Oct 29, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

The European Union has extended its sanctions regime against Russia following fresh escalations in the conflict. High Representative Kaja Kallas and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned a Russian strike on a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border, stating the attack aimed to intimidate Europeans and foster political division.

The diplomatic developments follow U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that Moscow and Kyiv agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree removing the nation's prosecutor general from office.

Hostilities continue on the ground. Ukrainian authorities reported two fatalities and 14 injuries from Russian shelling in Kherson. Inside Russia, drone strikes reportedly injured seven individuals across the Belgorod region and Sochi.

Sources: CDM (Cafe del Montenegro).

US President Donald Trump has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war before winter. Following discussions with both leaders, Trump expressed confidence that Putin desires a settlement with Kyiv, noting that a mutual arrangement is necessary.

Zelensky described his conversation with Trump as positive and productive, stating that both Washington and Kyiv share the goal of halting Russian military operations in the near future. He suggested that the conflict could be approaching its final months. Trump reaffirmed his alignment with Zelensky on several matters while emphasizing that both nations must commit to direct negotiations to resolve the war.

Sources: Expresso, Jornal Económico, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Russian forces executed additional overnight drone attacks against Kyiv, injuring at least one resident, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow's defense ministry declared an intensified campaign specifically targeting Ukraine's power infrastructure. In response, Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil facilities have disrupted local fuel supplies, forcing Moscow to source petrol internationally.

Concurrently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the European Union "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil" after German investigators identified two suspects tied to Moscow regarding explosive drone incidents near Leipzig. European officials are now coordinating measures to address potential hybrid threats across member states.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Iranian state media reported targeting six vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including three commercial oil tankers and three US naval craft, alongside launching missiles toward an American aircraft carrier. Emergency responders successfully extinguished a fire aboard one damaged tanker following the strikes.

US President Donald Trump downplayed the operational impact, stating that "Hormuz [is] open" and asserting that "Tehran is in great difficulty." However, intelligence reports from Washington warn that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps feels emboldened by recent exchanges, raising concerns over further conflict escalation. The renewed hostilities continue to strain the fragile 14-point bilateral memorandum signed in June following earlier military action.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Former Slovenian international captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have provided insights into their career developments and the state of Slovenian domestic football.

Čeh, who previously spent over a decade as assistant coach to Srečko Katanec and recently concluded a seven-year coaching spell in Asia, reflected on his career and maintained his esteem for NK Maribor despite his deep roots with Olimpija Ljubljana and Austrian club Grazer AK.

Concurrently, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has rejoined NK Maribor for a third tenure. Addressing the ongoing organizational instability at rival club Olimpija Ljubljana, Mlakar noted that domestic derby matches remain unpredictable regardless of current form or off-pitch turbulence. He also reaffirmed his trust in former Maribor leaders Zlatko Zahovič and Darko Milanič as he aims for domestic silverware.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net