Oct 11, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Former national team captain Aleš Čeh and Maribor forward Jan Mlakar have offered insights into their careers and team loyalties ahead of the upcoming clash between Olimpija Ljubljana and Maribor.

Čeh, a former midfielder who spent over a decade working as an assistant coach under Srečko Katanec, emphasized his long-standing connection to Olimpija while maintaining professional respect for Maribor. Meanwhile, Ljubljana-born Mlakar addressed his decision to return to Maribor for a third spell. Despite his hometown origins, Mlakar noted that he was never close to joining Olimpija. Assessing the upcoming fixture, Mlakar stated that although Olimpija is navigating an internal crisis, the derby setting presents the rival club with an ideal opportunity to revitalise its season.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Tensions between Russia and Northern European nations continue to intensify as authorities address hybrid security threats and diplomatic disputes. Danish and German authorities recently linked Moscow to sabotage attempts against defense firms and explosive incidents at Leipzig airport. Security analysts advocate maintaining a calm, measured approach to these non-military operations.

Simultaneously, Kremlin officials directed criticism at Norway following NATO exercises and the seizure of a Russian vessel, with President Vladimir Putin alleging "state terrorism." On the military front, Ukrainian strikes targeted an oil refinery near Moscow, reportedly impairing over half of its refining capacity. Analysts note that while Russia possesses the resources to prolong the conflict in Ukraine, its strategic options are narrowing, leading commentators to suggest European security objectives ultimately require a Russian defeat.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Dagens Næringsliv (DN), Finansavisen, TV 2 Nyheter

German authorities are investigating more than 100 suspected hybrid sabotage cases linked to foreign state actors, with growing evidence targeting Russian military intelligence.

Investigators probing an August attempt to detonate an explosive-laden drone near Ukrainian transport planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport have linked the operation's logistics to an active operative from Russia's GRU. German intelligence officials further warned that foreign operatives may have pre-positioned weapon caches and explosives within Germany to execute future sabotage operations designed to destabilize public institutions and trust.

During a public hearing before the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Panel, agency heads characterized Russia as Germany's foremost foreign security threat, while noting additional risks stemming from Chinese espionage and domestic extremism.

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

In Geneva, 128 UN member states reached a consensus on defining autonomous weapon systems, marking progress toward potential global regulation. However, the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that "we are dangerously close to crossing a moral red line" if machines autonomously target human beings.

Meanwhile, Germany's Defense Ministry clarified that ultimate command over military force remains with human operators, though weapon systems may exercise partially autonomous functions in specific operational settings. To maintain technological independence, the Bundeswehr rejected American vendor Palantir's software, choosing instead to build a proprietary AI-driven platform for real-time intelligence analysis.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, Der Standard, Die Zeit, ESUT.

The European Commission is designing tailored accession roadmaps for four leading candidate countries: Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, and Moldova. The initiative aims to accelerate integration for top performers by offering phased access to specific European Union policies and funding as reform benchmarks are achieved, while less advanced applicants risk being left behind.

The proposed framework includes safeguards intended to alleviate concerns among existing member states regarding governance standards and economic integration costs. Speaking on the negotiations, Vessela Tcherneva of the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that despite serious security pressures, Ukraine and Moldova retain "a huge desire to move closer to the EU."

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV