Oct 2, 2026, 03:30 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have provided reflections on their football careers and the ongoing rivalry between NK Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its historic period under head coach Srečko Katanec, expressed his enduring affinity for Olimpija and Austrian club GAK, while maintaining respect for Maribor. After retiring as a player, Čeh served as Katanec's assistant coach for over a decade, including seven years working in Asia.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Mlakar has embarked on his third tenure with Maribor. Despite his Ljubljana roots, Mlakar affirmed his trust in Maribor's leadership, specifically Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič, and dismissed rumors linking him to Olimpija. He noted that while Olimpija is currently experiencing a difficult period, derby matches remain highly unpredictable.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Historical analyses frame 1989 as a foundational turning point for 21st-century international relations. While Western perspectives frequently focus on the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe, parallel developments in Asia fundamentally reshaped global power structures.

In China, the military crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square preserved political dominance by the Communist Party while paving the way for deep global economic integration. Meanwhile, the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan left a power vacuum that severely impacted regional stability across South and Central Asia. Together, these simultaneous events fragmented the Cold War order and established the multi-polar geopolitical landscape of today.

Sources: Die Presse

Russia launched overnight ballistic missile strikes against Kyiv, killing at least two people and injuring six others, following a previous strike on a British American Tobacco plant in northern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces retaliated with drone attacks targeting industrial infrastructure across Russia's Saratov and Samara regions. Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishev confirmed air defense systems intercepted "dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles," though a blaze erupted at the Kuibyshev oil refinery.

Concurrently, reports indicated heightened NATO military maneuvers surrounding Russia's Kaliningrad region. Led by the United States, the exercises involved American and Norwegian fighter aircraft, AWACS and EA-37 surveillance planes, alongside Polish ground units. Responding to queries regarding the activity, NATO stated that the alliance "is a defensive alliance" that must continuously enhance its operational readiness.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

The conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated near the Strait of Hormuz, expanding to commercial energy shipping and critical infrastructure. US Central Command reported strikes against Iranian military targets and three oil tankers following Iranian missile launches at two US warships and mine-laying efforts in the international waterway. American military forces confirmed that naval mines placed in the corridor have been cleared or detonated.

The strikes follow public warnings from US President Donald Trump, who threatened severe retaliatory actions against Iranian civilian and energy infrastructure if maritime attacks continue. Media analyses highlight that the confrontation reflects an evolving model of fifth-generation warfare, where state actors increasingly target power grids and commercial shipping fleets alongside traditional military assets.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the nation's 2027 budget will be passed on schedule, framing the move as a return to political stability after prolonged turbulence. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Radev urged lawmakers to focus on key reforms, including administrative restructuring and judicial overhaul.

Concurrently, his ruling party, Progressive Bulgaria, submitted its parliamentary nominations for the Supreme Judicial Council. The party asserted that its candidates possess high academic qualifications and extensive legal experience.

However, media reports highlighted growing scrutiny over Progressive Bulgaria's internal structure four months after its election win. While a select group of experienced figures manages public relations, the majority of the party's 131 lawmakers remain largely unknown, drawing criticism over their passivity and heavy reliance on Radev's leadership.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV.