Syria recognized Kosovo today.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said that an investigation into a fire that broke out last week at a MOL oil refinery in Százhalombatta is ongoing, and he has not ruled out that it may have been caused by an "external attack".
 
"The investigation is well underway. We don't know yet whether it was an accident, a malfunction, or an external attack." - Viktor Orban

Images of the saboteur have begun circulating the internet.

In the capital of Belgrade on Thursday, university students waved flags as they started the 90km (56-mile) march to Novi Sad, where they are expected to join tens of thousands of other protesters on Saturday.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned young men with dual Australian–Croatian citizenship they could face criminal prosecution if they fail to comply with Croatia’s reinstated mandatory military service, starting January 1, 2026.

Croatia revived conscription—ended in 2008—to strengthen defence amid rising global tensions and the war in Ukraine. The law applies to men aged 18–30, and affected dual nationals are urged to contact Croatian defence authorities or consulates to confirm their obligations.

Slovenia’s interior and justice ministers resigned after the fatal beating of Aleš Šutar, 48, by a 21-year-old Roma man outside a Novo Mesto nightclub.

Prime Minister Robert Golob accepted their resignations, citing security failures, and urged Slovenians not to turn grief into ethnic hatred.

Golob announced a proposed “Šutar Law” to toughen policing powers, restrict benefits for repeat offenders, and seize unexplained assets.

Bulgaria and Germany’s Rheinmetall have signed a €1 billion joint venture to build a gunpowder and 155 mm artillery shell plant in Sofia, boosting Bulgaria’s and Europe’s defence capabilities amid rising security threats.

Rheinmetall will hold 51%, Bulgaria’s state arms maker VMZ 49%, financed through an EU SAFE mechanism loan. The project will create about 1,000 jobs and be completed within 14 months, according to Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov called it a “strategic partnership” that will revive Bulgaria’s defence industry and strengthen NATO’s ammunition supply chain.

Starting mid-December 2025, the US will slightly reduce its military presence in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia, following the planned withdrawal of a brigade from Romania. The Pentagon described the move as a “marginal recalibration”, citing stronger European defence capabilities.

The decision has sparked bipartisan criticism in Washington. Lawmakers warn it could embolden Russia and undermine NATO unity, calling for President Trump to reaffirm US commitment to Eastern Europe.

Veteran diplomat Daniel Fried labelled the cuts a “bureaucratic compromise” and a “mistake”, arguing the reductions—though small—send the wrong signal to Moscow. US troop levels in Poland and the Baltic states will remain unchanged.

Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said Bulgaria plans to build two new nuclear units as part of its strategy to strengthen its regional energy role and ensure long-term security.

Speaking at a Bulgarian–Korean energy forum, he emphasized strong public support (70%) for nuclear power and ongoing cooperation with South Korean partners, with a final investment decision expected next year. Stankov also highlighted Bulgaria’s interest in small modular reactors, potentially as a minority investor in future projects.

⚡️🇹🇷 Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu stated that Turkey is developing its own mine-sweeping ships, and after the Russia-Ukraine war ends, Turkey will take up the duty to "clear the Black Sea of all mines".

@wfwitness

The government has declared Saturday a day of national mourning while head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Porfirije served a mass for the victims at the Belgrade Saint Sava church.

It was attended by several hundred people, including government ministers and Vucic. Several thousand others have gathered in front of the church and lit candles for the victims.

In September, 13 people, including former construction minister Goran Vesic were charged in a criminal case over the collapse.

A separate anti-corruption probe continues alongside an EU-backed investigation into the possible misuse of EU funds in the project.

Vučić apologized for calling protestors and students foreign-backed coup plotters and urged for dialogue.

Thousands marched from Belgrade for some 100 kilometres (62 miles), or even from Novi Pazar, around 340 kilometres south of the capital. It took them a symbolic 16 days – for the 16 victims – to finish the march.

"It has now become clear how much Bashar al-Assad's liberal approach was worth to us when he was at the helm of Syria. It is also clear that when someone comes to power under the great influence of one of the main states in the region, such as Turkey, it is not unexpected that such developments occur," Vučić said.

Vučić further said that he would "wait a bit" while issuing a warning for the next 10 days. 

"In the next 10 days, we will also have something that will make them happy.

This is a marathon, not a 50-meter race. Considering who we are competing with, who are the strongest in the world, and who want to steal our land and territory, we are doing well," he said.

This was posted Thursday so, 8 more days?

Croatia Airlines posted a €20.9M net loss for the first nine months of 2025—over double last year’s €9M—as summer results failed to offset ongoing financial strain. The carrier is executing a major fleet renewal, introducing Airbus A220s and retiring older A319/A320 and Dash 8-Q400 aircraft.

Revenue rose 3% to €204.7M, supported by ancillary gains, while costs jumped 9% to €226.2M due to higher maintenance, airport, and navigation fees, plus a 50% rise in depreciation tied to new aircraft. Operating loss widened to €21.5M, and transition costs hit €19.9M, exceeding all of 2024. The airline’s equity remains negative (€-18.8M) with liabilities at €258M, signaling technical insolvency.

From January–September, 1.55M passengers were carried (+9% YoY, still -8.7% vs 2019). Domestic traffic grew 12%, international 8.8%, but charters fell 8% amid Tel Aviv disruptions. The load factor improved slightly to 66.3%, still 7.7 points below 2019.

The airline maintains that the A220 fleet renewal (2024–2027) will secure long-term sustainability and efficiency, despite near-term heavy financial pressure.

This was from Oct 21st when leaders from Balkan nations met in the UK. Apologies for missing it, but important to read.

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed that talks are under way with the UK about establishing a migrant return hub for failed asylum seekers, though legal obstacles remain. Kurti said Kosovo feels a “political duty” to help Britain but has limited capacity.

The UK has been pursuing agreements with Western Balkan nations to manage irregular migration. Kosovo is the first to publicly confirm negotiations, following similar deals with Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia to combat smuggling.

Kurti said Kosovo seeks security cooperation and investment in return, citing concerns over Russian and Serbian hostility. A formal UK request is not expected until legal hurdles are resolved.

The arrangement would differ from the former Rwanda asylum plan, applying only to migrants already rejected in the UK and awaiting deportation.

From October 26, 2025

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to win enough votes in parliament to form a government, deepening Kosovo’s political crisis and raising the likelihood of new elections. Kurti’s cabinet received 56 votes in favor, five short of the required majority, while 52 opposed and four abstained.

The deadlock follows inconclusive February elections that left the country without a stable government for months. Under the constitution, President Vjosa Osmani must now appoint a new prime minister-designate within 10 days, though opposition leader Memli Krasniqi and others are calling for immediate elections.

Observers, including the Kosovo Democratic Institute, say early polls may be the only way to restore legitimacy. However, analysts warn new elections might not shift parliamentary balances enough to break the impasse.

The crisis threatens Kosovo’s progress toward EU membership and access to the bloc’s €6 billion Western Balkans Growth Plan, with Western diplomats urging swift formation of a stable government.

There are 5 days left for the appointment of a new PM.

Guys sorry for not having posted a lot these days. I'll be back to normal ASAP