Oct 11, 2026, 08:00 AM UTC

Russia's defence ministry has launched a renewed campaign targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, alongside continued overnight drone strikes against Kyiv that injured at least one person. The escalation follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly, in which he denounced Moscow.

In turn, Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries have disrupted domestic fuel supplies, forcing Moscow to import petrol from foreign sources.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the European Union "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil" and remains ready to respond. Her statement follows German authorities identifying two suspects linked to Moscow in connection with an explosive drone plot in Leipzig.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated following the expiration of a 60-day memorandum of understanding without an extension. Iranian military officials announced a transition to a "completely offensive" strategy, declaring their intention to pursue the "complete defeat" of American forces in the region. Washington confirmed it does not plan to renew the temporary ceasefire agreement.

The diplomatic impasse coincides with expanding naval clashes. US Central Command reported targeting five Iranian oil tankers and sinking one after Iranian forces attacked an American warship. The maritime strikes occur against a backdrop of mounting economic sanctions on Tehran and fears regarding international shipping control through the Strait of Hormuz, with analysts warning of a potential full-scale regional conflict.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

France's Constitutional Council has approved legislation legalising conditional assisted dying and validated an emergency agricultural law, while striking down a proposed social media ban for children under 15.

The court ruled that parliament holds authority over major social reforms, provided constitutional rights are upheld. To address ethical concerns regarding assisted dying, justices issued three interpretative reservations, including a conscience clause permitting faith-based facilities to decline administering end-of-life procedures.

Conversely, the court censured the primary provision restricting social media access for minors under 15, declaring a blanket prohibition an excessive violation of constitutional liberties. President Emmanuel Macron praised the assisted dying ruling, describing it as completing an "débat démocratique exemplaire".

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Politico Europe (Defense)

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced targets to raise the average net monthly wage to €1,600 by 2028 and projected that national gross domestic product will surpass €100 billion by 2026. The government anticipates economic expansion of around 2.4 percent, significantly outpacing average growth rates across the European Union.

To support long-term productivity, Zagreb introduced a €3 billion national industrial plan running through 2034. However, business representatives and independent analysts expressed skepticism regarding the trajectory. Mislav Balković, head of the Croatian Employers' Association, cautioned that rising labor costs are outpacing productivity gains, emphasizing that private sector initiative must drive future expansion. Additionally, former economy minister Ljubo Jurčić warned that slowing consumer demand is cooling overall momentum, describing the economy as drifting "without an engine and without a rudder."

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

Political scientist Alpo Rusi has outlined historical Soviet influence operations in Finland during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Writing in a column for Iltalehti, Rusi detailed how KGB officers targeted Finnish political figures, specifically focusing on former Prime Minister and National Conciliator Keijo Liinamaa.

According to Rusi, Liinamaa faced direct intimidation from Soviet intelligence services shortly before his sudden death in December 1980. Liinamaa had reportedly disclosed these threats to a diplomat prior to his passing. Rusi's account emphasizes how Moscow employed covert pressure tactics to manipulate Finnish domestic affairs, aiming to steer the presidential succession toward candidates aligned with Soviet interests during a sensitive political transition.

Sources: Iltalehti