Netherlands

Neymar scored twice as Brazil thrashed Cameroon 4-1 to reach the World Cup knockout rounds just ahead of group rivals Mexico on June 23.

A thrilling finale to Group A saw the hosts surge past Cameroon in Brasilia while Mexico downed Croatia 3-1 in Recife. The Netherlands beat Chile 2-0 to take top spot in Group B.

Turkey believes the withdrawal of the Patriot anti-ballistic missile systems that have been deployed by three prominent NATO countries on its soil, would be inappropriate and draw reaction.

Ankara’s concerns come especially at a time when there are serious security threats at its borders and in the Middle East.

By Nikos Konstandaras

POZAREVAC - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic announced the start of the 54th cycling race through Serbia in Pozarevac on Thursday, noting that the competition under the slogan "Along the paths of freedom of our ancestors" offers an opportunity to learn more about the tradition of the Serbian army, which made a significant contribution to the Allies' victory in World War One.

Luxembourg has passed a same-sex marriage and adoption rights bill in a landslide poll of its MPs on Wednesday.

The Chamber of Deputies voted by an overwhelming majority of 56-4 for the law which will be put into force by early next year.

The residents of Denmark, Germany and Portugal can afford to buy a new home for 2.1 – 3 years with an average gross income, according to a recent Deloitte survey.

In Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and Austria residential property is also relatively affordable, and costs the average gross income for 3.6 to 5.6 years.

The opposition to Jean-Claude Juncker’s European Commission President candidacy is increasingly waning, much to the disliking of UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

Known as a football aficionado, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said his tip for this year’s World Cup is the Netherlands.

World champions Spain confirmed their exit from the 2014 World Cup, following a disappointing 0:2 loss to Chile in group B of the tournament.

With one more match left to play, against Australia, all Spain can hope for is not to finish bottom.

Spain's six-year reign as the world's pre-eminent team ended on June 18 as Chile sent them crashing out of the World Cup with a 2-0 win in Rio de Janeiro.

Spain had been seeking a fourth consecutive major title, but instead they became only the fifth defending champions - after Italy in 1950 and 2010, Brazil in 1966 and France in 2002 -- to go out in the World Cup's first round.