ISIS claims responsibility for New Year Istanbul nightclub attack

The terrorist group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on a nightclub in Istanbul in which 39 died during New Year celebrations. According to Hurriyet newspaper the Turkish police and security services had received information about risk of attacks on New Year's Eve and had taken precautions in December including arrests. Investigators do not rule out involvement of the attacker with the same cell that carried out a three-person suicide attack on Istanbul international airport last June in which 47 died.

Turkish authorities bring charges against persons praising Istanbul attack

The Union of the Turkish Bar Associations has filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office in Ankara against social network users praising the Istanbul attack on 1 January and against persons demonizing New Year celebrations. This move has been prompted by open praise of the attack on social networks, coupled with condemnation of the New Year on religious grounds. In the meantime, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim posted a message on Twitter warning that charges will be brought against individuals hailing terrorism.

Greeks increasingly disenchanted with political class

The latest survey of Kapa Research pollster ordered by Vima newspaper suggests that Greeks have been increasingly disenchanted with that country's political class and have become more disunited over the failure of politicians to find a way out of the crisis. Fifty percent of polled voters have distanced from parties which they believe are incapable of solving the problems of the country. This is coupled with growing Euroscepticism in Greek society. Sixty-five percent of the polled are pessimists and have said 2017 will be worse than 2016.

Fateful days ahead for Cyprus

The next ten days will be full of events and backstage frenzy surrounding talks for the unification of Cyprus, writes Ta Nea newspaper. The newspaper remarks that eyes are fixed on Geneva where talks are scheduled from 9 to 11 January of Cypriot leaders and an international conference on 12 January with the three guarantor countries of Cyprus's independence attending, namely Great Britain, Greece and Turkey. In some reports Turkish President Recep Erdogan will join the talks. The EU, USA and Russia have also voiced readiness to take part in them.

Serbia sees recognition of Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name as mistake

In an interview for the Serbian news agency Beta, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has said that the act of recognition of Macedonia under its constitutional name by Belgrade was a big mistake. “The whole of Europe and the world use the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), while we slapped our brothers the Greeks in the face and we now hope they won't recognize Kosovo. We recognized Macedonia and now it has constantly been voting in support of Kosovo. Using diplomatic language, we are fools”, the minister commented. He has vowed that Belgrade will continue using the name the Republic of Macedonia in bilateral relations but in international affairs will apply the name chosen by both EU and UN, notably FYROM. 

Compiled by Stoimen Pavlov

English Daniela Konstantinova