WORLD BRIEFING: October 1, 2023

• A party headed by a pro-Kremlin figure came out top after securing more votes than expected in an election in Slovakia, preliminary results show, in what will likely pose a challenge to NATO and EU unity on Ukraine. According to preliminary results released by Slovakia’s Statistical Office at 6 a.m. local time, Robert Fico’s populist SMER party won 23.3% of the vote. Progressive Slovakia (PS), a liberal and pro-Ukrainian party won 17% - CNN

• An explosion near Turkey's parliament in Ankara was a "terrorist attack" that left two police officers injured, the interior minister has said. Two attackers arrived in a commercial vehicle around 09:30 (06:30 GMT) and carried out the attack, Ali Yerlikaya said. Mr Yerlikaya said an attacker blew himself up in front of a ministry building and another was "neutralised". - BBC

• An Azerbaijani soldier was killed by a sniper near the border with Armenia on Saturday, according to Azerbaijan’s defense ministry. The ministry said in a press release that the Armenian army opened fire on the Azerbaijani army at noon on Saturday using sniper rifles - CNN

• President Joe Biden signed into law the stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown passed by Congress just hours ahead of a critical midnight deadline when funding for federal agencies was set to run out.

• Romania checks possible violation of its airspace during the Russian attack on Odesa Oblast. According to Romanian media, in the direction of Galati city, they are looking for drone debris that may have fallen on the territory of the country. Russia attacked the Danube ports in Odesa Oblast on Saturday night.

• Ukraine is ready to offer special conditions to companies that show a willingness to jointly develop defense production, says President Zelensky - UATV