Yesterday, today and tomorrow: storms, energy, rates and security in Europe – what to watch and how to adapt

In the past 24 hours, the world has once again shown how quickly big stories spill over into the small details that make up our day. War and security, energy and prices, extreme weather, and moves by major economies—these are all topics that look “far away” on the front pages, but in practice affect how much we pay for fuel and electricity, whether flights will be delayed, and how “safe” we feel when planning a trip or work.

January 10, 2026 is not just another Saturday on the calendar. After yesterday’s strikes and political messages, and alongside today’s decisions and reactions, the most important question for an ordinary person is simple: what is realistically risky in the next few days, and what is just noise. In an era of fast news, the greatest value is distinguishing what can be controlled from what is merely a reason for anxiety.

Yesterday, January 9, 2026, three “hard-nosed” themes dominated: security in Europe, money, and weather. Security because wartime moves are still capable of triggering fear and price hikes. Money because economic and energy data once again set the tone for markets and household budgets. Weather because storms and fires reminded us that risks are increasingly measured in hours, not seasons.

Tomorrow, January 11, 2026, won’t bring a magical turnaround, but it can change the rhythm: part of events is predetermined (electoral processes, sports schedules, market expectations), and part will depend on whether crises calm down or move into a new phase. For the reader, it’s useful to have a “checklist” of what to watch—and where you don’t need to expose yourself to unnecessary stress.

The biggest short-term risks are practical: supply and travel disruptions due to weather, energy-price volatility, and the spread of political tensions that can end in new measures and responses. The biggest opportunities are also practical: those who adapt in time can avoid costs (e.g., flexible trip planning, smart energy-use management, a more rational approach to financial decisions).

Yesterday: what happened and why you should care

Ukraine: strikes, escalation, and the cold reality of supply disruptions

According to Reuters, on January 9, 2026, Ukraine reported a large wave of drone and missile attacks, including the launch of a Russian Oreshnik missile toward a target in the west of the country, near the border with Poland. In the same context, casualties in Kyiv and major power-supply disruptions are mentioned, with a note that temperatures were expected to drop further. The emphasis of European officials was on the message that this was an attempt at intimidation and at deterring support for Ukraine.

For an ordinary person, this most often translates into two things: the risk of higher energy prices and a heightened sense of insecurity across the broader European space. Even if you’re not near the battlefield, the chain of consequences is familiar: higher insurance and logistics costs, a more nervous market, spikes in fuel prices, and sometimes changes in travel schedules. The second consequence is “information pressure,” because claims and counterclaims spread quickly with events like these, so it’s useful to wait for confirmation from multiple sources before drawing conclusions.

If you travel or do business with partners in the region, the simplest rule is worth the most in the coming days: plan with a buffer and have an alternative. Not because it “has to get worse,” but because after major strikes, the small cogs of everyday life are the first to break: delays, supply interruptions, ad hoc route changes and schedule shifts. (Source)

Storm Goretti: when weather becomes infrastructure

According to Reuters, on January 9, 2026, Storm Goretti caused power outages, flight cancellations, and major rail disruptions across northern Europe. Hundreds of thousands of households without electricity are mentioned in parts of France, as well as tens of thousands in Britain, along with disruptions to rail and air lines and school closures. Reuters also notes that wholesale electricity prices rose, which is a typical “secondary effect” when weather damages the grid and pushes up demand.

For an ordinary person, this is a story about three levels of risk. The first is safety: snow and ice increase the risk of traffic accidents and delay emergency services. The second is cost: when supply is tight, energy prices rise, and employers and logistics pay for delays that later spill into the prices of products and services. The third is organizational: travel doesn’t get complicated only by flights, but also by “knock-on effects” such as closed roads, overloaded alternative routes, and a reduced number of available vehicles or trains.

If you are in an area affected by the cold wave or traveling through such regions, it helps to think like an “operator”: a fully charged phone, a spare battery, verified information before departure, and readiness to postpone the trip if it isn’t necessary. The most expensive decision is the “just one more thing” choice when the system is already cracking under load. (Source)

Australia: fires as a reminder that climate is not news, but a condition of life

According to Reuters, on January 9, 2026, Australian fires hit settlements, damaged homes, and caused power-supply disruptions. These are not just local stories about firefighters and smoke, but also a reminder of how quickly weather extremes turn a normal day into crisis mode. Just like with storms, the first удар is visible, and the second comes through logistics and prices.

For an ordinary person outside Australia, the most practical consequence is indirect: disruptions in supply chains and additional insurance and transport costs, especially if it involves areas with important production or transport routes. The second consequence is psychological but real: a growing number of “extreme days” makes planning more expensive because more things require a plan B. The third is health-related: smoke and particulates are a problem far from the fires too, especially for children, older people, and those with respiratory issues, where official guidance can change hour by hour.

