HEADLINES:

Video Shows Fugitive Mladic Moving Freely

Bosnian Federal Television, FTV, has aired video footage of war crimes fugitive Ratko Mladic, showing him moving about freely, well after the Hague indictment against him. read more...

Kosovo: Journalists, Govt Support Media Freedom

The Association of Professional Journalists of Kosovo, AGPK, issued a statement yesterday in response to threats against journalist Jeta Xharra, while the government of Kosovo issued a statement in support of freedom of speech. read more...

Macedonia: Ruling Party Lobbies for Name Compromise

Macedonia’s ruling VMRO DPMNE party is attempting to persuade its hard core members to agree to a compromise with Greece regarding the country’s disputed name, local media cited unnamed party sources as saying on Thursday.

Ultimatum to Bosnian Serbs Expires

An ultimatum issued by the country’s top western mediator to withdraw an "unconstitutional" Republika Srpska Assembly decision expires today, and there is still no indication that the tenacious Bosnian Serb leadership is ready to yield. read more...

NATO to Decide on KFOR Reduction Today

NATO will decide today to what extent it might reduce its troop presence in Kosovo during a meeting of defence ministers scheduled for this afternoon.

MORE NEWS:

» Macedonia: Albanian Group Seeks Federalization

» Germany Backs Visa-Free Regime for Serbia

» Albanian Migrants in Greece to Vote at Home

» Report: Macedonia, Greece Name Talks in June

» Serbia: Jewish Cemetery Vandalised

» Croatian Farmers Continue Zagreb Protest

» Serbia: SPO Website Attacked by Hackers

» Cheap Travel to Durres for Kosovars

» Bosnia Press Review – June 11

» Serbia Press Review – June 11

» Albania Press Review - June 11

» Romania Press Review – June 11

» Kosovo Press Review - June 11

» Macedonia Press Review – June 11

most popular:

Skopje, Pristina to Establish Diplomatic Relations

The Kosovo President’s Office on Wednesday announced that Pristina and Skopje would soon establish full diplomatic relations, Macedonia’s MIA news reports.

Analysis:

BIRN Show Triggers Row on Freedom of Speech in Kosovo

Journalists’ associations, NGOs and international diplomats have rallied to support BIRN’s popular TV programme, Life in Kosovo, following a hostile press campaign waged against the show, its presenter Jeta Xharra, and staff. By Lawrence Marzouk

Mladic Videos “Ancient History”

Footage of indicted ex-general moving round freely in Serbia seems unlikely to derail EU moves to bring Belgrade closer into the fold.

Albania’s Pensions a ‘Time Bomb Waiting to Explode’

With too few contributors, too many beneficiaries and rampant fraud, the system is close to collapse. But no government seems ready to oversee the painful reforms required.

Blog:

Don’t Kill the Balkan Baby, Please

The baby was sick for many years. The parents spent a fortune on a doctor but the doctor was unsure what the problem was, let alone how to cure it.

Balkan Small Talk:

SEX I GRAD VI

Before the bad weather moved in, after one of those sunny days in May, I took a stroll down Knez Mihajlova.

Did You Visit?

Five Restaurants That Make the Trip to Varna Worthwhile

Varna’s chefs seem to be surpassing those of Bulgarian capital Sofia, or, at the very least, putting up some stiff competition.

Real Estate:

Bulgaria: Sofia Housing Prices Plummet

A significant fall of the prices of residential properties in Bulgaria has been registered in the first four months of the year.

Tourism in Balkans

Shoot Europe’s Longest Canyon on the Tara River, Montenegro

Over the last few years, Montenegro has gained in popularity as a summer destination, with its resorts along the Adriatic coast, but it is the country’s north that keeps one of the Balkans’ best kept secrets - the Tara River and Europe’s longest canyon.

Did You Watch?

Refract

Refract has been showcasing alternative arts in Belgrade, for the last eight straight years.

ANNOUNCE:

Published today Balkan Insight No. 193.

For further information: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network