The Dispatch

No breakthrough as EU’s Borrell holds crisis talks with Kosovo, Serbia leaders

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed steps to end weeks of violence in predominantly Serb areas of northern Kosovo to the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia on Thursday, but…

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Hungary’s PM Orban calls for fast accession of Bosnia into EU

SARAJEVO, June 22 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called on Thursday for a quick accession of Bosnia and other Balkan countries into the European Union, saying they could…

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NATO ready to act to save Kosovo’s peace, calls for de-escalation

NATO forces in Kosovo are ready to face any situation if acts of violence similar to recent encounters threaten the peace, the NATO commander in Pristina said late on Monday.Some 30 NATO peacekeeping soldiers defending…

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Croatia eying record tourist season after joining Schengen area

By Antonio Bronic ZADAR, Croatia (Reuters) - Croatian tourism officials are anticipating a record year for the sector after the country joined Europe's free-movement Schengen zone in January, which has…

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Flooding in Serbia and Bosnia; torrential rains trigger evacuations

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO, (Reuters) - Days of torrential downpours have caused flooding in Serbia and Bosnia, forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency in many areas, with the rain not expected…

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Kosovo PM presents plan to de-escalate tensions in the north

Kosovo's prime minister on Tuesday (June 12) presented a plan to defuse tensions in its Serb-majority north that would include fresh local elections and cuts in special police, bowing to…

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Montenegro’s pro-EU Europe Now Movement claims victory in snap vote

Election first since defeat of veteran leader Djukanovic Former Yugoslav republic is an EU membership candidate Polls show pro-European parties dominating vote By Aleksandar Vasovic and Branko Filipovic PODGORICA, (Reuters)…

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UPDATED: Montenegro holds parliamentary vote to secure reforms, EU path

Election first since defeat of veteran leader Djukanovic Former Yugoslav republic is an EU membership candidate Polls show pro-European parties dominating vote By Aleksandar Vasovic and Branko Filipovic PODGORICA, June…

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Kosovo must grant Serbs more autonomy to join EU and NATO, US envoy says

BELGRADE, June 7 (Reuters) - Kosovo must give greater autonomy to Serb-majority municipalities in the north of the country if it wants to move closer to joining NATO and the…

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NATO says reinforcements arriving in Kosovo after clashes last week

Reinforcements for NATO's peacekeeping force have begun to arrive in Kosovo following last week's unrest in the north of the country, the alliance said on Monday.Violence flared after Kosovo authorities…

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Sweden, Turkey, Finland set for more Swedish NATO membership talks

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey, Sweden and Finland will meet later this month to try to overcome ojections that have delayed Sweden's NATO membership bid, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on…

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World Bank lends $50.8 mln to cut air pollution in Bosnian region

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The World Bank has approved a 46.1 million euro ($50.8 million) loan to help Bosnia's autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation tackle alarming air pollution and its health and economic…

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NATO member Turkey to send troops to Kosovo amid unrest in the north

ISTANBUL, June 3 (Reuters) - Turkey plans to send commandos to Kosovo on Sunday and Monday in response to a NATO request to join the alliance's KFOR peacekeeping force following…

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Turkey’s Erdogan takes oath for new term as president

ANKARA, June 3 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan took the oath of office for a new five-year presidential term on Saturday, extending his rule into a third decade. "I,…

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Kosovo, Serbia presidents meet under EU pressure to defuse crisis

By Andrew Gray and John Irish BULBOACA, Moldova, (Reuters) - The presidents of Kosovo and Serbia held talks on Thursday on resolving a political crisis that has spiralled into violence,…

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EU condemns violence in Kosovo, will keep talking to all parties; NATO ready to deploy more troops

CHISINAU, June 1 (Reuters) - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell repeated on Thursday that violence in Kosovo had to be condemned, adding he would continue to speak to the…

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Lira hits record low as Turkey prepares for new cabinet

ISTANBUL, May 31 (Reuters) - Turkey's lira tumbled on Wednesday to a fresh record low against the dollar as President Tayyip Erdogan prepared to decide the shape of his new…

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UPDATED: Kremlin: Russia backs Kosovo’s Serbs, their rights must be respected

MOSCOW, May 31 (Reuters) - Russia supports Kosovo's Serbian population and believes their legal rights and interests must be protected, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday. Peskov also told…

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Bulgaria’s Denkov gets mandate to form cabinet

Former Bulgarian Education Minister Nikolai Denkov has been given a mandate to form a cabinet within seven days following elections in April, the Sofia Globe reported on its website. Last…

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‘Large eruption brewing up in centre of Europe’ says Russia’s Lavrov on Kosovo

"A large eruption is brewing up in the center of Europe, in the very place where in 1999 NATO carried out an aggression against Yugoslavia, violating all possible principles of Helsinki…

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Free but unfair election: how Erdogan held onto power in Turkey, and what this means for the country’s future

Recep Tayyib Erdogan will remain president of Turkey for another five years after winning Sunday’s run-off election over his long-time rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. If he serves the full five-year term,…

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NATO peacekeepers secure Kosovo town halls in standoff with Serb protesters

Serbs reject new ethnic Albanian mayors after vote boycott Kosovo police repel Serbs trying to break into town hall US rebukes Kosovo for imposing mayors in mainly Serb area LEPOSAVIC,…

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Turkey’s Erdogan prevails in election test of his 20-year rule

Erdogan to enter third decade in power Putin congratulates his 'dear friend' Vote shows polarised nation after divisive campaign By Can Sezer, Ali Kucukgocmen and Huseyin Hayatsever ANKARA (Reuters) -…

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Erdogan says Turks have given him new presidential mandate

ISTANBUL, May 28 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday Turks had given him the responsibility of governing for the next five years, declaring Turkey as the only winner of a…

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NATO urges Kosovo to de-escalate tension with Serbia

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO urged Kosovo to dial down tensions with Serbia, a day after its government forcibly accessed municipal buildings to install mayors in ethnic Serb areas in the…

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Turkey heads to presidential election runoff

Turks vote on Sunday May 28 in a presidential election runoff between the incumbent Tayyip Erdogan and his challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu that will decide whether the president extends his rule…

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Tens of thousands gather in Serbia in Vucic’s show of power

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Tens of thousands gathered in the center of Belgrade on Friday in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in a show of power following big anti-government protests…

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Turkey far right party leader backs Erdogan’s challenger in runoff

ANKARA, May 24 (Reuters) - Turkey's anti-immigrant Victory Party leader endorsed opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Wednesday, potentially boosting the challenger as he aims to make up ground and defeat President Tayyip Erdogan in Sunday's runoff…

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Plane crashes in Croatia, rescuers search for crew

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Rescuers found the remains of a light aircraft that crashed on Saturday in the mountainous region of the northwestern Croatia but could not confirm if any crew…

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Turks abroad begin voting in presidential election runoff

By Daren Butler President Erdogan was nearly 5 points ahead in first round Polls had forecast his rival Kilicdaroglu would be in front Third-placed candidate could play a 'kingmaker' role…

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Turkey is headed to a run-off contest. Here’s why

Last weekend, Turkey held a historic election that will be crucial in deciding in the way the country is heading. Although almost all pre-election polls were predicting a narrow win…

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UPDATED: Turkey opposition says irregularities at thousands of ballot boxes

Main opposition raises objections over suspected irregularities Says irregularities not sufficient to alter overall results Ally says opposition should focus on campaigning for runoff Erdogan is in pole position to…

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Erdogan’s strong showing signals “business as usual” for Mideast

The prospect of Tayyip Erdogan winning another presidential term in Turkey would once have rung alarms around the Middle East, but after taking a more conciliatory stance in recent years…

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EU’s Gabriel gets mandate to form Bulgaria’s new cabinet

SOFIA, May 15 (Reuters) - European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, a member of Bulgaria's centre-right GERB party, got a mandate on Monday to form a new cabinet following last month's elections. President Rumen…

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Turkey faces election runoff, Erdogan seen with momentum

By Huseyin Hayatsever, Orhan Coskun and Birsen Altayli ANKARA, May 15 (Reuters) - Tayyip Erdogan led comfortably on Monday after the first round of Turkey's presidential election, with his rival facing an uphill struggle to prevent the…

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Who are the Turkish presidential candidates and other key figures

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan is putting his two-decade rule on the line on May 14 when he faces opposition challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu in Turkey's landmark elections. Surveys show…

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What you need to know about the 2023 Turkish elections

Turks vote on May 14 in an election seen as one of the most consequential in Turkey's modern history, with President Tayyip Erdogan facing the biggest political challenge of his…

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Erdogan accuses Turkish opposition of working with Biden

By Ali Kucukgocmen ISTANBUL, May 13 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held his last election rallies in Istanbul on Saturday, accusing the opposition of working with U.S. President Joe Biden to…

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Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu: Turkey’s opposition leader is leading in the polls, here’s what you need to know

Turkey’s general election on Sunday, May 14 will see voters cast their ballots for 600 members of its parliament and the country’s powerful presidency. This election has become intensely competitive…

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Turkey’s Erdogan, master campaigner, faces toughest contest yet

Economy is behind Erdogan's declining fortunes ahead of vote Uncertainty, anxiety and anticipation run high Polls suggest Kilicdaroglu has an edge over Erdogan Erdogan loss could return Turkey to secular-democratic…

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Serbians surrender over 3,000 pieces of weapons after mass shootings

BELGRADE, (Reuters) - Serbians have surrendered more than 3,000 illegal weapons and parts in the first two days of a gun amnesty introduced after two mass shootings in which 17…

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UPDATED: Erdogan’s rival boosted by withdrawal, poll lead ahead of Turkey vote

Erdogan facing greatest challenge of two decades in power Last days of campaigning could be reshaped by withdrawal Turkish stocks jump %6 after Ince pulls out of race Erdogan's bid…

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EU’s Mariya Gabriel nominated to be Bulgaria’s new prime minister

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced Wednesday that his center-right GERB party would nominate European Commissioner for Innovation Mariya Gabriel to be the country’s new PM. Reports began circulating…

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Serbia takes steps to prevent school violence after shooting

The Serbian government said it had introduced a set of measures on Thursday to prevent potential violence in schools a day after a 13-year-old boy shot and killed eight students and…

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Turkey’s Erdogan doesn’t flinch in fight for political life

With his two-decade rule in the balance, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has pulled out all the stops on the campaign trail as he battles to survive his toughest political test…

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‘We can’t afford anything’: Turkey’s cost-of-living crisis threatens Erdogan’s re-election

By Ali Kucukgocmen ISTANBUL, May 8 (Reuters) - Istanbul barber Hakim Ekinci, a long-time supporter of Tayyip Erdogan, won't be voting for the president next Sunday, blaming his economic policies…

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Serbia takes steps to prevent school violence after shooting

BELGRADE (Reuters) - The Serbian government said it had introduced a set of measures to prevent potential violence in schools a day after a 13-year-old boy shot and killed eight…

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Turkey set to keep strong Russia ties whoever wins election

Personal ties will still define Erdogan's foreign policy Opposition pledges to put foreign ministry back in charge Economic crisis forced Turkey to revive Russia ties By Ece Toksabay and Huseyin…

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Photo Story: Public ‘Rosary Prayer’ in Zagreb

Croatian men kneel as they perform a public 'Rosary Prayer' at ‘Ban Jelacic’ square in Zagreb, Croatia, 06 May 2023. On the first Saturday of every month, Catholic men pray…

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Girl and guard wounded in Serbia school shooting still in critical condition

BELGRADE, May 6 (Reuters) - A girl who was shot in head in a school shooting in Serbia that killed eight pupils and a guard is still in critical condition,…

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Serbia recent mass shootings: what are the country’s gun laws?

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia, where within a few days suffered two rare mass shootings, has an entrenched gun culture, especially in rural areas, but also strict gun control laws. The…

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UPDATED: Serbian police arrest suspect in second mass shooting

By Antonio Bronic and Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE, May 4 (Reuters) - Serbian police arrested on Friday a gunman suspected of killing eight people and wounding 14 others in a village…

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UPDATED: Two pupils wounded in Serbia school shooting in critical condition

By Aleksandar Vasovic BELGRADE, May 4 (Reuters) - Two pupils wounded in Serbia's first mass school shooting were in critical condition on Thursday, health officials said, as the country prepared…

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Kosovo, Serbia fail to agree on lowering tensions in north Kosovo, says EU policy chief

Leaders of Kosovo and Serbia failed to agree on how to lower tensions in Serb-majority areas in north Kosovo, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday, warning that any further escalation could undermine…

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Turkish raid prompted ISIS leader to detonate suicide vest

ISIS leader Abu Hussein al-Qurashi's six-month rule ended when he detonated a suicide vest during a Turkish special forces raid in northwest Syria on Saturday after refusing to surrender, a…

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Islamic State leader killed in Syria by Turkish intelligence services – Erdogan

ISTANBUL, (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish intelligence forces killed Islamic State leader Abu Hussein al-Qurashi in Syria. "This individual was neutralized as part of an operation…

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Erdogan back on the campaign trail

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan returned to the campaign trail on Saturday after falling sick during a live TV broadcast Tuesday night. Erdoğan had cancelled public appearances for three days,…

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