Balkan Spectator
In the capital of Belgrade on Thursday, university students waved flags as they started the 90km (56-mile) march to Novi Sad, where they are expected to join tens of thousands of other protesters on Saturday.
The government has declared Saturday a day of national mourning while head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Porfirije served a mass for the victims at the Belgrade Saint Sava church.
It was attended by several hundred people, including government ministers and Vucic. Several thousand others have gathered in front of the church and lit candles for the victims.
In September, 13 people, including former construction minister Goran Vesic were charged in a criminal case over the collapse.
A separate anti-corruption probe continues alongside an EU-backed investigation into the possible misuse of EU funds in the project.
Vučić apologized for calling protestors and students foreign-backed coup plotters and urged for dialogue.
Thousands marched from Belgrade for some 100 kilometres (62 miles), or even from Novi Pazar, around 340 kilometres south of the capital. It took them a symbolic 16 days – for the 16 victims – to finish the march.
It was attended by several hundred people, including government ministers and Vucic. Several thousand others have gathered in front of the church and lit candles for the victims.
In September, 13 people, including former construction minister Goran Vesic were charged in a criminal case over the collapse.
A separate anti-corruption probe continues alongside an EU-backed investigation into the possible misuse of EU funds in the project.
Vučić apologized for calling protestors and students foreign-backed coup plotters and urged for dialogue.
Thousands marched from Belgrade for some 100 kilometres (62 miles), or even from Novi Pazar, around 340 kilometres south of the capital. It took them a symbolic 16 days – for the 16 victims – to finish the march.
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Balkan Spectator
—🇷🇸 ❌ 🇸🇾 NEW: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Syria’s recognition of Kosovo was expected, and hinted ironically that Serbia will have an announcement "in the next ten days to make them happy as well." ✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news…
"It has now become clear how much Bashar al-Assad's liberal approach was worth to us when he was at the helm of Syria. It is also clear that when someone comes to power under the great influence of one of the main states in the region, such as Turkey, it is not unexpected that such developments occur," Vučić said.
Vučić further said that he would "wait a bit" while issuing a warning for the next 10 days.
"In the next 10 days, we will also have something that will make them happy.
This is a marathon, not a 50-meter race. Considering who we are competing with, who are the strongest in the world, and who want to steal our land and territory, we are doing well," he said.
This was posted Thursday so, 8 more days?
Vučić further said that he would "wait a bit" while issuing a warning for the next 10 days.
"In the next 10 days, we will also have something that will make them happy.
This is a marathon, not a 50-meter race. Considering who we are competing with, who are the strongest in the world, and who want to steal our land and territory, we are doing well," he said.
This was posted Thursday so, 8 more days?
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Croatia Airlines posted a €20.9M net loss for the first nine months of 2025—over double last year’s €9M—as summer results failed to offset ongoing financial strain. The carrier is executing a major fleet renewal, introducing Airbus A220s and retiring older A319/A320 and Dash 8-Q400 aircraft.
Revenue rose 3% to €204.7M, supported by ancillary gains, while costs jumped 9% to €226.2M due to higher maintenance, airport, and navigation fees, plus a 50% rise in depreciation tied to new aircraft. Operating loss widened to €21.5M, and transition costs hit €19.9M, exceeding all of 2024. The airline’s equity remains negative (€-18.8M) with liabilities at €258M, signaling technical insolvency.
From January–September, 1.55M passengers were carried (+9% YoY, still -8.7% vs 2019). Domestic traffic grew 12%, international 8.8%, but charters fell 8% amid Tel Aviv disruptions. The load factor improved slightly to 66.3%, still 7.7 points below 2019.
The airline maintains that the A220 fleet renewal (2024–2027) will secure long-term sustainability and efficiency, despite near-term heavy financial pressure.
Revenue rose 3% to €204.7M, supported by ancillary gains, while costs jumped 9% to €226.2M due to higher maintenance, airport, and navigation fees, plus a 50% rise in depreciation tied to new aircraft. Operating loss widened to €21.5M, and transition costs hit €19.9M, exceeding all of 2024. The airline’s equity remains negative (€-18.8M) with liabilities at €258M, signaling technical insolvency.
From January–September, 1.55M passengers were carried (+9% YoY, still -8.7% vs 2019). Domestic traffic grew 12%, international 8.8%, but charters fell 8% amid Tel Aviv disruptions. The load factor improved slightly to 66.3%, still 7.7 points below 2019.
The airline maintains that the A220 fleet renewal (2024–2027) will secure long-term sustainability and efficiency, despite near-term heavy financial pressure.
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This was from Oct 21st when leaders from Balkan nations met in the UK. Apologies for missing it, but important to read.
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed that talks are under way with the UK about establishing a migrant return hub for failed asylum seekers, though legal obstacles remain. Kurti said Kosovo feels a “political duty” to help Britain but has limited capacity.
The UK has been pursuing agreements with Western Balkan nations to manage irregular migration. Kosovo is the first to publicly confirm negotiations, following similar deals with Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia to combat smuggling.
Kurti said Kosovo seeks security cooperation and investment in return, citing concerns over Russian and Serbian hostility. A formal UK request is not expected until legal hurdles are resolved.
The arrangement would differ from the former Rwanda asylum plan, applying only to migrants already rejected in the UK and awaiting deportation.
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed that talks are under way with the UK about establishing a migrant return hub for failed asylum seekers, though legal obstacles remain. Kurti said Kosovo feels a “political duty” to help Britain but has limited capacity.
The UK has been pursuing agreements with Western Balkan nations to manage irregular migration. Kosovo is the first to publicly confirm negotiations, following similar deals with Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia to combat smuggling.
Kurti said Kosovo seeks security cooperation and investment in return, citing concerns over Russian and Serbian hostility. A formal UK request is not expected until legal hurdles are resolved.
The arrangement would differ from the former Rwanda asylum plan, applying only to migrants already rejected in the UK and awaiting deportation.
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From October 26, 2025
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to win enough votes in parliament to form a government, deepening Kosovo’s political crisis and raising the likelihood of new elections. Kurti’s cabinet received 56 votes in favor, five short of the required majority, while 52 opposed and four abstained.
The deadlock follows inconclusive February elections that left the country without a stable government for months. Under the constitution, President Vjosa Osmani must now appoint a new prime minister-designate within 10 days, though opposition leader Memli Krasniqi and others are calling for immediate elections.
Observers, including the Kosovo Democratic Institute, say early polls may be the only way to restore legitimacy. However, analysts warn new elections might not shift parliamentary balances enough to break the impasse.
The crisis threatens Kosovo’s progress toward EU membership and access to the bloc’s €6 billion Western Balkans Growth Plan, with Western diplomats urging swift formation of a stable government.
There are 5 days left for the appointment of a new PM.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to win enough votes in parliament to form a government, deepening Kosovo’s political crisis and raising the likelihood of new elections. Kurti’s cabinet received 56 votes in favor, five short of the required majority, while 52 opposed and four abstained.
The deadlock follows inconclusive February elections that left the country without a stable government for months. Under the constitution, President Vjosa Osmani must now appoint a new prime minister-designate within 10 days, though opposition leader Memli Krasniqi and others are calling for immediate elections.
Observers, including the Kosovo Democratic Institute, say early polls may be the only way to restore legitimacy. However, analysts warn new elections might not shift parliamentary balances enough to break the impasse.
The crisis threatens Kosovo’s progress toward EU membership and access to the bloc’s €6 billion Western Balkans Growth Plan, with Western diplomats urging swift formation of a stable government.
There are 5 days left for the appointment of a new PM.
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Guys sorry for not having posted a lot these days. I'll be back to normal ASAP
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—🇧🇬 ❌ 🇲🇰 WATCH: Serbian singer Ceca faced backlash and was booed off stage after displaying a Bulgarian flag during her concert in North Macedonia.
➡️ Fans called it a provocation, and local media labeled the incident a scandal, citing Ceca's well-known Serbian nationalist views.
✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English
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—🇦🇱 /🇧🇬 /🇺🇦 WATCH: During the 18th and 19th centuries, many Albanians and Bulgarians migrated to Odessa to escape Ottoman rule.
➡️ Their communities hold joint festivals and celebrate their heritage and maintain excellent relationship to this day.
🔗 Royal Castriotta (@RoyalCastriotta)
✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English
🔗 Royal Castriotta (@RoyalCastriotta)
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—🫂 🇸🇮 /🇷🇸 WATCH: A solemn ceremony in Ljubljana commemorated the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy, with 16 minutes of silence observed for the 16 individuals lost.
➡️ The event brought together Slovenian and Serbian flags in solidarity.
✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English
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Balkan Spectator
—🇧🇬 ❌ 🇲🇰 WATCH: Serbian singer Ceca faced backlash and was booed off stage after displaying a Bulgarian flag during her concert in North Macedonia. ➡️ Fans called it a provocation, and local media labeled the incident a scandal, citing Ceca's well-known Serbian…
Lmao 😂 what a dumb bitch
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—🇹🇷 /🇽🇰 Turkey’s support for Kosovo in 2025:
🇸🇾 Backed Syria’s recognition
🛩 Supplied drones
🪖 Signed defense deals
🏭 Building an ammunition factory
🏢 Expanded TİKA projects
🔗 Kosovo Update
✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English
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—❗️🇽🇰 /🇦🇱 NEW: Kosovo PM Albin Kurti announced plans to form a joint unit between Kosovo’s Security Force (KSF) and Albania’s Armed Forces.
➡️ Status: Proposal only, details pending.
🔗 Kosovo Update
✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English
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—❗️🇧🇬 ❌ 🇷🇸 NEW: Bulgarian President Radev has called on all European institutions to take more serious measures against Serbia, the Serbian Orthodox Church, and what he described as the Russian-backed “Serb world” initiative.
➡️ Radev emphasized the sensitivity of the issue to Bulgaria and labeled Serbia as the main potential conflict point in Europe outside of Russia.
✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English
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Forwarded from /CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global (Dieter von Steiglitz)
The ANO movement of Andrej Babiš, which won the recent election, is teaming up with the right-wing populists from Freedom and Direct Democracy and the Motorists for Themselves party.
Babiš is expected to return as prime minister.
Two parties in the coalition oppose strong support for Ukraine. Their programs include closer ties with Slovakia and Hungary and rejecting the idea of a joint EU army.
ANO also criticizes Czech participation in the EU initiative on joint ammunition purchases for Ukraine and opposes Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership.
Ministers are expected to be announced by the end of November. The speaker of parliament may be SPD leader Tomio Okamura, who previously used anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
Czechia is the latest country to swing to the right in Central Europe after Poland and Slovakia, with Romania being the only oddity where liberals won the most recent presidential election, after controversially cancelling the 2024 elections which the nationalist Călin Georgescu was poised to win.
Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia now form a powerful anti-federalist bloc in the EU.
@CIG_telegram
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Balkan Spectator
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—🇽🇰 /🇹🇷 WATCH: Kosovo’s Cobra I armored vehicles have been filmed carrying ASELSAN SARP remote weapon stations.
🔗 Defence Index
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3.000 friends already. Thank you so much! 🙏
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