Serbia:
Bosnian media on Monday circulated footage purportedly showing Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić holding an assault rifle during a visit to Sarajevo, challenging his repeated claims that he has “never held a weapon.” The clip, dubbed “Safari Sarajevo” by commentators, reignited criticism of Vučić’s nationalist past amid heightened regional tensions.
In a separate interview, Vučić said around “15% of Serbs believe I have an Albanian father,” dismissing the claim as one of many conspiracy theories circulating in domestic politics.
Anti-government protests in Belgrade continued for a second day, with thousands of students and opposition supporters demanding accountability over recent attacks on university demonstrators.
Kosovo:
Kosovo’s 28 December election date remains under debate, with analysts calling it “the most unsuitable timing” due to year-end holidays. Political scientist Melazim Koci told local media the late-December vote risks low turnout.
Kosovo police seized around 300 kg of explosives at a border crossing, authorities said, without providing details on the intended destination.
Questions also linger over the resignation of PDK leader Memli Krasniqi, as party officials declined to elaborate on internal disagreements. International affairs expert Enver Bytyçi said political deadlock after the last election stems from “shared responsibility among all major parties.”
Albanian commentators asked what Pristina could expect next from Middle Eastern countries after Syria recognized Kosovo’s independence in late October, suggesting additional states may follow.
Greece:
A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Karditsa area early Monday, causing no major damage. Greek scientists separately reported progress in understanding the swarm of tens of thousands of microquakes that shook Santorini earlier this year, linking them to deep volcanic processes.
Greek police arrested a drunk driver clocked at 230 km/h on the Athens–Lamia highway after a high-speed chase, releasing video of the pursuit.
Secondary-school teachers in Greece will undergo intensive training on artificial intelligence tools, the education ministry said, citing the need to modernize classroom skills.
In Thessaloniki, two burglars were injured after falling from a balcony during a botched robbery; the homeowner administered first aid before police arrived.
Montenegro:
Montenegro’s public debt reached €4.7 billion by the end of the third quarter, or 59.4% of GDP, and is projected to expand to €5.88 billion within a year, according to government data.
Croatia
Structural engineer Mario Uroš said explosives would be the “cheapest, fastest and safest” method to demolish Zagreb’s Vjesnik tower, a week after a major fire left the building beyond repair. Construction Minister Branko Bačić confirmed authorities are preparing a controlled demolition plan. Local media reported that the government is also weighing future use of the site, including possible state offices.
Doctors in Zagreb reported a rare and complex surgical success after a newborn with a large neck tumour underwent a two-stage procedure during and immediately after delivery. The mother told Croatian media she had been offered the option of terminating the pregnancy after the tumour was detected.
Croatian police are investigating a housing scam in Zagreb in which multiple tenants lost deposits and rent payments to a man who posed as a property owner before disappearing.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Preliminary results from Bosnia’s Central Election Commission showed Siniša Karan of the ruling SNSD holding a 1.95-point lead over SDS candidate Branko Blanuša in Republika Srpska’s early presidential election. Almost 8,000 ballots were declared invalid, prompting renewed debate about voter turnout and electoral trust.
Milorad Dodik, SNSD leader, claimed the vote represented a defeat for international envoy Christian Schmidt and “pro-Bosniak structures,” insisting there would be no repeat elections in municipalities contested by the opposition.
Election-monitoring group Pod Lupom said irregularities were limited but could still affect the final outcome and that it could not “state with certainty” who won.
U.S. lawmakers Michael Turner and Donald Norcross visited Sarajevo for meetings with Christian Schmidt on the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Turner said peace “must be defended,” while Schmidt urged Bosnia’s leaders to strengthen state institutions.
Schools and cultural institutions across Tuzla and Herzegovina marked Bosnia’s Statehood Day with concerts, poetry and student events.
NGOs in Mostar linked to Bosniak political groups filed criminal complaints to halt construction of the Croatian-funded National Theatre (HNK). Mayor Mario Kordić (HDZ BiH) said the project would continue, calling it fully legal.
Authorities in the Federation warned of rising water levels along the Sava River amid heavy rainfall and melting snow, with localised flooding possible.
Humanitarian organisation Pomozi.ba served holiday meals across several cities for vulnerable citizens as part of its annual Statehood Day outreach.
Republika Srpska
With 99.7% of polling stations counted, Karan secured roughly 217,000 votes (50.3%) to Blanuša’s 209,000 (48.3%). Media profiled Karan as a long-time Dodik loyalist who built his career in RS institutions.
Serbia / Region
A sombre archival case resurfaced in regional media: the discovery of the body of Hedviga Golik, a woman found dead in her Zagreb apartment more than 40 years after she was last seen, highlighting historic gaps in social-care monitoring.
Croatia – Social Issues
Vinkovci city authorities raised the income threshold for pensioners to qualify for Christmas bonuses, extending payments of €40–60 to more than 3,300 retirees.
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