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

New music this week: Songs from BLANCO, Stefania, Princ 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...

Who made people in Serbia turn against the EU?
For the people of Serbia, 1993 is remembered as a grim year, while for Europe it marked the creation of the EU as we know it today, with the Maastricht Treaty coming into force. This contrast and polarisation between Serbia and the EU is still...

Shkodra Prosecution Responds to Rama’s Statements on Theth Constructions
The Prosecution Office at the First Instance Court of Shkodra has responded to Prime Minister Edi Rama’s statements, in which he criticized Prosecutor Elsa Gjeli for refusing to open a criminal investigation against a businessman. The State Police...
Call for Applications: Verzió DocLab 2025 — 10th Edition
Join the 10th edition of Verzió DocLab, a 5-day documentary development workshop focusing on story development and editing for first or second feature-length documentary projects by directors, editors, and producers. Workshop dates: 8–12 November,...

Skopje to Host Meeting of Western Balkan leaders and Marta Kos on EU Growth Plan
On Monday, Skopje will host a meeting of EU and Western Balkan leaders on efforts to accelerate the implementation of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which will be attended by the leaders of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo,...

Wider Europe Briefing: Why EU Sanctions On Russia Are Delayed -- And What Denmark's EU Presidency Has In Store
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor...
U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services, May 2025
Explanatory Notes Goods (Census basis) Data for goods on a Census basis are compiled from the documents collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and reflect the movement of goods between foreign countries and the 50 states, the...

BRICS gives Serbia real alternative to EU without blackmail or humiliation — lawmaker
BELGRADE, July 8. /TASS/. Shifting focus to BRICS is becoming the most significant alternative to Euro-integration for Serbian society and political movements, Chairman of Serbia’s Parliamentary Committee on the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region...

California Focus: Trump on ‘remigration’: Heed the rhetoric
Even now, six months into President Trump’s second term, there’s a tendency to disregard President Trump’s sometimes fiery rhetoric as mere big talk. Americans ought to know better by now. Iranians certainly do, after Trump sent bunker bombs into...

EU-harmonized Inflation Slows to 2.3% y/y in May
Albania's EU-harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) increased by 2.3% year-on-year in May, after rising by 2.6% in April, the statistical office, INSTAT, said on Wednesday. The HICP increase was mainly driven by an 8.4% rise in recreation and...

Backlash grows over Israel’s proposal for prison-like city in Gaza
Forced displacement of Palestinians is back in the spotlight as Israel's Prime Minister visits Washington and his Defence Minister proposes a prison-like “humanitarian city” built in Gaza, on the ruins of yet another city Israel has destroyed....

Head coach Brett McNamee thrilled with Bill Beaumont Division 3 triumph
Head coach Brett McNamee hopes Hertfordshire can return to punching above their weight in rugby’s County Championship after their Bill Beaumont Division 3 triumph against Leicestershire. Herts ran out 29-10 winners at the Allianz Stadium,...

Seven Balkan Countries Take Part in 4th Balkan Business Forum
Representatives of seven Balkan countries take part in the Balkan Business Forum organized by the Bulgarian-Turkish Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday. The Forum brings together for the fourth consecutive year entrepreneurs,...

Dua Lipa and the problem with the celebrity book club mafia
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our...

China Airlines and The New Terminal One Announce Strategic Partnership
China Airlines (CAL), a Taiwan-based carrier, will begin operations at The New Terminal One at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport in 2026, launching an elevated travel experience for its valued customers. The long-term partnership...

Polish company LPP’s online sales climbs by 25.1% in Q1 FY25
In the first quarter of 2025, the Gdansk-based company recorded strong double-digit sales growth in both the traditional channel by 19.9 per cent and online by 25.1 per cent respectively.The beginning of the current financial year at LPP was...

Safe summer swimming: Europeans can confidently bathe in the majority of EU's waters, report says
Published on 20/06/2025 - 16:13 GMT+2•Updated 16:14 From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, Europeans can swim safely in most of Europe's waters, according to the latest EU bathing water assessment released on Friday. Over 85 per cent of the sites...

When Did Dua Lipa and Romain Gavras Start Dating? Inside Their Low-Key Love Life
The world of celebrity romance is often filled with whirlwind relationships that capture public attention, and Dua Lipa’s brief but passionate romance with French filmmaker Romain Gavras was no exception. The Grammy-winning pop sensation and the...

Minerals, Fuels, Electricity Boost Exports in May
Albania's trade deficit decreased by 4.6% year-on-year in May, to Lek 42 billion (Dollar 495 million/Euro 428 million), the national statistical office said on Tuesday. Exports rose 1.2% on the year to Lek 35 billion, while imports fell 2.1% to...

Egnatia vs Breidablik Prediction and Betting Tips | July 8th 2025
Egnatia and Breidablik get underway in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers when they lock horns at the Egnatia Arena on Tuesday. Edlir Tetova’s men, who have failed to win their last six home matches since March, will be looking to end this dry...