Oct 6, 2026, 06:30 AM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and forward Jan Mlakar have shared perspectives on their evolving careers within domestic and international football.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its qualification era under former manager Srečko Katanec, reflected on his transition into coaching. Having spent over a decade as an assistant manager—including seven years in Asia—Čeh reiterated his affinity for Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian side Grazer AK, while emphasizing his continued respect for Maribor.

Concurrently, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed his third spell with Maribor. Expressing confidence in the leadership of Zlatko Zahovič and Darko Milanič, Mlakar previewed the upcoming derby against Olimpija. He observed that while Olimpija faces internal challenges, derby fixtures remain inherently unpredictable, leaving the opposition with little to lose.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Diplomatic tensions and military clashes continue across multiple fronts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned a Russian strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border, characterising the attack as an attempt to intimidate European allies. In response to the ongoing aggression, the European Union formally extended its restrictive sanctions against Moscow.

Meanwhile, regional authorities reported casualties on both sides of the border. Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kherson region left two people dead and 14 injured, while Ukrainian drone strikes in Sochi and Russia's Belgorod region reportedly injured seven individuals. The ongoing hostilities coincide with political developments in Kyiv, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the prosecutor general, and claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that both sides agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure.

Sources: CDM.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened further military action against Iran following the first direct exchange of fire between the two nations in a month. Trump claimed that Tehran is "begging" for a diplomatic agreement with Washington.

In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that while Iran does not seek broader conflict, it will "decisively respond to aggressors." Meanwhile, Iranian officials rejected assertions that their naval capabilities were damaged during the strikes near Bandar Abbas and Sirik, maintaining that maritime forces remain fully operational. The heightened tensions leave the Middle East on alert as both sides weigh potential next steps.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

An investigation by The Wall Street Journal, reported by regional outlets, has highlighted the role of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US Ambassador to Greece, in facilitating a $6 billion natural gas agreement for Greek infrastructure firm Aktor in Albania.

According to the report, Guilfoyle met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana in March alongside executives from Aktor and lobbyist Christos Marafatsos. A formal agreement for gas supply was signed roughly one month following the encounter.

The inquiry raises questions regarding potential conflicts of interest, specifically pointing to Marafatsos's dual capacity as a private energy lobbyist and a close advisor to the American ambassador. The findings highlight heightened scrutiny surrounding the boundaries between official US diplomatic operations, private sector lobbying, and European energy ventures.

Sources: Gazeta Tema, Koha

Ukrainian and Russian forces remain engaged in heavy frontline combat, with Ukraine's General Staff recording more than 250 daily engagements. Russian troops concentrated high-intensity assault operations on the Lyman and Kostiantynivka sectors in attempts to breach defensive positions, alongside continued pressure near Pokrovsk.

North of Kupyansk along the Oskil River, Ukrainian forces conducted localized infantry operations supported by electronic warfare systems that suppressed Russian drone activity. Operational reports also indicate potential Ukrainian tactical advances of up to 200 square kilometers near Lyman.

Conflicting territorial claims remain unverified. Russia's Defense Ministry reported capturing several border settlements in the Sumy region, whereas Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov publicly rejected claims of Ukrainian gains in Zaporizhzhia.

Sources: NV, Радіо Свобода, The Insider, Українська правда.