Oct 9, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged lawmakers in Kyiv to prepare legislation that would allow national elections to take place as soon as martial law is lifted. Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, emphasized the necessity of resolving complex logistical challenges well before hostilities conclude.

Key difficulties include organizing secure voting mechanisms for millions of Ukrainian refugees residing abroad and arranging ballot access for active frontline troops. Under current law, holding democratic votes is strictly prohibited while martial law remains enforced. Supporters argue that establishing a clear legal framework now will prevent administrative delays and ensure a smooth return to democratic governance.

Sources: Le Monde.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, reiterating that Israeli troops will not pull back until Hamas completely disarms. Speaking to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu stated, "Israel rejects the 15-point document," asserting that military operations will continue to counter threats against Israeli forces.

The announcement underscores growing friction between Washington and Jerusalem, even as Israel has recently scaled back military strikes in Gaza following American intervention. Netanyahu's decision comes amidst domestic political pressures ahead of Israel's general election scheduled for October 27, where he faces competing demands from far-right coalition partners and international allies.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald

Iran has transitioned to a "completely offensive" military strategy following the collapse of peace negotiations with the United States, according to Iranian officials. The shift coincided with the expiration of a 60-day memorandum of understanding signed in June. Iranian armed forces stated they will not back down until achieving the "complete defeat" of American forces in the region.

The diplomatic breakdown follows escalating maritime confrontations. US Central Command reported striking five Iranian oil tankers and sinking one after Iranian forces targeted an American warship. As Tehran faces mounting economic pressure and growing risk over maritime control in the Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn that intensifying clashes significantly heighten the danger of a broader regional war.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

Global negotiations on regulating lethal autonomous weapons reached a milestone in Geneva, where 128 countries established a formal definition for the technology. The agreement follows warnings from the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding the ethical risks of automated targeting systems.

Concurrently, Germany clarified its policy on military artificial intelligence. While the Ministry of Defence stated that "the decision on the use of military force remains with humans," it confirmed that certain semi-autonomous functions could execute without direct step-by-step human control. To maintain data sovereignty, the Bundeswehr rejected software from American vendor Palantir, opting instead to build an in-house data platform.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, ESUT.

Former Slovenia national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have shared their perspectives ahead of the upcoming derby between rivals Olimpija Ljubljana and Maribor.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during manager Srečko Katanec’s era and later served as his assistant for over a decade—including seven years coaching in Asia—expressed affection for both Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian side Grazer AK, while emphasizing his respect for Maribor.

Meanwhile, Ljubljana-born forward Jan Mlakar discussed returning to Maribor for a third tenure. Despite his hometown origins, Mlakar noted he "was never close to Olimpija" and expressed full trust in Maribor's management. Addressing Olimpija's recent struggles, Mlakar observed that while their rivals are currently experiencing a rough patch, a derby match presents a prime opportunity for a struggling squad to recover.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net