Capital and largest city of Serbia, at the confluence of the Sava and Danube
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced he will step down within weeks, prompting early elections and triggering a debate over whether the presidency will be handed to a loyal ally while he shifts to the prime minister’s post. Protests across major cities have intensified as demonstrators cite governance concerns tied to a 2024 train-station disaster.
The High Court has ruled on costs in the case involving Mitch Winehouse and Naomi Parry/Catriona Gourlay after an 11-week trial. ANL faces a potential indemnity costs award, with interim payments due in August. The court notes the overall costs exceed 34.5 million pounds, while the claimants’ insurance coverage stands at 16.2 million.
Europe endures a blistering heat wave with temperatures above 40C in several countries. Italy places all 27 major cities on red heat alerts; authorities extend evening hours at Rome’s Colosseum and Pantheon and open cooling measures. Wildfires, drought and energy stress accompany the heat, prompting precautions for residents and visitors.
Distant drone strikes hit multiple Wildberries warehouses across Russia, including Yekaterinburg in the Urals. Evacuations are under way with officials reporting some drone interceptions. Ukraine continues long-range strikes to disrupt Russian logistics and economy, while Russia asserts air defenses have intercepted hundreds of drones.
Zelensky has visited Belgrade to meet President Vučić as Serbia balances Moscow ties with EU aims. Kyiv seeks logistics and energy cooperation, humanitarian aid, and a path toward EU membership, while Belgrade remains cautious on sanctions against Russia. Serbia pledges support for Ukraine’s resilience and studies a possible free-trade deal.
Rising heat and drought across Europe have lowered river levels, exposing World War II ships, mammoth remains and ancient structures. Analysts warn climate-driven extremes are intensifying, threatening ships, power plants and freight, while historians document maritime relics surfacing along the Danube and Rhine.
Roger Federer has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport after a storied career that included 20 Grand Slam titles. In the run-up, he has performed exhibition matches in New York, signaling a lasting legacy beyond competition and underscoring his impact on fans and the sport.
Ratko Mladic has died in a UN detention facility and his body has been flown to Belgrade, where soldiers and supporters have staged military-style honours and public mourning. EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos has cancelled a planned visit and criticised the glorification of a convicted war criminal; Serbian officials and nationalist groups are defending the ceremonies.
Serbia has announced snap parliamentary elections for late October, with President Vucic seeking to consolidate power amid sustained anti-government protests sparked by the 2024 Novi Sad canopy collapse. Protests have demanded accountability and an end to corruption, while the government faces EU scrutiny over democratic freedoms. The election date will be set within the next 45-60 days, and a student-backed list aims to challenge the ruling party.
EU leaders condemn the funeral of Ratko Mladic in Belgrade as a test of Belgrade’s European course; Serbia’s government faced international backlash over the glorification of a convicted war criminal. While Mladic’s burial drew protests from Bosnia and some EU officials, Belgrade’s political calculus remains focused on EU accession amid domestic support for nationalist figures.