Oct 21, 2026, 12:00 AM UTC

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have offered perspectives on their careers and Slovenian club football in recent interviews.

Čeh reflected on his transition from playing to coaching, having spent over a decade assisting Srečko Katanec, including seven years working in Asia. He expressed enduring affection for Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK while maintaining respect for NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ljubljana-born forward Jan Mlakar detailed his third stint at NK Maribor. Seeking his first league title with the club, Mlakar reaffirmed his confidence in leadership figures Zlatko Zahović and Darko Milanič. He also clarified that despite ongoing instability at his hometown club Olimpija Ljubljana, he was never close to joining them.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

United States Central Command has executed major military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz following an attempted deployment of naval mines and ballistic missile launches directed at two American warships. United States forces also struck three Iranian oil tankers, marking a significant escalation into commercial maritime fleet infrastructure.

In response to ongoing disruptions along vital shipping corridors, United States President Donald Trump warned of expanding retaliatory attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure. Analysts observe that the evolving conflict highlights a transition toward fifth-generation warfare, defined by long-range drone technology and targeted strikes on critical energy networks. Military officials confirmed that all detected sea mines in the strategic waterway have now been cleared or detonated.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Artificial intelligence adoption in Italy continues to expand across major platforms, even as public skepticism grows over economic and social impacts. According to Audicom data, OpenAI's ChatGPT remains Italy's most popular tool, while Google's Gemini leads on mobile, and platforms like Anthropic's Claude and Perplexity see steady growth.

Simultaneously, an SWG survey indicates public approval for AI dropped to 49 percent from 68 percent in 2020, with 45 percent of respondents expressing concern over corporate influence and employment displacement. Industry estimates suggest AI has contributed to approximately 425,000 job losses globally over three years. While Italian reporting highlights local talent shaping the sector, such as Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei, media coverage increasingly scrutinizes tech industry lobbying, corporate power, and labor disruptions.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.

France’s Constitutional Council has validated landmark legislation creating a conditional right to assisted dying, clearing the way for its official promulgation. In its ruling, the court declared the law constitutional while issuing three interpretative reservations, including a conscience clause allowing private and faith-based healthcare facilities to opt out of performing end-of-life procedures.

In a separate decision, the council struck down the primary provision of a proposed digital safety bill that sought a general ban on social media access for minors under 15, deeming the restriction excessively broad. Additionally, key elements of an emergency agricultural bill received judicial approval.

President Emmanuel Macron commended the court’s decision on end-of-life care, stating it "parachève un débat démocratique exemplaire".

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

Metrics evaluating democracy in the United States have fallen to their lowest level in 50 years, according to a report by the Stockholm-based International IDEA. The organization attributed the decline primarily to actions taken during President Donald Trump's administration, noting that the drop aligns with an 11-year global trend in democratic backsliding.

Simultaneously, findings from the States United Democracy Center and Grant Witness indicate that the administration has cancelled or frozen $177 billion in federal grants, affecting public health, disaster relief, nutrition, and environmental protection programs.

Concurrently, media commentaries point to growing international friction, suggesting that despite holding extensive domestic authority, Washington faces diminished global influence during Trump's second term.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti