AGP Executive Report

Football Drama: Southampton owner Dragan Šolak says he won’t sack coach Tonda Eckert despite the “Spygate” scandal that cost the club a Championship play-off final spot, backing the German for a “second chance” after disciplinary findings. Film & Festivals: Karlovy Vary’s 60th edition has unveiled its Crystal Globe competition lineup and jury, with themes focused on the link between art and politics. Combat Sports: Aleks Petrovic fires back at Chase DeMoor’s trash talk ahead of Fame Fighting vs Misfits, leaning into the spotlight and boos. Science & Serbia: University of Galway appoints Belgrade-trained biochemistry expert Dr Mihailo Mirkovic to lead new research on cellular stress and RNA processing in fungi, aiming to reduce chromosome-abnormality risks. Sports Business (Serbia): Subotica’s ElevenEs begins work on Europe’s first electric vehicle battery factory, starting recruitment for the first production team. EU/Region: EU leaders reaffirm enlargement as a real, geostrategic project for the Western Balkans, with Serbia among the candidate countries.

Belgrade EU Push: EU Delegation head Andreas von Beckerath urged Serbian authorities to do more to present an “objective, fact-based” case for EU membership and fight disinformation, citing a CEP survey showing support at 39.8% and opposition at 33.8%. EU Enlargement Politics: EU Council President António Costa told Western Balkan leaders the bloc’s enlargement is “real,” ahead of a summit in Montenegro with Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro. Music & Live Shows: A$AP Rocky added Croatia to his Don’t Be Dumb World Tour, announcing a Zagreb Arena date on 6 Oct 2026, with further new stops including Belgrade. Film Festival: Belgrade Youth Center hosts Serbia’s first U30 Film Festival from June 4–7, focusing on short films up to 30 minutes by authors under 30, with 11 films in competition. Sports Spotlight: FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket 2026 in Lithuania (July 4–12) confirms Serbia among the teams in Group C.

Media Ownership Shake-Up: Serbia’s Adria News Network (ANN) is being sold to Alpac Capital, and the European Federation of Journalists warns the change could threaten media pluralism and editorial independence across the Western Balkans. EU Accession Pressure: The European Parliament’s AFET committee is set to vote on June 3 on a Serbia report saying rule-of-law and democracy reforms are stalled or regressing, with media conditions described as “appalling.” Basketball Spotlight: Luka Dončić is part-owner of Italy’s Vanoli Cremona, with plans to relocate to Rome as part of an “NBA Europe” project. Belgrade Sports Buzz: UFC Belgrade adds a heavyweight clash: Ludovit Klein vs Tofiq Musayev on Aug. 1 at Belgrade Arena. Entertainment & Charity: Soccer Aid 2026 hits the London Stadium with Toy Story stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen bringing out the match ball as England beat World XI 3-2. Sports Drama: Greg Hardy’s MMA run takes another hit—he was knocked out in Belgrade by Darko Stosic after missing weight.

UFC Belgrade: Ludovit Klein returns to action in Belgrade, set to face Tofiq Musayev at UFC Fight Night 283 on Aug. 1 at Belgrade Arena. MMA in the spotlight: Former NFL star Greg Hardy was brutally knocked out by Darko Stosic at FNC 31 in Belgrade after missing the heavyweight limit by a huge margin, with the KO going viral. Football & TV buzz: Soccer Aid 2026 hits London Stadium tonight (May 31) with England vs World XI, featuring Wayne Rooney, Robbie Williams and Angry Ginge, plus a star-studded World XI. World Cup warm-ups: Serbia’s friendly vs Cape Verde is on the schedule today (Lisbon), while Mexico beat Australia 1-0 in another World Cup tune-up. Belgrade pop culture: Konstrakta is set for a concert in Belgrade, adding to the city’s live-music momentum. Press freedom watch: A new global map shows press freedom hitting a 25-year low, with Serbia’s media landscape still under scrutiny.

French Open Shock: Novak Djokovic’s 25th Slam bid ended in the third round as 19-year-old Joao Fonseca rallied from two sets down to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, reaching the last 16 for the first time. Serbian Spotlight: Djokovic’s heated moment with a cameraman went viral, and after the loss he stayed tight-lipped on whether he’ll return next year (“I don’t know”). Champions League Finale: PSG beat Arsenal in Budapest on penalties after a 1-1 draw, defending the trophy and making back-to-back European champions. EU Watch: A new European Commission report says Serbia has stalled on rule of law, corruption, and media freedom, with added pressure on judges and journalists. Culture & Arts: Belgrade’s Wilson Schmidt set a state meet record in track and field, while Serbia also gets a nod in international arts coverage, from film festival lineups to classical concerts featuring Serbian performers.

