Editorial Office, Author at First Balkan Media

Slovenia Faces Growing Calls for Referendum on NATO Membership

A proposal to hold a referendum on Slovenia’s NATO membership has triggered a heated political debate, raising questions about the country’s future security strategy as defense spending becomes an increasingly divisive issue.

July 16, 2026

Slovenia

Drone Spots Man Trapped Upside Down in Croatian Canyon After 10 Hour Ordeal

The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service pulled off a dramatic overnight operation in the Čikola canyon near Drniš, saving a man who had spent nearly ten hours wedged upside down between two rocks

July 16, 2026

Croatia

Makarska Becomes First Croatian Town to Ban Late Night Retail Alcohol Sales

The coastal resort town of Makarska has become the first municipality in Croatia to prohibit the sale of alcohol in shops between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., introducing a year round measure

July 16, 2026

Croatia

Serbian Journalists Face Record Attacks as Media Freedom Enters ‘Deep Crisis’

Press freedom in Serbia has deteriorated sharply, with violations doubling in 2025 and attacks on journalists escalating since the fatal Novi Sad railway station collapse, according to a new international mission report.

July 16, 2026

Serbia

Serbia Stands Alone as Vučić Refuses to Sign Kyiv Declaration Condemning Russia

Serbia was the only participant at the Ukraine Southeast Europe summit in Kyiv that declined to sign a joint declaration condemning Russia’s invasion and pledging stepped up support for Ukraine, Serbian state

July 16, 2026

Serbia

Macedonia Mobilizes 250 Volunteer Firefighters Into National Wildfire Defense

More than 250 volunteer firefighters from across Macedonia gathered at the Goce Delčev barracks in Skopje this week for a formal muster that marks their full integration into the country’s national crisis

July 16, 2026

Macedonia

House Republicans Unveil $95 Billion Blueprint Tying Defense Surge to Trump’s Voter ID Agenda

Republicans on the House Budget Committee rolled out a sweeping $95 billion spending framework on Wednesday that would direct $73 billion toward defense and intelligence operations over the next decade while dangling

July 16, 2026

Politics

Former Federal Reserve Adviser Sentenced Over False Statements in China Linked Case

A former senior adviser to the U.S. Federal Reserve has been sentenced to 38 months in federal prison after being convicted of making false statements to investigators regarding his contacts with individuals

July 16, 2026

Politics

Iran Draws a ‘Red Line’ Around Strait of Hormuz and Threatens Gulf Wide Retaliation

Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz an inviolable “red line” and vowed to strike infrastructure across the entire Gulf region if President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to bomb

July 16, 2026

Politics

Argentina Stuns England with Late Comeback to Book World Cup Final Showdown with Spain

Argentina’s reigning champions will defend their crown against Spain on Sunday after producing a dramatic late turnaround to defeat England 2-1 in a tension soaked World Cup semi final in Atlanta. Trailing

July 16, 2026

Sport

U.S. House Rejects Proposal to End Military Aid to Israel Amid Democratic Divide

The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to reject a proposal that would have ended American military aid to Israel, but the vote exposed growing divisions within the Democratic Party over U.S.

July 16, 2026

Politics

Trump Administration Rewrites Slavery Narrative at George Washington’s Philadelphia Home

The Trump administration has installed revised historical panels at the President’s House in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, replacing an exhibit that detailed the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington

July 16, 2026

Politics·Whats New