Sep 27, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have offered perspectives on their careers and the landscape of domestic club football.

Čeh, who served as an assistant coach to Srečko Katanec for over a decade—including seven years in Asia—discussed his transition into management following a playing career marked by ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK, while expressing respect for rival club NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old striker Mlakar addressed his third stint with NK Maribor, affirming his trust in the club's leadership. Dismissing transfer speculation regarding Maribor's main rivals, Mlakar stated he was "never close to joining Olimpija," adding that the struggling capital side could still gain momentum in the upcoming derby.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Six months after joint American and Israeli air strikes targeted Iranian military assets, the conflict continues to disrupt energy markets and maritime trade routes with no immediate resolution in sight. Although Iran sustained significant damage to its military infrastructure, analysts emphasize that Tehran retains crucial influence over the Strait of Hormuz.

Expert analyses highlight several factors that will shape the next phase of the confrontation, including the potential revival of diplomatic engagement, the durability of Western economic sanctions, and shifting power alignments among Washington, Beijing, and Moscow. Concurrently, regional observers like diplomat Zef Mazi point to localized security issues, such as infrastructure disputes along the Ibër River in the Western Balkans, as reflecting these broader global geopolitical realignments.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha

Reciprocal military actions between Russia and Ukraine have persisted despite diplomatic efforts and proposed temporary halts on capital strikes during upcoming U.S. envoy visits. Russian missile and drone strikes across multiple Ukrainian regions resulted in casualties, including fatalities in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian oil refinery alongside locations in Belgorod and Sochi.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both nations agreed to refrain from attacking energy infrastructure. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified that Kyiv's compliance depends on Western partners guaranteeing Russian restraint regarding energy, civilian infrastructure, and food supply routes.

Meanwhile, European Union officials condemned a recent Russian strike near the Ukrainian-Polish border, characterising it as an attempt to intimidate European allies ahead of scheduled peace discussions.

Sources: Avaz, Beta, CDM (Cafe del Montenegro), N1, Vijesti

Russian forces carried out nearly 60 attacks across five districts in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region within a 24-hour period, emergency services reported. The shelling and drone strikes resulted in five fatalities and left 16 people injured.

The Kamianske district was hardest hit, reporting three deaths and five injuries. Attacks on Pavlohrad caused two fatalities and seven casualties, while artillery shelling caused additional damage and injuries in Nikopol. First responders worked across affected districts to extinguish fires and clear damaged infrastructure following the strikes.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă

Military tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated following US strikes on targets near Bandar Abbas and Sirik. US President Donald Trump warned of further military bombardment if Tehran retaliates, claiming Iranian officials are "begging" for a deal with Washington.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected the assertions, stating that while Iran does not seek a wider conflict, it will "respond decisively" to future acts of aggression. Iranian military leadership also downplayed the operational impact of the American strikes, maintaining that their naval forces remain intact and fully functional. Both nations continue to issue mutual warnings as armed forces remain on high alert across the Persian Gulf region.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).