Oct 15, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their football careers and the state of domestic football in separate media interviews.

Čeh, a former captain for the national team who later spent over a decade as an assistant coach to Srečko Katanec—including seven years in Asia—discussed his transition into coaching. Reflecting on his past playing days with Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK, Čeh expressed ongoing respect for Maribor despite historic rivalries.

In a separate interview, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar discussed returning to Maribor for a third spell, aiming to capture his first Slovenian PrvaLiga title with the club. Mlakar dismissed rumors of a potential transfer to rivals Olimpija Ljubljana, stating he was "never close" to joining the club. He noted that despite internal difficulties, Olimpija remains a formidably competitive opponent in upcoming derby matches.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

The United States Central Command announced additional military strikes targeting Iranian positions near the Strait of Hormuz following an attempted mine-laying operation and missile attacks against American warships. According to military reports, US forces successfully targeted three Iranian commercial oil tankers on September 5 in response to ballistic missile strikes launched by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The developments mark a significant shift as direct military actions increasingly impact commercial maritime fleets and energy infrastructure. US President Donald Trump issued further threats of retaliation, warning that attacks on commercial shipping would trigger proportional strikes on Iranian civilian and energy facilities. Analysts highlighted that targeting critical economic assets signals an emerging phase of conflict dominated by energy warfare. US forces confirmed that naval mines in the strait have been fully cleared.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

European Union member states have agreed to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and organizations linked to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, following negotiations over the inclusion of several prominent businessmen.

The extension was initially delayed due to objections from member states including France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg, which sought the removal of specific figures from the penal list. Under an agreement reached by EU diplomats in Brussels, steel magnate Alisher Usmanov and banker Mikhail Fridman were removed from the sanctions registry, clearing the way for the broader regime to be renewed.

The compromise allows the EU to maintain its asset freezes, travel bans, and commercial restrictions while adopting its latest economic package intended to support Kyiv.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

France’s Constitutional Council has validated legislation introducing a conditional right to assisted dying while striking down a proposed social media ban for children under 15.

In its decision, the court ruled that establishing end-of-life policy falls within parliamentary authority. However, justices issued interpretative reservations, notably granting private and Catholic healthcare institutions a conscience clause to opt out of providing the procedure. President Emmanuel Macron praised the ruling, stating it completed an "exemplary democratic debate."

Separately, the council invalidated the primary provision of a bill seeking a general social media ban for minors under 15, declaring it an undue restriction on public liberties. The decision halts a major legislative goal for the French government.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, Politico Europe (Defense)

Recent reports and analyses evaluate the ongoing impact of US President Donald Trump’s second term across domestic policy, governance metrics, and international relations.

According to the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, key indicators for US democracy have dropped to their lowest level in 50 years. The organisation noted that this decline reflects a broader 11-year global trend of democratic regression.

Domestically, tracking by the States United Democracy Center and Grant Witness shows the administration has frozen or eliminated approximately $177 billion in federal funding. The reductions primarily affect public health, nutrition, environmental protection, and disaster relief programs.

Concurrently, media commentaries argue that despite expanding executive authority and backing from Congress, the administration faces growing political isolation abroad.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti