A declaration of independence by Kosovo is "not an issue of if, but when," said a Kosovan government spokesman, while an adviser to the Serbian prime minister vowed on state television that the nation would defend its territory "using all means." The "when" turned out to be Feb. 17, 2008. Serbia declared it a "false state," while the EU immediately divided over the issue of recognition.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 28 Aug 2008 7:44:08 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32259/gift-cows-give-hope-to-kosovo-war-widows.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA Dutch organization is helping steer Kosovo's war widows toward a brighter future, Radio Free Netherlands reports. Many were left to fend for themselves after losing loved ones in the war against Serbia; now the Dutch group The Bridge is giving them cows to put food on the table and earn money by selling milk. Each is obliged to give their cow's first-born calf to another woman.http://www.newser.com/story/32259/gift-cows-give-hope-to-kosovo-war-widows.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 11 Jul 2008 23:59:59 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/27196/pro-west-bloc-claims-win-in-serbia.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSerbia's president declared victory today as voters favored his pro-West bloc by 10 points in early returns, BBC reports. President Boris Tadic called the election a vote for EU integration but maintained his stand against an independent Kosovo. If Tadic's party wins, it still must forge a wider coalition—which rivals say they can beat with a larger nationalist alliance.http://www.newser.com/story/27196/pro-west-bloc-claims-win-in-serbia.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 11 May 2008 19:28:27 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/23416/former-kosovo-leader-acquitted-of-war-crimes.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe UN's tribunal in the Hague has acquitted a former commander of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army of all charges of war crimes. Ramush Haradinaj, who also briefly served as the breakaway province's prime minister, was cleared of murder, persecution, rape and torture of Kosovo Serb civilians. The verdict threatens to inflame anti-Kosovo sentiment in Serbia, writes the New York Times .http://www.newser.com/story/23416/former-kosovo-leader-acquitted-of-war-crimes.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 04 Apr 2008 3:05:13 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/22671/kosovo-eager-for-freedoms-ring.html?refid=rss_all_defaultKosovo has won recognition as an independent state from three dozen countries, but a call to the world's newest nation is a reminder of its history. Telephone numbers in Kosovo still begin with the old Serbian dialing code, and the breakaway republic now wants its own international prefix. It's not an isolated case, writes the Wall Street Journal : from Palestine to Taiwan, a country code can inspire as much patriotic fervor as a flag.http://www.newser.com/story/22671/kosovo-eager-for-freedoms-ring.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 27 Mar 2008 6:58:32 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/21877/un-cop-killed-in-kosovo-riots.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA Ukrainian UN police officer has been killed and at least 40 UN or NATO personnel were injured as Serbs continued to exchange gunfire with NATO and UN forces, reports AFP. Some 70 Serbs were also wounded as yesterday's fighting in ethnically charged Mitrovica spilled over to today, including a man who fell into a coma after being shot in the head.http://www.newser.com/story/21877/un-cop-killed-in-kosovo-riots.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 18 Mar 2008 4:46:52 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/21793/un-forces-withdraw-from-kosovo-town.html?refid=rss_all_defaultUN police trying to retake a courthouse were forced to withdraw from the Kosovo city of Mitrovica after clashes with ethnic Serbs, reports the BBC. NATO troops were left in charge of security after the worst violence since Kosovo declared independence; AFP reported at least 100 police and protesters were injured in struggles that included rocks, tear gas, and at least one grenade blast.http://www.newser.com/story/21793/un-forces-withdraw-from-kosovo-town.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 17 Mar 2008 5:53:16 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/21644/serbs-storm-uns-kosovo-courthouse.html?refid=rss_all_defaultHundreds of Serbs smashed down gates at two United Nations-run courthouses in northern Kosovo yesterday and stormed the buildings, AFP reports. The mob, opposed to Kosovo's independence, hauled down the UN flag and hoisted the Serbian one. They clashed with UN police, pelting them with rocks and metal objects. NATO's secretary-general condemned the violence as an unacceptable provocation.http://www.newser.com/story/21644/serbs-storm-uns-kosovo-courthouse.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 15 Mar 2008 1:39:56 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/21465/serbia-set-for-snap-elections-after-kosovo-spurs-collapse.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe president of Serbia dissolved parliament today, paving the way for early elections on May 11 that many are calling the country's most critical vote since the fall of strongman Slobodan Milosevic. Serbia's government collapsed over the weekend due to infighting over the fate of Kosovo and the country's prospect of membership in the European Union, reports Reuters. Early polls suggest the election will be close.http://www.newser.com/story/21465/serbia-set-for-snap-elections-after-kosovo-spurs-collapse.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 13 Mar 2008 4:16:13 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/21077/serbias-pm-dissolves-government.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSerbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved the government today, saying it had become paralyzed over disagreements on how to deal with Kosovo and EU membership. He proposed new elections for May. "We are lacking government unity,” said Kostunica, charging that his pro-Western coalition partners aren't being adamant enough about rejecting Kosovo's recent independence.http://www.newser.com/story/21077/serbias-pm-dissolves-government.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 08 Mar 2008 10:41:07 CST