Balkans

The Croatian branch of the group of hackers known as Anonymous has called for mass protests against the sale of government property, describing it as an act of theft.In a video published on YouTube, the Anonymous group called on Croats to protest against government policies on February 15 in main …

The Albanian government on Tuesday argued in the Constitutional Court that a referendum on a banning imports of trash would only flood the country with yet more hazardous waste.Activists united under an umbrella called the Alliance Against Waste Imports, AKIP, have collected 64,000 signatures seeking a referendum that would delete …

Two Swedish brands, the furniture giant Ikea and the retail-clothing company H&M, have confirmed they are opening stores in Belgrade this year and next.Aleksandar Vucic, the Deputy Prime Minister, announced that the popular Swedish furniture company Ikea will be coming to Serbia in April 2014. “After a long time, the …

As the deadline nears for a decision on the announced opposition boycott of the local elections, EU politicians are heading to Skopje to kick start dialogue between opposition and government.As the deadline to submit lists of candidates for the March local elections looms on February 16, it will soon be …

Rodoljub Radulovic, a member of suspected drug lord Darko Saric’s gang, has sent a letter denying all ties with the clan, describing the affair as a set-up.In a letter allegedly “sent to Belgrade friends”, Radulovic denies ties to the runaway suspected drug lord Darko Saric, and accuses another suspected criminal, …

The European human rights court dismissed Belgrade’s appeal and confirmed that Serbia must pay overdue wages to veterans of the 1990s conflicts.Belgrade must now spend millions of euro on satisfying the ex-servicemen’s claims. The European rights court initially ruled in favour of the war veterans in July 2012 but Belgrade …

As EU ministers prepare to meet to discuss the horse meat scandal, Romania says two slaughterhouses are under investigation in connection to the row – but denies wrongdoing.Romania on Tuesday disclosed the names of two local companies that are under investigation for alleged involvement in the frozen food scandal spreading …

UK Immigration Minister says Britain will not be a “soft touch” for migrants from Bulgaria and Romania once the remaining curbs on working in Britain expire.Mark Harper told parliamentarians on Monday that the UK had no obligations to offer any more benefits to Bulgarians and Romanians seeking to come to …

The Constitutional Court on Tuesday will hear arguments about a referendum on waste imports, the first such grassroots initiative in Albania’s history.The request, which is spearheaded by a group of activists, environmentalists and intellectuals, has collected more than 64,000 signatures, calling for the annulment of a law that allows waste …

As Bosnia vows moves closer to NATO membership, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, said a referendum needs to be held first on the issue.Milorad Dodik said in Banja Luka on February 11 that if Bosnia wants to join the NATO alliance, a referendum will have to be held …