New Year's Day

BELGRADE - Serbian basketball legend Dejan Bodiroga, Vice President of the Basketball Federation of Serbia, is convinced that the national team has the strength to fight for the gold medal in this year's FIBA European basketball championship and book a spot in the 2016 Olympic Games.

Growing optimism among traders and investors that this month’s elections will not result in a leap into the unknown for the economy, reflected also in statements by Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis, gave local stocks fresh impetus on Friday, although turnover remained very low in what was the first session of the new year.

Turkey?s health minister has revisited his New Year?s Day comments about motherhood, informing men that they need not apply for the task of being mothers. Turkey?s health minister has revisited his New Year?s Day comments about motherhood being the only acceptable career for women, while informing men that they need not apply for the task of being mothers.

Russian official's New Year's greeting depicts missiles

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has posted a New Year's greeting on Twitter that shows Father Frost releasing missiles from his bag.

By Wayne Cole

The euro started the new year at 29-month lows in Asia on Friday after the head of the European Central Bank fanned expectations it would take bolder steps on stimulus this month, underlining the U.S. dollar's expanding yield advantage.

The 2014 exports of Turkey increased some 4 percent last year, reaching $157.6 billion, a record in the history of the modern republic, according to figures released by Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TİM) on the first day of the new year.

I use the first two columns of the year to summarize the past year’s economic agenda and share my predictions for the new year. The first one is much easier, as I have more than 100 of my columns to guide me.

Outspoken New Democracy MP Adonis Georgiadis took to Twitter on Thursday to criticize Attica Governor Rena Dourou for failing to attend a New Year’s Day church service. He said it was a “disgrace” that the SYRIZA politician did not line up with other dignitaries at Aghios Dionysos church.

“Mrs Dourou does not like church,” tweeted New Democracy’s parliamentary spokesman.

Montenegro "must do everything to be invited to NATO"

PODGORICA -- Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic has said that his country "must not miss the chance to receive an invitation to join NATO next year."

In his New Year's address on Wednesday, he said Montenegro in 2014 proved to be a reliable partner to the European Union and NATO.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad saw in the New Year with a rare visit to a combat zone to rally the troops, his office said.
      
Assad visited the east Damascus district of Jobar, state media said.