Oct 30, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged officials in Kyiv to begin logistical preparations for future national elections, even as martial law remains active across the country.

Fedorov, who was dismissed from his post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stated that setting up necessary voting infrastructure now will prevent extended democratic delays once security conditions allow polling to resume. Organizing elections during war involves complex challenges, such as securing ballot access for displaced citizens, overseas refugees, and active military personnel. While the Zelensky administration maintains that holding elections during wartime is constitutionally restricted and impractical, Fedorov argues that early organizational groundwork is vital for a smooth transition when hostilities cease.

Sources: Le Monde

Public sentiment toward artificial intelligence in Italy is turning increasingly cautious as economic and industrial risks come into focus. According to a recent SWG survey presented at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, positive perception of AI dropped from 68 percent in 2020 to 49 percent, while public concern rose to 45 percent. The shift coincides with growing scrutiny over automated tools in search engines, where AI summaries threaten web traffic for digital publishers through zero-click answers.

Globally, AI adoption has been linked to hundreds of thousands of job dislocations in recent years, prompting major tech firms to resist government oversight. Simultaneously, Italian figures, such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, remain key drivers of international technological innovation.

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

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced an ambitious target to raise average net monthly wages to €1,600 by 2028, with consultations on adjusting the minimum wage set for October. His announcement comes as Croatia recorded its 22nd consecutive quarter of economic growth, though recent expansion has shown signs of slowing.

Employer representatives and economic analysts expressed concern over the sustainability of the current trajectory. Mislav Balković, president of the Croatian Employers' Association, cautioned that rising labor costs are outpacing productivity growth, stressing that future expansion must rely on real-sector enterprise rather than public spending and European Union funds. Meanwhile, former economy minister Ljubo Jurčić offered a harsher critique, arguing that the economy lacks clear direction and requires annual growth exceeding five percent to maintain momentum.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti

Investigating authorities in Spain have confirmed that at least 69 people died when a high-speed train collided with a stationary passenger convoy near Urda, Toledo.

According to a preliminary report by technical investigation authority AITAT, an AVE train carrying 397 passengers rammed the rear of an Iryo train carrying 146 passengers at speeds estimated between 160 and 200 kilometers per hour. The collision sent two carriages down an embankment, leaving around 150 people injured.

High-speed rail service connecting Madrid and Andalusia remains suspended as recovery teams clear wreckage. Regional authorities warned that casualty figures may increase further as emergency crews search the scene.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, Marca.

Following the MED9 summit in Split, discussions among European officials focused on defense readiness, Black Sea maritime security, migration, and the future EU budget. Analysts highlighted the need to strengthen regional defense capabilities while protecting EU cohesion policy funding.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that European institutions and decision-making systems "were created for a different world" and must adapt to mounting security and economic pressures.

In bilateral discussions, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Von der Leyen addressed energy market volatility linked to Middle Eastern tensions, reviewing Croatian price caps on fuel, electricity, and gas. Plenković also urged progress on Bosnia and Herzegovina's electoral reform to ensure constitutional equality and genuine representation for the country's Croat community in its presidency.

Sources: Avaz, FENA, HRT Vijesti, Index