Oct 24, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić officially resigned on Sunday, September 27, concluding his second five-year term seven months early. Under the Serbian constitution, Vučić is barred from seeking a third consecutive term as head of state.

His departure triggers snap presidential elections, which must be held within 90 days. The decision comes shortly before scheduled early parliamentary elections on October 25, following the prior dissolution of the national legislature. Former parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić has taken over as acting president to lead the country during the political transition.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă.

Polish military analysts and think tanks, including Rozwój Plus and the Defence Institute, are calling for structural reforms to complement Poland's record defense spending. The nation's defense budget is projected to reach 200.1 billion zlotys by 2026, representing 4.81 percent of its GDP—up from roughly 2.2 percent in 2022. While Warsaw continues procuring advanced hardware such as F-35 fighter jets, HIMARS artillery, and Abrams tanks, experts caution that equipment acquisitions alone cannot guarantee effective deterrence against potential Russian aggression. Recent reports emphasize the need to overhaul defense procurement, streamline command structures, resolve personnel shortages, and enhance rapid mobilization capabilities. Observers stress that transforming heavy financial outlays into genuine combat readiness requires deep institutional management and strategic reform rather than mere force expansion.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Former French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal confirmed securing the endorsements required to compete in October's left-wing primary for the 2027 presidential election. Royal will join six other declared candidates, including Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure, in the two-round vote scheduled for 9–10 and 16–17 October. Organised jointly by the Socialist Party and Place Publique, the primary aims to consolidate left-wing support, though Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel previously announced an independent presidential bid.

Royal's entry comes alongside renewed friction after she directed critical remarks toward rival candidate Raphaël Glucksmann, departing from her initial commitment to avoid internal disputes during the campaign.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération.

The humanitarian emergency in the Gaza Strip has worsened further following announcements by the World Food Programme that severe funding shortfalls will force a reduction in assistance to half a million people. Daily hot meals distributed by public kitchens will drop from 250,000 to 150,000, while families in restricted zones along the military-controlled Yellow Line will receive food every second day instead of daily.

This reduction coincides with Israel's decision to suspend commercial imports prior to winter and ongoing military activity in Gaza City. Meanwhile, medical personnel at Nasser Hospital warn that severe shortages of effective antibiotics leave wounded children unable to heal from severe infections amid unsanitary conditions in displaced camps.

Sources: Beta, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

An international journalistic investigation revealed that the administration of United States President Donald Trump has deported over 25,000 migrants to third countries with which they have no personal ties. The findings indicate that more than 20,000 individuals were sent to Mexico, while over 5,000 were flown to 28 other nations under non-transparent bilateral agreements.

The practice has drawn sharp international condemnation. More than a dozen United Nations human rights experts urged Washington to immediately halt the policy, warning that transferring asylum seekers to third states exposes them to severe risks of torture, abuse, and persecution.

Concurrently, the United States Supreme Court granted a temporary allowance for the administration to continue expedited third-country deportations while justices deliberate the legal requirement for migrants to challenge such transfers prior to removal.

Sources: Danas, Index, Klix, N1, Vijesti