Oct 18, 2026, 04:30 AM UTC

Romania's Ministry of Environment will launch the updated Casa Verde Baterii program in October, offering 400 million to 500 million lei in funding for residential energy storage systems. Moving away from the former first-come, first-served allocation model, the initiative introduces a point-based scoring system prioritizing applicants who offer higher self-financing and larger storage capacity.

While participating households report notable utility bill savings through solar generation, applicants cite widespread administrative friction, processing delays, and installer quotes significantly above market rates. Furthermore, prosumer groups criticized the new criteria, arguing that prioritizing higher co-financing disadvantages lower-income applicants and homeowners who already acquired storage units.

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

Archaeologists in Ukraine have concluded their field research season, highlighting key discoveries made across the country over the past nine months. Prominent findings include historic artifacts from the Cherkasy region and an ancient cromlech structure discovered on Khortytsia Island.

Researchers noted an increased reliance on modern technology to guide excavations. Advanced tools such as satellite imagery and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) were used to map site locations before physical digs began, improving precision and efficiency. As winter approaches, field teams are preparing to analyze their findings indoors.

Sources: NV.

Heavy rainfall and severe flooding have struck several Turkish provinces, including Istanbul, Antalya, Sakarya, and Kocaeli, causing fatalities and widespread disruption. Authorities reported receiving thousands of emergency calls, with response teams deploying to rescue hundreds of stranded residents from flooded streets and overflowing streams.

Official statements differed slightly on the casualty count: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister Murat Kurum reported three deaths linked to the storms, whereas Istanbul municipal representatives confirmed two fatalities in the city, including a 14-year-old electrocuted in Fatih and a 34-year-old swept away in Sarıyer.

Emergency crews from AFAD and local bodies continue search operations for several missing persons, as weather services maintain warnings across dozens of provinces.

Sources: Anadolu Ajansı, Bianet, Cumhuriyet, TRT Haber.

Demonstrators took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the rising cost of living, falling education standards, and worsening public services. The nationwide mobilization included around 140 rallies involving tens of thousands of participants.

Clashes erupted between police and protesters in several major cities, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Strasbourg. Demonstrators damaged municipal buildings in Marseille and a tourist center in Lyon, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas and batons. France's Interior Ministry reported at least 272 detentions across the country, while denouncing incidents as "targeted acts of violence."

The demonstrations follow weeks of growing discontent that began in September over school staffing shortages. Similar protests over economic pressures and housing costs were also reported in Belgium and Portugal.

Sources: Mediapool, Nova TV, Investor.bg, The Insider, Радіо Свобода

Czech opposition party ANO suffered a complete defeat in the second round of Senate elections, failing to secure a single seat out of 13 runoff contests. The outcome marks the worst Senate election result in the history of Andrej Babiš's movement, as it failed even in traditionally strong districts such as Karviná.

In contrast, the Mayors and Independents (STAN) party emerged as the primary victor, securing ten seats. The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) won seven seats, exceeding initial expectations, while the Christian Democrats (KDU-ČSL) took three and TOP 09 obtained two.

With none of its finalists succeeding, ANO lost its sole defending seat and diminished its representation in the upper chamber of the Czech parliament.

Sources: Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy.