Sep 26, 2026, 01:30 PM UTC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, stating that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the enclave until Hamas is completely disarmed.

In televised remarks, Netanyahu confirmed that "Israel rejects the 15-point document," which Hamas endorsed in late July. Despite an effective pause in Israeli military strikes following pressure from Washington, Netanyahu maintained that troops "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces."

The rejection highlights growing diplomatic friction between Washington and Jerusalem ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27, as Netanyahu balances domestic pressure from far-right coalition partners against demands from key international allies.

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

Former Slovenian national football team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have offered insights into their careers and domestic club rivalries. Čeh, who spent over a decade as an assistant coach under Srečko Katanec—including seven years in Asia—expressed ongoing affection for Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK while maintaining high respect for NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old striker Jan Mlakar has rejoined NK Maribor for a third spell. Born in Ljubljana, Mlakar clarified that he was never close to joining Olimpija and voiced confidence in Maribor's sporting management. Ahead of the upcoming derby, Mlakar observed that although Olimpija is currently going through a challenging period, derby matches are notoriously unpredictable and present an opportunity for teams to turn their momentum around.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

U.S. Central Command has carried out additional military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating hostilities in the region. The latest operations follow Iranian ballistic missile attacks aimed at two U.S. warships and attempts to place naval mines in international shipping lanes, which American forces reported have since been cleared.

The military response coincided with renewed warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump threatening extensive destruction to Iranian targets if Tehran continues its maritime aggression. The ongoing confrontation marks a significant escalation, as military actions increasingly target commercial oil tankers and energy infrastructure, drawing analyses regarding a shift toward broader energy warfare in global shipping corridors.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Austrian publication Die Presse has published a historical analysis framing 1989 as the key turning point shaping 21st-century international relations. While Western narratives primarily emphasize the fall of the Berlin Wall and the decline of Soviet influence across Eastern Europe, the report underscores parallel developments across Asia and the Middle East.

In Beijing, the military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square consolidated single-party rule, laying the groundwork for China's rise as an autocratic economic power. Meanwhile, the final Soviet troop withdrawal from Afghanistan created a power vacuum that precipitated decades of regional conflict.

Together, these concurrent developments ended Cold War bipolarity and established the structural dynamics of modern global politics, defined largely by intensifying competition between democratic systems and autocratic regimes.

Sources: Die Presse.

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has publicly called on parliament to begin establishing a legal foundation for future post-war elections. Fedorov, who was dismissed from his cabinet post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, argued that legislative preparation must start early to ensure an orderly return to democratic norms once martial law is lifted.

Under current Ukrainian legislation, national elections are strictly prohibited while martial law remains active. Preparing for a future vote poses significant logistical hurdles, particularly regarding the participation of millions of refugees residing across Europe and active-duty military personnel on the front lines. Fedorov's remarks draw attention to mounting discussions in Kyiv regarding governance and electoral readiness after the war ends.

Sources: Le Monde.