2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to three neurobiology researchers

Nobel Prize Week began with the awarding of the Prize in Medicine. The honour was awarded for developing technologies based on light-gated ion channels and for developing optogenetics. It recognizes three scientists who opened up new perspectives in neurobiology, providing tools to study nerve cell activity and the mechanisms involved in neurological and psychiatric diseases.

Hospitals in Irkutsk quarantined; doctors report plague

In Irkutsk, several hospitals were placed under quarantine for three weeks, the publication Liudi Baikala reports. These include Municipal Clinical Hospitals No. 1, 3, and 10, as well as the Ivan-Matrenin Children's Clinical Hospital, TV Rain reports.

Nearly 4 tons of humanitarian aid delivered by drone to Oleshky, six animals rescued

On the night of October 4, units from the National Guard, the Ukrainian Armed Forces Marines, and the State Border Guard Service used drones to deliver food, medicines, and kits for children to the city of Oleshky—approximately 400 packages with a total weight of nearly 4 tons—announced Ukrainian Interior Minister Ivan Vyhivskyi, as cited by Astra.

Merz in Kyiv: "Ukraine needs our support soon"

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on the morning of October 4 for an unannounced visit. DW reports it is the German head of government's first visit to Ukraine since May 2025.

Germany is giving Ukraine €1.3 billion in defense and energy aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Germany has allocated a substantial aid package to Ukraine worth over €1.3 billion, reports Ukrainska Pravda, as cited by BBC News.

Friedrich Merz to Putin: "Stop this war"

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine—an armed conflict the German leader described as a "senseless war"—during his surprise visit to Kyiv, Agerpres reports, citing EFE.

Zelensky: The FP-9 missile will be ready this autumn

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Reuters that the Ukrainian FP-9 missile, capable of reaching Moscow, will be ready in the autumn. Earlier in October, Zelenskyy had announced the first combat use of the FP-7 tactical ballistic missile, which has a range of up to 250 kilometers, DW reports.

Kyiv transit crippled after Russian strike damages bridge

A Russian drone strike damaged Kyiv’s North Bridge overnight, cutting transit across the Dnipro River after explosions tore through the roadway and severed overhead power cables, municipal authorities reported.

FlyDubai co-pilot used crash axe in Tel Aviv flight attack

The FlyDubai co-pilot attacked his captain with an emergency axe and attempted to seize control of a Tel Aviv-bound aircraft during a “terrorist attack,” the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said.

Musk and tech leaders join US military review

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has appointed Elon Musk, defense tech founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to lead a 120-day Pentagon study on future warfare.

G7 frees 100M fuel barrels via IEA to stabilize global supply

The Group of Seven economies will coordinate a phased release of 100 million barrels of diesel and refined fuels via the International Energy Agency to stabilize soaring global markets, leaders announced on Friday.

US blacklists Shor-tied A7 network as criminal enterprise

The United States designated the A7 financial network, linked to convicted fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, as a transnational criminal organization on Wednesday, accusing the clearinghouse of facilitating sanctions evasion for Russia and Iran.