News archive of August 2014

Iraq breaks months-long jihadist siege in ethnic Turkmen town

Iraqi forces broke through to the jihadist-besieged ethnic Turkmen town of Amerli Aug. 31 where thousands of people have been trapped for more than two months with dwindling food and water supplies.

Serbia to develop sport following EU countries' experiences

BELGRADE - Serbia has launched developments in its sport system and it will draw on the experiences of EU countries on this path, Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports Vanja Udovicic said.

Opposition alliance wants vote by correspondence

The Christian Liberal Alliance (ACL, made up of the National Liberal and Democratic Liberal parties) calls for the introduction of the vote by correspondence; ACL say it would facilitate voting for citizens abroad, which are just as important for the country as those residing in Romania.

Vote on foreclosures bill nears in Cyprus

International lenders will withhold the next payment in Greek Cyprus’s 10 billion euros bailout unless parliament this week passes a crucial law speeding up foreclosures of non-performing banks loans (NPLs).

Cash boost sought as deflation at ECB’s door

Financial markets are looking to the European Central Bank (ECB) to open the cash floodgates this week after consumer price data showed the 18-country eurozone is flirting with deflation, analysts said.

Yo-Yo Ma to close İzmir Festival

The 28th International Ä°zmir Festival, organized by the Ä°zmir Foundation for Culture and Arts, will end on Sept. 3 with a concert by French-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The cellist, who has won 17 Grammy awards over the course of his career and who currently serves as an EU peace envoy, will be accompanied by the Silk Road Ensemble.

Two paws up for dogs in Turkish cinema

Now competing in Venice, newcomer Kaan Müjdeci’s ‘Sivas’ tells the friendship of an 11-year-old boy and an Anatolian sheepdog.

Bulgaria to Pledge Army Budget Hike at NATO Summit

Bulgaria will make a commitment to increase army funding from 1.33% to 1.5% of the GDP, seeking to reach 2% of the GDP by 2020, according to President Rosen Plevneliev.

Plevneliev commented on the upcoming NATO summit to be held in Wales on September 4-5. Bulgaria’s head of state noted that the other NATO countries were expected to make the same financial commitment.

Putin calls for talks on 'statehood' for eastern Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 31 dramatically raised the stakes in the Ukraine conflict by calling for the first time for statehood to be considered for the restive east of the former Soviet state.

Warrants for arrest of Stevan Vulovic, Slavisa Ristic

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Acting EULEX Chief Joelle Vachter stated on Sunday that warrants have been issued for the arrest of Zubin Potok Mayor Stevan Vulovic and former mayor Slavisa Ristic.

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