Albania
Massive landfill fire in Albania contained after blazing for eight days
Landfill fires are a hazard in the Western Balkans where investments in infrastructure have not kept up with the increase in waste generated.
Albania issues arrest warrants in tax, money laundering probe targeting Bankers Petroleum
Chinese-owned Bankers is the developer of Albania's Patos-Marinza oil field, one of the biggest onshore oil fields in Europe.
Western Balkan leaders meet in Skopje to advance EU Growth Plan
Growth Plan aims to fast-track the Western Balkans' convergence with the EU through deeper market access, pre-accession funding and regional cooperation.
Emerging Europe growth resilient despite global risks, wiiw says
Economies across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe are set to maintain solid growth in 2025 and 2026 but face downside risks from Middle East tensions, the war in Ukraine and US trade policy.
Albanian PM mocks Reform leader Farage in row over prisoner numbers
Edi Rama said he would take back all Albanian prisoners if Farage’s claim one in 50 Albanians in Britain are in prison is correct — but insists it’s an exaggeration.
BALKAN BLOG: Western Balkans military build-up continues as the world looks elsewhere
As the world’s attention remains focused on the wars in Ukraine and, more recently, the Middle East, several countries in the Western Balkans are ramping up their military capacities.
TikTok access reportedly restored in Albania three months after ban
No formal announcement of end to year-long TikTok ban but users across the country report full access to the platform.
Global uncertainty causes FDI to plummet in Emerging Europe
wiiw research blames crisis in German industry and the uncertainty surrounding Donald Trump’s second term as US president for sharp slowdown in FDI.
Proposed defence spending hike to 5% of GDP exposes divisions among Nato members
Russia hawks in Poland and the Baltic States are firmly behind plan to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP, while other members question new target.
Iranian hacker group reportedly behind Albania cyber attack
Iranian hacker group Homeland Justice has repeatedly threatened Albania which hosts the Iranian opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq.
Bosnia’s coal plants the biggest polluters in Western Balkans, CEE Bankwatch survey shows
Across the region, six units exceeded their individual ceilings for sulphur dioxide emissions by more than ten times last year, according to a survey by environmental NGO CEE Bankwatch.
Russia provoking conflict in Western Balkans as leverage against West, think-tank says
Instability in the Western Balkans "presents Russia with a win-win scenario", says FPRI analysis.