If you are in a region at risk of fire, the value is not in panic but in routine: information from local services, minimal home preparation, and clear family agreements on “what if.” It’s boring, but in crises, boring is the cheapest. (Details)

USA: the employment report as a signal for rates and loans

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in December 2025, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 50,000, the unemployment rate was 4.4%, and average hourly earnings increased 3.8% compared with a year earlier. Such numbers are not just an “American story”: they fuel expectations about interest rates, and rates are a global topic because they affect the cost of borrowing for banks, companies, and consequently households.

For an ordinary person outside the U.S., the effects are often seen through two items: the exchange rate and the price of money. When markets judge that rate cuts are not near, more expensive credit and pressure on exchange rates can spill into local refinancing offers, savings rates, and the cost of business financing. In practice that means: loan installments are harder to bring down, and prices that depend on financing (from cars to major investments) “cool” more slowly.

The most useful move is not trying to guess the market, but checking your own obligations: fixed or variable interest rate, review dates, and how exposed you are to rising living costs in the coming months. And even if you’re far from Wall Street, you still pay the price of market sentiment. (Official document)

China: inflation rises, but the “deflation shadow” remains

According to Reuters, China’s consumer price index (CPI) in December 2025 rose 0.8% year on year, while the full-year CPI stayed flat, which Reuters describes as the weakest result in 16 years. Reuters also notes that core inflation (excluding food and fuel) was 1.2%, with producer price deflation (PPI) continuing and signs of weak demand. At the same time, Reuters reports that the Chinese government is announcing a package of measures to boost domestic demand, including incentives and programs related to replacing household appliances and buying new-energy vehicles.

For an ordinary person in Europe, this may seem abstract, but the consequences are very concrete. When China has weak domestic demand, prices of certain products globally can come under pressure (cheaper goods), but at the same time risks rise for jobs and sectors that depend on exports and stable demand. Another channel is commodities and transport: changes in Chinese consumption and industry quickly show up in prices of metals, industrial components, and ultimately in product prices.

The practical message is: don’t look at “inflation” as one number. It matters where the increase comes from (food, energy, services) and where in the chain pressure is created. For consumers, that’s the difference between a short-term price spike and a longer-term shift. (Source, Details)

Oil and OPEC: output decline and sanctions politics

According to Reuters, OPEC oil output in December 2025 fell by about 100,000 barrels per day to 28.40 million barrels per day, mostly due to lower production in Iran and Venezuela. Reuters notes that sanctions and export restrictions are among the factors affecting actual output and oil flows, and that the real production increase of certain members proved much smaller than the agreed plan.

For an ordinary person, this is first of all a story about the price of fuel and the cost of transport, and only then about geopolitics. The oil price is an “input cost” for shipping goods, deliveries, aviation, and part of heating, so even relatively small shifts can be felt through waves of price increases or through slower price declines. The second consequence is uncertainty: when part of supply is “politically conditioned,” markets react faster to rumors, which often means more volatility at gas stations and in the bills of transport companies.

The most practical thing a consumer can do is a cold assessment: where you can reduce consumption without lowering quality of life (e.g., planning travel and purchases), and where it pays to lock in a cost (e.g., fixed tariffs, if available). When energy becomes “news,” discipline in habits matters most. (Source)

France and Mercosur: trade, agriculture, and political instability

According to Reuters, on January 9, 2026, the French opposition launched no-confidence initiatives against the government after France failed to block provisional approval of the EU’s trade agreement with Mercosur. Reuters notes that farmer protests also intensified political pressure, and that in the next phase the agreement still needs to be ratified in the European Parliament. The debate pits arguments about protecting domestic agriculture against arguments about the need for a wider market in a time of global trade tensions.

For an ordinary person in the EU, this is a topic that ultimately comes down to food prices and the stability of rural regions. If imports of cheaper agricultural products increase, some consumers get lower prices in the short term, but some domestic producers face stronger competition and weaker bargaining power. The second effect is political: unstable governments find it harder to pass budgets and reforms, which can spill into tax policy, subsidies, and public investment.

Here it’s smart to follow the “mechanics,” not the noise. The key is what protective measures the EU actually introduces, how standards are controlled, and how long transition periods will last. In such agreements, details decide whether change will be felt at the checkout or only in headlines. (Source)

Europe and the USA: the “right to say no” as a signal of trade cooling

According to Reuters, on January 9, 2026, the French foreign minister said Europe has the right to say “no” if the U.S. presents an unacceptable proposal, in the context of a broader debate on trade relations and possible tariffs. Such statements are not just diplomatic rhetoric: they are a message to markets and industry to prepare for a tougher negotiating tone and the possibility of unilateral moves.

