Nov 5, 2026, 07:30 AM UTC

A fourth summer heatwave continues to grip Southern and Western Europe, driving temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius and elevating public health warnings.

In Italy, health authorities extended red weather alerts to all 27 major cities, including Messina and Reggio Calabria, as extreme conditions are forecast to persist for another week. Officials recommended staying indoors between 11:00 and 18:00 to reduce health risks.

Extreme heat has also established new records elsewhere across the continent. Austria recorded its highest temperature ever at 40.8 degrees Celsius near Vienna. Meanwhile, health authorities in France reported over 7,300 excess deaths linked to recurring heatwaves spanning 52 days since mid-June.

Meteorologists warn that severe drought conditions and elevated wildfire risks will persist as France and the United Kingdom prepare for additional spikes approaching 40 degrees Celsius.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG

Russian ground offensives in Ukraine remain largely stalled despite claims of progress from Moscow, according to recent mapping data and analytical reports. Data from the Institute for the Study of War and the DeepState project indicate virtually no net territorial shifts through late September, while Finnish analytics firm Black Bird Group recorded limited Russian gains of 133 square kilometers in August. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have launched localized counterattacks, including near Oleksandrivka.

Concurrently, Moscow has intensified long-range strikes targeting Ukraine's energy grid ahead of winter. Ukrainian officials confirmed recent bombardments against heating and power facilities in and around Kyiv were the largest since spring. The renewed aerial campaign coincides with a decline in Ukrainian air defense efficiency, with drone interception rates falling from 92 percent in May to 83 percent in September.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Respect, Seznam Zprávy.

A data transmission error following the Berlin state election in the Spandau district has led to a seat reassignment in the Abgeordnetenhaus. Corrected calculations revealed that Alternative for Germany (AfD) candidate Tommy Tabor won the direct mandate initially attributed to Bettina Meßner of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The correction reduces the total size of the state parliament by five seats due to adjustments in overhang mandates.

The adjustment comes alongside broader shifts in voter demographics across Berlin. Die Linke emerged as a strong contender in polling, bolstered by substantial backing from younger voters. Meanwhile, electoral participation among residents with a migration background remained noticeably low in areas such as Neukölln. Concurrently, reports indicated an unexpected trend of young German-born voters of Turkish origin turning toward the AfD, citing concerns regarding public safety, economic stability, and migration control.

Sources: Correctiv, DW, FAZ, Die Zeit, Tagesschau

Voting is underway across the United States as millions cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the remaining two years of President Donald Trump's term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 35 Senate seats, and 39 gubernatorial positions are up for election.

While early local results in the U.S. territory of Guam yielded an initial victory for Republicans, national attention remains focused on tight legislative contests. Turnout is projected to reach high levels as voters weigh key issues, including economic inflation, trade policy, and foreign relations. With the Republican party defending its majorities, a shift in legislative power could alter the administration's ability to enact major policy initiatives. Polling places will close sequentially across state time zones throughout the evening.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica