Montenegro court agrees to release founder of cryptocurrency firm Terraform Labs on bail
May 12, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — A court in Montenegro agreed to release Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon from jail Friday along with another South Korean citizen who also is charged with using forged identification documents in the Balkan country.
Formal results confirm Milatovic win in Montenegro election
April 6, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Official results released Thursday confirmed a crushing defeat for Montenegro’s long-time leader Milo Djukanovic in a weekend presidential election, signaling his departure from the small Balkan state’s political scene after more than 30 years in power.
Montenegro’s new president says country firmly on EU path
April 4, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro’s president-elect Jakov Milatovic is pledging to speed up the small country’s bid for membership to the European Union and to adhere to the bloc’s policy line toward Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Political novice ousts veteran in Montenegro vote
April 3, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — A crushing defeat of Montenegro’s long-time leader Milo Djukanovic in a weekend presidential election heralds his final departure from the small Balkan state’s political scene after more than 30 years in power, analysts said Monday.
Novice politician Jakov Milatovic wins Montenegro presidency
April 2, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Economy expert and political novice Jakov Milatovic won the presidential runoff election in Montenegro on Sunday, defeating the pro-Western incumbent who has been in power for more than three decades in the small NATO member nation in Europe, the candidates and polls said.
Montenegro vote pits incumbent president against new blood
March 31, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Voters in small Montenegro go to the polls this weekend to choose their next president in a runoff between pro-Western incumbent Milo Djukanovic and Jakov Milatovic, a newcomer supported by the shaky governing coalition with links to neighboring Serbia.
Montenegro: South Korea, US seek extradition of Do Kwon
March 29, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — South Korea and the United States have requested the extradition from Montenegro of Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon, who is wanted in connection with a $40 billion crash of the firm’s cryptocurrency that devastated retail investors around the world, Montenegro's justice minister said Wednesday.
Montenegro’s president: EU’s neglect gave Russia a platform
March 28, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's pro-Western president criticized the European Union for allegedly allowing Russia to spread its influence in the Western Balkans, saying Tuesday that the volatile region has become a “platform” for anti-EU policies due to the bloc’s “negligence.”
Do Kwon, wanted in $40B crypto crash, arrested in Montenegro
March 24, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Police in Montenegro have arrested Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon, who is wanted in South Korea in connection with a $40 billion crash of the firm’s cryptocurrency that devastated retail investors around the world, the European country’s interior minister said Thursday.
Long-serving Montenegro president to face newcomer in runoff
March 19, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — The long-serving incumbent will face a political newcomer in a runoff presidential election in Montenegro next month no one won in the first round of voting on Sunday held amid a political turmoil in the Balkan country, early projections showed.
Montenegro presidential vote seen as test of future policies
March 17, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro is preparing to hold a presidential election this weekend, a vote taking place amid political deadlock that has stalled the small NATO member's bid to join the European Union and questions about whether the Balkan country will align more closely with Serbia and Russia.
Montenegro: President dissolves parliament ahead of election
March 16, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's president, who is running for reelection this weekend, dissolved parliament Thursday, paving the way for an early parliamentary election in the near future.
1 killed, 5 injured in bomb blast in Montenegro’s capital
March 3, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — One person was killed and at least five others were injured on Friday when a hand grenade exploded at the entrance of a courthouse in Montenegro’s capital, police said.
Los Angeles ringleader of $18M COVID fraud scheme extradited
February 28, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A leader of a Los Angeles-based fraud ring that stole $18 million in COVID-19 aid money was extradited Monday from Europe to the United States, where she could face more than a decade in prison, authorities said.
Montenegro ends court stalemate that has threatened EU bid
February 27, 2023 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's lawmakers on Monday elected all but one of the judges of the country's top court, ending a stalemate that has threatened to halt the Balkan nation's European Union membership bid.
Hundreds blocked on Croatia roads as snowstorm spurs chaos
February 27, 2023 GMTZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Hundreds of people in Croatia spent the night in their cars or at gas stations and reception centers Monday after a snowstorm over the weekend caused traffic to grind to a halt and left parts of the country cut off.
World Cup qualifying enters final days, with 10 spots left
February 25, 2023 GMTThere are still 10 spots left unclaimed for this summer’s Basketball World Cup, with all but one of them expected to be decided on Sunday.
Angola became the 22nd team to qualify for the 32-team field, getting in on Saturday.
Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia do little to solve waste problem
January 31, 2023 GMTPRIBOJ, Serbia (AP) — In southwest Serbia, construction machines are being repurposed to clear tons of waste clogging the Potpec lake.
Year after year during the winter months, the lake near the southwest Serbian town of Priboj fills with tons of garbage such as plastic bottles, rusty barrels, dead animals and even furniture or home appliances.
Serbian TV: 2 missing as rains cause flooding in southwest
January 19, 2023 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Emergency teams in Serbia Thursday were searching for two people swept away by a swollen river in a southwestern town as floods led to evacuations and emergency measures, state RTS television reported.
Ex-Bosnian Serb commander given 15 years for war crimes
January 19, 2023 GMTSARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A former Bosnian Serb military commander was sentenced to 15 years in prison Thursday for crimes against civilians during the country’s 1992-95 interethnic war.
Clashes at Montenegro protests amid political tension
December 12, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Clashes erupted on Monday during an opposition protest in Montenegro reflecting a deep political crisis between the pro-Western and pro-Serb and pro-Russian camps in the small Balkan country that is a member of NATO.
EU, Western Balkans boost partnership amid Ukraine war
December 6, 2022 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — For the six Western Balkans countries aspiring to join the European Union, gaining full membership in the 27-nation club remains a distant goal.
Enlargement back on EU’s agenda at Western Balkans summit
December 5, 2022 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — The war in Ukraine has put the European Union's expansion at the top of the agenda as officials from the Western Balkans and EU leaders gather Tuesday for a summit intended to reinvigorate the whole enlargement process.
Host Albania has high hopes for EU-Western Balkans summit
December 5, 2022 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's prime minister said Monday that a European Union summit in his country's capital this week demonstrates the EU's heightened geostrategic interests in the Western Balkans region during Russia's war in Ukraine.
Nearly half a ton of cocaine seized in Albania, 10 arrested
November 25, 2022 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian authorities on Friday said they have seized 430 kilograms (1,000 pounds) of cocaine in a coordinated operation with neighboring Montenegro and other law enforcement international institutions.
Heavy rains in the Balkans cause flooding, killing 6 people
November 21, 2022 GMTSHKODER, Albania (AP) — Torrential rains in the Balkans over the past two days led to floods that killed at least six people, prompted widespread evacuations and caused significant damage, authorities said Monday.
Ringleaders in massive COVID fraud extradited to US
November 19, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles couple who fled to Europe after being convicted of running a fraud ring that stole $18 million in COVID-19 aid money were returned to the United States to face prison, authorities announced Friday.
James Maddison makes England’s World Cup squad
November 10, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, England (AP) — James Maddison was a surprising inclusion for England when coach Gareth Southgate named his 26-man squad for the World Cup on Thursday.
The Leicester playmaker has made only one appearance for his country, coming on as a substitute in a European Championship qualifier against Montenegro in 2019.
Germany urges western Balkan leaders to resolve conflicts
November 3, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday told leaders of six Balkan countries that aspire to join the European Union that “it is high time to overcome regional conflicts" and stand together as Russia wages war in Ukraine.
Montenegro holds pride march despite opposition from church
October 8, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Several hundred people on Saturday joined an LGBTQ pride march in Montenegro, held amid strong opposition from the influential Serbian Orthodox Church in the small conservative Balkan country.
Orthodox Church leads protest against Montenegro pride
October 7, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered Friday for a protest prayer led by the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro against the holding of an LGBTQ pride march this weekend.
The influential church has called its followers in Montenegro to join the prayer for “the sanctity of marriage and preservation of family” after organizing a similar gathering in neighboring Serbia ahead of a pan-European pride event there last month.
Montenegro bans entry to 28 foreigners for ‘malign’ activity
September 30, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — A day after it expelled six Russian diplomats, NATO member Montenegro on Friday revoked residence permits and banned entry to 28 foreign citizens it accused of spreading “malign influence” in the interest of unidentified foreign services.
Montenegro police conducting raids in search of spy ring
September 29, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro police were raiding multiple locations in the country as part of an investigation into an alleged ring of spies, officials said Thursday.
The police were “searching several apartments and other premises used by (Montenegrin) citizens suspected of espionage and forming an international criminal organization,” said Vukas Radonjic from the Special State Prosecutor’s Office.
MATCHDAY: Italy hosts England, Germany welcomes Hungary
September 22, 2022 GMTA look at what’s happening in European soccer on Friday:
Montenegro wrestles with massive cyberattack, Russia blamed
September 12, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — At the government headquarters in NATO-member Montenegro, the computers are unplugged, the internet is switched off and the state's main websites are down. The blackout comes amid a massive cyberattack against the small Balkan state which officials say bears the hallmark of pro-Russian hackers and its security services.
Italian president backs North Macedonia’s EU membership bid
September 9, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Italian president Sergio Mattarella on Friday joined a long list of officials voicing support for North Macedonia joining the European Union together with other Western Balkan countries.
FBI’s team to investigate massive cyberattack in Montenegro
August 31, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — A rapid deployment team of FBI cyber experts is heading to Montenegro to investigate a massive, coordinated attack on the tiny Balkan nation's government and its services, the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced Wednesday.
Montenegro reports massive Russian cyberattack against govt
August 26, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro’s security agency warned Friday that hackers from Russia have launched a massive, coordinated cyberattack against the small nation's government and its services.
In sign of support, US bombers fly over Dubrovnik, Balkans
August 22, 2022 GMTDUBROVNIK, Croatia (AP) — A pair of U.S. Air Force B52 strategic bombers on Monday flew low over the Croatian resort of Dubrovnik and three other NATO-member states in the region as a sign of support amid the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Montenegrin government falls over ties with Serbian Church
August 19, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — The Montenegrin government fell in a no-confidence vote early Saturday that followed a rift over relations with the powerful Serbian Orthodox Church.
Lawmakers voted 50-1 to oust the government of Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic just weeks after he signed an agreement regulating the position of the Serbian church in Montenegro.
Montenegro mourns after 10 are killed in street attack
August 13, 2022 GMTCETINJE, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro declared three days of national mourning Saturday, a day after 10 people, including two children, were killed in a daylight attack by a 34-year-old gunman who police said had recently exhibited a “change in behavior.”
Gunman in Montenegro kills 10, then shot dead by passerby
August 12, 2022 GMTCETINJE, Montenegro (AP) — A man went on a shooting rampage in the streets of this western Montenegro city Friday, killing 10 people, including two children, before being shot dead by a passerby, officials said.
Spain fully backs Western Balkan integration into EU
August 1, 2022 GMTThe Western Balkans are an integral part of the European Union and Spain fully backs the region's integration into the 27-member bloc, Spain's prime minister said Monday.
Pedro Sanchez was in Albania's capital Tirana Monday in the first-ever trip by a Spanish prime minister to the country.
Spain’s PM offers support for North Macedonia’s EU candidacy
July 31, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has offered North Macedonia his country’s full support for integration into the 27-nation European Union.
Sanchez held talks Sunday with North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in the capital of Skopje, ahead of the last stop on his Western Balkan tour, visiting Albania on Monday.
Spanish PM Sanchez opens Balkan tour with visit to Serbia
July 29, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Spain's prime minister on Friday kicked off a tour of the Western Balkans with a visit to Serbia, offering his country's support for the integration of the volatile region into the European Union.
EU officials encourage Montenegro to press on with reform
July 14, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Senior European Union officials on Thursday praised Montenegro for siding with the bloc's policies against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine and urged the small Balkan nation to press on with reforms needed to advance toward EU membership.
Live updates | Trudeau: Canada to up Latvia troop presence
June 30, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — The Latest on the final day of the NATO summit in Madrid:
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government will increase Canada's troop presence in Latvia as part of NATO’s commitment to strengthen its deterrence measures along Russia’s border.
NATO nations block Russian envoy’s plane from Serbia visit
June 6, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia and Russia confirmed Monday that a planned visit by Russia's foreign minister to the Balkan country will not take place, with Moscow accusing the West of preventing the trip by blocking the envoy's plane flight.
Montenegro lawmakers elect pro-EU government after crisis
April 28, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegrin lawmakers on Thursday approved a new, pro-Western government that promised to speed up European Union integration and make an effort to bridge a deep political divide in the small Balkan nation.
All school classes in Montenegro canceled over bomb threats
April 27, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Authorities in Montenegro canceled classes at all schools in the Balkan country Wednesday due to widespread bomb threats.
A total of 41 schools received messages that explosive devices were planted in the buildings, according to the Montenegro Education Ministry.
5.7 magnitude earthquake in Bosnia kills 1
April 23, 2022 GMTSARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A strong earthquake struck Bosnia late Friday killing one person, injuring at least two others and sending hundreds of people fleeing from their homes.
The magnitude 5.7 earthquake hit 42 kilometers (26 miles) southeast of the city of Mostar at 11:07 p.m.
Report: Montenegro ex-top judge jailed, tied to drug trade
April 18, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — The former long-serving head of Montenegro's top court has been arrested for allegedly helping cover up her son's drug-smuggling operation, local media in the Balkan country reported on Monday.
Chelsea owner Abramovich’s luxury yacht docks in Turkey
March 21, 2022 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A yacht belonging to Chelsea soccer club owner and sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has docked in Turkey's Aegean Sea resort of Bodrum, Turkish media reports said Monday, amid international moves to freeze assets belonging to top Russian businessmen with close links to the Kremlin.
After Ukraine, Europe wonders who’s next Russian target
March 10, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — For some European countries watching Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, there are fears that they could be next.
Montenegro PM-designate named to form pro-Western government
March 3, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's president on Thursday appointed a new prime minister-designate, paving the way for the formation of a pro-Western government in the Balkan nation amid fears that tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine could spill over in the volatile region.
Montenegro’s pro-Serbian governing coalition collapses
February 4, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's conservative pro-Serbian governing coalition collapsed Friday amid internal disputes, after parliament backed a no-confidence motion tabled by a junior coalition partner.
Montenegro’s government teeters on the brink of collapse
February 1, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Montenegro's pro-Serbian government is teetering on the brink of collapse as its prime minister warned against the possibility of a long-ruling pro-Western party coming back to power.
Djokovic feted in Montenegro amid new virus test doubts
January 28, 2022 GMTBUDVA, Montenegro (AP) — Tennis star Novak Djokovic received honors at a small Adriatic Sea resort in Montenegro on Friday even as doubts re-emerged about the positive COVID-19 test he used to try to compete in the Australian Open.
Montenegro government urges early vote to resolve crisis
January 20, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — Faced with a no-confidence motion, Montenegro's embattled government on Thursday called for an early election to be held in the Balkan country.
Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic filed a request that the current mandate of the Montenegrin assembly be cut short to pave the way for the vote.