Sep 19, 2026, 07:00 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his government's rejection of a 15-point Gaza peace plan promoted by US President Donald Trump, insisting that military forces will remain in the territory.

Speaking in televised remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Israel "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." The announcement formalizes a rift with Washington over the framework, which Hamas had accepted in late July.

The stance comes as Netanyahu navigates domestic political pressure from far-right coalition allies ahead of Israel's upcoming election on 27 October, even as the military reduced major strikes following American diplomatic requests. Meanwhile, reports indicated Houthi forces claimed separate attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated following the expiration of a 60-day truce memorandum, with peace negotiations reaching a standstill. Iranian officials declared a transition to a "completely offensive" military strategy aimed at achieving the complete defeat of American forces in the region and restoring national rights.

The diplomatic rift coincides with escalating military action in critical maritime corridors. US Central Command confirmed striking five Iranian oil tankers, sinking one, in response to Iranian attacks targeting a US warship. Coupled with severe economic sanctions and fears over maritime control near the Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn that the rising naval clashes significantly increase the risk of a wider regional conflict.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

Former Slovenian national team figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have reflected on their careers and domestic football dynamics.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its prominent era under manager Srečko Katanec, outlined his transition into coaching following a playing career at Olimpija, Grazer AK, and Maribor. He spent over a decade assisting Katanec, including seven years coaching in Asia.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed his third stint with Maribor ahead of the eternal derby against his hometown club, Olimpija. Mlakar expressed confidence in Maribor's sporting management and noted that despite Olimpija's recent operational struggles, derby matches remain inherently unpredictable.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

The United States Supreme Court has allowed construction to move forward on a $400 million ballroom at the White House while legal challenges remain pending.

In an emergency ruling, a five-justice conservative majority temporarily paused a lower court's injunction that had halted work on the project. The lawsuit, brought by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, contends that the planned expansion damages the historical architecture of the presidential estate. Chief Justice John Roberts clarified that the temporary order gives the high court time to evaluate the administration's appeal and does not reflect a final ruling on the project's legality.

With physical work authorized to resume, legal experts indicate the structural shell of the ballroom could be finished before lower courts deliver a definitive judgment on the preservation challenge.

Sources: Der Standard, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

German security agencies are investigating more than 100 incidents of potential state-sponsored hybrid warfare, including drone overflights, disinformation, and infrastructure sabotage. According to investigative reports, recent findings directly link a foiled explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August to Russia’s GRU military intelligence service. Secret security documents identified a Russian national associated with the GRU as the logistical organizer behind the operation, which targeted Ukrainian cargo aircraft.

Security officials warn that these tactics aim to destabilize democratic institutions and deepen societal divisions. Additionally, domestic intelligence authorities suspect foreign actors may have hidden weapon caches across Germany to facilitate future sabotage operations.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau