Six EU member states have asked the European Commission to adopt a mechanism that would allow them to terminate visa-free travel from West Balkan states. The request follows an exponential rise in mainly Roma asylum-seekers from the region. Interior ministers of Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg have sent a proposal of a suspension clause, which is expected to be passed... 

Russia provided an original response to the Kosovo Serbs who asked Russia for citizenship in a desperate attempt to find at least some protection from the Albanian militants. Instead of Russian passports or military assistance Russia sent to northern Kosovo blankets and food. On December 7 a convoy of 25 cars of MOE Russia set off to the Balkans from the city of Noginsk located in Moscow region. Residents... 

On July 18, the USA and NATO were accused of the massacre in the Balkans. Such accusations wouldn’t be surprising, if they came from the Serbs, for instance. This time, it goes about Croatia and Britain. To be more precise, it goes about the former commander of UN forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, British General Michael Rose, and Vice President of the Republic of Srpska (RS, a part of Bosnia... 

Croatia's Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor is welcomed by EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy. Croatia has been given the conditional go-ahead to join the EU, after six years of preparations marred by slow democratic reforms in Zagreb and the EU’s reluctance to expand. The former Yugoslav state of 4.4 million people should be able to wrap up accession negotiations next week, EU leaders said... 

On March 24, well-known Russian astrologists, shamans and parapsychologists gathered to discuss forecasts for near and distant future. “The phenomenon that they call the world financial crisis, and which, as they believe, is now ending, was not the financial crisis per se. It was just an omen of the imminent crisis. The real financial crisis is going to take place in the future,” astrologist... 

An acid rain burned the leaves of trees in Bulgaria, near the border with Romania. Bulgarian weather experts say this might be the result of the bombing campaign in Libya! A very high acidity level (pH 4.9) was registered near Vidin (north-west, on the border with Romania), Lovech (north) and Karnobat (south-east). An even higher acidity (pH 4.5) was reported at Plevna, Dobrich, Montana, Shumen in... 

The mood of revolt has spread beyond the Arab world to the Balkans. The Albanian opposition gearing up for another anti-government protest today and the police warning of a high risk of violence. The opposition Socialist Party said the rally was aimed at honouring the three victims of violent clashes in last week’s anti-government demonstration. Protesters have been calling on the government...