Sep 26, 2026, 07:30 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have shared insights into their careers and domestic league dynamics. Čeh, who served as an assistant to head coach Srečko Katanec for over a decade—including a seven-year stint coaching in Asia—highlighted his affinity for Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK while expressing respect for NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has returned to NK Maribor for a third spell. Addressing his career trajectory, Mlakar stated he was "never close to joining Olimpija" and expressed full confidence in Maribor's sporting direction. Ahead of the upcoming derby, Mlakar noted that while Olimpija faces a difficult period, derby fixtures remain unpredictable and offer an opportunity to reverse momentum.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

German security services are investigating more than 100 suspected state-sponsored hybrid operations, including unauthorized drone overflights, infrastructure disruption, and disinformation. Findings from investigative reports indicate that a failed explosive drone attack targeting Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August has been directly linked to Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU. Security sources identified a Russian operative who allegedly organized logistics for the operation.

Additionally, domestic intelligence agencies warn that foreign operatives may have hidden weapons stashes across Germany to facilitate future attacks. Beyond physical sabotage, authorities emphasize that hybrid warfare tactics, such as fabricated media and cyber operations, are designed to destabilize democratic institutions and deepen public divisions.

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

The military conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated as U.S. forces struck three Iranian oil tankers following Iranian ballistic missile attacks on two American warships. According to military reports, U.S. Central Command also launched broader operations near the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran attempted to place naval mines in international waters, which U.S. forces subsequently cleared.

The developments mark a shift toward direct strikes on commercial oil fleets and critical energy infrastructure. President Donald Trump warned of further retaliatory actions against Iranian targets if maritime attacks persist. Analysts described the confrontation as part of an emerging era of energy warfare, where drone technology and attacks on civilian infrastructure increasingly shape military strategy.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Historical analyses continue to emphasize 1989 as the fundamental catalyst shaping contemporary global politics. While Western perspectives historically focus on the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent dissolution of the Soviet bloc in Eastern Europe, recent commentary highlights simultaneous developments across Asia that redefined the modern geopolitical landscape.

In China, the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square reinforced state control, establishing a model of economic growth under single-party rule. Concurrently, the departure of Soviet forces from Afghanistan created a power vacuum that reshaped regional security for decades.

These overlapping milestones ultimately concluded Cold War bipolarity, laying the groundwork for ongoing rivalries between democratic systems and autocratic regimes.

Sources: Die Presse.