Clocks are running slow all over Europe because of a row between Serbia and Kosovo

When's the last time you thought to check your watch or phone to see if it was running at exactly the right time?

As long as you aren't late to work every day, having a clock run a few minutes late here and there isn't a disaster.

Via: Giphy

Regardless of how tardy you are, you probably never thought to blame the Eastern European nations of Kosovo and Serbia for your clock running late

However, a bizarre dispute between the two countries is causing clocks all over Europe to run around six minutes behind the proper time.

The debate centres around the European power grid run by the electric providers Entsoe. The grid provides power to around 25 European nations including Spain, Netherlands, Poland and Turkey.

All the countries which are part of the network are required to generate enough electricity to power a synchronised frequency that keeps devices like bedside clocks and timers on ovens running at the right time.

The problem, which started in mid-January, does not effect smartphones or computers, nor does it affect Nordic countries or the UK.

However, Kosovo are deemed to have not generated enough electricity since the start of the year and they are blaming Serbia, which according to BBC News is legally obliged to help its neighbours in such a crisis.

Yet Serbia didn't help, and this led to the frequency dropping, causing other countries to lose their energy reserves, and they are now seeking compensation.

If that all sound a little confusing, Twitter user John Hyphen has put together an informative thread which will explain this bizarre phenomenon in more detail.

As of Tuesday, Entsoe reported that Kosovo made up the outstanding energy and the frequency would begin operating correctly again.

HT Twitter Moments

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