The 20:00 report · 7.10.2026

NYC Mayor Mamdani on Oct. 7: 'Suffering Did Not Begin or End That Day'

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani published a statement marking three years since the October 7 attacks, expressing grief for those murdered and taken hostage and condemning Hamas actions, while simultaneously leveling fierce criticism at Israel. Mamdani stated that the suffering did not begin or end that day, accusing Israel of committing war crimes, apartheid, and genocide in the Gaza Strip. He also called for an end to American military aid to Israel and an end to the occupation. Coming from the leader of the city with the largest Jewish community in the United States, the remarks underline deep divisions in American political discourse regarding the war and bilateral ties with Israel.

Nobel Chemistry Prize Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai

The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded jointly to French scientist Henri Kagan and Japanese scientist Kensu Soai, as reported by Reuters and the Canadian newspaper Le Devoir. The prestigious honor was bestowed upon them for their contributions to unraveling the scientific puzzle surrounding mirror-image molecules, a breakthrough hailed as a major milestone. Although the prize committee has yet to release full citations or details regarding the division of the cash award, the discovery is considered crucial for the development of new pharmaceuticals, where molecular geometry and asymmetry directly determine medicinal effectiveness and safety for patients worldwide.

France Suspends Use of Stun Grenades in Student Protests

The French government has suspended the use of stun grenades in dispersing student demonstrations following an incident in which a 15-year-old boy lost his hand during clashes with police, triggering sharp accusations of excessive force. This decision follows earlier coverage of hundreds of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets across France, trade unions joining the unrest, and international reactions ranging from comments by Donald Trump to Israeli preparations for French Jewish immigration. The suspension has not contained the unrest: over 500 schools remain shut, and student, teacher, and labor organizations are preparing further protest marches, indicating an ongoing and severe institutional crisis.

All coverage: French School Protests

Hungary Lifts Veto on EU Accession Talks with Ukraine and Moldova

Hungary has lifted its veto on accelerating European Union accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova, according to Bulgarian and Hungarian media outlets. The agreement in Budapest was reached after a new draft law regulating national minority rights was submitted to Ukraine's parliament, resolving a major dispute that had stalled bilateral ties. Following Hungary's change in stance, two negotiation clusters were officially opened in the accession process for Kyiv and Chisinau. This development marks a significant procedural step forward for both countries on their path toward EU membership, clearing a prominent political hurdle that had impeded the bloc's eastward expansion.

Formal Arrest Warrant Issued for Former German Spy Chief August Hanning

An official arrest warrant has been issued for the former head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, August Hanning, on suspicion of treason and espionage, while his former chief of staff Manfred D. has also been arrested. This follows earlier reports that Hanning is suspected of spying for Azerbaijan by preparing a security analysis for an Azerbaijani intelligence operative using classified data leaked from within the German agency. Viewed as potentially one of the gravest leaks of classified materials in Germany since the end of the Cold War, the widening probe threatens to cause a deep rift in Germany's international intelligence relationships and compromises domestic security trust.

All coverage: German Ex-Spy Chief Arrest