Editorial Office, Author at First Balkan Media

Sister of Irish President among activists detained after Israel intercepts Gaza-bound flotilla

Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, was among at least six of 15 Irish participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla detained by Israel after vessels were intercepted while sailing

May 19, 2026

Whats New

New Ebola outbreak in DR Congo kills at least 100 as rare Bundibugyo strain spreads

A new Ebola outbreak is spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where at least 100 people have died and nearly 400 suspected cases have been registered, according to the Africa Centres

May 19, 2026

Whats New

Protest over Albanian-language judicial exam turns controversial amid “UÇK” chants, presence of regional students and clashes in Skopje

Protest demands overshadowed by controversy A protest organized by Albanian students in Skopje, initially focused on the demand to allow the judicial exam to be taken in Albanian, escalated into a highly

May 19, 2026

Macedonia·Whats New

Lufthansa ends direct Frankfurt–Skopje flights, passengers redirected via Vienna

Lufthansa is ending its direct Frankfurt–Skopje service after more than three years of operations, removing the route from its booking system for both the summer period and the upcoming winter season, which

May 19, 2026

Macedonia

Partial collapse of bridge at Gradiška border crossing halts traffic between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

Part of the bridge at the Gradiška border crossing between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia collapsed during the night, causing a complete suspension of traffic between the Stara Gradiška crossing on the

May 19, 2026

Bosnia & Hercegovina·Croatia

MV Hondius arrives in Rotterdam for disinfection after hantavirus outbreak and international quarantine measures

The cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, arrived in the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, bringing to an end a journey that had triggered concern among international health

May 18, 2026

Whats New

Bitcoin falls below $77,000 as Fed policy, geopolitics and tech sector pressure weigh on crypto market

Bitcoin recorded a sharp decline, falling below the $77,000 threshold and trading at around $76,000, as broader pressures from monetary policy, geopolitical uncertainty and movements in the technology sector weighed on the

May 18, 2026

Business·Whats New

One Referendum, Two Independent States: Serbia and Montenegro 20 Years Later

Twenty years after Montenegro restored its independence, the 2006 referendum remains one of the most significant political turning points in the post-Yugoslav region. On May 21, 2006, Montenegro voted to leave the

May 18, 2026

Montenegro·Serbia

Bosnia and Herzegovina among 19 countries in Europol action targeting online content linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

Bosnia and Herzegovina was among 19 countries that took part in a coordinated Europol action aimed at disrupting online content linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to the reports, 14,200

May 18, 2026

Bosnia & Hercegovina

Historic Yugoslav Meat Industry Giant Sold in Major Regional Deal

One of the most recognizable names from the former Yugoslav food industry, PIK Vrbovec, is entering a new ownership chapter after a major acquisition agreement was officially signed. Investment group BOSQAR INVEST

May 18, 2026

Croatia

Israeli media criticize Milanović as he reportedly refuses to approve new ambassador for seven months

Croatian President Zoran Milanović has come under criticism from Israeli media after reports that he has refused for seven months to approve the appointment of Israel’s new ambassador to Zagreb. The case

May 18, 2026

Croatia

Izetbegović confirms new Presidency bid, saying SDA must return amid Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political crisis

Bakir Izetbegović, leader of the Party of Democratic Action, has confirmed that he will again run for the Bosniak seat in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the October 4 general

May 18, 2026

Bosnia & Hercegovina