Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina
EU moves to start membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia, draft shows
The European Union can start membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, according to a draft decision by the bloc's 27 member states seen by Reuters on Monday and due to be finalised this week.
Region Voices Solidarity With Quake-Hit Croatian Capital
Messages of support and offers of help have poured into Croatia after Sunday's earthquake of at least 5.3 magnitudes, which hit the capital and injured dozens of people as well as damaging buildings.
Migrants in Bosnia ‘More Vulnerable to Infection’ Despite Lockdown
Republika Srpska had 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection by Thursday, and 23 of them are in Banja Luka.
The country has introduced emergency measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. All restaurants and cafes are closed, and only grocery stores and pharmacies are still working.
Magnitude 5.3 earthquake strikes Croatia
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck the Croatian capital of Zagreb on March 22 at 6.30 a.m. at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ).
The quake, which occurred less than 10 kilometers north-northeast of the city center, was also reportedly felt by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia, and Austria.
Pristina abolishes fees
Tariffs on all goods and products are expected to be abolished on April 1, Kosovo Online reports.
The government made the decision tonight in a telephone session. Ministers of Vetvendosje and non-Serb minority minister, member of the New Democratic Party, Emilia Rexhepi voted in favor of this decision.
Bora Stankovic passed away
Stankovic is one of the founders of BC Red Star, a Yugoslav national team player and the man who scored the first basketball points in the World Cup history.
Stankovic played for Red Star, Zeleznicar and Partizan during his playing career from 1946 to 1953, while he also served as coach in the BC Partizan.
Pandemic Forces Balkan Politicians to Get Serious, At Last
"Solidarity happens much more among equals," Sarajevo-based psychologist Jasna Bajraktarevic said on a regional talk show on N1 TVon March 18. She stressed that the countries in the region should rely much more on each other than on major global actors.
No Convictions for Radovan Karadzic’s ‘Helpers in Hiding’
The Bosnian state prosecution investigated 58 people for offering financial support to Karadzic, but its probe was discontinued several years ago because there was no proof that any crimes were committed, and the people under investigation cooperated with the Hague Tribunal.
H&M to close stores, including some in Greece, due to virus
H&M, the world's second-biggest fashion retailer, said on Monday it was evaluating all its activities and temporarily closing stores in 12 more markets due to the coronavirus as it reported a 24 percent quarterly sales slump in China.
Bosnian Company Accused of Iran Sanctions-Busting Talks
Security Minister Fahrudin Radoncic wrote on Instagram on Monday that a Bosnian company had discussed with officials at the Iranian embassy in Sarajevo the possibility of selling aluminium oxide powder to Tehran in breach of US and EU sanctions.
Acquitted Bosnian War Defendant Sues for Compensation
Selman Busnov's lawyer told the state court on Monday that his client is suing Bosnia and Herzegovina because of the psychological trauma he endured due to being kept under house arrest during his trial.
Lawyer Kenan Hadzimuhovic said that "any amount awarded by the court cannot sufficiently compensate for mental anguish, worry and fear that the plaintiff suffered".
Bulgaria with 43 Registered Cases of COVID-19, Balkans Taking Tougher Measures
Two more cases of coronavirus have been registered in Bulgaria.
One is from Pleven, the other from Sofia. The total number of patients is 43, two of them have died.
This was stated by Major General Prof. Ventsislav Mutafchiiski, Chief of the National Operations Headquarters and of the MMA.
Exhibition Tells Bosnian Women’s Tales of War and Peacetime
The exhibition opening in Belgrade. Photo: Igor Coko.
'Peace with Women's Face', an exhibition about women's experiences of surviving the 1992-1995 Bosnian war and overcoming the consequences in the post-conflict era, runs until March 17 at the Youth Initiative for Human Rights NGO's exhibition space in Belgrade.
Balkan Countries Close Border Crossings to Stop Coronavirus
Serbia, Albania and Romania have closed many of their border crossings in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, leaving some parts of the Balkans practically cut off for civil traffic.
All countries of the region have either banned entry or introduced special restrictive measures for passengers arriving from countries with mid to high to risk of coronavirus.
Trump will get rid of Kurti?
If Washington's threats of denying economic aid and withdrawing US troops from Kosovo and Metohija do not discipline the prime minister of interim Pristina institutions, Albin Kurti, and in case he does not suspend tariffs, it is not excluded that the United States will pull another trump card - a change of government in Pristina.