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WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is turning his attention to Ukraine, NATO and the Western Balkans after weeks of intense focus on Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Now, amid signs that a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas due to expire on Monday may be extended, Blinken is departing for Brussels for a NATO foreign ministers meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said he plans to attend the OSCE meeting, possibly setting the stage for a U.S.-Russia confrontation over Ukraine. The NATO meeting in Brussels will also address the situation in the Western Balkans where there are calls for NATO to increase its military presence amid concerns that hostility between Serbia and Kosovo could escalate to outright conflict. Blinken will underscore U.S. and NATO support for democracy and regional stability in the region, including a commitment to back all countries’ aspirations to join the European Union, O’Brien said.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, ”, Jim O’Brien, O’Brien, Sergey Lavrov Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, NATO, eventual, “, Organization for Security, Cooperation, Russian, OSCE, Kosovo —, Serbia —, European Union, NATO's Locations: Ukraine, Western Balkans, Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Kosovo, Serbia, Russia, Europe, Skopje, North Macedonia, U.S, Balkans, Washington

[1/2] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks from his airplane upon arrival at Brussels Airport in Brussels, Belgium, on November 27, 2023, as he travels to a NATO foreign ministers' meeting. "We've always said that this is a matter for Ukraine to decide," O'Brien said. At a press conference in Brussels on Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he expected alliance foreign ministers to "reaffirm NATO’s long-term support" for Ukraine. Turkey has informed NATO that its parliament will not complete ratification of the bid ahead of the meetings, sources told Reuters last week. Blinken will also represent the United States at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in Skopje, North Macedonia, this week, O'Brien said.

Persons: Antony Blinken disembarks, SAUL LOEB, Antony Blinken, James O'Brien, Blinken, we've, O'Brien, Biden, We've, Jens Stoltenberg, O, Brien, Stoltenberg, Simon Lewis, Daphne Psaledakis, Andrew Gray, Lisa Shumaker, Chizu Nomiyama, Deepa Babington Organizations: Brussels, NATO, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Ukraine, State Department, Biden, State, Eurasian, U.S . Congress, Germany's, Reuters, Washington, Organization for Security, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Russia, Europe, Gaza, Israel, Washington, Ukraine, United States, Taiwan, Germany, Kyiv, Moscow, Belgian, Turkey, Hungary, U.S, Western Balkans, Kosovo, Skopje, North Macedonia

☆ A lion and several bears go wild in snow in Kosovo
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Fatos Bytyci | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Lion Gjon looks on as the bear sanctuary is covered with the first snow in Mramor, near the capital Pristina, Kosovo November 25, 2023. The lion Gjon was rescued last year from a local restaurant that was caged to amuse restaurant-goers. The lion, named Gjon, was rescued last year from a local restaurant where it was kept to amuse clients. The sanctuary, home to 20 brown bears, is managed by Four Paws International, a non-profit dedicated to animal welfare. The bears have a similar story to Gjon's, in that they were caged in local restaurants - having been removed from local forests - before being rescued.

Persons: Gjon, Hoti, Fatos Bytyci, David Holmes Organizations: Workers, Pristina Bear, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Mramor, Pristina, Kosovo, South Africa

☆ British troops patrol Kosovo-Serbia border as tensions remain high
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Fatos Bytyci | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] British troops part of the NATO reinforcements patrol at the Kosovo-Serbia border in Jarinje, Kosovo November 24, 2023. NATO has sent 1,000 extra troops to the region, bringing its presence there to 4,500 peacekeepers from 27 countries. British soldiers are now being deployed in 18-hour shifts in freezing conditions to make sure no weapons or armed groups enter Kosovo. Kosovo, which has an ethnic Albanian majority, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a guerrilla uprising and a 1999 NATO intervention. Around five percent of the population in Kosovo are ethnic Serbs, of which half live in the north and refuse to recognize Kosovo independence and see Belgrade as their capital.

Persons: Valdrin, Joss Gaddie, Jens Stoltenberg, Albin Kurti's, Fatos Bytyci, Mike Harrison Organizations: NATO, REUTERS, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Belgrade, KFOR, British Army, Reuters, Kosovo, Kosovo police, Thomson Locations: Kosovo, Serbia, Jarinje, NATO, Britain, Romania, Banjska, Balkans, Belgrade, Pristina

Kosovo’s border with Serbia was “out of control," Rama said after an informal meeting of Western Balkan NATO members in North Macedonia. It gained independence with the help of a NATO military campaign, launched in 1999 to end a bloody Serb crackdown on an armed separatist movement. “But what we do see is an increase in tensions, especially in Kosovo,” Stoltenberg said. During a visit to Kosovo on Monday, Stoltenberg said that NATO was considering deploying additional peacekeeping troops there. In May, Serb demonstrators in northern Kosovo clashed with NATO peacekeeping troops.

Persons: Rama, Jens Stoltenberg, Wednesday's, ” Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Dimitar Kovačevski, Milojko, Zoran Milanović Organizations: Edi Rama, NATO, Western Balkan NATO, Kosovo —, Serbia —, European Union Locations: SKOPJE, North Macedonia, Albanian, Kosovo, Serbia, Serbian, Russia, Balkans, Ukraine, North Macedonia's, Skopje, Western Balkans, Belgrade, Banjska, Brussels, Montenegro

☆ Romania beat Swiss 1-0 to clinch top spot in Euro 2024 qualifying group
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier - Group I - Romania v Switzerland - National Arena, Bucharest, Romania - November 21, 2023 Romania's Denis Alibec celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates Inquam Photos via REUTERS/Octav Ganea TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Acquire Licensing RightsBUCHAREST, Romania, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Romania held off Switzerland to secure a 1-0 home victory thanks to a second-half goal from Denis Alibec to finish their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign unbeaten and top of Group I on Tuesday. In the battle for first place, Alibec tapped in from close range in the 50th minute to break the deadlock for Romania, who finished with 22 points. The Swiss, who would have leap-frogged Romania into top spot with a win, ended second on 17 points. Both teams clinched their Euro 2024 places on Saturday. Romania beat Israel 2-1 while Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Kosovo was enough to qualify.

Persons: Denis Alibec, Inquam, Alibec, Manuel Akanji, Lori Ewing, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA, National, Rights, Romania, Israel, Manchester City, Thomson Locations: Romania, Switzerland, Bucharest, Rights BUCHAREST, Kosovo

☆ Late Israel equaliser puts Swiss Euro 2024 qualification on ice
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The unbeaten Swiss moved top of Group I, with 16 points from eight matches, but only ahead of Romania on goal difference. Israel are third on 12 points with all three countries having two games left. Vargas came within inches of doubling his tally five minutes after his goal when he thundered a shot off the crossbar. As a result, Israel play four games in the space of nine days to complete their qualifying campaign. The Swiss face Kosovo in Basel on Saturday and then complete their campaign away in Romania on Tuesday.

Persons: Israel, Shon Weissman's, Ruben Vargas, Edimilson Fernandes, Weisman’s, Fernandes, Noah Okafor, Vargas, Sean Goldberg, Dor Turgeman’s, Turgeman, Yann Sommer, Mark Gleeson, Toby Davis Organizations: European Championship, Kosovo, Swiss, Palestinian, Hamas, Romania, Puskas Academy Arena, Thomson Locations: FELCSUT, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Swiss, Romania, Israel, Kosovo, Budapest, Andorra, Basel, Cape Town

☆ Israel’s soccer team loses to Kosovo as videos show some fans booing national anthem
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jacob Lev | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Israeli national soccer team on Sunday played its first match since the Israel-Hamas war started, losing 1-0 against Kosovo in a European Championship qualifying match. During Israel’s national anthem before the match, some fans in attendance in Kosovo appeared to boo and whistle, according to videos circulating on social media. CNN has contacted UEFA, the governing body of European football, and the Israeli Football Association for comment. The top two teams, currently Romania and Switzerland, will automatically qualify for next year’s European Championship in Germany. “Our country is more important than football,” Israel coach Alon Hazan told reporters after the match, according to Reuters.

Persons: Israel, Milot, Armend Nimani, Omri Glazer, Zymer, Roy Revivo’s, Alon Hazan, ”, Pancho Aréna Organizations: CNN, soccer team, Sunday, Kosovo, UEFA, Israeli Football Association, Pristina City, Israel, Getty, Zymer Bytyqi, ”, Reuters, Switzerland Locations: Israel, Kosovo, Pristina, Romania, Switzerland, Germany, AFP, “, ” Israel, Hungary

