Cigarette smuggling involving the Montenegrin government and the Italian Mafia has been going on for years. Now, however, it has become front page news in Italy, and Belgrade is gloating.
The hope of the West - that a new generation would bring normality to Albania's political scene - has been dashed. Instead the old grandees are back in charge, but this time the familiar brawling could have regional consequences.
In the last few days a few bridges have been thrown across the divide between the leaders of the Serbian opposition and the country's maverick political figure Vuk Draskovic, once more raising the possibility of a united opposition to Slobodan Milosevic's
Banja Luka's landmark 16th century Ferhadija mosque was destroyed in 1993 and all traces removed. Now it may be rebuilt, despite the city's hard-line mayor.
A new political party has been founded in Banja Luka and its name does not begin with the prefix "Serb", nor does it contain the words "Republika Srpska".
Rivalries erupted among the opposition as soon as the EU announced its heating oil aid to two towns in southern Serbia. But the real risk is that the regime, too, has its eye on the crude.
Police are out in force in Serbia, and it seems to make many people feel better. Citizens are urged to spy on their neighbours and stay vigilant for "suspicious" activities. Most are happy to help.
After dangerously stoking up the campaign against Montenegro, Belgrade has suddenly offered to continue negotiations with the rebellious republic. It could be the last step before a referendum.
Plans for a park to illustrate the improvement in Romanian-Hungarian relations have been scuppered before the foundation stone has been laid.
Additional troops deployed in the Muslim-dominated region of Serbia have raised fears that Milosevic may stir up fresh conflict in his own backyard.
