Nov 11, 2026, 08:00 PM UTC

Spain's major trade unions, CC.OO. and UGT, led nationwide mobilizations during a general strike marked by strong political undertones ahead of upcoming elections. Industrial manufacturing and major food logistics hubs, such as Mercamadrid and Mercabarna, experienced significant disruptions and early morning police interventions against picket lines. Conversely, the service sector operated under near-normal conditions, partly mitigated by the widespread adoption of remote work.

Disagreements persist regarding the strike's overall reach. While unions sought to rally younger workers around labor and housing demands, business organizations reported low participation. The regional employer federation CEV estimated turnout at 2.57 percent in the Valencian Community, describing operations as broadly uninterrupted. Early economic assessments suggest the overall financial impact remained contained compared to historical general strikes.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, Marca

Ukrainian forces have stabilized sections of the front line and pushed back Russian troops in a counter-offensive operation, according to recent field reports. The tactical gains follow heavy engagements that reportedly inflicted significant Russian casualties during early November.

Despite battlefield advancements, Ukraine faces critical domestic disruption as Russian air raids continue targeting national infrastructure. Blackouts persist across the Dnipropetrovsk region, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity, while the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains dependent on emergency diesel generators to maintain essential reactor cooling systems.

Meanwhile, unverified leaked data allegedly obtained from a cyber breach of Russian government servers claims Moscow's troop fatalities have reached 450,000 since 2022. Internationally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated warnings against rapid peace negotiations, emphasizing that concessions on territorial integrity would compromise security.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, ESUT, FAZ, Tagesschau

The US House of Representatives has voted down an impeachment resolution targeting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following recent Republican midterm losses. The motion, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, alleged that Hegseth initiated unauthorized military actions against Iran and carried out unlawful commands without congressional approval. The Republican-majority chamber blocked the initiative from proceeding.

The vote occurs amid broader political tension in Washington after US President Donald Trump defended his administration's record during a CBS 60 Minutes interview. The political fallout has been further compounded by Trump's decision to appoint Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff. The appointment sparked sharp criticism from opponents and raised concerns among several Republican lawmakers who cited Miller's involvement in controversial policy decisions.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex.

Germany's German Council of Economic Experts, known as the "Wirtschaftsweise," has significantly raised its growth forecast for the domestic economy. In its annual report, the panel projects gross domestic product to expand by 1.3 percent this year, marking the strongest growth since 2022, followed by a 1.0 percent increase in 2027. Despite the improved outlook, the advisers cautioned that rising inflation risks remain and urged structural spending cuts alongside potential new revenue measures, such as a defense surcharge, to stabilize public finances.

Meanwhile, corporate and fiscal developments reflect ongoing shifts in the defense and labor sectors. German sensor supplier Hensoldt reported strong revenue expectations alongside a surge in public interest, receiving 100,000 job applications. On the public spending side, Berlin is finalized to acquire a 50 percent stake in defense manufacturer KNDS for €6.6 billion, while the Ministry of Finance has drafted plans to expand federal loan support to the Federal Employment Agency to €8.2 billion next year.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Der Standard, FAZ, Handelsblatt, Tagesschau

Trilateral negotiations between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi concluded following discussions on post-conflict security frameworks. U.S. mediator Jared Kushner emphasized creating a updated framework for regional stability, while U.S. officials reported progress on European and Ukrainian security measures. Kyiv's delegation also conducted parallel coordination sessions with representatives from NATO, the European Union, and E4 nations.

Despite the diplomatic engagement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov maintained Moscow's rejection of European calls for an immediate ceasefire. Concurrently, initial exercises commenced for the proposed Multinational Force for Ukraine.

Separately, cyber groups claimed to have exfiltrated Russian statistical data indicating over 412,000 military fatalities. In defense policy, Italy confirmed it will continue restricting its military assistance for Ukraine to non-offensive equipment and power generators, omitting Samp/T missiles, while absorbing cost increases in its domestic F-35 fighter jet acquisition program.

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