Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Tirana mayor escorted by 30 officers for medical procedure
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was escorted by 30 police officers to a private clinic Thursday for a routine medical procedure while in pre-trial detention. Veliaj underwent a colonoscopy in the coastal city of Durrës. According to local reports, the...

‘All horror movies start like this’: Woman books Airbnb in Australia. Then she finds a hidden door in the kitchen
Staying at an Airbnb usually means a fun break from routine—whether it’s for a vacation or a quick work trip. But sometimes, what you find inside isn’t exactly comforting. Things suspected to be hidden cameras disguised as picture frames or...

This hidden Staten Island gem serves Albanian food just like grandma used to make
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Steaming borek bread loaves and hand-made kebabs are part of the draw to Alba Cafe and Market. Located at 1880 Hylan Blvd on Staten Island’s East Shore, Alba Market combines a butcher shop, grocery store, and restaurant under...

The Secret Mediterranean: Why Albania Should Be Your Next Vacation
A stunning beach not yet taken over by summer crowds. Green Coast MGallery For decades, the Mediterranean has been spinning the same golden oldies: Capri, Saint-Tropez, Mykonos, Ibiza — the kind of places where the yachts are larger than the local...

Russian ambassador says Albania-Russia relations frozen, blames West
TIRANA, July 14 - Russia’s ambassador to Albania says bilateral relations are “practically frozen,” blaming EU sanctions and “collective Western will,” but added Moscow remains open to restoring dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereignty. In...

Ex-president slams Albania’s opposition over election stance
Former Albanian President Bamir Topi has criticized the post-election strategy of the country’s main opposition party, accusing it of political inconsistency and calling its actions a “premeditated political crime.” Speaking on MCN TV, Topi...

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear
The warning in parliament sounded stark. “Events have shown that Albania has become a constant target of foreign interference and disinformation, so there is a need for preventive measures, with the help of our European partners,” MP Erjon Brace...

The Genocide No One Talks About: Biharis, Betrayal, And 1971’s Unfinished Story
The word “genocide,” coined by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin in 1944, has lost its pain due to its live transmission on our TV screens. This op-ed is certainly not about the “alleged” genocide in Gaza, because I do not wish to diminish my chances...

Albania celebrates 30 years in Europe’s rights body
TIRANA, July 13 – Albania marked 30 years of membership in the Council of Europe on Saturday, calling the milestone a key chapter in its democratic development. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement that since joining on...

Paide and Kalju through to UEFA Conference League second round qualifiers
Meistriliiga teams Paide Linnameeskond and Nõmme Kalju FC have progressed to the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, while Tallinna FC Flora are out. Paide went into the second leg at home to Gibraltar club Bruno's Magpies with an away...

Albania emerges as new frontrunner in EU accession process
Albania has emerged as a new EU accession frontrunner among Western Balkan states, Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Albania, said on July 9. This is a significant turnaround for a country that previously lagged behind...

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia must step up reforms
(Credit: Unsplash) This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Three reports adopted on Wednesday highlight the urgent need for EU-related reforms, effective use of the Growth Plan and a decisive stance against...

Albanian dies saving Israeli tourists in local lake
Captain Arben Anamali, 51, died in northern Albania’s Shkodra Lake after jumping into the water to rescue two Israeli tourists who ignored his warnings and were caught in strong currents, local media reported Friday. Anamali was operating a...

New music this week: Songs from VICTORIA, Justyna Steczkowska, Andrei Ursu and more
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...

Albanian jailed as undercover cops thwart 'drugs on demand' organised crime group in Inverness
An Albanian criminal has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for his role in a sophisticated County Lines drug dealing operation in Scottish cities including Inverness. Imer Quashi (43) was the sixth member of the 'drugs on demand' organised...

11 of the best small-ship Mediterranean cruise lines to avoid the crowds
Part of the Mediterranean’s timeless appeal lies in its impossibly glamorous, exclusive feel. Cruising its sunbaked coastline should mean taverna-lined marinas, deserted coves and sleepy cobbled old towns where you can watch the world go by over...

Where are they now: Martine Greslon’s wine-fuelled life reimagined in southern Italy
From London tastings to hilltop retreats, Martine Greslon’s journey is a heady blend of wine, resilience and reinvention. The former face of T & W Wines is building a new life — and boutique apartments — in Basilicata’s hidden gem, Tursi. I...

4iG Boosts Global Presence through UAE Tech and Defence Agreements
Hungarian tech and telecommunications group 4iG has signed a series of high-profile cooperation agreements with major United Arab Emirates companies, marking a significant step in Hungary’s push toward deeper regional and global digital and...

Albanian royal Prince Leka looks fully loved-up with his new girlfriend, Blerta Celibashi
Blerta is a photographer based in Tirana – where the Prince also lives – who boasts over 10,000 Instagram followers and describes herself as working in ‘the art of visual storytelling’. Judging by her social media account, she usually photographs...

Crypto coin, cellphones, real estate: Trump uses power of his office to reap profits for family businesses
If one theme has emerged in President Donald Trump’s second term, it's this: He's leveraged the power of his office for personal gain unlike anyone before in history. From crypto coins to bibles, overseas development deals to an upcoming line of...