Serbia’s president said during a chaotic parliamentary session that the country could become a European “pariah” state if it rejects a Western plan for normalising relations with Kosovo.
Serbian champion continues to advance in his quest for a 10th title at the Grand Slam that has only been threatened by a hamstring issue.
Around the world, people ushered in the Lunar New Year, the most important annual holiday for Chinese people.
The Serbian star reaches fourth round amid growing fears about durability of his injured left hamstring.
Thursday's victory was his 23rd straight win on the Melbourne Park centre court, as he steps up his quest for for a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown and a 22nd Grand Slam title.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia had escalated since the December 10 detention of former Serbian police officer Dejan Pantic on suspicion of attacking election officials. Serbs erected barricades, demanding Pancic's release.
Pristina's decision to reopen border crossing in Merdare follows the decision of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his Kosovo Serb allies to remove barricades set up in early December.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says minority Serbs will end protests in northern Kosovo while a Serbian official says US, EU have assured Belgrade that Pristina will not arrest those who protested or erected barricades in the restive area.
The Merdare entry point is Kosovo's most important border crossing while two smaller crossings on the Serbian border in the north are also closed since Dec. 10 as relations between the two countries stay tense.
"Serbia, influenced by Russia, has raised a state of military readiness... to protect criminal groups that terrorise... citizens of Serb ethnicity living in Kosovo," says Kosovar Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla.
Kosovo broke from Serbia in 1999 and declared independence in 2008. But Serbia has not recognised the move and sees its former province as part of its territory.
Serbian authorities have urged residents to stay indoors until the air clears.
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