All News from Balkans

Bulgaria Set to Switch to Daylight Saving Time

Bulgaria is switching to daylight saving time Sunday, turning clocks one hour ahead.

At 3 am Bulgarian time on March 30, all clocks will be turned one hour forward, to 4 am. This means one hour less sleep. The new time will remain so until October 26.

U.S. Embassy: Pristina declared independence legally

BELGRADE – The Kosovo parliament declared the independence of Kosovo from Serbia in a legitimate democratic process under UN administration, after all other options were exhausted, the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade said Friday in a comment on a recent statement by U.S. President Barack Obama that an independence referendum took place in Kosovo in 2008.

Moscow appalled over Obama’s statement on Kosovo

MOSCOW - The authorities in Moscow are astonished by U.S. President Barack Obama’s claim that the decision to declare Kosovo independence was taken in a referendum held with the approval of the United Nations and neighboring countries.

Greens lose at Barca, but are within one win from play-offs

By George Georgakopoulos

Panathinaikos succumbed to unbeaten Barcelona in Spain on Friday, going down 84-62, but Armani Milanos win in Turkey over Fenerbahce has boosted the Greens chances for a top-four finish in the group. They should go through to the quarterfinals with victory over Unicaja Malaga in Athens next week.

Auxiliary pensions may shrink by up to 25 pct

By Christina Kopsini

Auxiliary pensions are set for a drastic reduction following the abolition of 24 indirect taxes that raised revenues for social security funds, which is foreseen in the governments new multi-bill.

Tourism hotspots in pilot Sunday store opening scheme

By Dimitra Manifava

The liberalization of Sunday opening rules for stores will start on a pilot basis in tourism destinations such as the islands of the Cyclades and Dodecanese, Halkidiki and Crete, as well as cruise ships ports of call such as Piraeus and Thessaloniki. Eastern Attica could also be included.

New bond issue planned for end-April

Timing will depend on the spread between Greek and Portuguese yields

By Sotiris Nikas

The government is moving ahead with its plan for emancipation from its international creditors through the issue of new sovereign debt, with the Finance Ministry speeding up its efforts so that the bonds can be successfully issued at the end of April.

Inmate who murdered guard beaten before he died, says coroner

An investigation was launched on Friday into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ilie Kareli, the 42-year-old Albanian inmate who killed a prison guard on Tuesday, after he was found dead in a prison cell and a coroners report indicated that he had suffered serious injuries after being beaten with a blunt instrument.

Insurance scam cracked after netting 1.3 mln euros

Four police officers, two lawyers and an insurance adjuster are among 13 people arrested on Friday in connection with an insurance scam which cost at least 27 companies an estimated 1.3 million euros.

Alpha sells bulk of new shares to US and UK buyers

US and British investors bought the bulk of Alpha Banks 1.2-billion-euro new share issue, it said on Friday, providing further evidence that foreign investors are warming to Greece.

IMF disburses loan tranche to Cyprus

The International Monetary Fund said on Friday it had reviewed Cypruss economy under a bailout program and approved a loan disbursement for about $115 million.

The international lender said the disbursement brings total lending to date under the IMFs $1.4 billion program with Cyprus to about $459 million.

Greek coalition confident as reform multi-bill goes to Parliament

People line up outside a pharmacy in central Athens that was on duty on Friday. Pharmacists have been on strike for several days and have vowed to continue their action unless the government withdraws a provision for the deregulation of the over-the-counter drug market.