Oct 9, 2026, 08:00 AM UTC

Russian forces launched overnight drone strikes targeting Kyiv, injuring a woman and damaging local infrastructure. The escalated aerial attacks followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address at the United Nations General Assembly, where he condemned Moscow's invasion.

Russia's Defense Ministry announced a renewed military campaign specifically aimed at destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries continue to disrupt domestic fuel supplies, prompting Moscow to import petrol.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a stern warning, stating that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil." Her remarks followed German investigators identifying two suspects linked to Moscow in connection with explosive drones discovered in Leipzig.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Iranian state media reported targeted missile attacks against six maritime vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including three tankers and three United States ships, alongside strikes directed at an American aircraft carrier. Tehran described the offensive as direct retaliation against recent US military operations in the region.

Emergency crews extinguished a fire on board a damaged oil tanker following the incidents. Despite the disruptions, US President Donald Trump stated that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, asserting that Iranian authorities are operating under severe internal pressure following the breakdown of a previous truce.

However, intelligence officials in Washington warned that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps appears increasingly confident, raising concerns over potential further escalation in the strategic waterway.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Following the completion of the final vote count, Sweden’s center-left opposition alliance has won a narrow victory in the general election, clearing the path for former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to return to leadership. Andersson's Social Democrats emerged as the largest party in the 349-seat Riksdag, but securing a majority will depend on coalition talks with the Green Party, the Centre Party, and the Left Party.

The election followed a campaign marked by debates over economic stagnation, public services, and allegations of Russian influence targeting political figures. While outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson sought to defend his administration's record, the left-wing bloc maintained its lead through final polling and the vote count. Coalition negotiations are expected to be challenging due to policy differences among potential partner parties.

Sources: La Vanguardia, NEXTA, Politico Europe (Defense), The Insider, The Local Sweden.

Public trust in artificial intelligence in Italy has fallen significantly over the past four years, according to an SWG survey presented at the Chamber of Deputies. Positive perception dropped to 49% from 68% in 2020, while concerns increased to 45%.

The shift reflects growing debate over the wider impact of automation. Estimates attribute roughly 425,000 job cuts worldwide to AI adoption over the last three years, as major technology corporations lobby to curtail government regulation. Analysts also warn that rapid AI integration poses structural risks to Italy's tax system, threatening fiscal balance.

Despite public hesitation, prominent Italian figures remain central to global AI developments, including Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. Meanwhile, commentators question whether current oversight can maintain trust amid rapid technological and political shifts.

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

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced targets to raise the country's average net monthly salary to €1,600 by 2028, with consultations scheduled for October to adjust the minimum wage. The policy coincides with a proposed €3 billion industrial development strategy aimed at modernizing manufacturing and technology sectors through 2034.

Despite achieving 22 consecutive quarters of expansion, the economic outlook faces scrutiny from industry representatives and analysts. Mislav Balković, head of the Croatian Employers' Association, emphasized that sustainable expansion requires the private sector to drive productivity, as rising employment costs outpace efficiency gains. Meanwhile, former economy minister Ljubo Jurčić described the national economy as drifting "without an engine and without a rudder," arguing that annual GDP growth must exceed five percent to secure long-term stability as domestic demand softens.

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