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Israel’s national soccer team arrived in Kosovo on Friday amid tight security measures at the airport ahead of a postponed European Championship qualifier. There was also tight security at the hotel where the team was staying ahead of Sunday's game. Police officers created a security perimeter at the hotel that the public and journalists were not allowed to cross. Kosovo was the first European country, and the first country with a Muslim majority, to establish its embassy in Jerusalem instead of Tel Aviv, following the U.S. and Guatemala. Israel is the most recent country to have recognized Kosovo after Pristina’s Parliament declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Persons: Israel, Donald Trump, — Organizations: —, soccer team, Police, UEFA, White House, Pristina’s Locations: PRISTINA, Kosovo, Israeli, Israel, Gaza, Romania, Switzerland, Serbia, United States, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Guatemala

In a series of reports on countries wanting to join the bloc's ranks, the EU’s executive branch recommended that war-ravaged Ukraine should be permitted to open membership talks, once it’s addressed some shortfalls. “Moldova is the subject of constant destabilization efforts against its democracy,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. For 20 years, the prospect of EU membership has been a powerful driver of pro-democratic reform in aspiring countries. The commission said that it should only start membership talks after more progress is made. The country started its EU membership talks in 2005, but they have ground to a halt in recent years.

Persons: it’s, “, Ursula von der Leyen, ”, von der Leyen, Turkey's, backsliding Organizations: —, European Union, European Commission, Georgia, EU, Kosovo –, Kyiv “ Locations: BRUSSELS, — Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, Brussels, Hungary, Slovakia, Balkans, Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnian, Turkey, Europe

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said that Vulin used his public authority to help a U.S.-sanctioned Serbian arms dealer move illegal arms shipments across Serbia’s borders. The close associate of populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had previously served as both the army and police chief. “The U.S. and the EU are looking for my head as a precondition for not imposing sanctions on Serbia," Vulin said in a statement. “I will not allow myself to be the cause of blackmail and pressure on Serbia and the Serbian world. The trip underscored Belgrade’s refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Persons: Aleksandar Vulin, Vulin, Aleksandar Vučić, ”, Vladimir Putin —, Vučić, “, ” Vulin, Sergey Lavrov, Vulin’s Organizations: U.S . Treasury Department’s, Foreign, Control, BIA, Serbian, USA, Russia, Russian, European Union, EU Locations: BELGRADE, Serbia, Russia, United States, Balkan, U.S, Serbian, Vulin, EU, Moscow, Ukraine, Europe, Kosovo

☆ Serbia's Vucic dissolves parliament, sets snap vote for Dec 17
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The parliamentary election will coincide with local votes in 65 municipalities, including the capital Belgrade. Experts say the vote and an absence of a working parliament, will allow Vucic to buy time and delay decisions over ties with independent and predominantly Albanian Kosovo, which Serbia still sees as its southern province. Opposition parties and rights groups accuse Vucic, the SNS and its allies of autocracy, oppressing media freedoms, election fraud, violence against political opponents, corruption and ties with organised crime. After signing the decree, Vucic said it was important for Serbia to "preserve peace, stability, and internal cohesion and (to) show democracy". "This campaign is an opportunity to present different ideas, programs, policies ... , but which must never threaten vital interests of Serbia," he said.

Persons: Aleksandar Vucic, Vucic, Ursula von der Leyen, Stata, Aleksandar Vasovic, Andrew Cawthorne, Alison Williams Organizations: EU, Russia, Serbian Progressive Party, SNS, Thomson Locations: BELGRADE, Serbian, Kosovo, Belgrade, Albanian Kosovo, Serbia, Ukraine

☆ Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Maureen Ohare | Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Get your wishlist fired up, Lonely Planet just revealed its 50 top travel destinations for the year ahead. The travel publishing empire turns 50 this year, and its bumper Best in Travel 2024 list is expanded across five categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations and best-value locations. The “wild beauty” of South Africa also gets a nod, with Lonely Planet recommending visitors check out the country’s “impressive crop of ecolodges” committed to protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The underrated American Midwest is the top tip here: in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, “you’ll find old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco design hotels and many Michelin-starred restaurants,” says Lonely Planet. Says Lonely Planet, “Here you’ll find the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails.”Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024India: A big country with a whole lot to love, including Gadisar lake in Rajasthan.

