News archive of December 2017
Aselsan agrees $413 million defense deal with top industry body
Turkish defense contractor Aselsan announced a $413.27 million deal with the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) on Dec. 29, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.
Earthquake rattles Athens
An earthquake with a preliminary reading of 4.6 rattled Athens and central Greece early Sunday, witnesses said, with no immediate reports of damage.
The tremblor was recorded west of Athens at 6.02 a.m. in the Corinthian Gulf, with assessments giving it a focal depth of 5 kilometres, the National Observatory of Athens said on its website.
Greece to appeal decision to grant asylum to Turkish officer
The Greek government said on Dec. 30 it will seek to invalidate a decision by the country’s Asylum Appeals Authority to grant asylum to one of eight Turkish officers who fled to Greece in a military helicopter after a failed coup in Turkey in July 2016.
Popular Turkish food writer Refika Birgül slams country’s ‘shameful’ importing of pulses
Prominent Turkish food writer and television presenter Refika Birgül has criticized the country’s importing of pulses as “shameful” for its effects on local farmers.
Slipping, and fast
Greece has enormous potential that this government cannot help it realize. The growth it deserves will never come unless serious structural problems are dealt with in education and public administration. In these two areas, Greece is going backward, and fast, because of the leftist-led administration.
"Pirogov" Hospital is Ready with Enhanced Reaction Teams for New Year's Eve
Two are the most common causes of New Year's incidents - excessive use of alcohol and spicy foods and misuse of pyrotechnics. No attempts should be made to do anything on the spot, a wet bandage should be made as quickly as possible and immediate medical attention should be sought at the nearest health care facility. This was said for BNT by Prof.
Iran warns protesters will ‘pay the price’ as unrest turn deadly
Iran warned on Dec. 31 that protesters will “pay the price” after a third night of unrest saw mass demonstrations across the country in which two people were killed and dozens arrested.
Chinese ban on ivory sales goes into effect
China’s complete ban on ivory trade went into effect on Dec. 31, officials said, a major step forward in Beijing’s efforts to rein in what was once the world’s largest market for illegal ivory.
Merkel eyes social cohesion as she presses for new government
Conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel, under pressure after three months of failing to form a new ruling coalition, on Dec. 31 vowed to address growing social divisions as she worked rapidly to build a stable German government.