Oct 25, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC

US federal prosecutors have unsealed charges against five alleged Russian intelligence operatives accused of orchestrating a Kremlin-backed campaign of targeted killings and physical sabotage across North America and Europe.

According to the Department of Justice, the suspects recruited a global network to surveil and execute attacks against individuals supporting Ukraine, including a June 2024 operation in Prague. All five charged individuals remain at large.

Concurrently, Denmark's Security and Intelligence Service stated that Russian operatives conducted physical sabotage targeting Danish defense contractors supplying equipment to Ukrainian forces, describing the actions as a major escalation in Moscow's hybrid warfare strategy.

Sources: BBC News, France24, OCCRP, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have shared insights on their footballing journeys and the landscape of Slovenian domestic football. Čeh, a key figure from manager Srečko Katanec’s era, transitioned into coaching following his playing career. After spending over a decade as Katanec's assistant—including seven years in Asia—Čeh expressed continued affection for former clubs Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK, alongside respect for rivals NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has returned to NK Maribor for a third spell in pursuit of a league championship. Commenting on rivals Olimpija Ljubljana during a period of internal instability, Mlakar noted that form is unpredictable in rivalry fixtures, stating that "in a derby they can only gain."

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

The U.S. Central Command has carried out broad military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz following an escalation involving ballistic missile launches at two American warships and an attempt to deploy sea mines. According to military officials, naval explosive devices in the international shipping corridor have been fully removed or detonated.

The retaliatory actions included U.S. strikes on three Iranian oil tankers on September 5, marking a direct expansion of military conflict into commercial maritime trade. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of further strikes against Iranian civil and energy infrastructure if attacks against shipping routes persist. Analysts characterize the standoff as an evolution toward energy-focused warfare reliant on uncrewed systems, where commercial fleets and critical infrastructure increasingly become primary operational targets.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

European Union member states have resolved a diplomatic standoff, agreeing to extend individual sanctions against nearly 3,000 individuals and entities linked to Russia's war in Ukraine. The consensus was achieved after diplomats compromised on demands from several member countries, including France, Slovakia, and Luxembourg, to remove steel tycoon Alisher Usmanov and financier Mikhail Fridman from the penal registry. Without unanimous approval, existing measures faced an automatic lapse. Concurrently, EU foreign ministers gathered in Luxembourg to approve an expansive new sanctions package aimed at further curtailing Russia's military supply lines and financial operations.

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

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump presented contrasting international visions. In his final UN speech before leaving office, Macron condemned US Gaza policy as a "shameful spectacle" and criticized Israeli actions in the West Bank.

Hours earlier, Trump championed his unilateral approach, declaring, "while others talk, I act." He threatened to "annihilate" Iran, predicted the fall of the Cuban government, and highlighted US access to Venezuelan crude oil. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez sought a side meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to discuss bilateral relations between their nations.

Sources: Canarias7, El Mundo, La Vanguardia.