Oct 19, 2026, 05:00 AM UTC

Former Slovenian international captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their careers, coaching transitions, and domestic club rivalries in recent interviews.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia's national team during its qualifying successes under Srečko Katanec, detailed his decade-long coaching partnership with Katanec, which included seven years working across Asian football. He reaffirmed his affinity for Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian side Grazer AK, while expressing continued respect for rival Maribor.

Separately, 27-year-old Ljubljana native Jan Mlakar addressed his third return to Maribor as he seeks his first league title with the club. Mlakar dismissed past rumors of a transfer to hometown rivals Olimpija Ljubljana, clarifying he was "never close" to joining them. He noted that despite Olimpija's current internal difficulties, derby fixtures remain inherently unpredictable.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Russian forces launched overnight drone strikes against Kyiv, injuring a resident following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Russian defense officials confirmed an escalated military focus aimed at destroying Ukraine's energy network ahead of winter. In response to ongoing hostilties, Ukraine intensified its targeted aerial strikes on Russian petroleum facilities, severely constraining Moscow's domestic fuel supplies and forcing foreign fuel imports.

Concurrently, German investigators identified two suspects connected to Moscow regarding explosive drone incidents near Leipzig. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a strong warning regarding hostile activities within bloc borders, declaring, "We do not tolerate attacks on EU soil."

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

U.S. Central Command conducted strikes against three Iranian commercial oil tankers after Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles at two American warships and attempted to lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM confirmed the operations after clearing mines from the strategic waterway.

The military engagements signal a broader shift toward energy warfare, with operations increasingly targeting commercial maritime fleets and energy infrastructure. Analysts highlighted that the confrontation reflects evolving fifth-generation warfare tactics involving long-range weaponry and drone technology.

In response to Tehran's actions, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a warning, declaring that "very little will be left of Iran" if further attacks occur.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has urged parliament to lay the legal groundwork for holding national elections once martial law is eventually lifted. Fedorov, who was dismissed from his post by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, argued that preparing democratic mechanisms in advance is vital to ensure an orderly political transition after the war with Russia concludes.

Elections are currently prohibited under Ukraine's ongoing martial law. Nevertheless, officials acknowledge that organizing future voting will present major logistical hurdles, particularly regarding ballot access for millions of displaced citizens, overseas refugees, and military personnel serving on the front line. Fedorov's initiative reflects growing discussions within Kyiv over the nation's political future while military operations continue.

Sources: Le Monde

Recent evaluations and media analyses highlight significant domestic and international challenges facing President Donald Trump's administration during his second term. According to the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, key democratic indicators in the United States have fallen to their lowest point in 50 years, reflecting an eleven-year global trend of democratic backsliding.

Domestically, tracking by non-profit research organizations reveals that the administration has frozen or cancelled $177 billion in federal grant funding, primarily impacting public health, nutrition, environmental protection, and disaster management programs. Concurrently, international media analyses suggest that despite leveraging expanded executive power, the administration faces growing diplomatic isolation and diminishing global influence.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti