Sep 28, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have provided insights into their career trajectories and perspectives on the domestic football landscape.

Čeh, who served as assistant manager under Srečko Katanec for more than a decade and spent seven years coaching in Asia, highlighted his enduring connection to Olimpija Ljubljana alongside his respect for NK Maribor. Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Mlakar recently returned to Maribor for a third tenure. Mlakar clarified that he was "never close to joining Olimpija" despite his Ljubljana roots, adding that while Olimpija currently faces difficulties, "in the derby they can only gain."

Both figures emphasized the ongoing competitive balance and intensity defining the Slovenian football rivalry.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Cross-border military strikes between Russia and Ukraine persisted over the weekend despite ongoing diplomatic visits by U.S. envoys to both capitals. Reports indicate that leaders in Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to temporarily halt strikes on each other's capital cities during the peace talks, but fighting continued elsewhere.

Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions resulted in at least four deaths and over a dozen injuries, including casualties in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. European Union diplomats condemned a Russian strike targeting a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border as an attempt to intimidate European allies.

Concurrently, Ukraine reported striking another Russian oil refinery, while Ukrainian drone attacks injured seven people in Sochi and Russia's Belgorod region. The escalated fighting comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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

Military tensions between Washington and Tehran escalated following fresh exchanges of fire, with explosions reported near the coastal Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik. The confrontation marks the first direct military clash between the two nations in a month.

US President Donald Trump warned of additional bombardments if Tehran chooses to retaliate, adding that Iranian officials are "begging" to secure a diplomatic agreement. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized that while Tehran does not seek broader warfare, it will "respond decisively to aggressors." Meanwhile, Iranian naval commanders stated their fleet remains fully operational despite the American strikes. Both militaries remain on high alert as official diplomatic channels between the two countries stay frozen.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

Russian shelling and drone attacks targeted five districts in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region nearly 60 times within a 24-hour period, according to local emergency personnel. The intense strikes resulted in at least five fatalities and left 16 individuals injured across the province.

The highest casualty count occurred in the Kamianske district, where three residents lost their lives and five others sustained injuries. In Pavlohrad, bombardment caused two fatalities and wounded seven people. Additional injuries were recorded in the Nikopol district as artillery fire struck local communities. Firefighters and emergency crews spent hours extinguishing blazes and extracting survivors from heavily damaged structures across the affected areas.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă

Ongoing tensions involving Iran, Western powers, and regional dynamics continue to reshape global geopolitical stability six months after US and Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian facilities. Experts highlight critical uncertainties regarding the potential for renewed diplomacy, the durability of Western sanctions, and the ongoing security risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts note that Tehran retains significant leverage over vital energy shipping corridors despite suffering military setbacks.

Concurrently, commentators emphasize that Middle Eastern instability reflects broader international rivalries involving Washington, Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran. Regional developments, including disputes over the Ibar River in the Balkans, illustrate how local security concerns intersect with shifting global alignments. Observers remain focused on whether diplomatic negotiations can lower tensions.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha