Oct 8, 2026, 05:00 PM UTC

Slovakia's governing coalition—comprising Smer, Hlas, and the Slovak National Party (SNS)—has established its first official regional electoral alliance with the far-right Republika movement. The parties are jointly endorsing Peter Hambálek for governor in the Trnava region, even as Republika faces scrutiny over controversial registration materials distributed by its youth wing.

Simultaneously, the ruling alliance is navigating internal instability following parliament's dismissal of Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba. The vote was driven by SNS leader Andrej Danko with opposition backing. Analysts are watching how Prime Minister Robert Fico will manage the cabinet crisis. Meanwhile, voters in Fico's hometown of Topoľčany continue to express confidence in his leadership, blaming coalition partners and opposition parties for the government's current challenges.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Denník N, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

US President Donald Trump has requested Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to halt attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, citing global fuel shortages. The request coincides with reports that peace discussions include a multi-billion-dollar deal regarding Russian energy firm Lukoil, involving associates of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Concurrently, Moscow ruled out strategic stability talks with Washington, citing planned US missile deployments in Europe as a key barrier. Meanwhile, former diplomats and analysts criticized Washington's transactional approach to diplomacy. Experts warned that viewing Russian President Vladimir Putin as a typical commercial partner reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Kremlin negotiating tactics, cautioning against expectations of a mutually beneficial compromise.

Sources: Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Former German intelligence chief August Hanning and his ex-office manager Manfred D. have been arrested on charges of treason and espionage for a foreign power, German federal prosecutors confirmed.

Hanning, who headed the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) between 1998 and 2005, was remanded in custody by an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice following his detention on 6 October. Investigators accuse Manfred D. of systematically passing classified state secrets to Hanning after the former intelligence chief entered private consulting. Hanning allegedly compiled intelligence reports for an undisclosed foreign service using the leaked documents. Both individuals face charges including treasonous espionage and investigating state secrets.

Sources: Anadolu Agency, Bianet, Cumhuriyet, Defence Turk, ORF

French President Emmanuel Macron delivered a sharp critique of international diplomacy regarding Gaza during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, calling global efforts a "shameful spectacle." Macron also condemned Israeli actions in the West Bank, drawing strong objections from Israeli officials.

His remarks contrasted with an address by US President Donald Trump, who defended his unilateral foreign policy actions by asserting, "While others talk, I act." Trump threatened to "annihilate" Iran, predicted the collapse of Cuba's government, and highlighted US access to Venezuelan oil reserves.

Meanwhile, on the summit sidelines, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez requested a bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to discuss diplomatic relations between their two nations.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Vanguardia

Russian health authorities have denied reports of a second pneumonic plague case or a wider outbreak in Siberia's Irkutsk region, asserting that all required information has been submitted to the World Health Organization following international calls for transparency from the United States and global health bodies.

The statement follows the death of 28-year-old laboratory technician Darya Shipilova at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Shipilova died from severe respiratory failure after reportedly being exposed to a pathogen from a damaged container, though her cause of death was listed officially as pneumonia of unknown origin.

Over 60 staff members remain isolated inside the research facility, sleeping on chairs and floors despite all preliminary pathogen tests returning negative. Around 200 people continue to be monitored by regional health officials.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, El Mundo, Il Messaggero, La Vanguardia