Newly-appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier presented his government on Saturday (21 September), largely maintaining the political course of previous pro-Macron administrations while making concessions to the far-right Rassemblement National (RN).

Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander and other senior figures in the Lebanese movement in an airstrike on Beirut on Friday (20 Septembe), vowing to press on with a new military campaign until it is able to secure the area around the Lebanese border.

Serbia's government ministers on Friday (20 September) agreed to reintroduce compulsory military service which was abolished 14 years ago. President Aleksandar Vučić praised the decision as an important step to improve the country's defence readiness.

Pro-European President Maia Sandu staged a city centre rally on Friday (20 September) to kick off her bid for re-election in a month-long campaign held alongside a referendum to cement her drive to join the European Union.

Ukraine's "victory plan" in the war against Russia depends on quick decisions being taken by allies this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (20 September) during a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.