Student protesters in Serbia call for a general strike

Student protests against the government and President Aleksandar Vucic continue in Serbia for the fourth month. In an appeal on Instagram, the protesters called on all citizens to join them in a general strike on March 7. The protests were sparked by an incident on November 1, 2024, when a concrete canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station, killing 15 people. The tragedy sparked a wave of social discontent against the government and the president.

The Serbian parliament has adopted legislative changes that halve student fees, increase the higher education budget by 20%, and introduce preferential housing loans for young people. According to the Speaker of Parliament, Ana Brnabić, the changes to the law on higher education will calm the protesters and encourage them to lift the blockade of over 60 faculties, which began at the end of November 2024.

The law was supposed to be considered on March 4, but then clashes broke out in the plenary hall and the opposition threw smoke bombs. During the fighting scenes in parliament, three MPs were injured.

Turkey is building a fence along its border with Greece

Turkey will build an 8.5-kilometer fence along the border with Greece to increase security in the border area of ​​the Maritsa River, similar to the fence on the Turkish-Bulgarian border. This was what the Governor of Edirne, Yunus Sezer, said at a meeting on security issues in the city and the region where the borders of Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece meet, reports the Ihlas Haber Ajansi agency, quoted by BTA. "For the first time this year, we will implement physical measures to strengthen the security of our western border with Greece," Yunus Sezer said. Patrol roads have already been built. According to the governor, as a result of the enhanced security measures along the border, Edirne has ceased to be one of the critical routes for the migration flow.

Six detained in Romania over ties with Russia and treason

The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism has detained six people and charged them with treason and creating an organized crime group. According to prosecutors, the six participated in the creation of a military-type organization and discussed with Russian agents the withdrawal of Romania from NATO and the overthrow of the current constitutional order in the country, the department said in a press release. The organization was headed by 101-year-old retired general Radu Theodoru, Radio Romania International reports. In January, two of the defendants travelled to Moscow, where they came into contact with people willing to support the organization's efforts to seize power in Romania.

Cyprus expects a severe dry summer

The most critical month for Cyprus' water balance and the last with a greater chance of rain - February - ended with a record low level of precipitation, the Bulgarian National Radio correspondent in Cyprus, Branislava Bobanac, reported, quoting data from the Meteorological Service. The precipitation that fell in February was 41% of the average norm for the month. In January, precipitation was 17% of the usual for the month. The Ministry of Economy warned citizens of a severe summer due to water shortages and drought, as water reserves in the country remain "dramatically low".

Saranda wins the “Green Destinations” bronze award at ITB Berlin

The Albanian municipality of Saranda won the “Green Destinations” bronze award at this year's ITB Berlin 2025, BTA reported, citing the Albanian agency ATA.

"This award confirms our city's commitment to responsible tourism, waste management, nature and climate protection. An achievement that motivates us to continue towards a greener future," Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi said. He pointed out that Albania presented itself extremely well in front of 5,600 exhibitors and 1,300 business representatives.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: apnews.com vreme.com, yenisafak.com, orademedias.ro, in-cyprus.philenews.com