A 26-year-old woman from Plav, Montenegro, was arrested on suspicion of stealing 70,000 euros, 1,100 dollars, and 300 Swiss francs from a 70-year-old man, reportedly using some of the money to buy a car for her boyfriend.

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has stated its readiness to cooperate with Montenegrin authorities regarding potential new investigations into war crimes.

The opening of a KFC fast-food restaurant in Montenegro continues to be delayed, as the company's permit application was rejected by the Capital City's secretariat due to concerns over heavy traffic congestion in the area.

The shows of Pink TV star Jovana Jeremić have been banned in Montenegro due to hate speech directed at certain national communities.

A new website has been launched in Montenegro for individuals with Type 1 diabetes, aiming to provide timely support, accessible therapy, and equal opportunities for a healthy and fulfilling life.

The anniversary of Russia's aggression against Ukraine was marked in Cetinje, Montenegro, with the Ukrainian Embassy stating that the choice of the city was deeply symbolic of Montenegrin support for Ukraine.

A 26-year-old woman in Plav, Montenegro, has been arrested for allegedly stealing over 70,000 euros, 1,100 dollars, and 300 Swiss francs from a 70-year-old man's house. She reportedly used the stolen money to buy a vehicle for her partner and luxury clothes for herself, with police recovering more than half of the stolen funds and the vehicle.

Montenegro's Maritime Safety Administration (UPSUL) will be split into three parts, with a new Maritime Safety Administration operating in Bar and a newly formed Port Authority returning to Kotor.

Ćazim Fetahović, a renowned Montenegrin mountaineer, is missing after falling during an ascent on Mount Hajla in eastern Montenegro.

Turkish artist Sevil Duru discusses her 'Series of Encounters' exhibition in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro, reflecting on her stay and inspiration.

Montenegro's Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) has filed an indictment against Milutin Simović, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, on suspicion of committing a crime.

Residents of Svrčuge village in Montenegro are protesting the lack of street lighting, highlighting their efforts to draw attention to the issue despite having a website and social media presence.

Montenegro's Maritime Safety Administration (UPSUL) will be split into three parts, with a new Maritime Safety Administration operating in Bar and a newly formed Port Authority returning to Kotor.

