Greece closes Turkish schools

The low number of children from minority groups in Greece has forced authorities to close 60 schools. With a decision of the Ministry of Education the number of classes in Turkish language in two schools in Xanthi and Komotini has been reduced, while the lack of students became the reason for closing nine Turkish schools, which provoked sharp reactions in Turkey. The association of teachers in the area of Rodopi - Evros has alarmed that closing of minority schools was flawed, meaningless and unacceptable.

School year in Turkey starts with tribute to "martyrs" of attempted coup

Over 18 million Turkish students started the new school year paying tribute to the "martyrs" killed in the recent alleged coup attempt. At the same time classes started in the absence of tens of thousands of teachers. The union of teachers in Istanbul believes that new teachers "without preparation and experience" were hired in haste to meet the needs. According to the union, students and teachers will be those to be badly affected by the processes.

NATO general believes that Balkans are still potential source of conflict

The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Petr Pavel Paul has said that the Balkans remain a potential source of conflict and that "NATO must have the capacity and resources to protect their members from any threat." According to Croatian agency HINA, the assessment of the general shows that the situation in this part of Europe was "far from stable" and that the Balkans are under threat not only from Islamic terrorism, but Russian influence.

Referendum to take place in Bosnia to take place despite ban by Constitutional Court

Ignoring the prohibition of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian Serbs announced they will hold a referendum on a controversial celebration of the autonomous Republika Srpska. During the referendum scheduled for September 25, participants will answer whether they agreed Day of the Republic to remain January 9 - the date on which in 1992, three months before the conflict in Bosnia, the creation of Republika Srpska was announced. "On Saturday, the Constitutional Court ordered the government to cancel the referendum, pointing out that the date shows discrimination towards non-Serb population. Western officials also called for cancelling the vote, but Russia sided with the Bosnian Serbs, announcing that they have the right to express their will in a referendum.

A ton of Albanian marijuana seized in Italy

Italian authorities have seized a ton of marijuana that was smuggled to the country by sea from Albania. The drug was loaded in a speedboat going from the Albanian coast to the Italian port of Brindisi and was intended for the Italian and European market. Last week a private Italian plane made an emergency landing on the Albanian coast of the Adriatic Sea. Investigation found out that the plane was transporting marijuana for Italy. Albanian opposition accused authorities of lack of will for combating the cultivation and smuggling of cannabis en masse, but the government denied any connection with its production and trade.

Author: Stoimen Pavlov

English: Alexander Markov