French Open Shock (Serbia): Novak Djokovic’s 25th Grand Slam bid at Roland Garros ended in a wild five-set loss to 19-year-old Joao Fonseca (4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5), with the Serbian visibly drained in the heat and the men’s draw suddenly wide open. Tennis Spotlight (Serbia): Fonseca’s comeback made him the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a major, sending him into the Round of 16. Media Business (Serbia/Region): Alpac Capital agreed to buy Adria News Network from United Group, with the deal framed around protecting editorial independence and expanding a regional news platform. Sports Culture (Serbia): Greg Hardy, the ex-NFL/UFC fighter, missed weight by 25 pounds ahead of his Serbia-based bout, adding another messy chapter to his comeback trail. Arts & Events (Serbia): Belgrade’s Konstrakta is set for a major concert, while film culture continues with screenings like Robert Post’s “My Pathetic Career” in the region.

French Open Shock: Novak Djokovic’s 25th Slam bid ended in a five-set thriller as 19-year-old Joao Fonseca came back from two sets down to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, with Djokovic visibly struggling in the heat and even throwing up in the fifth. Viral Moment: Djokovic also went viral for a heated exchange with a cameraman at Roland Garros, telling him, “Can you come more on my face?” Belgrade Media Watch: Serbia’s regional news scene is in turmoil as United Group confirmed a deal to sell Adria News Network to Alpac Capital—prompting legal challenges and fresh concern from journalists’ groups about editorial independence. Serbia–China Tech & Culture: Serbian President Vučić highlighted humanoid-robot plans after visiting a Chinese factory, with cooperation framed as moving from AI and manufacturing into real production in Serbia. Film Festival Win: Beldocs 2026 crowned The Thing to Be Done as Best Film in the International Competition and Sunset as Best Film in the Serbian Competition.

French Open Buzz: Novak Djokovic kept cool in Paris heat and advanced after a stunning around-the-net winner vs. Valentin Royer, while the men’s draw got even wilder after Jannik Sinner’s shock exit. Serbian Spotlight in Sport: Serbia’s Andelija Stevanovic won gold on debut at the ISSF World Cup in Munich (10m Air Rifle), and the week also brought Serbian tennis moments and viral Djokovic crowd clashes. BelDocs Documentary Wins: Beldocs 2026 crowned The Divine Feminine (Ivana Todorović) with three trophies and handed Yugo Goes to America the Audience Award in Belgrade. Music & Pop Culture: Eric Di Meco, former Champions League winner with Marseille, is now fronting an Oasis tribute band. Local Culture Travel: A guide to Prizren’s top sights and food highlights the region’s cultural pull. Basketball Entertainment: The FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 in Warsaw leans hard into festival vibes, music, and nonstop crowd energy.

French Open Buzz: Novak Djokovic kept his 25th Grand Slam dream alive with a tense four-set win over Valentin Royer, battling a hostile Paris crowd and sweltering heat; the match even sparked viral moments. French Open Shockwave: Jannik Sinner’s stunning second-round exit after a five-set loss to Juan Manuel Cerúndolo has opened the men’s draw, with Djokovic widely seen as the big beneficiary. Serbian Sports Spotlight: In Munich, Serbia’s Andelija Stevanovic won gold in her senior ISSF World Cup debut (10m Air Rifle), while Sakshi Padekar finished seventh. Local Media & Tensions: Telekom Srbija acquired seven cable operators, while Roma representatives condemned Informer editor Dragan J. Vučićević over claims linking Roma to copper theft—calling it hate speech. Film & Culture: A student film shot in Serbia, “Black Wedding,” made waves at the LA Canes Film Showcase, showing Serbian talent and period craft on an international stage. Belgrade Tech/Policy: Marko Đurić and Nevena Jovanović highlighted Serbia–China cooperation and investment priorities at major diplomacy and policy events in New York and Belgrade.

French Open Heat & Drama: Novak Djokovic powered past Valentin Royer in a tense, boo-filled second-round match, keeping his 25th Grand Slam chase alive despite crowd interruptions and a heated exchange over “respect.” Weather Watch: Serbia is under a yellow heat alert with temperatures up to 34°C, while Europe braces for extreme conditions and supercell storms. Football Violence: Masked hooligans stormed a Serbian SuperLiga pitch and attacked their own players after FK Radnički 1923’s match ended 2-2. China-Serbia Culture & Industry: Serbian President Vučić highlighted humanoid robots and innovation during visits in China, while Chinese and Serbian foreign ministers pushed deeper cooperation. Music & Live Scene: Metal legends Anthrax played “It’s For The Kids” live for the first time, with a Belgrade stop on the way. Film & Festivals: Beldocs Industry Days wrapped in Belgrade with awards for documentary projects, and Slano Film Days announced big-name guests including Pawel Pawlikowski and Ruben Östlund. Sports Scouting (Local Angle): A data-driven report flags Red Star’s Mahmudu Bajo as a standout central midfield prospect for Norwich.