For an ordinary person, trade tensions most often mean higher prices—or at least a slower decline in prices—in sectors that depend on imports. That can be electronics, automotive components, certain food inputs, or fast-moving consumer goods. The second consequence is uncertainty in the labor market: when companies don’t know how much they will pay in tariffs and whether supply chains will break, they delay investments and hiring.

The most useful thing is to watch what happens in the concrete sectors you use: prices of technology, parts, fuel, and transport. And, as banal as it sounds, keep flexibility: in periods of trade frictions, those who have “locked in” decisions without a return option lose the most. (Source)

Gaza: attempts at governance and the reality of humanitarian consequences

According to Reuters, on January 9, 2026, discussions about Gaza’s future governance mention the idea of an international or regional “governance framework,” involving actors from the region and beyond. Such initiatives are often presented publicly as a step toward stabilization, but they also carry complex questions: who has legitimacy, who finances reconstruction, and how security on the ground is ensured.

For an ordinary person outside the region, the most direct effect is again in the “cost of instability”: rising risk in transport, greater energy volatility, and greater pressure on humanitarian systems and migration flows. For people in the region, the consequences are far heavier and more immediate: security, access to basic services, medicines, and food. That’s why it’s important to follow not only political announcements but also concrete implementation mechanisms, because in crises the most breaks happen in logistics.

If you want to stay informed without emotional exhaustion, a good habit is to follow official statements and verified media, and avoid spreading unverified footage and claims. In war zones, information is often part of the conflict, not just a report about it. (Details)

Today: what it means for your day

Travel and transport: plan as if you’ll have to detour

After yesterday’s disruptions due to the storm and cold wave, today, January 10, 2026, the most reasonable assumption is that problems don’t disappear “overnight.” Once rail lines are closed, flights canceled, and bottlenecks formed, the return to normal is gradual: staff is lacking, equipment is assigned by priorities, and new precipitation or ice puts the story back at the start.

If you travel, the biggest mistake isn’t a bad route choice—it’s choosing without a margin. In practice that means: leaving earlier, at least one alternative plan, and readiness to abandon the trip if the goal isn’t important. The biggest savings come from avoiding the “I’m stuck somewhere and everything costs” situation.

• Practical consequence: delays and cancellations can spill into the entire weekend, even if the weather temporarily calms.
• What to watch for: chain reactions—closed roads, overloaded airports, fewer rental vehicles, more expensive ticket changes.
• What you can do right now: check status before departure and set a “cut-off point” for when you give up.

According to Reuters, the scale of disruption was broad and included power cuts, rail interruptions, and flight cancellations, so it’s rational to expect the consequences to be felt today as well. (Source)

Energy bills: don’t panic, but introduce discipline

Today is not the day for “big conclusions” about energy prices, but it is the day for small moves that add up. Yesterday’s news about grid disruptions and rising wholesale electricity prices in part of Europe shows how extreme weather quickly changes the market. At the same time, war and sanctions keep the oil market sensitive, so fuel and transport can remain “restless.”

For households, the key difference is between a cost you can control (consumption) and a cost you can’t (tariffs and the market). Controlling consumption isn’t asceticism—it’s optimization: heating where you live, not where you don’t; avoiding peak loads when possible; and tracking consumption at least weekly.

• Practical consequence: rising wholesale prices can, with a lag, spill into offers and contracts.
• What to watch for: “small” energy waste that becomes a large amount in a cold wave.
• What you can do right now: set realistic thermostats and establish a routine for checking consumption.

According to Reuters, the storm triggered grid disruptions and a rise in wholesale energy prices, which is a typical trigger for broader cost pressure. (Details)

Finance: after the U.S. numbers, be “boring” with loans

Today it helps to “translate” yesterday’s U.S. employment report into personal financial hygiene. It’s not about whether rates will fall or rise tomorrow, but whether you understand your exposure. In conditions where expectations for rate cuts are sensitive, many variable-rate products become more uncomfortable than they looked on paper.

If you have a loan, the biggest gain is transparency: do you know what the reference component is, when it changes, and how quickly it can affect your installment. If you don’t have a loan but plan a major expense, today is a good day to realistically assess how important financing is relative to waiting.

• Practical consequence: “higher for longer” means a slower fall in borrowing costs, even if inflation may ease.
• What to watch for: contractual clauses on rate changes and refinancing fees.
• What you can do right now: calculate a scenario where your installment rises by 1 percentage point.

Official BLS data provide the frame: weaker job growth alongside 4.4% unemployment and 3.8% wage growth shifts expectations about the pace of monetary policy. (Official document)

Trade and prices: follow what you buy, not what people shout about

Today, January 10, 2026, some political statements in Europe and the U.S. sound like a “big game,” but for consumers it comes down to prices and availability. If trade rhetoric seriously hardens and tariffs or countermeasures appear, the first impact will be on products with long supply chains: electronics, auto parts, industrial equipment, and some consumer goods.

