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Thousands Continue Protests in Serbia Despite Vucic’s Resignation Announcement

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Thousands of people gathered in the Serbian city of Kraljevo on Sunday, continuing nationwide anti-government protests a day after President Aleksandar Vucic announced he would step down within weeks, paving the way for early presidential and parliamentary elections. While many protesters welcomed the announcement, they expressed concern that Vucic could retain influence by seeking the post of prime minister and backing a close ally for the presidency.

The protests began after the deadly collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in late 2024, which claimed 16 lives and sparked widespread public anger over alleged government corruption and mismanagement. Demonstrators carrying Serbian flags and banners reading “Students are winning” marched peacefully, calling for political change and greater accountability. Vucic has denied allegations of corruption.

The developments are being closely watched by both the European Union and Russia, given Serbia’s strategic position and its balancing of relations with both sides. The EU has urged Serbia to uphold democratic standards, strengthen judicial independence, improve press freedom and ensure fair elections as part of its bid to join the bloc. Protesters say their movement is about securing lasting institutional reforms rather than simply replacing political leaders.

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Heatwave Grips Italy and Balkans as Wildfire Risk Intensifies Across Europe

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A record-breaking heatwave continued to grip Italy and several Balkan countries on Monday, triggering red weather alerts, raising the threat of wildfires, and disrupting daily life across Europe. Italy placed 22 cities under the highest heat warning, while Croatia issued red alerts for Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik as firefighters battled a major blaze on the Adriatic island of Vis. Serbia and Albania also faced soaring temperatures and wildfire concerns as the extreme weather persisted.

Scientists say the heatwave, which began on June 20, has become one of the most severe ever recorded in Europe. France has reported around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the prolonged heat, mostly among older people, while experts warn temperatures are expected to climb again in early July across France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and parts of Britain. Researchers also said the unprecedented heat would have been virtually impossible without the influence of human-caused climate change.

The extreme conditions have strained healthcare systems, disrupted power generation and damaged infrastructure across the continent. Tragic incidents linked to the heat were also reported over the weekend, including the deaths of two children found inside a hot car in Cyprus and two cyclists who collapsed during a marathon event in Poland, where temperatures reached a record 40.5°C. Authorities across Europe continue to urge people to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat as wildfire risks remain high.

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Spanish NGOs Rush to Help Undocumented Migrants Before Regularisation Deadline

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Non-governmental organisations across Spain are making a final push to help undocumented migrants apply for a special mass regularisation programme before the June 30 deadline. The initiative offers eligible migrants a one-year residence permit, and applications have far exceeded expectations, with around 1.27 million submissions compared to the government’s initial estimate of 500,000.

Aid groups such as CEAR and Cepaim are encouraging migrants to file their applications even if they are still waiting for documents from their home countries. Under the process, applicants may be allowed to submit missing paperwork later, giving many a chance to remain eligible. However, migrants from countries including Iran, Mali, Venezuela, Algeria and Nigeria have faced significant delays in securing the required documents, raising concerns that many applications could be rejected.

The Spanish government has indicated it does not plan to extend the application deadline despite growing appeals from NGOs. Rights groups warn that as many as 20% of applications could fail due to incomplete documentation and administrative hurdles. They are also calling for long-term reforms to simplify the legalisation process and reduce the time migrants spend living without legal status in Spain.

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11 Killed as Skydiving Plane Crashes Shortly After Take-off in France

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A light aircraft carrying skydivers crashed shortly after take-off near the town of Tomblaine in eastern France on Sunday, killing all 11 people on board. The aircraft, operated by a local parachuting school, departed from Nancy-Essey airfield at around 11:00 a.m. local time before suddenly losing control and crashing near the edge of the airfield. The victims included the pilot, five skydiving instructors, and five people preparing for their first tandem jump.

French authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said several relatives had gathered at the airfield to witness the first-time jumps and tragically saw the aircraft go down. Medical and psychological support teams were deployed to assist grieving families and witnesses. Officials also noted that the aircraft narrowly missed a nearby residential area and shopping centre, preventing further loss of life.

Witnesses reported seeing the plane veer sharply before plunging almost vertically and bursting into flames on impact. While eastern France was under a heatwave warning at the time, investigators have not confirmed whether weather conditions played any role in the accident. Aviation authorities described the incident as the deadliest crash involving a private civilian aircraft in France’s history, excluding commercial and military aviation, as investigators continue examining the wreckage for clues.

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Saltwater Intrusion Threatens Italy’s Po River Farms Amid Severe Heatwave

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Po River in northern Italy has seen a sharp drop in water flow during an intense European heatwave, allowing seawater from the Adriatic to push as far as 18 km inland. The river’s discharge has fallen dramatically from around 1,000 cubic metres per second to below 300, triggering a “salt wedge” effect in the delta region.

The intrusion is disrupting agriculture and fragile wetland ecosystems, with irrigation canals being shut to prevent saltwater from damaging crops such as maize, rice, soybeans, and sunflowers. Farmers say the situation is worsening earlier than in previous drought years, raising concerns over crop survival during a critical growing phase.

Experts and local water managers warn that climate-driven extreme heat events are increasing both in frequency and intensity, overwhelming existing barriers and water management systems. They note that river flow levels have dropped below previously assumed safe thresholds, intensifying risks for farming communities across the delta.

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Putin, Lukashenko Hold Talks Amid Rising Ukraine-Belarus Tensions

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held talks at Putin’s Valdai residence on Friday, with discussions expected to focus on the war in Ukraine alongside trade, economic cooperation, joint projects and regional security. The Kremlin said no documents would be signed and no joint press conference was planned following the meeting.

The meeting comes as tensions between Belarus and Ukraine have intensified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Putin of trying to persuade Lukashenko to deepen Belarus’ involvement in the war, a claim rejected by both Moscow and Minsk. Lukashenko said he recently met representatives of Zelenskiy and warned them against dragging Belarus into the conflict, while the Kremlin has accused Ukraine of threatening Belarus’ sovereignty over alleged signal relay stations.

Although Belarus has not deployed its troops to fight alongside Russia, it allowed Russian forces to use its territory to launch the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and later agreed to host Russian tactical nuclear weapons. Zelenskiy said this week that the disputed relay stations had stopped functioning, though there has been no independent verification of the claim.

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Volkswagen’s Unique Ownership Structure Faces Fresh Scrutiny Amid Restructuring Plans

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Volkswagen’s complex ownership and governance structure has come under renewed scrutiny as the German automaker prepares a major restructuring that could include plant closures and nearly 100,000 job cuts. Labour unions have vowed strong resistance, while the company’s unique legal framework gives workers and the German state of Lower Saxony significant influence over key decisions.

The influence stems from the Volkswagen Law, introduced in 1960, which was designed to protect the company from outside control. The law grants Lower Saxony, which holds a 20% voting stake, the power to block major shareholder decisions, while worker representatives on Volkswagen’s 20-member supervisory board can effectively veto significant factory-related changes, making large-scale restructuring more difficult.

Volkswagen’s ownership structure further complicates governance. Porsche SE, the investment vehicle of the Porsche and Piech families, controls a majority of voting rights despite owning less than a third of the company’s total equity. Investors have long criticised this arrangement, arguing it limits corporate governance reforms and contributes to uncertainty as Volkswagen faces falling share prices, leadership challenges and growing pressure to adapt to a changing automotive market.

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Germany’s Pension Reform Aims to Ease Future Burden on Young Workers

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Germany has proposed major pension reforms to address the financial strain of its ageing population and ease the long-term burden on younger workers. The plan includes creating a Swedish-style pension fund with mandatory contributions from employers and employees, while gradually increasing the retirement age from 67 in the early 2030s to around 70 by the 2090s. The reforms come as millions of baby boomers approach retirement, placing growing pressure on the country’s pension system.

Experts say the changes could improve the sustainability of Germany’s retirement system over time, but younger generations will continue to shoulder much of the financial burden during the transition. Analysts also note that the traditional pay-as-you-go pension model will remain in place, meaning demographic challenges and low birth rates will continue to impact future workers.

Beyond pensions, younger Germans face rising living costs, expensive housing and weaker wage growth compared with previous generations. Home ownership among people in their 30s has declined significantly over the past three decades, while many millennials have entered the workforce during periods of economic uncertainty. Economists warn that wealth inequality may increasingly depend not only on age, but also on whether younger people inherit assets or rely solely on their incomes.

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Russian Hardliners Urge Putin to Escalate War and End U.S.-Brokered Talks

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Russian nationalist hardliners are urging President Vladimir Putin to intensify the war in Ukraine and abandon U.S.-mediated peace efforts following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russian territory. The renewed calls come after attacks targeting Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea and other locations, prompting demands for stronger military action.

Some pro-war commentators have called for expanded strikes on Kyiv, the targeting of Ukrainian leadership and critical infrastructure, and even the abandonment of diplomatic negotiations. While some of the rhetoric includes extreme proposals, analysts say it reflects growing concern within nationalist circles over Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range attacks and the effectiveness of Russia’s current strategy.

Despite the pressure, the Kremlin has so far resisted calls to end negotiations or adopt the most aggressive measures. Russian officials have expressed frustration over stalled U.S.-brokered peace efforts, but President Putin continues to signal confidence in Russia’s military campaign while leaving the door open for a potential diplomatic solution alongside ongoing battlefield operations.

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Russian-Installed Authorities Declare Economic Emergency in Crimea

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Russian-installed authorities in Crimea have declared a state of economic emergency following a series of Ukrainian attacks that have disrupted fuel supplies and affected daily life on the peninsula. The emergency measure is intended to speed up decision-making and ensure the continued functioning of essential services, although officials have not detailed what practical changes it will bring.

The announcement comes after local authorities suspended tourism, cancelled children’s summer camps and halted fuel sales in response to mounting supply shortages. Residents have reported long queues at petrol stations and rising fuel prices as repeated drone strikes have strained logistics and energy infrastructure.

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy facilities and supply routes in an effort to weaken Moscow’s military capabilities and disrupt access to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine of targeting civilian infrastructure to create unrest among the population, while the conflict continues to affect economic activity across the region.

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