The celebrations of the Turkish Republic’s 90th Anniversary were kicked off today with a ceremony at the Anıtkabir mausoleum of the nation’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in the capital Ankara.

The European Union has launched negotiations for a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo. The SAA is seen as a crucial treaty, preceding a country’s accession into the EU.

A high-ranking French military official says a major military offensive against local fighters in the north of Mali continues. French, Malian, and UN troops are involved in the operation, named Hydra, which is expected to last at least 10 days, according to French military spokesman Colonel Gilles Jaron.