The most important thing is recognizing the difference between a short-term price spike due to panic and a long-term increase due to lasting measures. In panic, people buy too much and the wrong things; in lasting changes, they buy smarter, planning replacements and maintenance.

• Practical consequence: tariffs and tensions often push up prices before they “really” take effect.
• What to watch for: unstable prices for technology and parts, especially for bigger purchases.
• What you can do right now: delay impulsive buying and compare multiple suppliers.

According to Reuters, the French message that Europe can say “no” to an unacceptable proposal signals a tougher tone and potentially longer negotiations. (Source)

Maritime security and logistics: exercises that send messages to the market

According to Reuters, today, January 10, 2026, China, Russia, and Iran began a week of joint naval exercises in waters off South Africa, which the host describes as an operation to “ensure the safety of navigation” and maritime economic activities. Reuters also notes the exercises take place amid heightened tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and several countries that are part of the expanded BRICS.

For an ordinary person, this isn’t a story about “ships,” but about the price of goods. Maritime transport is the bloodstream of global trade: when tensions rise, insurance and risk costs rise, and they ultimately show up in shipping and product prices. It doesn’t mean everything will get more expensive tomorrow, but it does mean the market can behave more nervously.

• Practical consequence: greater nervousness in logistics can raise transport costs and extend delivery times.
• What to watch for: products with long import chains and small suppliers who don’t have “time inventory.”
• What you can do right now: for business orders, increase your buffer and confirm delivery deadlines.

Reuters highlights that the exercises last a week and are happening at a sensitive geopolitical moment, which is enough for logistics to become more cautious. (Source)

Space and health: why NASA’s “plan B” matters to you too

According to Reuters, NASA and SpaceX are targeting the return of the Crew-11 mission from the International Space Station no earlier than January 14, 2026, after an earlier announcement that an early return was being considered due to “medical concerns” for one crew member. Although it sounds like a story outside everyday life, for the public it’s valuable to see how large organizations communicate risk: without sensationalism, with a focus on safety and conditions (e.g., weather).

For an ordinary person, it’s a reminder that serious systems run on procedures, not bravery. In everyday life, it’s the same principle: planning travel, safety at work, managing chronic illnesses, or caring for older family members. When risk appears, the most important thing is to have steps known in advance and not improvise under stress.

• Practical consequence: normalizing “safety protocols” reduces the risk of wrong decisions under stress.
• What to watch for: your own tendency to postpone when a “small” health signal appears.
• What you can do right now: set up a simple plan: contacts, medicines, documents—what to do in an emergency.

Reuters emphasizes that the return date is “no earlier than” and depends on conditions, which is a useful communication model for our everyday decisions too. (Source)

Tomorrow: what could change the situation

• In Portugal, “mobility voting” is possible seven days before the election, on January 11, 2026. (Official document)
• The NFL Wild Card continues on Sunday, with games at 19:00 and 22:30 CET. (Source)
• Late Sunday night into Monday CET there is another Wild Card game, according to the NFL schedule. (Details)
• In Europe, “cleanup of the storm’s aftermath” is expected: delays and cancellations may spill into tomorrow as well.
• The continuation of the cold wave increases the risk of local infrastructure failures: breakdowns, stoppages, and more expensive emergency interventions.
• Energy markets will watch grid stability after outages, as that affects wholesale prices and offers.
• BRICS Plus naval exercises enter their second day; logistics and insurance watch for signals of tension. (Source)
• In Ukraine, work continues on restoring supplies after the strikes, with a risk of new outages during cold nights.
• In Australia, continued firefighting and damage assessment are expected, with possible new public warnings.
• OPEC and sanctions remain a topic: the market reacts to every signal about exports from Iran and Venezuela.
• Debates over EU-U.S. trade may get new statements; reactions are often seen first in import prices.
• In the coming days, a new edition of the EIA’s energy outlook is expected; markets use it for expectations. (Official document)

In brief

• If you travel, assume storm impacts don’t fade quickly and keep an option to cancel without major cost.
• If heating is a big part of your budget, cut energy waste today, because in a cold wave the cost “doubles.”
• If you have a variable-rate loan, calculate your installment in a rising-rate scenario and prepare a buffer.
• If you’re buying expensive tech or parts, compare suppliers and avoid impulsive buying based on tariff rumors.
• If you work in logistics or depend on imports, increase deadline buffers because tensions and weather often extend deliveries.
• If war news overwhelms you, stick to verified sources and avoid sharing unverified footage and claims.
• If you’re in an extreme-weather zone, preparation is cheaper than improvisation: batteries, chargers, a communication plan, and basic supplies.
• If you want less stress, focus on what you can control: departure time, consumption, contracts, and the information you choose.