Europe's big four raise stakes on Kosovo

The EU's biggest four countries are pushing to impose and oversee independence in Kosovo without a fresh UN mandate, risking a showdown with a resurgent Russia and fierce resistance from Serbia, which vows no surrender of Kosovo.

New Jersey legislature votes to end death penalty

TRENTON, New Jersey (Reuters) - New Jersey on Thursday became the first U.S. state to legislatively abolish the death penalty since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976.

Suspected Army suicides set record

A record number of soldiers — 109 — have killed themselves this year, according to Army statistics showing confirmed or suspected suicides.

The deaths occur as soldiers serve longer combat deployments and the Army spends $100 million on support programs.

Ron Paul: Tea Party 07

dONT forget dec 16th !!!!!

Ron Paul Schools Ben Bernanke Again

YOUTUBE

Swedish PM sees Kosovo move after Serb polls

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said on Thursday he expected Kosovo's status to be resolved after a Serbian presidential election in late January, joining others in the West to favor that timeframe.

Rehn: EU to Postpone Decision on Kosovo Until Early 2008

Kryetari Daci priti z.Carlo Binda

Kryetari i LDD-së akademik Nexhat Daci priti në një takim drejtorin e përgjithshëm të NDI-së z.Carlo Binda me bashkëpunëtorë.

Kosova pas 10 dhjetorit

Dems cave on spending

Plenty of money for war. No money for domestic needs.

Kosovo President: Independence Days Away

President Fatmir Sejdiu's remarks suggest Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority will press on with declaring independence without delay, despite Serbian opposition.

It's not so much Serbia's opposition which has some very concerned about this step: it's Russia's opposition to this, and the degree to which it may pit Russia in a potential military confrontation with the US over this issue. (MR)

Balkan bagatelle

A JOKE has been circulating among diplomats concerned with the Balkans. The reply to the question, “what comes after December 10th?” is “December 11th.”

ADVISORY - EU story on Kosovo withdrawn

HELSINKI story quoting the European Union's enlargement chief Olli Rehn on Kosovo is wrong. Rehn was misquoted in the newspaper article.

E Verteta4_U: Either this is true or the EU knows that if they delay it until spring the Kosovars will not stand for it and declare independence right away.

Kosovo's Independence Stirs Fears of Violence

Leaders in Kosovo say the Serbian province will declare independence soon. As VOA's Barry Wood reports there is disagreement among outside observers over whether this move will promote or endanger stability in the Balkan region.

British ambassador says UNSC deal on Kosovo unlikely

Britain's UN Ambassador said Wednesday it was unlikely for the UN Security Council to reach an agreement on the status of the Serbian province of Kosovo.

EU to delay Kosovo status until early spring

HELSINKI (Reuters) - A solution to Kosovo's final status will be delayed until early spring, the European Union's enlargement chief was quoted as saying on Thursday, a day after Serbia set a crucial presidential election for January 20.

Forging unity on Kosovo independence bid top priority at one-day EU leaders summit

BRUSSELS, Belgium: Keen to avoid the mistakes of the past, European leaders will try to forge unity at summit talks Friday on how the EU will handle Kosovo's bid for independence from Serbia without inflaming new violence in the Balkans.