ECB Quietly Prepares Global Liquidity Backstop As Euro Debt Wave Builds Submitted by Thomas Kolbe Starting in the third quarter of 2026, new rules will apply to the so-called euro repo facility. Central banks worldwide will be able to post up to €50 billion in euro-denominated collateral, such as government bonds, with the ECB in order to obtain euro liquidity from the central bank in cases of acute need. The goal is to guarantee the permanent availability of euro liquidity, replacing the previously time-limited repo lines. Central banks typically resort to this monetary policy instrument during phases of acute liquidity stress — most recently during the COVID lockdowns. The repo facility counts among the central banks’ immediate crisis tools. The so-called EUREP (Eurosystem Repo Facility for Central Banks) was launched on June 25, 2020, as a short-term liquidity solution for associated central banks: the Central Bank of Kosovo drew €100 million, Montenegro €250 million in short-term liquidity assistance. Repo auctions generally involve the exchange and short-term pledging of European government bonds for maturities of one to five days, which commercial banks deposit at the central bank in return for liquidity. The collateral is returned after a short period, and the so-called bank reserves are withdrawn again once the liquidity problem has been resolved and the interbank market is functioning properly. The ECB’s announcement that it will now offer this instrument globally — and over periods of several weeks or even months — raises eyebrows. It suggests that the monetary guardians of the Eurosystem may be anticipating a liquidity crisis in the not-too-distant future. Euro as a Reserve Currency The drastic expansion of sovereign debt within the eurozone system may explain why concerns are deepening at the ECB tower. If the two pillars, Germany and France, are each calculating net new borrowing of five percent this year alone — thereby placing a steadily growing volume of bonds on the markets — this generates palpable upward pressure on interest rates. At the same time, investors are asking how strongly the creditworthiness of individual euro states ultimately depends on Germany’s ability to service the mounting debt — a pressure that is manifesting itself in markets. Interest rates have already been rising for more than three years, particularly at the long end of the bond market. This suggests that confidence among large investors, who traditionally provide the bulk of liquidity in this market, is gradually eroding. Meanwhile, the euro is under pressure internationally: euro-denominated reserves currently account for less than 20 percent of global bank reserves and show a slight downward trend. Similar developments can be observed in the settlement of international transactions, where the euro holds roughly a 24 percent share. The dominant global actor remains the U.S. dollar, both as a reserve currency with a 59 percent share and in the settlement of international transactions at 47 percent. Against this backdrop, it becomes clear that Europe’s monetary authorities are facing an increasingly challenging combination of rising debt, growing interest rates, and a global environment that does not accord the euro the status of the U.S. dollar — factors that pose serious questions for the Eurosystem’s stability and liquidity. A severe blow to the euro’s international role was the European Union decision to permanently implement the Russia embargo and halt trade in Russian oil and gas. Russia had been among the few major energy market players willing to allow euro denomination and thus held substantial reserves. That era is over. However, rumors are circulating that the United States, in the event of a peace settlement in Ukraine, could restore Russia’s access to the SWIFT system. Would the EU then follow suit? A return to the status quo ante might require a different political regime in Brussels and Berlin. Growing Debt Volume A fiscal policy U-turn within the EU is also under discussion. Should member states agree on a “two-speed Europe” and implement joint financing of new debt via so-called Eurobonds, this would place the European bond market on an entirely new footing in terms of both volume and structure. European taxpayers — above all the still relatively less indebted Germans at the federal level — would then stand behind the credit guarantees. In Frankfurt, such a revolutionary step is expected to deliver a massive boost in global demand for euro-denominated bonds. One unknown in the geopolitical power struggle remains the Federal Reserve. On several occasions last year, the ECB warned of a possible shortage of U.S. dollars within the European banking system. The United States holds a powerful lever here: it can drive up the political price of bridging potential illiquidity through rapid swap lines — short-term loans within the dollar system to European banks and the ECB. Oversupply of Euro Bonds The Eurosystem thus faces immense absorption problems. If global demand for EU debt — that is, euro bonds — cannot be generated, interest rates will continue to rise. In light of the massive issuance wave of new euro sovereign bonds, the ECB would be forced to take this debt onto its own balance sheet to keep debt servicing in member states under control. The expansion of the repo facility into a permanent liquidity backstop therefore appears plausible. Global central banks would have an incentive to accumulate a growing share of euro bonds. Moreover, the volume would be available to gain direct access to the Eurosystem without assembling a portfolio of bonds from individual states. Germany’s relatively low debt level had in fact recently been a problem, as insufficient tranches of German federal bonds were available for larger capital allocations. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his finance minister are currently eliminating this issue with their present debt policy. The ECB’s measures thus fit into a broader fiscal policy development that could culminate in a structural expansion of joint debt. By institutionally safeguarding international demand for euro bonds, the central bank is creating the infrastructural preconditions for a potential new debt regime within the European Union — while simultaneously shifting the boundary between monetary stabilization and fiscal support of state budgets. The European repo facility, once conceived as a rescue umbrella for liquidity problems, is gradually evolving into a classic, expanding debt pool. With eurozone government debt likely to rise from the current 92 percent of GDP to around 100 percent over the next two years, pressure on the ECB to devise mechanisms for distributing this flood of debt across global bond markets will intensify. Whether this succeeds appears highly doubtful given the euro economy’s chronic economic weakness. * * *  About the author: Thomas Kolbe, a German graduate economist, has worked for over 25 years as a journalist and media producer for clients from various industries and business associations. As a publicist, he focuses on economic processes and observes geopolitical events from the perspective of the capital markets. His publications follow a philosophy that focuses on the individual and their right to self-determination. Tyler Durden Fri, 02/20/2026 - 08:30

Alma Đurović from Bar, Montenegro, is set to perform on the big stage of the television show 'Nikad nije kasno' (It's Never Too Late), demonstrating that it's never too late to pursue dreams.

