Geography of Europe

BELGRADE - This year's Afro Festival will start at the Museum of African Art in Belgrade on Friday and last by Sunday presenting a diverse program for all its visitors, the organizers have announced.

Aside from the permanent display, the visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy in an African bazaar - a selling exhibition of art and craft items.

Thaci blasts "flower box barricade" in K. Mitrovica

PRIŠTINA -- Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has expressed "deep disappointment over the shameful act of placing of barricades on the bridge in (Kosovska) Mitrovica."

In a statement issued on Thursday, Thaci said he spoke on behalf of his government, and added:

Barricade removed, bridge remains closed to traffic

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- KFOR has welcomed the removal of a barricade built on the main bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica as a positive step that can be beneficial to reconciliation.

"Continued support of defense of Serbs detained in Kosovo"

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Marko Đurić stated on Wednesday that Serbia will continue supporting defense of Oliver Ivanović and other detained Serbs in similar cases.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) Marko Djuric stated on Wednesday that Serbia will continue supporting defence of leader of the Citizens Initiative 'Serbia, Democracy, Justice' Oliver Ivanovic and other detained Serbs in similar cases.

BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic conferred with Slovenian Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek in Belgrade on Wednesday concerning the donor conference to raise aid for repair of consequences of recent floods in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Firemen were battling a fire on Wednesday on the island of Lesvos in the northern Aegean Sea.

The fire reportedly broke out at around 1 p.m. in a forest area located between the island’s airport and the area of Aghia Marina.

Early reports suggested the fire broke out after a resident attempted to burn dry branches in his garden.

The National Integrity Agency (ANI) referred to the European Parliament a notification asking for Mircea Diaconu not to be validated as a MEP, because he was declared in a state of incompatibility under a final ruling of the High Court of Cassation and Justice.

BELGRADE - Metal fans got a real treat from the famous Iron Maiden at their concert at Belgrade's Kalemegdan fortress on Tuesday.

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Aces High, The Evil That Men Do, Fear of the Dark, Iron Maiden, Wasted Years raised the crowd to their feet.

The concert was accompanied by pyrotechnics, as usual during the current Maden England tour.

PRISTINA - Over 9,000 Serbs voted mainly for the Serbian list in the recent Kosovo elections.

A total of 12,990 ballots arrived from central Serbia, of which around 9,500 ballots passed the second ring of examination, the Frankfurt-based Serbian language daily Vesti reported.