Oct 8, 2026, 01:30 AM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal championed by US President Donald Trump. Speaking in televised remarks to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and confirmed that "Israel rejects the 15-point document."

The statement signals a growing rift between Israel and the US administration, despite recent reductions in Israeli military strikes following American diplomatic pressure. Netanyahu's stance comes as he prepares for an upcoming national election on October 27, navigating competing pressures from far-right coalition partners and Washington.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced targets to raise the average net monthly wage to €1,600 by 2028, alongside October talks on revising the €1,050 gross minimum wage. Concurrently, the government unveiled a National Industrial Development Plan through 2034, committing nearly €3 billion to boost manufacturing's GDP share and advance technology.

Despite recording a 22nd consecutive quarter of growth, slowing economic momentum drew warnings from business representatives and analysts. Mislav Balković, president of the Croatian Employers' Association, cautioned that rising labor costs continue to outpace productivity gains. Additionally, economist Ljubo Jurčić argued that the economy is drifting "without an engine and without a rudder," emphasizing that sustained growth rates above five percent are necessary to ensure long-term stability.

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

French education authorities suspended in-person classes in 400 to 500 high schools following nationwide blockades that officials say have shifted into urban unrest. Education Minister Édouard Geffray reported that at least 24 establishments suffered severe vandalism or arson, including an attack that destroyed the entrance of Nelson Mandela High School in Nantes.

Sébastien Lecornu convened an interministerial crisis unit and instructed ministers to cancel upcoming travel. Public transport in Marseille and Strasbourg faced major disruptions after transit staff and vehicles were targeted. Student groups continue to demand increased educational funding and teacher replacements ahead of broader union mobilizations, while government officials condemned the destruction as an "entreprise de destruction du service public de l'éducation". Distance learning has been introduced across affected districts.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

European leaders and analysts at the EU MED9 summit in Split examined rising security, migration, and economic pressures facing the bloc. During bilateral talks, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed regional energy security and government price caps aimed at mitigating Middle East instability. Plenković also emphasized the necessity of political stabilization and electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina to guarantee equal representation for its constituent peoples, including a Croat representative in the country's presidency.

The discussions coincided with broader evaluations of European defense and institutional readiness. Von der Leyen noted in recent remarks that European "systems were created for a different world" as the EU navigates Black Sea security threats, budget negotiations, and economic competitiveness.

Sources: Avaz, FENA, HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik

United States President Donald Trump has warned of additional military actions against Iran following fresh military exchanges near Bandar Abbas and Sirik. The confrontation marks the first direct military clash between Washington and Tehran in a month.

Trump stated that Iranian leadership is "begging" for a diplomatic agreement with Washington in the aftermath of the bombardment. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that while his nation does not seek a broader confrontation, Tehran will "decisively respond to aggressors." Iranian naval commanders also dismissed claims of significant destruction, maintaining that their fleet remains operational despite the strikes.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).