Persons: CNN —, Lucia, Torres del, ecolodges ”, Babanango, “, ”, you’ll, Ilan Shacham, Ireland País Vasco, Português, daniel Organizations: CNN, Lonely, Lonely Planet, Kenyan, Michelin, Getty, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia St, Regions, CNN Cities Nairobia, Chile Greenland, Lithuania Eco, France Egypt Ikaria, Greece Algeria Southern Lakes, Central Otago , New Zealand Locations: Mongolia, Mexico, Croatia, St, Benin, Uzbekistan, City, Nairobi, Paris, Prague, Czech, “, Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Spain, Valencia, Barcelona, South Africa, South, KwaZulu Natal, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Algeria, Northern Africa, Europe, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Hercegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Adriatic, Donegal, Ireland’s, India, Rajasthan, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia, Lucia Macedonia, South Australia Donegal, Ireland, Spain Southern Thailand Swahili, Tanzania Montana, USA, Austria, Kenya Paris, France Montreal, Canada Mostar, Herzegovina Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Manaus, Brazil Jakarta, Indonesia Prague, Czech Republic Izmir, Turkey Kansas City , Missouri, Spain Patagonia, Argentina, Chile, Chile Greenland Wales, Santiago Palau Hokkaido, Japan Ecuador Baltic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, South Africa Poland, USA Poland Nicaragua Danube Limes, Bulgaria Normandy, France Egypt, Greece Algeria Southern, Central Otago , New

☆ Hungary to host Israel Euro 2024 qualifying matches v Switzerland, Romania
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Euro 2028 & Euro 2032 Hosts Announcement - Nyon, Switzerland - October 10, 2023 The UEFA logo is pictured at the headquarters ahead of the announcement REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 31 (Reuters) - Two of Israel's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying games will be played in Hungary, European soccer's governing body UEFA announced on Tuesday. UEFA postponed all matches scheduled in the country earlier this month due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Pancho Arena in Felcsut will host Israel's Group I qualifying game against Switzerland on Nov. 15 and their Nov. 18 match against Romania. The matches will be played with spectators, UEFA said. Israel, who have 11 points from six matches and sit third in the group, are also playing away at Kosovo on Nov. 12.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Israel, Lori Ewing, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, UEFA, Switzerland, Romania, Thomson Locations: Nyon, Switzerland, Hungary, European, Israel, Felcsut, Kosovo

☆ A 'festering' powder keg in Europe is lurking in the shadow of the Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Consequently, the Serbia-Kosovo discord, while festering, finds itself languishing in the shadow of these more immediate and globally resonant challenges." It highlights a major challenge for policymakers: providing ongoing conflicts with near-constant attention, while still monitoring other strategically significant risks. "The fact remains that the Balkan region is a powder keg, where even minor incidents can swiftly spiral into broader conflicts. History has underscored the adage that what happens in the Balkans, doesn't stay in the Balkans," the CEPA's Hartwell said. "The U.S., EU and U.K. do not have the diplomatic and military bandwidth to respond to several conflicts of strategic interest.

Persons: Stringer, Leon Hartwell, Hartwell, Banjska, doesn't, Majda Ruge Organizations: NATO, Kosovo Force, KFOR, Afp, Getty, Center for, CNBC, European Union, Anadolu Agency, European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Mitrovica, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Balkans, Europe, Serbia, Kosovo, Palestine, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Southern, Eastern Europe, Moscow, Brussels, Washington, Serbs, Kosovan, U.S, EU, Pristina, destabilising Kosovo, Yugoslavia

☆ EU to Help Western Balkans Reforms With 6 Billion Euro Package - Von Der Leyen
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The European Union plans to help the countries of the Western Balkans to pursue reforms needed for integration with the wealthy bloc with 6 billion euros investment, the EU executive's president Ursula von der Leyen said in Skopje on Monday. North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina all need to seize the "window of opportunity" for the enlargement of the EU and work to align their standards to those in the bloc, von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen said the EU's new growth plan for the region would include the opening of its common market to the Western Balkan countries in areas such as free movement of goods and services, transport and energy. "These reforms will come with investment," von der Leyen said during a news conference with North Macedonia's Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski at the start of her Western Balkans tour. "We have proposed a 6 billion euro ($6.34 billion) package for Western Balkan partners," she said.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Dimitar Kovacevski, Daria Sito, Alison Williams, Ed Osmond Organizations: European Union, EU, ., North Macedonia's, Western Balkan, Brussels Locations: SARAJEVO, Balkans, Skopje, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, EU, North Macedonia

☆ EU to help Western Balkans reforms with 6 billion euro package - von der Leyen
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SARAJEVO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The European Union plans to help the countries of the Western Balkans pursue reforms needed for integration with the wealthy bloc with an investment of 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion), the EU executive's president, Ursula von der Leyen, said in Skopje on Monday. North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina all need to seize the "window of opportunity" for the enlargement of the EU and work to align their standards to those in the bloc, von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen said the EU's new growth plan for the region would include the opening of its common market to the Western Balkan countries in areas such as free movement of goods and services, transport and energy. It also urged the countries to open a common regional market, and pursue it with necessary reforms. "These reforms will come with investment," von der Leyen said during a press conference with North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski at the start of her Western Balkans tour.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Dimitar Kovacevski, Daria Sito, Fatos Bytyci, Alison Williams, Ed Osmond, Mark Porter Organizations: European Union, EU, ., North Macedonia, Brussels, Thomson Locations: SARAJEVO, Balkans, Skopje, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, EU, North Macedonia, Pristina

☆ Opinion | A Plan to Defeat Hamas and Avoid a Bloodbath
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Bret Stephens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Hamas’s master plan, as Bennett sees it, is roughly as follows: Provoke, via its gruesome massacres on Oct. 7, a massive Israeli ground invasion. Already, nearly 800,000 Gazans have fled from north to south, despite efforts by Hamas to keep them in place. “They’re asking for fuel not for their citizens but for their tunnels,” which are used exclusively by Hamas fighters and their allies. “I don’t want to get into a Viet Cong-type war of tunnels,” Bennett says. But the question isn’t whether Bennett’s plan is perfect or if there are gaps to fill.

Persons: Bennett, Khan Younis, They’re, ” Bennett, “, ”, Yasir Arafat, Biden, There’s, David Petraeus Organizations: Force, Israel, Hamas, West Bank, ISIS, Palestinian Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, Viet, Iraq, Syria, Algeria, Qatar, Beirut, Lebanon, Tunisia, Kosovo

☆ European leaders urge Serbia to 'de facto' recognise Kosovo
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Much of the tension has focused on northern Kosovo, where ethnic Serbs form a majority. Serbia and Kosovo have spent years talks mediated by the European Union to normalise their relations. While the EU has previously shied away from the politically sensitive question of de facto recognition of Kosovo, the three leaders made clear that was what they expected from Serbia, putting pressure on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. "We call on Kosovo to launch the procedure to establish the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities in Kosovo as prescribed in the draft Statute, and on Serbia to deliver on de-facto recognition," the statement said. "Without progress in normalising relations, both sides risk missing important opportunities," the three leaders said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Giorgia Meloni, Macron, Scholz, Meloni, Albin Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, Vucic, Andrew Gray, Angelo Amante, Alistair Bell Organizations: Italian, Kosovo, European Union, EU, Serbian, of Serb, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, Kosovo, Belgrade, EU

☆ Serbia highlights importance of Chinese defence equipment
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Zorana Jevtic/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Chinese military equipment has strengthened the Serbian armed forces significantly, its deputy prime minister told Chinese state media, in particular an air-defence system and drones. Vucevic said China's FK-3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system and its CH-95 and CH-92A UAVs had "undoubtedly" been among the most important defence system Serbia had acquired. Serbia bought the FK-3 surface-to-air defence system, similar to Russia's S-300 or the U.S. Patriot system, in 2019. Both the United States, and Russia, which traditionally supports Serbia, have said they are monitoring the situation. Vucevic said Serbia would enhance its capabilities to protect its independence but did not spell out whether it would acquire more Chinese military equipment.

Persons: Milenko Pavlovic, Zorana, Milos Vucevic, Vucevic, Xi Jinping, Aleksandar Vucic, China's, Liz Lee, Robert Birsel Organizations: Serbian Army, REUTERS, Rights, Global Times, China's, China's FK, West, FK, U.S ., NATO, Thomson Locations: Serbian, Batajnica, Belgrade, Serbia, Rights BEIJING, China, Beijing, Russia, Kosovo, United States

☆ EU Envoy Tells Kosovo and Serbia to Return to Dialogue
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

PRISTINA (Reuters) - The European Union Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak urged Serbia and Kosovo to return to dialogue on normalising ties to avoid a repeat of last month's violence in northern Kosovo. Police recaptured the monastery after a shootout in which three attackers and a Kosovo police officer were killed. They have often clashed with Kosovo police and international peacekeepers, but last month's violence was the worst in years. Lajcak urged Pristina to start working on establishing an association of Serb municipalities to allow greater autonomy for Serb majority areas. Lajcak urged Belgrade to investigate the events and punish any perpetrators in its territory.

