Land of the South Slavs, 1918–1992, a fractured state in the Balkans
The Guardian reports on John Croft’s experiences at Bletchley Park during World War II, including his roles in the Testery and Newmanry, the breaking of Lorenz ciphers, and interactions with MI6 and Philby. It outlines his career from Oxford recruitment to Park Lane postings and his views on key figures.
Serbian state media and UN officials report that Ratko Mladic has died in a UN prison hospital in The Hague, ending decades of investigations into his role in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. He was 83 or 84, depending on reports. The death follows his 2017 genocide conviction and years in custody.
Ratko Mladic has been buried in Belgrade after his body was flown from The Hague. Serbian authorities have provided military honours and high‑profile attendance while EU and rights officials have condemned the public glorification of a convicted war criminal. The funeral has reopened wounds across Bosnia and Serbia and heightened tension over Belgrade's EU ambitions.
Emma Bonino, longtime Italian politician and feminist activist, has died at 78, according to +Europa. Her career spanned over five decades, including roles as European commissioner and foreign minister. Tributes highlight her lifelong advocacy for abortion rights, humanitarian aid, migrants’ rights, and civil liberties across Italy and the EU.
Kosovo confronts protests across nine cities after the Kosovo Specialist Chambers verdict convicting former leaders of the KLA of war crimes. Demonstrators view the ruling as biased and demand government action as political tensions deepen and EU talks resume.
Thousands of Hajduk Split supporters have marched before a UEFA Conference League match with Ajax, chanting antisemitic and pro‑Nazi slogans and parading a coffin labelled “Ajax.” Police have arrested about 12 people on charges of inciting violence and hatred, political leaders and the Israeli embassy have condemned the scenes, and Hajduk has apologised.
Serbia holds parliamentary elections after almost two years of student-led protests over corruption and perceived authoritarianism. Early results show the Student List winning a large share of seats, with turnout near 70%, the highest since Yugoslavia’s breakup. President Vučić concedes defeat as the students position themselves to form a new government with the potential to realign Serbia’s European trajectory.