Serbia - a war-torn country of 7.2 million people racked by broken economy and soaring unemployment and inflation. Just last year, the World Bank ranked the former Yugoslav territory 91st among countries surveyed on its annual report of ‘Doing Business’ assessment. That was the state of affairs inherited by the Generation X politician who became Serbia's newest prime minister. Yet in less than 14 months' he has made tough choices, reversed a record deficit of 7 percent GDP of the economy to near-break-even, and achieved economic growth. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, 45, took office in April 2014. Despite flooding that affected the country after his inauguration, he quickly worked with the parliament to institute economic reforms, including cutting pensions and public-employee wages and raising taxes. He pushed through laws allowing a flexible workplace and focused on attracting foreign investment. His actions quickly paid off and the results have been stellar. The country's GDP is forecast to grow next year. Serbia is currently in negotiations to join the European Union.

The fifty-three  Member States of the Region have a large and diverse population. This diversity also exists in terms of health inequalities. To achieve health equity, WHO/Europe works with countries in key areas such as the social determinants of health: the conditions in which people are born, grow up, live, work and age. Action across all government sectors is needed to address factors affecting health and well-being on a daily basis. In July 2014  WHO/Europe had the first meeting for smaller countries to help them achieve health equity. Representatives from eight  small countries in the Region came to San Marino to discuss implementation of the Health 2020 vision. Representatives from Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino attended. WHO Regional Director for Europe, said that small countries, with populations of less than 1 million, adapt quickly, and implement policies effectively. Choosing the right policies has a great potential to achieve social and political cohesion. See also: www.euro.who.int/en/countries/san-marino/news/news/news?root_node_selection=75602

President Vladimir Putin said, ‘Russia needs a mighty military to fend off threats near its borders’ in a stance that reflects soaring tensions with the West over the crisis in Ukraine. The Russian leader, whose approval ratings reached an all-time high this month despite a bruising recession, said a ‘powerful army equipped with modern weapons is the guarantor of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia.’ Speaking at a Kremlin meeting with graduates of Russian military academies, Putin also vowed to continue a sweeping military modernisation effort that envisions the purchase of large numbers of new weapons. Despite oil-rich Russia now being in a recession Putin plans to spend 22 trillion roubles to give the armed forces dozens of ships, hundreds of new planes and missiles and thousands of tanks and other weapons. Putin added that Russia has no aggressive intentions and aims to ‘settle any disputes exclusively by political means with respect to international law and interests of other nations.’

Romania’s Central Bank experienced 2,631 banknote forgeries in 2014, more than double the previous year. 2,400 were found in circulation while the rest were seized by police during raids. The total value of the forged local currency notes was over the equivalent of EUR 55,000. During the same period the Romanian National Bank recorded a profit of EUR 251 million last year, after a loss of EUR 282 million in 2013. The Central Bank’s net assets totaled EUR 3.4 billion, up 25.8% compared to 2013 See also : www.romania-insider.com/fake-romanian-banknotes-double-one-year/151718/