Young Serbs have intensified street blockades since a major protest on June 28 to pressure President Aleksandar Vucic into calling early elections. During an August 14 demonstration in central Belgrade, physics student Dusan Cvetkovic was violently detained by plainclothes men arriving in an unmarked car, reflecting escalating confrontations between police forces and student protesters demanding political change.

Road blockades have spread across Serbian cities after students called for civil disobedience when President Aleksandar Vučić did not meet their demand for early elections. The student-led movement began after a railway station roof collapsed in Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people; protesters accuse the government of corruption and covering up responsibility. After months of demonstrations, strikes, and government efforts to contain the movement, citizens organized at least 181 road blockades in one day. In Belgrade, residents have formed neighborhood committees inspired by student assemblies and say they will sustain the protests until the government falls.

VICE promotes the return of its print magazine in 2026 after a seven-year hiatus and invites readers to subscribe. The print-and-digital plan costs $70 per year and includes four quarterly issues, access to members-only articles and columns, and early access to new documentaries. A digital-only membership costs $20 annually or $2 monthly and includes the online content and documentaries. The summer 2026 issue is sold out; new print subscribers will receive the fall issue, The Optimized Issue.

Serbia's government announced the resumption of operations at a controversial lithium mining project following a court ruling that overturned the previous cancellation of its permits. This decision comes amid ongoing protests in Loznica against the mining activities.

Bosnia, once ravaged by war, now faces a new challenge as its population continues to dwindle in peacetime. Fikret Puhalo, a sheep farmer who returned to his village after the war, describes a community that has shrunk dramatically, with no new births since his return. The village, once home to over 400 people, now has only 15 residents, highlighting the ongoing demographic crisis.

A 13-year-old boy killed eight children and a school guard in a shooting at Vladislav Ribnikar primary school in Belgrade, Serbia, causing widespread grief and shock. The incident, which also injured six children and a teacher, has led to a national mourning period and raised questions about gun control in Serbia. President Aleksandar Vucic has proposed measures to regulate gun ownership, including a moratorium on new licenses and enhanced surveillance of shooting ranges. The shooter, who used his father's pistols, will not face criminal charges due to his age. The tragedy has prompted a significant public response, with many donating blood and expressing solidarity with the victims.

Hundreds gathered for a memorial service to commemorate Serbian victims killed in 1992 in villages around Bratunac and Srebrenica. It is believed that 69 civilians were killed on this day in 1992. Officials and families first lit candles and laid wreaths at the Bratunac cemetery. The 26th anniversary was marked by speeches emphasizing that no one has been held accountable for these murders. The Center for the Study of War and War Crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina reports that 2,682 Serbs died in the Podrinje area. Naser Orić, a commander of the Army of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was acquitted by The Hague Tribunal and the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina but is facing a retrial after an acquittal was overturned earlier in 2018. Serbia issued a warrant for Orić in 2014 for suspected war crimes against Serbs in Srebrenica in 1992.

The article discusses the resurgence of interest in the former Yugoslavia, particularly through the lens of Yugotour, a travel agency in Belgrade that offers tours in the iconic Yugo car. The Yugo, a symbol of the bygone era, is used to take tourists on a journey to significant sites from Yugoslavia's past, culminating at the Museum of History of Yugoslavia and Tito's mausoleum. The article highlights the nostalgia for the communist period, known as 'Yugonostalgia,' and the commercialization of this sentiment. It also touches on the history of the Yugo car, its production, and its reputation. The piece includes perspectives from tourists and locals, illustrating the complex legacy of Yugoslavia and the interest in its history and cultural artifacts.

Mario Hvala, a hairdresser from Novi Sad, Serbia, specializes in creating hair tattoos of famous personalities, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin. His unique service has gained popularity, especially after Serbia qualified for the World Cup in Russia. A fan named Aleksa Maricevic spent nearly seven hours getting a Messi hair tattoo. While a regular haircut at Hvala's studio costs 8 euros, the hair tattoo service is priced at 150 euros.

Kosovo faces the challenge of managing citizens who joined Islamist extremist groups in Syria and Iraq, balancing relatively lenient sentencing with an emphasis on deradicalisation. Despite having Europe’s highest per-capita number of foreign fighters, authorities focus on short prison terms, community‑based prevention initiatives, and early‑intervention programmes. Persistent economic hardship, unemployment, corruption, and unresolved tensions from the 1990s conflict contribute to an environment vulnerable to radicalisation. Returnees describe disillusionment with extremist groups, while officials highlight Kosovo’s efforts to counter radicalism as it seeks closer alignment with the European Union. Similar challenges appear in neighbouring Serbia’s Sandžak region, where families grapple with the consequences of radicalisation. The article underscores the complexity of extremist recruitment and the differing national approaches to managing returning fighters.