases of suspected state-sponsored sabotage and unauthorized drone activity, including an explosive device allegedly attached to a drone near Leipzig/Halle airport. Security officials report that foreign actors, primarily linked to Russia, are escalating hybrid warfare tactics aimed at destabilizing German institutions.

Simultaneously, intelligence sources warned of intensified Russian disinformation campaigns targeting Germany’s September regional elections. These operations specifically aim to undermine mainstream political parties, while avoiding the right-wing Alternative for Germany. Analysts are calling on the federal government to accelerate defensive measures.

Meanwhile, defense experts are questioning whether current military procurement adequately addresses these evolving risks, arguing that expensive heavy armor may prove ineffective against low-cost drone capabilities.

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

Ukraine's armed forces are undergoing internal command restructuring under newly appointed army chief Mykhailo Drapatyi.

The reorganization comes alongside notable comments from former commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, currently Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom. Zaluzhnyi asserted that Ukraine will never join NATO, stating the alliance relies on "tactics from World War II" and remains unequipped for modern warfare.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defenses experienced severe operational challenges after failing to intercept any of the 28 Russian ballistic and anti-ship missiles fired during a recent barrage. The attack on the Kyiv region killed 17 people and injured 44. Officials cited a critical shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, with military analysts noting a potential strategic pivot toward targeting launch platforms directly inside Russia.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

As an intense heatwave continues across Central Europe, water levels along the Rhine River at Kaub have dropped to their lowest recorded mark since 1880. The German Weather Service forecasts peak temperatures between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius alongside severe thunderstorms in several regions.

The prolonged dry spell has severely impacted freight shipping, local ecosystems, and drinking water reservoirs along major waterways like the Rhine and Danube. Receding riverbeds continue to reveal historic relics, such as ancient shipwrecks and mammoth bones. Meanwhile, emergency personnel remain on high alert for vegetation fires near border areas as high temperatures are expected to persist into the weekend.

Sources: Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Tributes have continued across Italy following the death of singer-songwriter Francesco Guccini at his home in Pavana at the age of 86. Fans assembled outside his former residence at Via Paolo Fabbri 43 in Bologna, playing his songs publicly and leaving floral tributes alongside handwritten notes.

Prominent figures, including former prime minister Romano Prodi and musicians Vasco Rossi and Gianni Morandi, shared public condolences, while the Italian Chamber of Deputies observed a moment of applause. His family confirmed that a private funeral service will take place in the coming days, requesting privacy during their grief while expressing gratitude for the public support. Guccini leaves behind a profound musical and literary legacy in Italian culture.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.