Latest News from Montenegro
Bulgarian Special Forces host В-9 Thracian Sword 2018 Exercise
On 22 October, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence announced that the special forces of the nine member states participating in the Bucharest 9 Initiative (B9) started the multinational military drill "Thracian Sword - 2018" at the Novo Selo Training Area. This year, Bulgarian special forces are hosting the annual B9 exercise from 22 to 26 October, reports ArmyRecognition.
Migrants, Refugees Block Bosnia-Croatia Border Crossing
Some 200 migrants and refugees blocked the main road towards Bosnia's border crossing with Croatia on Wednesday morning, resulting in the Maljevac border checkpoint being closed to all traffic, the Bosnian border police said.
Balkan States Mull Halting Arms Sales to Saudis
Both Croatia and Montenegro have said they are discussing the possibility of halting arms exports to Saudi Arabia in the wake of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but neither has made a decision yet.
"I hope Montenegrin officers know where they are"
And this resolution does not mention "the state of Kosovo," says Serbian Defense Minister Vulin.
He thus responded to his Montenegrin counterpart Predrag Boskovic, who said that Kosovo was "a sovereign state."
Members of Belgian-Serbian "football mafia" arrested
Among them are two Belgian football referees, and several club managers.
They are suspected of fraud related to transfer of players to Belgian football clubs Brugge, Anderlecht, Lokeren, Ghent, and others.
Organized crime prosecutors are currently taking statements from the suspects, the Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime announced on Wednesday.
Balkan Police Help Crack Crime in Belgian Football
Serbia's organised crimes prosecutor's office said on Wednesday that Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia took part in an international operation cracking down on corruption in Belgium's biggest football clubs, including Club Brugge and Anderlecht.
Matic's shocking post: Nemanja, Serbia will betray you again
Matic published a quote, whose source is still unknown - as is the reason for posting it - which states that "Serbia will betray him again."
"Yes, Nemanja Matic is ready to die for Serbia, just like his fatherland is, with the same enthusiasm, ready to betray him again. And she will do it. Have no doubt whatsoever, my Nemanja!", Matic posted.
A Turkish couple finds tranquility in Montenegro
Many Turks have been moving to Montenegro seeking citizenship of a country that eyes EU membership, but a Turkish couple has moved to the tiny Balkan country for another reason: Tranquility. The couple shared the details of their journey to Montenegro with the Hürriyet Daily News.
Montenegro to Penalise Disrespect for National Anthem
Montenegro's government has put forward legislation that would make not standing up for the national anthem an offence punishable by a 300 to 2,000-euro fine.
"A fine of 300 to 2,000 euros will be imposed on a person if they do not stand up during the performance of the anthem," the government press statement said.
United Group Dismisses Fears of 'Change' After Buyout
United Group's General Counsel, Steve Leroy, said nothing would change after the private equity firm BC Partners this week acquired a majority stake in the largest alternative pay-TV company in former Yugoslavia.
"The future plans for the companies within the group, including the N1 news network, will not change," Leroy told BIRN.
KKR sells stake in United Group, SBB owner
The buyer is British company BC Partners, the Wall Street Journal reported on September 27, according to Beta agency.
United Group, created in 2007 in a merger of SBB, Telemach Slovenija and Telemach Bosna, is the owner of cable provider SBB in Serbia, Telemach in Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and TV channels Sport Klub, N1, Cinemania, TOP, Ultra, Grand and others.
"Suspects in attempted murder of journalist are abroad"
This was stated on Thursday by Assistant Director of the Police Directorate Enis Bakovic.
He said that members of the criminal group, who are suspected of the attempted murder, are not in the territory of Montenegro.
At a press conference, Bakovic said that this was only operational knowledge and that he was not able to speak in more detail about it.
Chief Prosecutors of Bulgaria and Albania Signed Memorandum of Cooperation
Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, Sotir Tsatsarov and Albania's Chief Prosecutor, Arta Marku, signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the two Prosecutor's Offices on 26th of September in Sofia.
The Memorandum provides for cooperation in the area of international legal assistance and mutual exchange of information, the Prosecutor's Office said.
BC Partners Buys Serbia's Biggest Cable Group United Group
A private equity firm, BC Partners, is to take over majority ownership of Serbia's largest cable company, United Group, from the US-based equity firm, KKR, which will downgrade to minority owner, BC Partners and KKR announced jointly on Thursday.
"BC Partners is the final buyer of KKR's stake," BC Partners told BIRN on Thursday.
Bulgaria to Launch Campaign to Attract Chinese Tourists, Says Bulgarian Tourism Minister
Sofia. China is very important for the European tourism, we seek to promote Bulgaria as a tourism destination in the Chinese market. We are preparing a marketing campaign to attract visitors from China, which we plan to launch next year. Bulgaria's official tourism portal will be available in Chinese after its upgrade in 2019.