THE HAGUE, The Netherlands Judges at the UN war crimes tribunal asked prosecutors handling the case against former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic to reduce the number of charges against him, in order to accelerate proceedings, Dutch media reported on Thursday (July 23rd). Currently, there are 11 charges of genocide, …

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Chief Prosecutor Milorad Barasin confirmed on Thursday (July 23rd) that an investigation is under way against General Atif Dudakovic following a video that surfaced this week purportedly showing Dudakovic ordering his Muslim troops to shoot and kill two captured Serb soldiers 1994. Republika Srpska (RS) …

BUCHAREST, Romania Prosecutor-General Laura Codruta Kovesi and the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) on Thursday (July 23rd) requested that former Youth and Sports Minister Monica Iacob Ridzi lose her immunity, which would clear the way for a criminal investigation against her.

NICOSIA, Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met on Thursday (July 23rd) in another round of talks aimed at reunifying the divided island. The negotiations focused on immigration, asylum and citizenship issues. UN Secretary-General Special Representative Taye-Brook Zerihoun says they will meet again in a …

ATHENS, Greece Unknown attackers lobbed homemade explosives at an office of the ruling New Democracy party in Thessaloniki on Thursday (July 23rd), causing a fire and subsequent property damage. A short time later, a car belonging to the Cypriot consulate in Thessaloniki was seriously damaged in a similar attack. Earlier …

Albania’s Council of Ministers decided on Wednesday to freeze all investments, from August 3, due to weakening revenue streams and higher expenditures in the run-up to the recent national elections. With the June 28 parliamentary polls behind them, experts say Albania’s politicians must initiate a candid debate on the local …

On a visit to Georgia, the US Vice President has vowed strong support for the country, a year after its war with Russia. But he has also touched on tense internal politics. Joe Biden made a point of meeting members of the opposition, who have complained that President Mikheil Saakashvili …

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday reiterated Moscow’s negative stance on the possibility of weapons supplies to Georgia from abroad. “I have repeatedly commented on the issue of Georgia’s rearmament,” the foreign minister said. “I proceed from the fact that those who supplied Saakashvili’s regime with arms that were …

Romania has taken a number of welcome steps since the European Commission’s 2008 report to re-launch the reform process and a “new momentum” had been established which has resulted in a series of positive steps, the EC said in its July 22 report on the country’s performance under the Co-operation …

US president Barack Obama is to name Marc S Ellenbogen, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, as ambassador in Sofia to replace Nancy McEldowney, a Bulgarian media report said on July 24 2009. Ellenbogen (47) chairs the board of directors of the Global Panel Foundation, Standart said.The paper quoted diplomatic sources. There …