Oct 22, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC

Slovenian football figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have discussed their careers and domestic league dynamics ahead of key fixtures. Čeh, former captain of the national team under manager Srečko Katanec, reflected on his transition to coaching and a decade-long role as Katanec's assistant, which included seven years working in Asia. Čeh expressed affection for former clubs Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK alongside respect for NK Maribor.

Concurrently, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar addressed his third stint with NK Maribor, emphasizing his ambition to secure a league championship. Expressing confidence in club leadership figures Zlatko Zahovič and Darko Milanič, Mlakar noted that rival Olimpija Ljubljana, despite experiencing recent struggles, remains an unpredictable opponent in derby matches.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

European Union member states have resolved an internal impasse, agreeing to extend sanctions against nearly 3,000 Russian individuals and entities linked to the war in Ukraine. The extension followed intense negotiations after France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg pressed to remove specific figures from the targeted list.

Under the final compromise, steel magnate Alisher Usmanov and banker Mikhail Fridman were removed from the blacklist, allowing the broader package of asset freezes and travel bans to be renewed before expiring. Following the consensus, EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg formally adopted a new economic sanctions package aimed at sustaining pressure on Moscow's war effort.

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

Tensions between Russia and Northern European nations have intensified following sharp rhetoric from Kremlin officials targeting Norway over recent NATO military exercises and the detention of a Russian vessel. In response to accusations from Moscow, Norwegian leaders, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, have called on citizens to remain vigilant without yielding to fear.

Concurrently, Ukrainian forces executed drone attacks on key oil infrastructure near Moscow, with Ukrainian media reporting that over half of the region's refining capacity was affected. While analysts observe that Russia possesses the operational resilience to prolong its war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin's strategic options are increasingly constrained, forcing higher risk-taking. European commentators emphasize that enduring security in the region relies on checking Moscow's territorial ambitions.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, Dagens Næringsliv, TV 2 Nyheter, VG

Russian offensive operations across the Ukrainian front line have largely stalled, with independent analysts reporting minimal territorial changes. Data from the Institute for the Study of War and Ukraine's DeepState project indicate net shifts remained near zero through late September, despite official Russian claims of success. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have launched targeted counter-attacks, regaining territory in sectors like Oleksandrivka.

With winter approaching, Moscow has shifted focus toward long-range strikes against Ukraine's power and heating infrastructure. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhij Koreckyj noted that recent attacks on energy facilities in Kyiv and the surrounding region were the largest since last spring. Concurrently, Ukrainian air defense effectiveness has declined, with drone interception rates dropping to 83 percent in September from 92 percent in May.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Respect, Seznam Zprávy.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has projected that national gross domestic product will exceed €100 billion by 2026, supported by an anticipated 2.4 percent annual growth rate. The government also targets increasing average monthly net wages to €1,600 by 2028, with upcoming consultations to adjust the minimum wage. Additionally, state officials unveiled a nearly €3 billion, 10-year industrial strategy aimed at boosting manufacturing technology.

However, business leaders and economic experts expressed caution regarding long-term sustainability. Mislav Balković, president of the Croatian Employers' Association, stated that rising labor costs are outpacing productivity, stressing that the private sector must drive growth. Former economy minister Ljubo Jurčić offered a sharper critique, describing the economy as floating "without an engine and without a rudder" and asserting that annual growth must exceed 5 percent to maintain momentum.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix, Poslovni dnevnik, Vijesti