Aug 13, 2026, 01:30 AM UTC

In Greece, emergency crews supported by military personnel and aircraft continue to battle major wildfires near Megara and Mount Cithaeron west of Athens.

In Malta, trial proceedings in the 2017 assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia saw her son testify regarding her investigations into high-level corruption involving businessman Yorgen Fenech and government figures. Fenech faces charges of masterminding the fatal car bombing.

In Croatia, opposition politicians led by the Social Democratic Party announced a motion of no confidence against the governing coalition following a hazardous waste scandal in Gospić. The political challenge comes as a new Reuters Institute report revealed that 63 percent of Croatians regularly avoid news, placing the country among the highest globally for news avoidance alongside Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey.

Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Klix, Poslovni dnevnik

Serbian press organizations have reported a surge in intimidation and physical assaults against journalists throughout July and early August 2026.

The Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia registered 19 security incidents in July, including two physical assaults and 14 death threats. Separately, the Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation documented over 100 verbal attacks attributed to government and ruling party officials. Specific incidents include an online death threat against the editor of local outlet Volim Zrenjanin and a physical attack in Belgrade on film director Stevan Filipović, which prompted a prosecutorial investigation.

Concurrently, media associations condemned harassment targeting pro-government figures, including an uninvited individual visiting the home of Informer editor Dragan J. Vučićević. Media groups have urged law enforcement authorities to swiftly investigate all threats and prosecute perpetrators.

Sources: Beta, CDM, Danas, N1, Tanjug

Spanish security forces remain on high alert in Ceuta following social media calls in Morocco for coordinated border crossings on 15 and 17 August. The Interior and Defense ministries have reinforced deployment of the National Police, Civil Guard, and military units, confirming forces will stay as long as required.

Ceuta’s regional president, Juan Vivas, described the enclave's situation as "insostenible", estimating between 8,000 and 11,000 migrants currently remain in the city. Vivas urged Madrid to deploy at least 1,000 additional agents and expedite returns to Morocco, calling deportations the only solution. Meanwhile, reports indicate military personnel have been directly involved in intercepting and transferring migrants back to the border, fueling domestic political debate over government coordination and diplomatic posture toward Rabat.

Sources: Canarias7, El Día, El Mundo, La Vanguardia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy concluded a diplomatic visit to Belgrade for high-level talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, focusing on European Union integration and mutual territorial integrity.

Following the signing of a bilateral memorandum, Vučić affirmed Serbia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty, while clarifying that "we did not talk about any military cooperation". Zelenskyy thanked Belgrade for its backing, stating that the EU "must not lose Serbia." Both leaders affirmed that neither country would block the other's progress toward European Union membership.

Regional media highlighted differing interpretations of the summit. Serbian and Croatian outlets noted domestic political divisions and alleged pressure from Brussels, observing that Vučić avoided explicit condemnation of Moscow. Russian commentators framed the encounter as a move by Vučić to secure Western support before domestic elections.

Sources: Beta, Danas, HRT Vijesti, Klix, N1

Naval confrontations across Middle Eastern maritime corridors continue to deepen regional instability and disrupt global shipping. Iranian officials affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington fulfills all conditions specified in the June memorandum, including unfreezing foreign assets and lifting economic sanctions.

The diplomatic deadlock coincides with escalating strikes near strategic choke points. Houthi forces launched attacks near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, resulting in four fatalities aboard a Liberian-flagged vessel. Meanwhile, United States military forces targeted a container ship in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly attempting to breach transit restrictions. Despite US assertions of naval dominance in the passage, Tehran hardliners continue leveraging the blockade to secure concessions.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, Shipping Italy