A Bosniak Party MP in Montenegro stated that while Bosniaks view Bosnia and Herzegovina as their mother country, they lack regular communication with it, unlike other ethnic groups in Montenegro who have strong ties with their respective homelands.

The Ombudsman has urged the University of Montenegro to establish binding rules for adjusting exam schedules to religious holidays and recommended a school in Tuzi allow a teacher to attend Friday prayers if it does not disrupt classes.

A report by CIN-CG indicates that the Montenegrin government has allocated over 11 million euros to religious organizations since 2019, with funding decisions largely dependent on individual political choices rather than systemic rules.

The initial committee of the People's Trust Movement in Pljevlja, Montenegro, is pushing for the establishment of business zones to enhance the economic environment, attract investments, and create new jobs in the region.

Preliminary data from the Central Bank of Montenegro (CBCG) indicates that while total foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow reached €867.15 million in the first 11 months of last year, €413.18 million simultaneously flowed out of the country.

The Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation announced that interactive services have begun operating in Drezga, organized at preschool institutions for children in remote rural areas without educational facilities.

Jovana Jeremić's television show 'Novo jutro' on Pink TV has been banned in Montenegro due to allegations of hate speech directed at certain national communities.

Montenegro's Ministry of Economic Development and the Chamber of Crafts have conflicting views on the establishment of an artisan registry and the implementation of penalties for unregistered craftsmen.

A minor in Montenegro has been charged with a criminal offense for making a false bomb threat, prompting police to appeal to parents to increase supervision of their children's online activities.

Montenegro's Special State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) has filed an indictment against former minister Simović, who is suspected of committing an extended criminal offense of abuse of official position.

A boy on a bicycle was injured in an accident in Nikšić, Montenegro, with authorities identifying a local woman in connection with the incident.

The director of Montenegro's Regional Waterworks stated that the system supplying the Montenegrin coast is stable, but highlighted ongoing challenges from ecological crime and losses in local water networks.

A journalist highlights that purchased diplomas remain the biggest problem in Montenegro, as authorities question when the issue of false knowledge will be addressed.

Montenegrin institutions are working to enhance coordination to combat online child sexual abuse, which is described as one of the most severe forms of abuse, with a high percentage of young people active on internet platforms in the region.

Citizens gathered in front of the Parliament of Montenegro to protest a new law on infectious disease protection that mandates child vaccination as a condition for preschool enrollment.

A controversy has arisen in Montenegro over whether the American fast-food chain KFC will open a restaurant in the building where President Jakov Milatović resides, a move he opposes.

The Albanian women's national football team is gearing up for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, with coach Armir Grima announcing a 24-player squad for upcoming matches against Montenegro and the Czech Republic in League B, Group B4.

After a year-long break, Dino Radončić has returned to the Montenegrin national basketball team ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Greece.

A report from Montenegro highlights the prevalence of loan sharking, where citizens frequently turn to informal loans for quick cash, often leading to long-term debt and severe financial distress.

Ilona Vārpa, inspired by a childhood film, recounts the dramatic stories of how she saved her dogs from dire situations in Georgia and Montenegro, giving them a happy life.

Naida Nišić, Montenegro's Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Dialogue, discussed initiatives aimed at providing more family time and greater job security for workers.

A man from Budva, Montenegro, was fined 1,500 euros and banned from driving a 'B' category vehicle for four months after being caught driving under the influence of cocaine.

The body of hiker Ćazim Fetahović, who went missing after falling during a climb on Hajla mountain, has been recovered by search and rescue teams.

Montenegro's comprehensive electoral reform committee ceased work at the end of last year, halting progress on crucial issues and requiring a new decision to resume efforts towards EU accession.

An indictment has been filed against Milutin Simović, the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro. He is suspected of abusing his official position.