Persons: Miroslav Lajcak, Lajcak, Albin Kurti, gunbattle, Gabriel Escobar, Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, Fatos Bytyci, Ivana Sekularac, Ros Russell Organizations: Union, Serbs, Police, Kosovo, United States, Serbian, Kosovo police Locations: PRISTINA, Serbia, Kosovo, Belgrade, Pristina, Banjska, Kosovo's, Serbian, NATO, Balkans, France, Germany, Italy

☆ Finnish Nobel Peace laureate and former president Ahtisaari dies at 86
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Anne Kauranen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari poses with his medal and diploma during the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo December 10, 2008. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHELSINKI, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Nobel Peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari, who served as Finland's 10th president between 1994 and 2000, died on Monday at the age of 86, the Finnish president's office said in a statement. Ahtisaari was celebrated around the world for brokering peace in conflict zones in Kosovo, Indonesia and Northern Ireland. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal," Ahtisaari said when he accepted the Nobel award in 2008. Several months afterwards, the Nobel committee gave him the peace prize, citing work on multiple continents over more than three decades.

Persons: Martti Ahtisaari, Ints, Ahtisaari, Mara, Martti, Finland's, Slobodan Milosevic, Eeva, Marko, Anne Kauranen, Ritsuko Ando, Sonya Hepinstall, Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Soviet, Social Democrats, Finland's European Union, NATO, Finland's Ministry, Foreign Affairs, EU, Yugoslav, Crisis Management, Free Aceh Movement, Nokia, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Rights HELSINKI, Finnish, Kosovo, Indonesia, Northern Ireland, Finland, Soviet Union, Ukraine, Viipuri, Russia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa, Aceh, Balkans

☆ Gavi strike sends Spain to Euro 2024, Turkey and Scotland also qualify
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Spain striker was the centre of attention again when midfielder Gavi fired home four minutes after the break and another VAR offside check ensued, but this time he was in the clear and the goal was allowed to stand. Norway set up to hit Spain on the break but struggled to create much in attack as the visitors kept striker Erling Haaland shackled to reach the finals with two games to spare. A brilliant volley from Yunus Akgun just before the hour put Turkey on course for a comprehensive win against Latvia that ensured they will take their place at next year's tournament. The Turks top their group with 16 points, six points ahead of Wales and Croatia after the Welsh beat the Croats 2-1 in Cardiff to keep their qualifying hopes alive. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Tommy Lund and Anita Kobylinska; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gavi's, Alvaro Morata, Gavi, Erling Haaland, Yunus Akgun, Cenk, Poland's, Robert Lewandowski, Ion Nicolaescu, Karol Swiderski, Philip O'Connor, Tommy Lund, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Norway, Group, Scotland, Latvia, Turks, Welsh, Israel, Thomson Locations: Spain, Norway, Germany Turkey, Latvia, Turkey, Oslo, Kerem, Germany, Wales, Croatia, Cardiff, Switzerland, Belarus, Romania, Andorra, Swiss, Pristina, Moldova, Albania, Czech Republic

☆ UEFA postpones Israel's Euro qualifier against Kosovo
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

GENEVA, Oct 12 (Reuters) - UEFA said on Thursday it was postponing Israel's Euro 2024 qualifier against Kosovo in Pristina as Israeli authorities are not allowing the national team to travel abroad due to the conflict with Hamas. European soccer's governing body said a new date for the Group I match, which had been scheduled for Sunday, would be announced at a later time. UEFA has already postponed Israel's qualifier against Switzerland to Nov. 15 in the wake of attacks by Hamas militants. The match had been scheduled to be played in Tel Aviv on Thursday. Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Kosovo, Hamas, Group, UEFA, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: GENEVA, Pristina, European, Tel Aviv

☆ UEFA president Ceferin offers condolences in letter to Israel FA
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 12 (Reuters) - UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has written to the head of Israel's Football Association to express his condolences over the "senseless acts of violence" after Palestinian militant group Hamas killed over 1,300 people in the country. On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history. But Slovenian Ceferin wrote a personal letter to Moshe Zuares, the president of the IFA. It is an unimaginable tragedy, and the pain and sorrow are profound and resonate across the entire football community. My friend, I pray for these deep wounds to heal and for a world where such senseless acts of violence have no place."

Persons: Aleksander Ceferin, Moshe Zuares, Ceferin, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Rohith Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Israel's Football Association, Hamas, IFA, UEFA, European, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Kosovo, Bengaluru

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