—❗️🇹🇷 NEW: Wildfires are raging in Izmir and several other regions of Turkey, fueled by strong winds that have been blowing since Sunday morning.

➡️ In Izmir Province, the fires have rapidly reached the outskirts of the city.

➡️ Emergency services are carrying out urgent evacuations of residents.

🔗 The National Independent

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—❗️🇷🇸 WATCH: In Francuska Street, large crowds of people were moving back and forth, crossing the street in both directions.

🔗 Željko Kisa

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—❗️🇷🇸 URGENT: Significant police forces have been deployed to Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-largest city, in response to ongoing student-led street blockades.

🔗 The National Independent

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—❗️🇷🇸 URGENT: The Belgrade–Bar railway, which connects Serbia and Montenegro, in Lazarevac is now under blockade.

Protesters are demanding that snap elections be called.

🔗 The National Independent

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—❗️🇷🇸 WATCH: Citizens express discontent as police pass through the blockade of the Varadin Bridge in Novi Sad.

🔗 Razglas news

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—UPDATE: Police forces have now been deployed [to the Belgrade–Bar railway in Lazarevac].

🔗 The National Independent

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—🇭🇷 NEW: Croatia reintroduces mandatory basic military training after 17-year pause; applies to all 19-year-old citizens, including those abroad.

New 8-week Basic Military Training (TVO) starts in 2026, hosted in Knin, Slunj, and Požega; dual citizens abroad must register by age 29 or face legal obligations. Conscripts receive €1,100/month and training time counts toward employment years.

📰 Source: Croatia Week

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—🇷🇸 (🇧🇦) /🇨🇳 NEW: Milorad Dodik meets Chinese Ambassador Li Fan in inaugural visit to Banja Luka.

The President of Republika Srpska briefed her on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political landscape, reaffirming Srpska institutions operate within Dayton Agreement limits; praised China’s stance on international law and positive cooperation in infrastructure, energy, healthcare, and education.

📰 Source: Milorad Dodik on X

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—🇷🇸/🇪🇸 NEW: Serbian President Vučić Meets with Spanish PM Sánchez in Seville.

In Seville, during the UN’s 4th Financing for Development Conference (FFD4), Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić held a high-level meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. They reached a €126 million agreement for constructing a bridge over the Danube in Bačka Palanka—crucial to improving regional connectivity. Vučić expressed his appreciation for Spain’s unwavering support for Serbia's territorial integrity regarding Kosovo, aligning with Spain's historic non-recognition of Kosovo’s 2008 declaration—an approach shared by four other EU countries.

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—🇷🇸/🇪🇸 Key highlights of the Vučić-Sánchez meeting

➡️ Bilateral Cooperation Boosted: Plans to sign the bridge contract with a Spanish company are advancing, enhancing links between Serbia and Croatia.

➡️ Trade on the Rise: Bilateral trade is nearing €1 billion, with discussions around its further growth.

➡️ Spain’s Diplomatic Support: Vučić praised Spain for not imposing excessive EU accession demands, and acknowledged its principled stance on Kosovo.

➡️ Global Engagement: Vučić attended a royal gala at Seville’s Real Alcázar, hosted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, during the FFD4 conference.

💬 What it means

This visit underlines Spain’s growing role in the Western Balkans, while Serbia positions itself as a regional connector, leveraging international support and infrastructure investment amid its EU integration path.

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—🇷🇴 NEW: This year, Romania entered the top 40 list of the largest economies in the world.

🔗 Visegrád 24

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