Global overnight brief: Belarus-Russia military moves, Slovakia PM shot, and more

It happened while you were sleeping. Here is what the world agencies reported overnight from Wednesday to Thursday.

• Belarus is preparing to receive trains - Secret transport from Russia. Belarus may be preparing to accept trains carrying Russian military equipment, personnel, and ammunition, reports the RBC Ukraine portal, citing the Belarusian Hajnal Telegram channel. According to information provided by the Belarusian Railwaymen's Community, units from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine could also be heading to Belarus. Railway workers have highlighted that Minsk is taking measures to keep these transports secret. The Belarusian Hajnal channel on Telegram indicates that Belarus plans to conduct military exercises next year, where the Russian military contingent will be transferred to the country's territory.

• The Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia reassures - Fico "is not in a life-threatening situation". Prime Minister Robert Fico "is not in a life-threatening situation," reports say, citing an interview that the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia, Tomas Taraba, gave to the BBC on Wednesday. "I was shocked, but fortunately, from what I understand, the surgery was successful, and I believe he will ultimately recover," said Taraba. "He is not in a life-threatening situation at this moment," he added. The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, was shot on Wednesday in Handlova, near Banská Bystrica, following a cabinet meeting. Media sources have reported that he sustained injuries to his abdomen and chest. A 71-year-old suspect has been arrested, with the motives for the attack yet unclear.

• Four fatalities in New Caledonia riots - France declares a state of emergency. Reuters Agency reports that France declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia on Wednesday. Triggered by opposition to electoral reforms, the unrest led to the deaths of four individuals - three young Kanaks and a police officer. The state of emergency facilitates the implementation of bans on gatherings and movements around the island, an overseas territory of France. In response to the outbreak of riots, which involved the burning of buildings and vehicles as well as the looting of shops, an additional 500 officers were dispatched to the island. "No violence will be tolerated," stated French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, stressing that the state of emergency "will allow for significant measures to restore order." The state of emergency in New Caledonia occurred on Wednesday at 7:00 PM GMT, reports "The Washington Post".

• They will meet after all - Trump accepts Biden's challenge. Donald Trump accepted the challenge posed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday for two presidential debates. The TV debates are scheduled for the end of June and in September, ahead of the US presidential election on November 5. The first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is set for June 27 on CNN, with the second scheduled for September 10 on ABC television, announced the former president on Wednesday. The Trump campaign aims to organize two additional debates in July and August. "It's a great honour to accept the debate challenge on CNN against trickster Joe Biden, the worst president in the history of the United States, and a real threat to democracy on June 27," Trump declared on his social media platform TRUTH Social. He also agreed to the proposal for a debate on September 10 on ABC News.

• Iron Dome over Greece? Concerns over Turkish drones. As reported by the Greek Reporter portal, the new model of the Turkish combat drone - Bayraktar TB3, could threaten the balance of power between Ankara and Athens. The Greek Ministry of Defense feared this new technology might influence the regional situation. Bayraktar TB3 represents the latest version of the popular Turkish drone TB2, produced by the Baykar company. Additionally, TB3 is poised to become the first combat drone in the world capable of taking off and landing on ships with short runways. In light of the evolving Turkish drone fleet, the Greek Reporter quotes Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias, who suggested that Greece should develop an air defence system akin to Israel's Iron Dome.