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Some 50,000 Serbs who live in north Kosovo, do not recognise Pristina institutions and see Belgrade as their capital. Vucic told Reuters that Belgrade condemned the killing of the policeman, adding Serbia "will launch proceedings before appropriate judicial bodies" and investigate suspects. Belgrade finances schools, public health system, and most of other institutions in parts of Kosovo where Serbs constitute a majority. Vucic accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of wanting to expel Serbs from Kosovo and of stalling a compromise solution needed for mending the ties between Belgrade and Pristina. "For us the position (in Kosovo) is clearly dreadful, but ... we have to be with our people, ... (and) try to preserve peace," Vucic said.

Persons: Aleksandar Vucic, Vucic, Veton Elshani, ”, Vjosa Osmani, Milan Radoicic, Albin Kurti, Kurti, Ivana Sekularac, Aleksandar Vasovic, Fatos Bytyci, Alison Williams Organizations: Reuters, BELGRADE, Kosovo police, Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo, Pristina, EU, NATO, Serbian, United Nations Security, of, Serbia, Thomson Locations: Reuters Belgrade, Serb, Serbia, Kosovo, Pristina, Belgrade, Serbian, Banjska, Albanian, Vucic, Russia, China, of Serb Municipalities

☆ Binance says to sell Russia business to CommEX
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Fanduel and Paddy Power owner Flutter said on Wednesday it had bought an initial 51% stake in Serbia's number two sports betting and gaming operator MaxBet for 141 million euros ($148.95 million) in a bid to expand in the Balkans. 7:12 AM UTC

Persons: Paddy Power Locations: Balkans

☆ Flutter eyes Balkan expansion with acquisition of Serbia's MaxBet
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Flutter, the world's largest online betting company, said the 700 million euro Serbian betting market is attractive due to its relatively low online penetration of around 35% and expected online compound annual growth to 2025 of approximately 15%. MaxBet, which generated pro forma fully regulated revenue of 145 million euros in the year to June, 44% of it online, also has a smaller presence in Bosnia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. "We believe MaxBet is an excellent opportunity to replicate the success we have achieved in markets like Georgia, India and Italy," Flutter CEO Peter Jackson said in a statement, referring to similar acquisitions in those markets. Flutter, which makes 78% of its revenue in its main divisions of the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom and Ireland, operates in more than 100 countries around the world. ($1 = 0.9466 euros)Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Paddy Power, Peter Jackson, Padraic Halpin, Jan Harvey Organizations: DUBLIN, Thomson Locations: Balkans, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Georgia, India, Italy, U.S, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland

Kosovo authorities say around 30 heavily armed Serbs stormed the village of Banjska on Sunday, battling police and barricading themselves into the Serbian Orthodox monastery. Police recaptured the monastery late on Sunday after three attackers and one police officer were killed. Kosovo has accused Serbia of backing the armed militants; Serbia says Kosovo is to blame for mistreating residents in the Serb-majority area. It said one of them was Milan Radojcic, a Kosovo Serb politician and one of the leaders of the Serb List party. Serb List was the dominant Serb party in Kosovo's parliament before Serbs from the north and those loyal to Belgrade boycotted Kosovo's institutions nearly a year ago.

Persons: Milos Vucevic, Bjoern Arild Gram, Ognen, Aleksandar Vucic, Albin, Kurti's, Milan Radojcic, Dejan, Dusan Maksimovic, Fatos Bytyci, Aleksandar Vasovic, Ivana Sekularac, Christina Fincher, Alison Williams Organizations: Kovoso Police, Kosovo police, Police, ", Kosovo Serbs, REUTERS, KFOR, Kosovo, Reuters, Belgrade, Kosovo's, Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: PRISTINA, BELGRADE, Kosovo, Banjska, Serbian, Serbia, NATO, Belgrade, Pristina, Serb, Zvecan, United States, EU, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Kosovo Serb, Kosovo's

☆ Why you should be traveling to Europe in fall, not summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

And now it’s fall, when the continent really comes into its own as the leaves – and visitor numbers – start to drop. A recent report from luxury travel network Virtuoso named Paris, London and Florence as the most booked cities for fall travel. “Fall is one of the best times to visit Europe because of the vast variety of interests [the season] can cater to,” says Mina Agnos, president of luxury travel company Travelive. If you’re ready for a different take on Europe this fall, we’ve got ideas. Fall also means it’s harvest time in Rebland – an area southwest of Baden-Baden famous for its Riesling.

Persons: ”, Mina Agnos, foodies, Brian Young, we’ve, Sérgio Duarte, Octant, Val, Culinarium Urtijei, Christopher Hill, Holger Leue, it’s, Jack Ezon, Samantha Pearson, Notte Bianca, Valery Bareta, Belle, Caracalla Organizations: CNN, EMEA, G, Gran Canaria, UNESCO, ADLER, Mallorca Locations: Europe, Paris, London, Florence, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, Sicily, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Tenerife, Ibiza, Mallorca, Gran, Alentejo, Douro, Val Gardena, Dolomites, Italy, Northern Italy, South, Ortisei, Romania, Brasov, Baia Mare, Saxon, Moșna, Mallorcan, Pollença, Palma . Thessaloniki, Thermaic, Santorini, Greece’s, Balkans, Mount Olympus, Thessaloniki, Malta Malta, Malta, Gozo, Comino, Valletta, Madeira, Morocco, Terrabona, Funchal, Savoy, Baden, Germany Baden, Black, Friedrichsbad

Pristina accuses Belgrade of backing the “terrorists,” an accusation Serbia denies, saying they are Serbs from Kosovo protesting the government there. Two of the gunmen and four Serbs discovered nearby with communication equipment were arrested and are being investigated for terrorist acts. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the gunmen were local Kosovo Serbs “who no longer want to stand Kurti’s terror.”Vucic condemned the killing of the Kosovo policeman, but still said the clash was the result of “brutal” pressure on Kosovo Serbs by the Kosovo government. Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo, that monster creation that you made by bombing Serbia,” Vucic said, referring to the 1999 NATO intervention which led to Kosovo separating from Serbia. In February, the EU put forward a 10-point plan to end the latest round of heightened tensions between Serbia and Kosovo.

Persons: Afrim Bunjaku, Bunjaku, Xhelal Svecla, “ It’s, logistically, Albin Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, Kosovo Serbs “, ” Vucic, Vucic Organizations: —, Kosovar Albanian, Sunday, Kosovo, Kosovar, Police, Kosovo Interior, Kosovo Serbs, NATO, European Union, United, EU Locations: PRISTINA, Kosovo, — Kosovo, Pristina, Mitrovica, Serbia, Banjska, Belgrade, Serbian, Kosovo Albanians, EU, Brussels, Kurti, United States, Balkans, Tirana, Albania

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo flared anew over the weekend when some 30 heavily armed Serbs barricaded themselves in an Orthodox monastery in northern Kosovo, setting off a daylong gunbattle with police that left one officer and three attackers dead. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti accused Serbia of sending the attackers into Kosovo. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied that, saying the men were Kosovo Serbs who have had enough of “Kurti’s terror.”A look at the history between Serbia and Kosovo, and why the latest tensions are a concern for Europe. Vucic, meanwhile, is a former ultra-nationalist who insists Serbia will never recognize Kosovo and insists that an earlier deal to give Kosovo Serbs a level of independence must first be implemented before new agreements are made. International officials still hope Kosovo and Serbia can reach a deal that would allow Kosovo to get a seat in the United Nations without Serbia having to explicitly recognize its statehood.

