Oct 25, 2026, 06:00 PM UTC

The European Union has prolonged its sanctions against Russia following a missile strike targeting a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated the strike was intended to intimidate European allies and create domestic division.

The escalation occurs despite claims from US President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to cease attacks on energy infrastructure. Ground and aerial bombardment remains active across several regions. Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kherson territory resulted in two deaths and 14 injuries, while Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia's Belgorod and Sochi regions left seven people wounded.

In Kyiv, domestic governance changes continued as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a formal decree removing the country's prosecutor general from office.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point peace proposal for Gaza backed by US President Donald Trump. Speaking to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu insisted that Israeli military forces will not pull out of the territory until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed."

The 15-point document, which Hamas had endorsed in late July, was intended to secure a long-term resolution. Although US diplomatic pressure has largely paused major Israeli offensive operations, Netanyahu emphasized that troops will continue to counter potential security threats against Israeli forces.

The rejection highlights growing friction between Jerusalem and Washington. Netanyahu is navigating political pressure ahead of Israel's general election scheduled for 27 October, balancing demands from far-right coalition partners against calls from the White House for diplomatic progress.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have reflected on their footballing journeys and current developments in domestic football. Čeh, who served as a key midfielder and captain during Srečko Katanec’s era, transitioned into coaching following his playing career. After spending over a decade as an assistant coach—including seven years in Asia—Čeh highlighted his enduring affection for former clubs Olimpija Ljubljana and Grazer AK while maintaining respect for NK Maribor.

Simultaneously, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has returned to NK Maribor for a third spell aiming to secure a league championship. Commenting on rivals Olimpija Ljubljana during their recent internal difficulties, Mlakar noted that form remains secondary in derby matches, stating that "in a derby they can only gain."

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

The United States military has conducted additional strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, following an attempt by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to deploy naval mines and fire ballistic missiles at two American warships. U.S. forces confirmed that all naval explosive devices in the international shipping corridor have been removed or detonated.

The confrontation escalated on September 5 when U.S. strikes hit three Iranian commercial oil tankers, directly expanding military operations into commercial maritime trade. President Donald Trump warned of potential strikes against Iranian civilian and energy infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, should attacks on regional shipping lanes continue. Analysts suggest the standoff reflects an evolution toward fifth-generation warfare, heavily reliant on uncrewed drone systems and targeted energy infrastructure.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

Public confidence in artificial intelligence in Italy has dropped significantly over the last four years, according to survey results presented at the Chamber of Deputies. Data from SWG indicates that positive perceptions fell from 68 percent in 2020 to 49 percent, while public concern rose from 23 percent to 45 percent.

Despite mounting skepticism, integration of generative tools continues to accelerate. Web browsing habits are adapting to automated features such as Google's AI Overviews, sparking concerns over declining referral traffic to primary websites. Globally, economic discussions remain focused on labor disruptions, with estimates attributing roughly 425,000 job losses to artificial intelligence over the past three years. Meanwhile, Italian executives continue to play key roles in international development and governance, including Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei amid ongoing debates surrounding technological risks.

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