Documentary & Film Industry: Beldocs Industry Days wrapped up in Belgrade with a pitching forum awarding projects including Serbia-Croatia’s Symbols of War (plus other regional winners) and a slate of talks and masterclasses tied to the 20–26 May festival. Festival Spotlight: Slano Film Days (16–20 June) is set to bring Paweł Pawlikowski (Fatherland, Cannes Best Director) and Ruben Östlund, alongside Joanna Kulig, with multiple film talks and Croatian premieres. Serbian Cinema on Screen: Miloš Jaćimović’s documentary Sunset premiered in Beldocs’ Serbian Competition and won the Grand Prix there, following a day at a physical therapy institute in Montenegro. Media Freedom Fight: United Group minority shareholders Dragan Šolak and Viktorija Boklag launched legal action in London to block the sale of United Media, warning it could end Serbia’s last editorially independent outlets. Sports (Serbian Interest): Novak Djokovic advanced at the French Open after a tense, booing-heavy match moment, while Swiatek and Zverev faced tough second-round tests and Starodubtseva pulled a major upset. Arts Exchange (China-Serbia): Cultural diplomacy continues as Serbian and Chinese officials highlight people-to-people artistic exchanges, including dance academy visits.

Extremism’s New Enemy: A far-right attack linked to a mosque case is being tied to a misogynist “playbook,” with experts saying hatred of women is now showing up as a core driver alongside older conspiracy themes. Regional Media Power Struggle: In Serbia and the wider region, Dragan Solak and Victoriya Boklag have filed a lawsuit to block the sale of United Group’s media business in London, arguing their consent rights were ignored. Serbia–China Tech Push: President Aleksandar Vučić’s China visit keeps spotlighting automation and AI—he toured Xiaomi’s robot-run auto factory and urged Chinese investment to come to Serbia. Bosnia Power Shake-Up: Republika Srpska’s parliament voted to abolish the Office of the High Representative, escalating the long-running BiH governance fight. Culture & Film: Bojan Vuletić’s new psychological drama “The White Week” is in production as a multi-country coproduction.

EU Funding Row in Belfast: Belfast City Hall is set to review “pre-accession assistance” funding after a DUP vs SDLP clash over whether the Brexit argument is being recycled—12 councillors backed the move, 4 opposed, and it heads to the full council next week. Serbia–China Diplomacy: In Beijing, President Aleksandar Vučić doubled down on the “ironclad friendship” with Xi, with talks on transport, energy, AI and people-to-people ties plus a Friendship Medal—while the wider region watches Serbia’s China pivot amid EU and US concerns. Protests & Democracy Pressure: A new BIRODI poll frames Serbia’s crisis as one of democracy, institutions and trust, with media integrity split sharply between professional journalism and propaganda. Media Crackdown in Montenegro: Montenegro’s regulator slapped a six-month rebroadcast ban on Informer TV and opened proceedings over the same documentary, citing hate speech and attacks on national identity. Sports Spotlight: Djokovic’s French Open momentum continues, and the week’s Serbian entertainment buzz also includes a legal fight over United Media’s sale and a big influencer boxing card in Germany.

US-Western Balkans Shift: Washington is pivoting from “nation-building” to “mutually beneficial partnerships,” pushing trade, energy and security while warning China and Russia exploit regional weak spots. Serbia-China Power Move: As the US report lands, Aleksandar Vučić is in Beijing for a five-day blitz, with Xi praising “ironclad friendship,” signing 23 deals, and handing Vučić China’s Order of Friendship. Local Politics Pressure: Vučić is also facing mounting domestic unrest, with reports of his party floating a prime-minister bid as protests demand elections. Entertainment & Sport: Rainmaker Productions says it will film back-to-back Serbian seasons of The Traitors for Prva TV, while Novak Djokovic keeps rolling at the French Open—coming back from a slow start to beat Mpetshi Perricard and set up the next round. Culture Moment: Belgrade hosts a rare reunion concert: Tuxedomoon founders play together for the first time in years.

Serbia-China Power Play: President Aleksandar Vučić wrapped his Beijing trip with Xi Jinping, signing 23 bilateral deals and receiving China’s Order of Friendship—while both leaders pushed “ironclad” cooperation on transport, AI, energy, and people-to-people ties. Domestic Pressure: The same week’s backdrop is Serbia’s unrest: tens of thousands again flooded Slavija on May 23, with turnout numbers disputed (police vs. independent estimates) and clashes reported after the rally. Sports Spotlight: Novak Djokovic survived a first-round scare at Roland Garros, rallying from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and celebrate with a viral “peppy dance” for his daughter Tara. Heat & Chaos at Roland Garros: The French Open is dealing with extreme temperatures—ball girl collapse and medical timeouts have already disrupted play, and the tournament’s retractable-roof setup is being tested. What’s Thin: No major new Serbian entertainment-specific headlines surfaced in the latest batch beyond the sports and politics spillover.

French Open Buzz: Novak Djokovic survived a first-round scare at Roland Garros, rallying from a set down to beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4, then revived his viral “battle dance” and even challenged Aryna Sabalenka to a dance-off. Serbian Spotlight: Djokovic’s win keeps his record 25th-Slam quest alive as he tied the men’s record for 22 Roland Garros main-draw appearances and pushed his Paris opening-round streak to 22 straight wins. Upset Alert: Taylor Fritz went out early, stunned by Nishesh Basavareddy in a four-set thriller. Sports Culture: Elsewhere in the week, Nikola Jokić made All-NBA First Team again, while Alexander Zverev cruised past Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets. Politics in the Background: Belgrade’s anti-government protests also stayed in the headlines, with clashes reported after a massive rally.