Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
A repeat of dark history? | READER COMMENTARY
Capital Gazette - Maryland
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July 8, 2025
In 1943, the United States Post Office issued postage stamps honoring 12 former and current European countries overrun by Nazi Germany. Each stamp shows the flag of the overrun nation. These are Poland, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Luxembourg,...
Ex-deputy PM faces trial over privatization scandal
Gazeta Tema
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July 2, 2025
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj is facing possible trial over allegations of abuse of office tied to a controversial state property privatization, known locally as the “Bread” case. A pretrial hearing was held...
Statement of Shkodra Prosecution after 'Attacks' of Prime Minister on Illegal Constructions
Albanian Daily News
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In view of the public declarations made by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, commenting on the decision rendered by a Prosecutor of the Prosecution Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction in Shkodra, we hereby...
Change of command for NATO troops in Latvia (B-ROLL)
DVIDS - Georgia
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July 8, 2025
NATO’s multinational brigade Latvia has been out on parade to mark a change of command. Synopsis NATO’s multinational brigade Latvia is under new command. Led by Canada, it is made up of troops from 14 NATO Allies – Albania, Canada, Czechia,...
W. Bank Urges Increased Debt Transparency
Albanian Daily News
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The World Bank recommended tough measures and reforms to further improve transparency for the sovereign debts of countries around the world. In the "Radical Debt Transparency" report recently published by the World Bank, upper-middle-income...
Economic Confidence Declines in June
Albanian Daily News
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Albania’s economic sentiment index decreased by 2.2 percentage points (pp) in June to around 6.4 pp above the long-term average, after increasing by 1.1 pp in May, the central bank said on Tuesday. The decline reflected decreases in the industry...
Albanian watchdog flags ATM fee issues, urges reforms
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
TIRANA, July 1 – Albania’s Competition Commission has called on the central bank to tighten oversight of ATM withdrawal fees, after a market review revealed low transparency and inconsistent charges, especially for foreign cardholders. The...
Albanian insurance market expands, life policies remain limited
Gazeta Tema
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July 2, 2025
Albania’s insurance sector grew in the first five months of 2025, with total premiums collected rising 7.6% to 10 billion lek (€90 million), driven by strong demand for mandatory and non-life coverage, according to the Financial Supervisory...
The Malltezi case: When SPAK and GJKKO produced more politics than justice
Gazeta Tema
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July 7, 2025
The decision by GJKKO (Albania’s Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime) to lift the house arrest of Sali Berisha’s son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, is fair insofar as it ends the arbitrariness of his preemptive detention. However, it...
Meta denies card link, mocks SPAK over luxury expenses probe
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
TIRANA, July 1 – Former Albanian president Ilir Meta denied any connection to a U.S.-linked credit card at the center of a corruption probe involving his ex-wife, Monika Kryemadhi, rejecting claims by anti-corruption prosecutors as “fabrications.”...
Albanian prosecutors link ex-president’s family to $240k luxury spending
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
Albania’s anti-corruption prosecutors say Monika Kryemadhi, the ex-wife of former president Ilir Meta, spent nearly $240,000 using a U.S.-linked credit card in what may be a new episode of political corruption. According to the Special...
Turkey ramps up political influence in the Western Balkans
Deutsche Welle
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July 6, 2025
With a height of 50 meters (160 feet) and space for around 8,000 worshippers, the Namazgah mosque in Albania's capital Tirana is one of the most impressive Islamic places of worship in the Western Balkans. It was partly funded with around €30...
Migrants are still fodder for propaganda
Il Manifesto
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July 13, 2025
For the Italian government’s narrative, the iron fist against migrants who land by sea and the record-breaking quotas in the Flow Decree for those who fly in are two halves of the same design. “We decide who enters Italy,” Giorgia Meloni keeps...
Four terms and counting” – German daily examines Rama: A visionary leader, but far from undisputed
Gazeta Tema
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July 6, 2025
Twelve years into his time as Prime Minister, Albania’s Edi Rama remains a singular presence in European politics—part statesman, part artist, and fully in command of his public image. In a recent in-depth feature, Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung...
Albanian PM mocks Reform leader Farage in row over prisoner numbers
BNE Intellinews
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Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has pledged to take back all Albanian prisoners from the United Kingdom if claims by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage about the number of Albanians in British jails prove accurate — but insists it’s an exaggeration....
UK visa in hand? Five European destinations Indian travellers can visit without any extra paperwork
The Economic Times
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July 13, 2025
Indian citizens holding a valid, multiple-entry UK visa can explore five European countries without needing separate Schengen or local visas, as long as specific conditions are met. This visa-linked access provides Indian travellers with expanded...
Q1 2025: Job growth continues, unemployment dips
Gazeta Tema
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June 29, 2025
Albania’s labor market continued to improve in the first quarter of 2025, with higher employment and slightly lower unemployment, according to national statistics cited Monday by Economy Minister Blendi Gonxhja. The employment rate for people aged...
The debate over Theth only matters to those who want to save it as a tourist destination
Gazeta Tema
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July 12, 2025
Both the state and those who have built illegally share the blame for what’s happening in Theth. The government itself has admitted responsibility, having allowed — through its entire political and administrative structure — the spread of illegal...
New music this week: Songs from VICTORIA, Justyna Steczkowska, Andrei Ursu and more
wiwibloggs
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July 13, 2025
Summer is the quiet period for Eurovision fans as we wait for the new season to commence. Thankfully, the music will always continue and a number of Eurovision artists are still producing new songs for us to enjoy. Contrary to the commonly...
Twenty years of failing to solve the migrant crisis
The Spectator
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July 13, 2025
The front desk call out a name, ‘Mohammed Ahmed!’ Four men – or boys as they claimed to be – arrive at the glass window ready for Asda food gift cards and a cash subsistence payment. It’s a small job to find the real Mr Ahmed – the one whose face...