News archive of November 2015

Iran has begun shutting down uranium enrichment centrifuges under the terms of a deal struck with six world powers in July on limiting its nuclear programme, Tehran's atomic energy chief said on Nov. 2 during a visit to Tokyo.

Serb Republic (RS) President Milorad Dodik has filed a lawsuit against himself, local media reported on Monday, according to the Tanjug agency.

The lawsuit was filed before the prosecution of the Serb entity (RS) and that of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The 11th edition of the World Meeting of Bulgarian Media on “The media and cultural routes. Dialogue between neighbors” will be held in Athens from November 4 to 8.

The forum is organized by the Bulgarian News Agency and the Association of Bulgarian Media Abroad and it will include cultural and business events.

The Sabanci Foundation's Turkey's Changemakers Program continues in its 7th season to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development. The first Changemaker of the 7th season is Ça?an ?ekercio?lu.  

More than 218,000 migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean to Europe in October - a monthly record and more than during the whole of 2014, the United Nations said on Nov. 2.

"Last month was a record month for arrivals," U.N. refugee agency spokesman Adrian Edwards told AFP, pointing out that "arrivals in October paralleled the entire 2014." 

More than 218,000 migrants and refugees crossed the Mediterranean to Europe in October, AFP is quoting UNHCR data.

This is "a monthly record and more than during the whole of 2014," the United Nations refugee agency said on Monday.

Official statements from around the region on the results of Turkey's Nov. 1 parliamentary election, mostly those congratulating the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on its electoral victory, have continued.

The controversial politician from the Right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD), Marcus Pretzell, said on Sunday that if refugees tried to cross the German border by force, it would be reasonable to use firearms to stop them.

Deputies from Armenian, Syriac, Yazidi, Mhallami and Roma origins, who secured seats in the June 7 election, have all preserved their seats in the Nov. 1 election, weekly Agos has reported.

Former Turkish consul-general Öztürk Y?lmaz, who was among 49 people kidnapped by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) for 101 days in Iraq's Mosul and released in September 2014, has become a member of parliament on the Republican People's Party (CHP) ticket, while also helping the party to increase its votes in the Nov. 1 polls.