Left-wing Levitsa party planning to launch protests in front of Macedonia’s Parliament

The left-wing Levitsa party is planning to organize protests in front of the Macedonian Parliament in each phase of constitutional amendments related to the change of the country’s name. The protests will be held under the motto People’s Self-defense and their purpose is to return the “abducted” sovereignty of the people. Levitsa party raised three requests- unconditional cancellation of the “unconstitutional and illegal” government initiative for amendments to the Constitution of Macedonia and cancellation of the Prespa Agreement; immediate dissolution of the National Assembly; formation of an interim cabinet “which has to guarantee” democratic elections.

Turkey vows to reveal all details about death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Turkey has vowed to reveal all details about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after Saudi Arabia admitted that the prominent Saudi critic died in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkey will never allow a cover-up, a spokesperson of the ruling party said. Turkey’s President Recep Tayiip Erdogan said he will reveal the truth about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a meeting with members of the ruling Justice and Development Party on Tuesday. The European Union also called for a detailed and transparent investigation into the circumstances around the death of dissident Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi died in a fist fight at the Saudi consulate on October 2.

Patriarch John X of Antioch and All East and Patriarch Irinej of Serbia call upon Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to restore “fraternal dialogue” with Russian Orthodox Church

His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All East and His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia called upon Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to restore “fraternal dialogue” with the Russian Orthodox Church. The joint statement of the Serbian and Antiochian Patriarchates was published as a result of the visit of the visit of the Patriarch of Antioch to Serbia. Last week the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church suspended its Eucharistic Communion with the Patriarchate of Constantinople over its endorsement of Ukraine’s request for autocephalous church. The Russian Church described the situation as the biggest schism in Christianity in the past 1,000 years.

Government of Montenegro approves fines for people who refuse to stand up for national anthem

The government of Montenegro adopted a draft bill on the state symbols and national holidays. According to the new bill, those who refuse to stand up for the national anthem will be fined between EUR 300 and 2,000. In 2006 when Montenegro declared independence the folk song O Bright Dawn of May became an official hymn of this country. However, not all citizens of Montenegro recognize and accept this hymn and the pro-Serbian MPs boycott the national anthem at the country’s national assembly and remained seated.

Rose oil produced in town of Isparta (Southwest Turkey) receives geographic indication from Turkish Patent and Trademark Office

The rose oil produced in the town of Isparta (Southwest Turkey) received a geographic indication from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office. The town of Isparta is also popular as the Turkish rose valley. Cultivation of oil yielding roses, manufacture of rise oil and exports of rose oil are the main means of living in this area. A department for research and development in this field was established at the Süleyman Demirel University, BTA informs. The geographic indication is the first step towards entering the UNNESCO list for protection of the world intangible cultural heritage, representatives of the department comment. The manufacturers of rose oil hope that the geographical indication guarantees the protection of the areas planted with oil-yielding rose and the techniques for manufacture of rose oil.

Written by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov