Top Story
Serbian Presidential Campaign Draws to Close
With the advent of the pre-election silence the campaign for the second round of presidential elections in Serbia on Sunday has ended.
Politics and Society
Kosovo Introduces First Visa Regime
Citizens of 72 states – including China and Russia – will be required to apply for a visa in order to enter Kosovo.
Karadzic to File Request for Release on June 11
Former president of Republika Srpska Radovan Karadzic will file a request to the Hague Tribunal on June 11 asking to be acquitted of charges for genocide and other crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Montenegro Protests Over US Magazine’s Article
The Montenergin ambassador to the US is sending a letter to the American magazine Foreign Affairs to protest against the article which describes Montenegro as a mafia state.
Four Arrested for the 2007 Sekiraqa Bombing
Three Kosovo Police Special Unit officers and a former policeman were arrested as suspects for the 2007 bombing of the Sekiraqa bar, that killed two people and injured seven.
EU Grants for Refugees’ Start Ups
The EU is giving almost a half million Euros to 93 refugee families in Serbia to help them start and develop their own businesses.
Macedonia Opposition Launches Anti-Government Rallies
Social Democrats are launching a series of anti-government rallies from June onwards, to boost party morale ahead of the local elections due in early 2013.
Albania Gays Brave Public Disapproval
Gay rights activists held a series of public events this week in Tirana, pushing for greater acceptance of the lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual lifestyle.
Kosovo Serb Arrested for Vandalism in Mitrovica
Police detained a Kosovo Serb, suspected of being part of a group who demolished police property in the northern, Serb-run part of Mitrovica last month.
Business
Euro Crisis Sapping Balkan Recovery, EBRD Warns
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development report predicts that eurozone crisis will buffet Balkan economies, slowing growth in 2012.
Sarajevo Business Forum Hosts Foreign Investors
Hundreds of foreign visitors attended the third Sarajevo Business Forum where they were presented with a range of projects to invest in - and also heard of the problems deterring investors such as themselves.
UK's Grimshaw Architects Wins Major Project in Tirana
The London-based architecture studio Grimshaw has won the urban planning competition for the expansion of Tirana’s main boulevard, one of the city’s most ambitious plans in decades.
Kosovo’s Junction “Unnecessary” and Already Patched Up
Pristina’s 14.5 million euro super junction is already being patched up with bricks, instead of asphalt, less than a year after being opened to the public.
Romania's Recession Boosts Grey Economy
Despite legislation adopted last year to repress the phenomenon, about one third of the working population is now invisible to the tax authorities.
Bosnia Cuts Dismissed as 'Illusion For IMF'
Announced cuts of 4.5 per cent to state sector salaries fail to address the fact that the country’s profligate entities spend far more money that the state, analysts say.
Bosch to Start Major Investment in Romania
German automotive components producer Bosch will invest in a new production facility in Jucu, northwest Romania.
CEZ Faces Major Losses in Albania
CEZ Shperndarje, the local subsidiary of the CEZ group in Albania, will face losses of up to 10.5 billion crowns (€416.2 million), over the next three years because of a regulatory decision on electricity tariffs in Albania, the company said in its 2011 annual report.
Culture and Lifestyle
Igor Mandic: Serbs and Croats Belong Together
The unrepentant advocate of Yugoslavia and Socialism says time’s up for the independence projects of the ex-Yugoslav republics - none of whom have made a go of it.
Night of Museums Starts to Sound of Trumpets
Visitors of the ninth Night of Museums will have a rare chance to see Tesla’s hotel room, go back into the past in the National Library, sing Communist era songs and much more for one night only.
Romanians Gear Up For Museums Night
Museums and cultural institutions across Romania will be opening their doors all night on Saturday and revealing their treasures.
Globe to Globe
Three Balkan theatres performed the three parts of Shakespeare’s complex trilogy in London – and with very different results.
Culture Watch Award Announced
The Balkan Initiative for Cultural Cooperation Exchange and Development, BICCED, funded by the Swiss Cultural Programme in the Western Balkans, is announcing the launch of the first Culture Watch Award.
New Secrets of Ancient Times Emerge in Butrint
Archeologists are unearthing an important new building in the UNESCO-protected ancient city in Albania, which could shed fresh light on the life of the Roman colony.
Why Serbia’s Cultural Guardians Still Fear Europe
The prevalent fear regarding Serbia’s European candidacy - that Europe will ‘swallow’ Serbia’s culture and force it do dance to its tune – is misplaced.
Two Serbian Movies Share BELDOCS Award
‘Pismo ocu’ and ‘Biba struja’ both won the best Serbian documentary award while Mexico’s ‘Smallest Place on Earth’ triumphed in the international competion.
Premium Selection
Igor Mandic: Serbs and Croats Belong Together
The unrepentant advocate of Yugoslavia and Socialism says time’s up for the independence projects of the ex-Yugoslav republics - none of whom have made a go of it.
Social Networks Mobilise Army of ‘White’ Voters
Belgrade Weighs Up Hopes of City’s New Bosses
New Party Freshens up Montenegro’s Old Politics
Hague Ruling Won’t Help Macedonia in Chicago
Dacic as PM Would Take Serbia Backwards
Bosnia is Learning Wrong Counterterrorism Lessons
World Awaits Start of Srebrenica Butcher’s Trial
New Secrets of Ancient Times Emerge in Butrint
‘Salary’ For Mayor’s Widow Causes Confusion
Hague Prosecutors Wrap Up Case Against Karadzic
Why Serbia’s Cultural Guardians Still Fear Europe
Bosnia Cuts Dismissed as 'Illusion For IMF'
Socialists Flex Muscles in Post-Election Serbia
Hot Blogs
Macedonians Behave! Tourists are coming
The Macedonian government is into massive campaigns. Sometimes it is to advertise how hard it is working, which we all know it does 24/7, but mostly it is to tell its humble citizens the difference between right and wrong, and most importantly educate Macedonians how to behave, as they don’t seem to fit the high standards of the government.
German Remembrance of Dark Past Holds Lessons for Balkans
Without a culture of remembrance of the victims who perished during the Balkans wars or withered in communist gulags, our recent and painful history is doomed to kindle hatred in the future.
What about freedom?
In the night between 12 and 13 May, Tuzla became a town in which it is no longer safe to gather in the open. Beware – the police might beat the crap out of you!
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