Sep 19, 2026, 01:00 AM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have provided reflections on their respective footballing careers and the state of the domestic league.

Čeh, who skippered Slovenia during their qualification for major tournaments under Srečko Katanec, discussed his transition into coaching following a playing career with clubs including Olimpija, Grazer AK, and Maribor. He subsequently spent over a decade assisting Katanec, including a seven-year stint in Asia.

Separately, 27-year-old striker Jan Mlakar discussed his third stint with Maribor. Despite his origins in Ljubljana, Mlakar clarified that he was never close to joining hometown rivals Olimpija. Ahead of the upcoming eternal derby, Mlakar noted that despite Olimpija's current form, derby matches remain unpredictable and their opponents "can only gain" from the fixture.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Historical analyses highlight 1989 as a pivotal year that reshaped global politics far beyond European borders. While Western memory primarily focuses on the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the retreat of Soviet authority in Eastern Europe, major geopolitical shifts occurred simultaneously across Asia.

In China, the government's suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square consolidated political control while forging a distinct economic model. Simultaneously, the departure of Soviet troops from Afghanistan ended a protracted Cold War conflict, creating power vacuums and long-term regional instability. Examining these interconnected developments together offers essential context for understanding contemporary global security dynamics.

Sources: Die Presse

Spanish authorities in Ceuta have established two temporary reception facilities to accommodate around 1,800 to 2,000 migrants remaining in the enclave. The initiative aims to clear individuals sleeping on beaches and public streets following a massive border crossing in late July.

Security measures along the border were heavily reinforced by Spanish and Moroccan forces over the weekend of August 15 after online rumors suggested the border would reopen. No new crossings occurred, though local frustration in the enclave remains high regarding Madrid's handling of the crisis. Residents continue to express concern over municipal conditions and political polarization surrounding the situation.

Sources: Correctiv, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

Historical reflections on the 1974 Turkish military invasion of Cyprus continue to emphasize its profound demographic and political legacy. The operations conducted in July and August 1974 resulted in one of modern Europe's largest relative population displacements, permanently altering the spatial distribution of communities across the island.

Subsequent diplomatic arrangements, notably the Third Vienna Accord, attempted to address immediate humanitarian concerns for enclaved residents. However, historical assessments indicate that the accord ultimately formalized the island's territorial separation. By establishing structural bizonality, the agreement created a persistent political framework that continues to influence modern peace negotiations and intercommunal relations.

Sources: Phileleftheros (philenews)

Ahead of state elections in eastern Germany, debates surrounding political identity, history, and education are intensifying. Teachers in eastern classrooms report a rise in far-right symbols and extremist rhetoric, prompting Thuringia's education ministry to partner with the University of Jena to deploy "constitutional coaches" to support democratic values. Meanwhile, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for victims of the SED dictatorship, advocated for mandatory school visits to East German memorial sites to deepen historical knowledge.

Concurrently, cultural policy has become a major campaign focal point. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party proposed defunding cultural projects deemed "anti-German," raising concerns over potential impacts on Bauhaus sites, Holocaust memorials, and regional performing arts institutions amid broader political arguments over East German identity.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau.