B92 News in English

Press: SAA controversy lives on

Fri, 09 May 2008 16:40:00 +0000

The newspapers still lead with the SAA story, which proved to be the central party issue ahead of the polls Sunday.

BLIC�"Bus overturns, 22 passengers hurt", says that a traffic accident occurred yesterday in Vojvodina, on the Kovin-Pan�evo road.

Stock market makes strong gains

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:41:00 +0000

The Belgrade Stock Exchange (BSE) is reporting a significant rise in the value of both indexes for the second day in a row.

The BELEX15 closed almost 4.5 percent up, while the BELEXline gained over three percent today.

French embassy already issuing free visas

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:53:00 +0000

The French ambassador to Belgrade says that the decision of 17 EU countries to offer free visas to Serbian citizens has already taken effect at his embassy.

In the three days since the decision was taken, the embassy has approved a greater number of free visas than usual, Ambassador Jean Francois Terral told B92.

Da Vinci inventions coming to Ni�

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:51:00 +0000

An exhibition entitled �Leonardo�s Codes and Machines� will be opened in the gallery of the Tobbaco Factory in Ni�.

Some 65 models designed by Italian experts according to the sketches and pictures of Leonardo Da Vinci will be on display.

Opposition seeks Olmert resignation

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:21:00 +0000

Opposition and coalition leaders called on embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign after bribery allegations against him surfaced.

Israeli police have been investigating Olmert but only recently revealed he is suspected of illegally receiving thousands of dollars from a U.S. businessman and fundraiser, Haaretz reported Friday.

�Ban to approve parallel EU, UN structures�

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:21:00 +0000

The EU and U.S. expect the UN Secretary-General to approve a decision to allow the parallel functioning of UNMIK and EULEX, writes weekly European Voice.

According to the Brussels weekly, one of the possible scenarios is a �reconfiguration,� whereby the UNMIK mission would remain in Serb regions in Kosovo, while the EU mission would be responsible for the majority Albanian part of the province that considers itself independent from Serbia.

Oil hits another record: Crude sells for USD 126

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:18:00 +0000

Crude oil prices have hit yet another all-time high in Friday trading, almost touching USD 126 a barrel, the BBC says.

Driven by surging demand and continuing supply concerns, U.S. light crude reached USD 125.98 by early afternoon in Europe, up USD 2.29 from Thursday's close.

Government adopts both deals, DSS walks out

Fri, 09 May 2008 14:09:00 +0000

The government has today voted to pass both the Russian energy deal and the SAA on to parliament for ratification.

B92 understands that the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) was adopted at the cabinet meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Bo�idar �eli�, after Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) ministers left the chamber.

Ov�ara suspects to remain in custody

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:29:00 +0000

The six suspects in the Ov�ara farm war crimes case will remain in custody, the Supreme Court has ruled.

The six defendants are accused of murdering Croat prisoners at the farm in 1991.

Ruecker: Local elections �unacceptable�

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:19:00 +0000

UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker says that holding Serbian local elections on May 11 in Kosovo would be �unacceptable.�

He said that the goal of these elections was to create �parallel, illegal and illegitimate Serbian structures� in Kosovo.

"EULEX chief ignoring UN orders"

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:13:00 +0000

EULEX Chief and French General Yves de Kermabon is not accepting orders from UN headquarters in New York, writes Pri�tina daily Koha Ditore.

That could cost him his job, the daily states, adding that de Kermabon�s attitudes is the reason why there has been no progress over the EULEX chain of command in Kosovo.

Silajd�i� condemns agreement with SPC

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:09:00 +0000

The chairman of the Bosnian Presidency has condemned the decision to ratify the basic agreement between Bosnia-Hercegovina and the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).

Haris Silajd�i� said that it was �destructive for the vital interests of the Bosnian Federation.�

Medvedev warns against redrawing of borders

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:15:00 +0000

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at today's Victory Day celebrations that a just world order is impossible without respect for international law.

"International law norms must not be ignored," Medvedev said during the central event in Moscow marking the 63rd anniversary of the victory against fascism in Europe.

RIK confirms final voter tally

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:43:00 +0000

According to the Electoral Commission (RIK) final count, 6,749,688 citizens are registered to vote in the coming elections.

RIK confirmed at last night�s session in Belgrade that citizens could cast their votes at 8,682 polling stations, adding that 157 stations would be available for internally displaced persons from Kosovo.

Scholarships for secondary-school pupils

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:42:00 +0000

From September, NIP funds will be used to grant scholarships to secondary school pupils from materially at-risk and Roma families, says Deputy PM Bo�idar �eli�.

EUR 787,853 will be allocated for that purpose and every student that receives a scholarship will receive EUR 480 per year, �eli� said.

German embassy to hold competition for best students

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:35:00 +0000

German Ambassador Wolfram Maas and the European Movement have announced a competition for a project entitled �Welcome to Germany�.

The 60 competition winners will win an educational two-week trip to Germany.

Croatian resort experiencing Hitchcockian nightmare

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:32:00 +0000

Seagulls are causing panic in schools along the Croatian coast, reports say.

Some schools have been forced to cancel break-time because the birds are snatching food from out of children's hands.

NGO brings charges against General Deli�

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:21:00 +0000

The Humanitarian Law Center has filed charges against retired Gen. Bo�idar Deli� and 10 soldiers and militia for the murder of several dozen Kosovo Albanians.

The murders are alleged to have taken place on March 25, 1999 in the village of Trnje, in the Suva Reka municipality.

Ex-state security chief�s trial adjourned again

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:08:00 +0000

The Hague Tribunal trial of former state security chief Jovica Stani�i� has once again been adjourned owing to his poor health.

According to the court, the trial has been adjourned because Stani�i� is still �very weak after suffering serious digestive problems and a significant loss of blood.�

Beijing tightens security as Games approach

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:50:00 +0000

Beijing is implementing a range of new security measures, state media said on Friday.

It comes as the Chinese capital cranks up efforts to prevent any disruptions affecting the August Olympics.