Oct 29, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC

Slovenian football figures Aleš Čeh and Jan Mlakar have offered perspectives on their respective career trajectories and the current landscape of domestic football.

Čeh, the former national team captain who recently concluded a seven-year coaching stint in Asia following a decade as assistant to Srečko Katanec, reflected on his professional journey. Despite strong historical ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austria’s Grazer AK, Čeh emphasized his ongoing respect for NK Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old striker Jan Mlakar has embarked on his third spell with NK Maribor. Discussing the Eternal Derby against his hometown club Olimpija Ljubljana, Mlakar highlighted that derby fixtures remain inherently unpredictable regardless of off-pitch turbulence or form. Mlakar also expressed confidence in former Maribor leaders Zlatko Zahovič and Darko Milanič as the club pursues domestic success.

Sources: Delo, Siol.net

Russian drone strikes targeted Kyiv again overnight, injuring a resident following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow's defense ministry subsequently announced an intensified campaign aimed at destroying Ukraine's power grid. In turn, recent Ukrainian drone raids against Russian oil refineries have disrupted domestic fuel availability, forcing Moscow to import petrol from foreign suppliers.

Concurrently, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that the European Union "will not tolerate attacks on EU soil" after German investigators linked two suspects to Moscow regarding explosive drone incidents near Leipzig. European officials are now evaluating coordinated responses to counter potential hybrid threats within member states.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Nordic media outlets and political leaders report growing pressures on Moscow alongside heightened security concerns across Northern Europe. Ukrainian military strikes targeting energy infrastructure, including a key oil refinery near Moscow, have significantly impacted Russian refining operations, according to Ukrainian officials. Commentary across Nordic publications suggests that while Moscow possesses the endurance to prolong conflict, its strategic flexibility is diminishing, with some analysts noting that European security objectives inherently depend on a Russian defeat.

Simultaneously, diplomatic friction between Russia and Norway has intensified. Kremlin officials condemned recent NATO exercises and the seizure of a Russian vessel, framing Norwegian policy as a direct threat. In response, Norwegian authorities, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, advised that citizens should "not be afraid, but prepared" for evolving regional security risks.

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

Public sentiment regarding artificial intelligence is shifting in Italy as trust declines and economic concerns rise. According to a recent SWG survey, positive perceptions of AI among Italians fell from 68 percent in 2020 to 49 percent, while public concern rose to 45 percent. The shift coincides with reports indicating AI has contributed to approximately 425,000 global job losses over three years and growing friction between technology firms and government regulators.

Additionally, the implementation of AI-generated summaries in search engines threatens digital media business models by reducing website click-through rates. Despite growing public caution, Italian figures continue playing influential roles in global AI innovation, notably Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the enclave until Hamas is completely disarmed.

Addressing his cabinet in televised remarks, Netanyahu confirmed that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and declared that military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." The decision highlights growing diplomatic friction between Jerusalem and Washington, even as Israeli military strikes in Gaza have paused under American pressure. The announcement comes ahead of Israel's October 27 national election, with Netanyahu balancing demands from far-right coalition partners against ties with Washington.

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