The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Monday urged Serbia and Kosovo to act to defuse recent tensions that have threatened to push the Balkan region into instability as Europe faces Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Dutch PM Mark Rutte and Xavier Bettel, the Luxembourg PM, spoke after meeting Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. Rutte and Bettel travel to Kosovo on Tuesday for meetings with top officials there. “We cannot, both of us, emphasize enough how important it is that both Serbia and Kosovo take steps toward de-escalation and ultimately normalization of their relations through the EU-led dialogue,” said Rutte. “This is crucial for the two countries themselves, first and foremost, but also for the entire region and Europe as a whole,” he added. “With a war raging between Russia and Ukraine on our continent, it's more important than ever that we act together.” Serbia and its former province Kosovo have been at odds for decades, with Belgrade refusing to recognize Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. Western efforts to resolve the crisis have increased recently, to avert possible instability in the Balkans as war ravages Ukraine. Tensions between the two countries flared anew in May after Kosovo police seized local municipal buildings in Serb-majority northern Kosovo to install ethnic Albanian mayors who were elected in an April election that Serbs overwhelmingly boycotted. Violent clashes injured 30 international peacekeepers and more than 50 ethnic Serbs, stirring fears of a renewal of the 1998-99 conflict that left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovar Albanians. The U.S and the EU have pressed Serbia and Kosovo to take steps to lower tensions. Normalization of relations is the key condition for the two countries to move forward in their efforts to join the EU. Bettel, too, called on the two sides to act. “Words are good, actions are better,” he said. “And we need to advance on these topics and to show also that there is a wish of de-escalation.” Vucic expressed hope that the two prime ministers' visit to Serbia and Kosovo would help. “I promised that Serbia will do all it can to preserve peace and stability,” he said. Washington and most EU nations have recognized Kosovo’s independence, while Russia and China have backed Serbia’s claim on the territory. The 1998-99 war erupted when separatist ethnic Albanians rebelled against Serbia's rule and Belgrade responded with a brutal crackdown. NATO bombing in 1999 forced Serbia to relinquish control but Belgrade has maintained Kosovo remains part of the country. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Opponents of Serbia's populist leader block main highway to keep up pressure after weeks of protests Kosovo's prime minister offers to hold new elections in tense Serb-majority municipalities Novak Djokovic’s bid for Wimbledon title No. 8 and Grand Slam trophy No. 24 starts next week

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 6, 2023--

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The BBC has been accused of “baldism” after mistakenly using footage of former Premier League footballer Pablo Zabaleta in a segment about Spanish football association (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales. Rubiales has faced repeated calls to step down from his position as the head of Spain’s football association after he grabbed Spanish striker Jenni Hermoso and kissed her mouth during the Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. The BBC ran a news bulletin yesterday about the RFEF calling an urgent meeting to discuss the scandal which included footage of the kiss – but that quickly cut to a clip of Zabaleta walking alongside a colleague. While the two bear some resemblance, the footage of the former Manchester City star was from the draw for the 2022 World Cup. The Fifa and Qatar logos are visible on the wall Zabaleta walks past in the video. “A production error meant we showed the wrong image in an earlier broadcast. This has now been rectified,” the broadcaster said in a statement. Comedian Omid Djalili posted on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, about the incident. He poked fun at the organisation, saying: “As a bald man, I am offended. Especially as they didn’t include footage of me or [fellow bald celebrity] Stanley Tucci.” One commenter asked: “Is this considered a ‘baldist’ offence?” However, another person was more sympathetic, pointing out that the two look very alike. They said: “Gotta be honest, I watched the clip 3 times thinking 'wheres Zabaleta?'. Easily done IMO.” Rubiales’ kiss has sparked outrage in Spain and beyond. Hermoso has since said the action was not consensual. She said the situation had left her feeling “vulnerable and a victim of aggression”. In her statement, she described the kiss as “an impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part. In short, I wasn’t respected.” Fifa, the sports governing body, has suspended Rubiales for 90 days starting on 26 August. The Spanish FA has stuck firmly by its boss throughout and has even threatened to sue Hermoso. Separately on 28 August, a Spanish court opened a preliminary investigation to see if what took place was a sexual assault. Spain’s labour minister and second deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz has also weighed in, according to Reuters. She said male chauvinism is “systemic” in the country. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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