Persons: yeraslong, Albin Kurti, Aleksandar Vucic, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Kurti, Vucic Organizations: European Union, Kosovo, Serbian, Kosovo Serbs, EU, Ottoman, NATO, Government, Russia's, International, United Nations Locations: BELGRADE, Serbia, Kosovo, U.S, West, Europe, SERBIA, KOSOVO, United States, Russia, China, Balkan, Yugoslavia, Belgrade, Mitrovica, Ukraine, European, Crimea, NATO, United, EU

☆ EU Troops Confront Would-Be Rioters in Exercise Echoing Bosnia Political Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - As a group of would-be protesters grows, shouting and blowing their whistles at the EU force's camp in Sarajevo, a military aircraft flies low and helicopters take off, all as part of a EUFOR exercise echoing the current political crisis in Bosnia. Dodik, a pro-Russian nationalist, has long sought to separate the Serb-dominated part of Bosnia from the rest of it. EUFOR replaced NATO troops in Bosnia in 2004 with a mandate to stabilise the ethnically divided country. Last year, days after Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU decided to almost double the size of its peacekeeping force from 600 troops by sending in reserves to ward off any potential instability. NATO and senior EU officials have warned that instability from the war in Ukraine could spread to the Western Balkans.

Persons: Milorad Dodik, Vladimir Putin, Helmut Habermayer, Habermayer, EUFOR, Daria Sito, Hugh Lawson Organizations: EU, Bosnian, NATO Locations: SARAJEVO, Sarajevo, Bosnia, Bosnian Serbs, Russian, Russia, Ukraine, Balkans

BRUSSELS (AP) — The leaders of Serbia and Kosovo held a long-awaited face-to-face meeting on Thursday in talks aimed aimed at improving their strained relations as calls mount for a change in the Western diplomatic approach toward them amid concern that their tensions could spiral out of control. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti are in Brussels for talks under the so-called Belgrade-Pristina dialogue process, supervised by European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Serbia and its former province of Kosovo have been at odds for decades. Their 1998-99 war left more than 10,000 people dead, mostly Kosovo Albanians. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008 but Belgrade has refused to recognize the move.

Persons: Aleksandar Vučić, Albin Kurti, Josep Borrell, Kurti, Borrell, Angelo Michele Ristuccia, “, ”, aren't, Vladimir Putin, Kosovo — Organizations: Serbian, Kosovo, European Union, NATO, KFOR, United Locations: BRUSSELS, Serbia, Kosovo, Brussels, Belgrade, Pristina, Kosovo Albanians, Serbian, United States, Russia, Ukraine, West, Moscow, Balkans, Yugoslavia

☆ Arms maker says interest in its weapons 'largely' driven by Ukrainians using them to fight Russians
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Polish arms maker says customers are flocking to weapons systems used in Ukraine. The state-owned PGZ said it has fielded two new orders for portable rocket launchers. Ukrainian forces have used such portable rocket launchers, or MANPADS, to challenge Russia's air supremacy. AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile providing Ukraine with arms serves Warsaw's national security interests, it is also proving a boon to its defense sector. Other arms makers have also used Ukraine as a selling point — Ukrainian firms, especially.

Persons: PGZ, Patryk Brzeziński, SIPRI, Oleg Skillar, cdavis@insider.com Organizations: Russia, Service, Defense, Russian, Defence and Security, International, United, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, National Defense Magazine Locations: Polish, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, London, Ukrainian, United States, Russian, Poland, Stockholm, Europe, Balkans, Estonia, Baltic, Abu Dhabi

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reacts on the day of the annual State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. European Commission President von der Leyen told the European Parliament that Ukraine had already made "great strides" since being designated a membership candidate last year, even as it fights to repel Russia's invasion. But candidate countries have to meet a string of political and economic criteria to begin membership talks - and must fulfil more stringent conditions on democracy, the rule of law and economic standards - before they can actually join the EU. "For Ukraine, the biggest obstacle is Hungary and the discussion around national minorities," a senior EU diplomat said on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, von der Leyen outlined a vision of a European Union that would include not only Ukraine, but also Moldova and countries of the Western Balkans.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Yves Herman Acquire, von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Peter Szijjarto, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew Gray, Andreas Rinke, Nick Macfie Organizations: European Union, REUTERS, Rights, ., EU, European Commission, Kyiv, OTP Bank, West, European, Thomson Locations: State, Strasbourg, France, Rights BRUSSELS, EU, European Union, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, Kyiv, Hungarian, Moscow, Budapest, Moldova, Western Balkans

☆ I became a nomad in my 60s and have traveled to 37 countries. I want to show others that international travel is not something to fear in your 60s.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

His fear during that trip inspired him to travel abroad more often, and encourage others, too. "Regardless of your age, you are not too old to travel," he said. I was born and raised in the Philadelphia area but have lived in California for most of my adult life. Courtesy of Norman Bour)Since 2019, my wife Kathleen and I have lived in and traveled to 37 different countries. The dollars we spend go towards lodging, travel, and food.

Persons: Norman Bour, Kathleen Plumley, Kathleen, we've, We're, Katheen, we're Organizations: Service, Social Security Locations: Wall, Silicon, California, Europe, Philadelphia, Warsaw, Amsterdam, Prague, Romania, Southern California, Costa Mesa, Bour, Plumley, Egypt, London, Paris, Stockholm, Balkans, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, United States, Auschwitz

Depleted uranium is a dense by-product left over when uranium is enriched for use in nuclear reactors or nuclear weapons. The depleted uranium is still radioactive, but has a much lower level of the isotopes U-235 and U-234 - way less than the levels in natural uranium ore - reducing its radioactivity. The United States, Britain, Russia, China, France and Pakistan produce depleted uranium weapons, which are not classified as nuclear weapons, according to the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons. Ingesting or inhaling quantities of uranium - even depleted uranium - is dangerous: it can depress renal function and raises the risk of developing a range of cancers. A United Nations Environment Programme report on the impact of depleted uranium on Serbia and Montenegro found "no significant, widespread contamination".

Persons: Sergei Ryabkov, Ryabkov, Guy Faulconbridge, Frank Jack Daniel, Tomasz Janowski, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Pentagon, International Atomic Energy Agency, Associated Universities, of, DU, WHO, International Coalition, Uranium, NATO, Royal Society, IAEA, United Nations Environment, TASS, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Tennessee, United States, Britain, Russia, China, France, Pakistan, Yugoslavia, Balkans, London, Serbia, Montenegro, RUSSIA, Washington

Open Society Foundations said Tuesday that it will spin off its support for Europe's Roma communities into a new foundation and pledged €100 million, around $107 million, for that work. The Roma Foundation for Europe, which will be independent of OSF, launches in January and will be based in Brussels, said the foundations. Under Alex Soros' leadership, the foundations announced in July that it would significantly retool its structure and layoff 40% of its staff globally. “We will also keep up — and dramatically increase — our efforts to secure equal treatment for Europe’s largest ethnic minority, the 12 million Roma (who mostly live in Eastern Europe),” Alex Soros wrote. OSF will not have representatives on the board of the Roma Foundation for Europe, said Jovanovic, adding that the decision to start the foundation was made last year, independently of the restructuring.

Persons: Zeljko Jovanovic, ” Jovanovic, Alex Soros, George Soros, Soros, ” Alex Soros, Jovanovic, Alex Organizations: Roma, Roma Foundation for Europe, OSF, OSF's, Office, Associated Press, European Union, European Commission, AP, “ POLITICO, Central European University, Roma Foundation for, European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, Roma Entrepreneurship Development, Democracy, Roma Education Fund, Associated, Lilly Endowment Inc Locations: Brussels, Roma, Europe, Berlin, “, Ukraine, Moldova, Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, Roma Foundation for Europe

☆ EU Eyes 2030 Target Date for Enlargement to Ukraine, Balkans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Laurence Norman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/eu-eyes-2030-target-date-for-enlargement-to-ukraine-balkans-bc8ee52f

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: ukraine, balkans

☆ Italy struggles with spike in migrant arrivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Newly arrived migrants wait to embark on a ferry to the mainland, in the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, August 27, 2023. On Lampedusa island, Italy's southernmost outpost, more than 4,200 people landed over the weekend, local police chief Emanuele Ricifari told Reuters. Italy has recorded more than 107,500 sea arrivals in the year to date, compared with around 53,000 in the same period last year. The spike has partly been driven by an increase in the ranks of unaccompanied minors making the perilous sea journey to Italy. The Italian Red Cross (CRI) took over the running of the facility on June 1, replacing a cooperative that had been criticised for failing to provide adequate care.

Persons: Tony Colapinto, Emanuele Ricifari, Roberto Dipiazza, Rosario Valastro, Alvise Armellini, Gavin Jones, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, della Sera, CRI, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Sicilian, Lampedusa, Italy, North Africa, Balkans, Trieste, Slovenia, Sicily

☆ Ecuador election: political violence and insecurity loom large as Ecuadorians get ready to vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Rafael Romo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It has also brought international attention to the powerful criminal organizations driving the violence that has plagued Ecuador. “By the very fact that we’re not controlling our borders, we’re getting an influx of money that is literally corrupting the country,” Topic added. Topic told CNN that while he admires Bukele, he would be more careful when it comes to respecting human rights. Andrea González Náder – who was Villavicencio’s running mate – told CNN that the fight against criminal gangs and corruption was Villavicencio’s main objective when he was alive. Those aims have not changed, she told CNN from a secret location in Ecuador, which police asked CNN not to reveal for her protection.

Persons: Ecuador CNN — Gissella Cecibel Molina doesn’t, Fernando Villavicencio, Fernando, ” Molina, ‘ Fernando Villavicencio, ’, ”, Molina, “, Villavicencio, Juan Zapata, Fernando Villavicencio's assasination, Karen Toro, Pedro Briones, Agustin Intriago, Walker Vera, Pity Guzman, Rodrigo Buendia, Bukele, doesn’t, Andrea González Náder –, –, Martin Bernetti, Luisa González, Rafael Correa, “ I’ve, Gustavo Petro Organizations: Ecuador CNN, National Assembly, CNN, “, Reuters, Manta, Ecuadorian National Police, United Nations Office, Drug, Getty, French Foreign Legion, Electoral Council, Citizen Revolution Movement, European, Colombian, Zetas Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Ecuador’s, “, Esmeraldas province, Muisne, South America, United States, Europe, Colombia, Mexico, Balkans, AFP, Ecuadorian, European Union

☆ The West’s ‘see no evil’ approach to Serbia’s Vucic is destabilizing the Balkans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

The result is that, despite Serbia’s professed hopes to join the EU, Vucic has continued to walk a tightrope between Moscow and western powers. A Pristina government official told CNN that they did not want to “surrender” official government buildings to protesters. A decade on, these municipalities have not been created, leaving disputes to fester over the degree of autonomy for Kosovo Serbs. After such episodes, Joseph told CNN that the “see no evil” approach to Vucic’s regime may be starting to crack. “The situation is clear who the bully of the Balkans still is,” Meliza Haradinaj, Kosovo’s former foreign minister, told CNN.

Persons: Moscow’s, Aleksandar Vucic, Vladimir Putin, Daniel Mihailescu, ” Jasmin Mujanovic, Vucic, “, Mujanovic, Alicia Kearns, ”, –, Serbia's Aleksandar Vucic, Albin Kurti, Serbia’s, you’ll, Kearns, wouldn’t, Putin, Viktor, Orban, ” Majda, you’re, Quint, ” Kurti, Kurti, Edward Joseph, Laura Hasani, He’s, Shqiprim Arifi, Arifi, Ben Kilb, ” Dusan, Milorad Dodik, Oliver Bunic, Boris Grdanoski, ” Joseph, Viktor Oban, Joseph, Biden, Aleksandar Vulin, ” “ He’s, ‘ we’re, ’ He’s, I’ve, ” Vucic, Meliza Organizations: CNN, European Union, Putin, Belgrade, Getty, Serbian Progressive Party, SNS, NATO, National Security, United Nations, Kosovo's, EU, Anadolu Agency, Gazprom, Serbian, European Council, Foreign Relations, ”, US, Kosovo Serbs, Kosovo’s, Johns Hopkins University, …, Kosovo Serb, Reuters, British, Kosovo, Kosovar Business Alliance, Kosovar, Serbs, “ Association of, Bloomberg, ASM, Russian, AP, Serbia ”, KFOR, NATO’s Kosovo Force, Red Star, Red Star Belgrade soccer Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, Serbia, Europe, Belgrade, West, Kosovo, Kosovo’s, Kosovar, AFP, Russian, Balkan, Western Balkans, British, United, EU, Brussels, Belgium, Moscow, ” Kosovo, Serbs, France, Germany, Italy, Balkans, Pristina, … Serbia, Zvecan, Serbian, Presevo, Albanian, Leposavic, Republika Srpska, ” Republika Srpska, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Dayton, Banja Luka, Kurti, Ohrid, North Macedonia, Republic of Serbia, appeasing Serbia

☆ Neretva River: Scientists are fighting to save the ‘blue heart’ of Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Bosnia and Herzegovina CNN —The Neretva River carves its way through Bosnia and Herzegovina’s impenetrable forest. The Neretva River flows 140 miles (225 kilometers) from its source in the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. Nell Lewis/CNN Scientists warn that hydropower plants could have a detrimental effect on the region's biodiversity. Nell Lewis/CNN Scientists, concerned about the effects of the proposed hydropower plants, gathered on the banks of the Neretva in June as part of the Save the Blue Heart of Europe campaign. This has taken its toll on wildlife, with one in three freshwater fish species threatened with extinction.

Persons: Joshua D, Lim, Marco Secchi, Ursi Seibert, Nell Lewis, Vladimir Tadic, Linda Majdanová, ”, Ulrich Eichelmann, “ It’s, ” Ulrich Eichelmann, Kurt Pinter, Pinter, it’s, ” Radomir Sladoje, “, GENT SHKULLAKU Organizations: CNN, Herzegovina CNN, Center for Environment, Center of Environment, “ Neretva Science, Science, EU, Developers, EFT Group, Neretva Science, Getty, Bern Convention Locations: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bosnian, Balkans, Adriatic, Croatia, Mostar, Herzegovina's, Kalinovik, Neretva, Linda, “ Neretva, “, Balkan, Europe, EU, Ulog, Vienna, Austria, Albania, GENT, AFP, Bern

The German-made Leopards were at the centre of a public spat earlier this year after Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder said the government had explored buying back tanks to send to Ukraine but had been quoted unreasonable prices. Freddy Versluys, CEO of defence company OIP Land Systems, bought the tanks from the Belgian government more than five years ago. The German Defence Ministry had no immediate comment. Several of Kyiv's Western allies agreed earlier this year to send modern Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and also to send older Leopard 1 models. A spokesperson for the Belgian defence ministry declined to comment on the sale of the tanks.

Persons: Freddy Versluys, Read, Ludivine Dedonder, Germany's, Versluys, Krauss, Andrew Gray, Christoph Steitz, Sabine Siebold, Jonathan Oatis, Alex Richardson Organizations: OIP, Systems, Belgian, Leopards, Belgian Defence, Reuters, Rheinmetall, LinkedIn, NATO, German Defence Ministry, Maffei, Thomson Locations: Belgian, Ukraine, Wallonia, Germany, Tournais, Belgium, BRUSSELS, Vilnius

[1/2] An Airbus A380 of German air carrier Lufthansa is seen at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, February 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File PhotoBERLIN, Aug 3 (Reuters) - The boom in holiday travel shows no signs of ending, German airline group Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) said on Thursday, as advance bookings for this winter and next year were already a double-digit percentage above the year-earlier level. "Demand will remain exceptionally strong for the foreseeable future," Lufthansa Chief Executive Carsten Spohr told journalists during a conference call as the group published better-than-expected quarterly profits. British Airways owner IAG (ICAG.L) said the outlook for summer travel was encouraging, although it was "mindful" of uncertainty in the wider economy. For the German airline, Spohr said an unimpeded trend towards more premium-class flights, especially among leisure travellers, has underpinned yields and he expected ticket prices to remain at current levels for the foreseeable future.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Carsten Spohr, Spohr, Maria Sheahan, Josephine Mason, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Airbus, Lufthansa, REUTERS, Ryanair, British Airways, IAG, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Europe's

Archaeologists excavate the hull of a wooden ship, an ancient Roman flat-hulled riverine vessel at the ancient city of Viminacium, near Kostolac, Serbia, August 2, 2023. REUTERS/Zorana Jevtic/File PhotoKOSTOLAC, Serbia, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Archaeologists in Serbia are painstakingly brushing sand and soil off the ancient woodwork of a Roman ship discovered by miners in a vast opencast coal quarry. "We may assume that this ship is Roman, but we are unsure of its exact age," he told Reuters at the dusty site hanging precariously above a vast open coal pit. The intention is to put the latest discovery on display with thousands of artefacts unearthed from Viminacium near the town of Kostolac, 70 km (45 miles) east of Belgrade. Mladen Jovicic, who is part of the team working on the newly-discovered ship, said moving its 13-metre hull without breaking it would be tough.

Persons: Zorana, Viminacium, Miomir Korac, Mladen Jovicic, Aleksandar Vasovic, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Viminacium, Kostolac, Serbia, Roman, Moesia Superior, Belgrade

☆ Fact Check-Barbie movie didn’t show Greater Albania map
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The map of Greater Albania, a political concept that seeks to unite all Albanian people under one rule, does not appear in the Barbie movie. A fabricated headline alleging Serbia banned the film due to its inclusion of such a map features a digitally altered frame of the blockbuster hit. The circulating image includes a scene of the movie, but with an edited map. A Greater Albania map does not appear in the Barbie movie. A headline on social media claiming Serbia banned the film due to this map is fabricated and includes a digitally altered frame.

Persons: Margot Robbie, Read Organizations: BBC, Reuters Locations: Albania, Serbia, Balkans, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albanian, South, Serbian

☆ Europe weather: Heatwave in Greece likely to become longest one country has ever recorded
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Duarte Mendonca | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A heat wave baking Greece is likely to become the longest the country has ever recorded, experts say, as the country battles wildfires and restricts access to its popular tourist sites. He told CNN that the streak could go beyond those days, but at the moment “it’s hard to predict.”The longest continuous heatwave that Greece has faced was 12 days long, back in July 1987, Lagouvardos said. The country also experienced record-breaking heat, with capital Rome hitting a new high temperature of 41 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Scientists are warning that the extreme weather may only be a preview of what’s to come as the planet warms. “The weather extremes will continue to become more intense and our weather patterns could change in ways we yet can’t predict,” said Peter Stott, a science fellow in climate attribution at the UK Met Office told CNN.

Persons: National Observatory of Athens Kostas Lagouvardos, Lagouvardos, Socrates Baltagiannis, ”, Peter Stott Organizations: CNN, Staff, Research, National Observatory of, Reuters, Getty, Rome, UK Met Office Locations: Greece, National Observatory of Athens, Athens, Rhodes, Europe, Veneto, Balkans

BRUSSELS, July 19 (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers are expected to discuss a proposal on Thursday to spend up to 20 billion euros ($22.4 billion) on weapons, ammunition and other military aid for Ukraine over four years. The fund has already allocated more than 5 billion euros in support for Ukraine since February last year. An EU official said the aim was to provide more military aid to Ukraine "on a more predictable and sustainable basis". The Peace Facility is used to reimburse EU countries for at least part of the cost of weapons, ammunition and other military aid they give to nations outside the bloc. Diplomats said they expect EU governments to consider the plan alongside a proposal from the European Commission, the bloc's executive, to provide 50 billion euros in economic aid to Ukraine over the same four-year period.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Borrell, Andrew Gray, Jan Strupczewski, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Union, Kyiv, NATO, Peace, Ukraine, EU, Ukraine Defence Fund, Diplomats, European Commission, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, Vilnius, EU, Kyiv, Spain

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