Oct 7, 2026, 08:00 AM UTC

Russian forces conducted overnight drone strikes against Kyiv, injuring at least one person and damaging infrastructure following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the UN General Assembly. Moscow's Ministry of Defence subsequently announced a renewed military campaign targeting Ukraine's energy grid. In retaliation, Ukrainian long-range drones struck Russian oil refineries, forcing Moscow to import petroleum products to address local fuel shortages.

Simultaneously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the European Union is "ready to respond" to hostile acts on member state territory. Her statement followed the identification of two suspects linked to Moscow in connection with explosive drone incidents in Leipzig, Germany. European officials reiterated that attacks against EU interests will not be tolerated.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Portugal's parliament has defeated a motion of censure brought by the far-right Chega party against the minority Democratic Alliance administration. The proposal, which accused the executive of lacking political authority following controversies involving the Minister of Internal Administration, failed after a three-hour debate.

The governing coalition voted against the measure, while the main opposition Socialist Party abstained, ensuring its rejection. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro criticized Chega for pushing a doomed initiative, stating the public would pass a "political judgment" on the party's parliamentary conduct while emphasizing that the government remains without a permanent legislative partner.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has announced a target average net monthly salary of €1,600 by 2028, alongside upcoming October negotiations to raise the country's current €1,050 gross minimum wage. The government also outlined a National Industrial Development Plan through 2034, committing nearly €3 billion to increase manufacturing's contribution to GDP through technological upgrades.

While the economy expanded for a 22nd consecutive quarter, recent data indicates slowing momentum. Mislav Balković, head of the Croatian Employers' Association, warned that rising labor costs are outpacing productivity, urging a transition from public-funded expansion toward private-sector-led growth. Similarly, economist Ljubo Jurčić criticized the current trajectory, arguing that the economy is drifting "without an engine and without a rudder" and requires annual growth exceeding five percent to maintain long-term stability.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti.

Conditions surrounding the death of 28-year-old laboratory technician Darya Shipilova in Irkutsk, Siberia, have drawn increased scrutiny amid reports of strict isolation protocols. More than 60 employees at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute reportedly remain confined inside the facility without beds, forced to sleep on chairs and floors despite testing negative for disease.

Health authorities continue to monitor nearly 200 individuals following Shipilova's death, which Russian officials officially categorized as "pneumonia of unknown origin." However, reports indicate she likely suffered accidental exposure to pneumonic plague from a broken container. While regional officials insist the public health risk is under control, coverage highlights public alarm over contradictory communications and the potential suppression of official alerts.

Sources: ANSA, Canarias7, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, Il Messaggero

A vote recount in Berlin's Spandau district following a transmission error shifted a direct parliamentary seat from Christian Democratic Union candidate Bettina Meißner to Alternative for Germany's Tommy Tabor. The correction eliminated overhang mandates, reducing the Abgeordnetenhaus by five seats.

The recount occurred alongside shifting voter trends across the capital. Recent polling placed Die Linke in the lead with 22 percent, driven primarily by strong youth support. Meanwhile, voter turnout among residents with a migration background remained noticeably low in districts such as Neukölln. Despite lower overall participation in these communities, some young voters of Turkish origin expressed support for the AfD, citing concerns regarding public safety, economic stability, and dissatisfaction with established centrist parties.

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