Sep 19, 2026, 05:30 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national team figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have shared perspectives on their careers and the state of domestic football.

Čeh, who captained the national team during its prominent era under manager Srečko Katanec, reflected on his transition to coaching. Following a playing career with ties to Olimpija, Maribor, and Austria's Grazer AK, Čeh spent over a decade as Katanec's assistant, including seven years coaching in Asia.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed his third return to Maribor ahead of the eternal derby against his hometown club, Olimpija. Mlakar noted that despite Olimpija's recent operational struggles, derby matches remain inherently unpredictable and the opposition "can only gain" from such fixtures. He also expressed trust in Maribor's sporting management.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived for peace talks in Kyiv and Moscow, coinciding with a four-day operational pause for Ukrainian forces. While both sides agreed to suspend strikes on the capital cities, regional fighting persisted overnight. Shelling and drone strikes caused casualties across Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Belgorod, and Sochi. US President Donald Trump announced that both nations agreed to refrain from targeting energy facilities. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Ukraine's compliance depends on Western partners guaranteeing Russian adherence. In other developments, European Union officials denounced a Russian strike on a train near the Polish border, and Zelensky issued a decree dismissing Ukraine's prosecutor general.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Index, N1, Vijesti

Escalating confrontations near the Strait of Hormuz have further heightened military tensions between Washington and Tehran. US Central Command stated that American forces destroyed five Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels following an attempted strike on US naval assets. In response, Iranian state media reported that Tehran launched 20 missiles targeting American military facilities in Jordan and hit six maritime vessels, including three tankers and an aircraft carrier.

Despite the exchange, US President Donald Trump maintained that the strategic waterway remains open, asserting that Tehran is experiencing "great difficulties." However, American intelligence assessments warned that Revolutionary Guard leadership might perceive recent events as advantageous, increasing the potential for broader regional conflict.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

The United States military conducted airstrikes targeting two missile launchers on Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first American strikes on Iranian territory in a month. Iranian state media confirmed that six naval personnel were killed during the operation.

Despite renewed hostilities, diplomatic discussions persist. Qatari officials reported ongoing talks to mediate an agreement between Washington and Tehran. Simultaneously, Iranian foreign ministry representatives stated that Iran and Oman approved coordinates for a new shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz to restore maritime traffic. However, diplomatic progress faces headwinds after US President Donald Trump announced plans to demand financial compensation from Tehran over historical attacks and domestic crackdowns, adding complexity to potential negotiations.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

At least five civilians were killed and 16 others wounded following a wave of Russian bombardments across Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region over a 24-hour period, local emergency services reported.

Russian forces carried out nearly 60 attacks targeting five separate districts in the region. The heaviest toll was recorded in the Kamianske district, where three fatalities and five injuries were confirmed. In Pavlohrad, strikes resulted in two deaths and seven injuries, while additional casualties and property destruction were reported in the Nikopol district. Emergency personnel worked to extinguish blazes and clear rubble from damaged civilian infrastructure.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă