Oct 16, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC

The European Union has prolonged its sanction regime against Moscow following a Russian strike on a train near the Polish-Ukrainian border. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the attack, stating it was designed to intimidate European allies and foster division.

The diplomatic action follows claims by US President Donald Trump that Kyiv and Moscow reached an agreement to refrain from targeting energy infrastructure. However, intense combat operations persist across several regions. Local authorities reported two fatalities and 14 injuries from shelling in Ukraine's Kherson region, while drone strikes in Russia's Belgorod region and Sochi left seven people injured. In domestic political developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially dismissed the nation's prosecutor general by executive decree.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro)

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and Maribor forward Jan Mlakar have reflected on their career trajectories and the state of domestic football.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its acclaimed qualification era, detailed his post-playing career as an assistant coach to manager Srečko Katanec. His decade-long coaching tenure included seven years in Asia. Despite his deep personal ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK, Čeh emphasized his enduring respect for rival Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old striker Jan Mlakar discussed his third tenure with Maribor, where he aims to secure his first PrvaLiga title. Addressing previous transfer speculation, Mlakar clarified, "I was never close to joining Olimpija," while noting that despite their recent internal difficulties, Olimpija remains a potent threat in derby fixtures.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged the country's parliament to begin laying the ground for post-war elections. Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, argued that establishing clear legal and logistical frameworks now is critical for securing democratic processes once the conflict ends.

While martial law currently prohibits holding elections in Ukraine, organizing future voting presents major administrative hurdles. Officials must address voter access for millions of citizens currently displaced, living abroad as refugees, or serving on the front lines. Parliamentary leaders have not yet outlined a concrete schedule or legislative roadmap for election readiness.

Sources: Le Monde

European Union member states have resolved a diplomatic standoff to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 Russian individuals and entities supporting the invasion of Ukraine. To secure unanimous approval before a critical deadline, diplomats agreed to remove steel magnate Alisher Usmanov and financier Mikhail Fridman from the blacklist following demands from countries including France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg.

Concurrently, EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved their largest economic sanctions package to date against Russia's war economy. European officials framed the measures as essential to reinforce backing for Kyiv amid shifting international politics and transatlantic tensions.

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

United States forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on September 5 following an Iranian ballistic missile attack against two American warships, marking a direct military escalation involving commercial maritime fleets.

U.S. Central Command confirmed a series of large-scale strikes near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to the missile launches and Iranian mine-laying attempts, noting that maritime mines in the corridor have since been cleared. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further severe action against Iranian infrastructure, declaring that "very little will be left of Iran" should attacks persist.

The ongoing clashes reflect an evolving strategic focus on economic energy networks and drone capabilities, which media analyses describe as a new phase of energy-centered warfare.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV