Serbia becomes the first Balkan country to have an openly gay president.

Ana Brnabić, who is openly lesbian, assumed acting presidential duties after Vučić resigned to run for Prime Minister in the October 25 election.

Brnabić is now the only person in Serbian history to have held all three top offices: PM, Parliament Speaker, and President (acting).

An early presidential election must be held by year's end.

BIG: US forces exit Iraq by tomorrow after 20+ years, ending a presence where 4,500 Americans died.

Iran-backed groups call it "a historic victory" and "a crushing defeat for the American project."

Iraqi security officials warn the withdrawal is premature.

The last US soldier killed in Iraq died in July during a drone detonation near Erbil.

Seven of 18 US service members killed in this year's Iran war died in Iraq.

Source: Reuters

Iranian airline Caspian Airlines’ Boeing 737 was seized at Istanbul Airport over an unpaid €3 million debt to Turkish aviation services company ACM Temsil Gozetim.

The aircraft was preparing to fly to Iran when court enforcement officers arrived, ordered passengers to disembark and kept the plane at the airport under a seizure order.

Anthropic Warns AI Could Pose Existential Risk as It Reports $8B Loss

Anthropic warned prospective investors that advanced artificial intelligence could pose “catastrophic or existential risks to humanity,” while reporting an $8 billion loss last year.

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Sudan Calls UAE a 'Country of Evil,' Worsening the Conflict

Sudan’s representative at the UN General Assembly called the UAE a "country of evil," accusing it of worsening the war as it provides support to the RSF.

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Netanyahu:

We have indications that ahead of the elections, our enemies will try to attack us.

From here, from the Air Force base, from the long arm of the State of Israel, I send you a message: Do not mess with us — not now and not ever.

Estonia said Russian intelligence ordered an August arson attack on defense contractor Milrem Robotics, which supplies unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called it part of a wider Russian campaign of sabotage and intimidation in Europe.

Three Latvian citizens suspected of starting the fire were detained and transferred to Estonia.

After Two Decades and 4,500 American Deaths, US Troops Leave Iraq

The last US forces are due to leave Iraq by September 30 under a deal struck in 2024, as Iran-backed factions call it a victory and Iraqi officials warn of a possible ISIS resurgence.

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CNN, MS NOW and Politico are asking a federal judge to extend an order blocking President Trump’s White House media ban while their lawsuit continues.

The outlets say the White House has enforced the ban inconsistently, including preventing CNN from carrying out its television pool duties. Judge Timothy Kelly restored their access for 14 days on Sept. 24, but that order expires Oct. 8.

The outlets want their previous White House and presidential access preserved until the case is resolved.

Source: WaPo

Netanyahu's Abu Dhabi meeting expanded to include representatives from 10 countries:

UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, US, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya (Haftar), Oman, and Egypt.

The bilateral Netanyahu-MBZ meeting came first, then other officials joined.

Source: Channel 14

Six EU net-contributor countries threaten to block the next 7-year budget unless it's cut by "hundreds of billions."

Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and Finland — who finance ~40% of member-state contributions — called the Commission's proposed €2 trillion budget for 2028-2034 "simply not realistic."

They demand fundamental reform.

More spending on defense, competitiveness, and migration; less on agriculture and cohesion funds.

They face ~17 countries (including Spain, Italy) wanting to protect or grow farm/regional spending.

The MFF requires unanimity.

A diplomat warned:

Unless the budget is cut by hundreds of billions, there won't be an agreement this year.

Ireland, holding the Council presidency, must produce a compromise before the October 15-16 European Council.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen:

A united Europe is the best idea we ever had. But even the best idea needs strong supporters. It needs people prepared to defend it, people prepared to improve it.

And if we keep commenting, complaining, waiting, whining, we will become spectators of our own decline.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen::

We are not dwarfs. There's a dwarf that behaves like a giant. That's true. And that's Russia.

UPDATE: The crashed aircraft appears to be a Tu-95MS strategic bomber, not a Tu-154 as initially reported.

Evidence: tail section debris matches the Tu-95.

The Tu-95MS is Russia's nuclear-capable strategic bomber, a key part of its nuclear triad, used extensively to launch cruise missiles against Ukraine.

NEW: Italy announces complete withdrawal of all its forces from Iraq.

Surveillance camera captured the Tu-95MS strategic bomber's final moments before crashing in Amur Oblast.

Germany and Five Allies Threaten to Veto EU’s €2 Trillion Budget Plan

Six countries that provide about 40% of member-state contributions demand deep cuts to the EU’s proposed seven-year spending plan, clashing over funding for farming and defense.

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EU's Kaja Kallas:

Finally, on Russia's military presence in Syria, Russia used its basis to help Assad kill Syrians. Moscow still shelters him.

We hope that recent memorandum will lead to a reduced military presence and influence.

Syria has credible alternatives to dependence on Russia.