North Macedonia Proposes New Amnesty Law
SKOPJE — The Ministry of Justice in North Macedonia has announced the submission of a draft law on amnesty, marking a significant step in the country's legal evolution. This move comes as the Balkan nation grapples with the challenges of its legal framework, a topic of interest not only regionally but also to international observers. The draft law introduces several...
Major Fire Erupts at Plastic Facility in Osijek, Croatia
OSIJEK - A massive fire broke out at the Drava International plastic processing facility in the Osijek suburb of Brijest on Wednesday, prompting urgent warnings for residents to stay indoors due to potential toxic fumes. The incident has raised concerns over environmental and health impacts in the region. Osijek, located in eastern Croatia, is the fourth largest city in the...
Bulgarian Parliament Greenlights Energy Agreement Amidst Industry Protests
SOFIA - Bulgarian Parliament has endorsed an agreement between the government and representatives from the coal and thermal energy sectors. The decision, which came after prolonged negotiations, aims to address the concerns of protesters from these industries. Bulgaria has been grappling with challenges in its energy sector. The coal industry, in particular, has faced pressures from environmental regulations and the...
Bulgaria to Prohibit Sale of Flavored E-Cigarettes Starting 2024
SOFIA - In a move to curb the appeal of vaping to younger users, Bulgaria has announced a ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products. The prohibition, set to take effect from January 1, 2024, comes as part of revisions to the country's Tobacco Act. Electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have grown...
Bosnian Farmers Face Dire Year Amid Low Corn Yields and Rising Costs
BANJALUKA, SARAJEVO - Farmers in Bosnia and Herzegovina are grappling with one of the most challenging years in memory, marked by lower corn yields and escalating production costs. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a mixed economy with agriculture playing a significant role. Bosnian news website Nezavisne.com reports that annual corn harvests have begun, with estimates indicating yields between five and...
Albanian PM Rama Condemns Serbian Military Presence in Kosovo, Calls for Dialogue
ZAGREB - At a joint press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković during a working visit to Zagreb on September 2, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the only way to normalize Kosovo-Serbia relations is through dialogue. On September 24, near the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo, Kosovo Serb gunmen attacked a police patrol, killing one officer....
Hungarian Trains Lose Access to Western European Routes via Vienna
BUDAPEST - Starting Monday, October 2, trains leaving Budapest will be cut off from the Western European network via Vienna. For connections between Budapest and Graz, a rail replacement bus service has been set up will be set up in both directions. The severance of the Budapest-Vienna line is expected to last until October 26th, though concerns loom that...
Montenegro’s Largest Glacial Lake Faces Disappearance Amid Government Inaction
PLAV - Montenegro's largest glacial lake, Lake Plav, is on the brink of disappearing, and state authorities have yet to take significant action. Despite a comprehensive study outlining the necessary steps for the lake's protection and revitalization, and an allocation of about €250,000 for this purpose, the required works, estimated at €16 million, have not commenced. The Municipality of...
System Failure in Croatia’s Central Health Information System Leaves Citizens Without Medication
In Croatia, a significant system failure in the Central Health Information System (CEZIH) has left citizens unable to collect their prescription medications from pharmacies for the second consecutive day. The issue, according to Croatian news website Index.hr and as reported by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO), is preventing the retrieval of ePrescriptions, eReferrals, and eFindings, causing a significant...
Smederevo Mayor Resigns Amid Pre-Election Reshuffling in Serbia
Smederevo - In a surprising development, Jovan Beč, the mayor of Smederevo, Serbia, has resigned from his position. The news was confirmed by Beč himself, who submitted his resignation at the office of the City Administration, though he declined to comment further on his decision. According to unofficial sources from Serbia's oldest daily Politika, the resignation is part of a...
