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Albania begins one-year TikTok ban

18/03/2025 -  Erion Gjatolli

The Albanian government has imposed a one-year ban on TikTok, citing concerns over the platform’s influence on young people. The decision has been criticized for its lack of transparency and its potential impact on freedom of expression, particularly in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections on May 11

Armenia and Azerbaijan finalise peace treaty

18/03/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Surprise comments made last week by the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister revealed that the text of peace treaty with Armenia has been finalised. The move was widely welcomed internationally, though questions remain as to where and when the landmark agreement will be signed

North Macedonia, fire in night club takes 59 young lives

17/03/2025 -  Aleksandar Samardjiev Kočani

The fire at the "Pulse" nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, turned into a huge tragedy on Sunday, with at least 59 victims. Initial investigations speak of very serious irregularities in the security systems and the license of the club. The country is in mourning

From banker to hunger striker: Ruben Vardanyan faces charges in Baku

13/03/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

Having made a fortune in Russia, Armenian businessman Ruben Vardanyan moved to the then disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh where he became de facto State Minister. Arrested by Azerbaijan in 2023, he is now on trial in Baku. After going on hunger strike last month, Vardanyan issued an audio statement last week, creating further headaches for the Pashinyan government in Armenia

Alps, imagining the mountain beyond the snow

12/03/2025 -  Marta Abbà

Many low- and mid-altitude ski resorts, due to global warming, remain without snow, but not necessarily without tourists. There are ways to reinvent the mountain: an ongoing cross-border project, BeyondSnow, helps some Alpine resorts understand how to do it

Kosovo: a new government or a political crisis

10/03/2025 -  Mehmet Krasniqi Pristina

The Vetëvendosje movement won the elections on February 9, but this time it does not have the numbers to govern on its own. The alternatives are the creation of a difficult majority or new early elections

Is Sofia becoming just another faceless city?

06/03/2025 -  Hugo Dos Santos

The cityscape of Bulgaria's capital has changed dramatically since 1989. But the building boom has paid scant regard to either regulations or the city's distinctive architectural heritage. And upcoming projects might well disfigure the city forever, as is shown on a 3D map created by Boyan Yurukov, an open-data activist

EU, the potential of renewables for local development

05/03/2025 -  Ornaldo Gjergji

In the European Union there is enormous potential for the production of renewable energy, still only partially exploited. It is concentrated above all in rural regions: with adequate investments, it could create a precious opportunity for development

Serbia, students and emperors

04/03/2025 -  Massimo Moratti Belgrade

Protests in Serbia continue. On March 1st, a new protest was held in Niš. With a bit of irony, students issued the “Students’ edict”. Vučić reacted harshly, attacking the students and the media outlets that cover the demonstrations

Pashinyan's 'Real Armenia’ ideological address sparks debate

27/02/2025 -  Onnik James Krikorian

As Armenia-Azerbaijan negotiations appeared to have stalled over points of disagreement, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has implied that the matter of a controversial preamble to the country’s constitution could be resolved

Unpredictable and unstoppable: extreme fires take over Europe

24/02/2025 -  Marco Ranocchiari

With the climate crisis, the threat of forest fires is getting worse every year. And from the Mediterranean, a global hotspot, it is spreading to unexpected latitudes, forcing society to deeply rethink its relationship with the territory

Georgia, protests and repression

20/02/2025 -  Marilisa Lorusso

Georgia has been gripped by uninterrupted protests for more than two months now: there has been no shortage of violent acts by the police, arrests and strong censorship of media critical of the government. The case of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

USAID suspension in BiH, a hard blow to media and civil society

18/02/2025 -  Darko Kurić Sarajevo

The suspension of the US government's international aid programmes, one of the first decisions taken by Donald Trump after taking office, has triggered a wave of uncertainty around the world, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is no exception

Two Serbias, two realities

18/02/2025 -  Danijela Nenadić Belgrado

Two different countries and two different realities were seen on the streets of Serbia last weekend. On one side, tens of thousands of students and citizens marching from city to city calling for the rule of law; on the other, the faithful of President Vučić, transported by bus and train at the expense of taxpayers

Bulgaria: Sofia aims for the Euro

18/02/2025 -  Francesco Martino Sofia

The new Bulgarian government has relaunched a rapid entry into the Eurozone as a strategic priority for the country: Sofia meets the formal criteria, but for experts and public opinion the adoption of the Euro remains a controversial issue

In Azerbaijan, yet another election marred by violations

18/02/2025 -  Arzu Geybullayeva

On January 29, municipal elections were held in Azerbaijan, with a turnout of 31.45%. According to the Central Election Commission, it was a success, while the opposition and independent observers said it was, as usual, fraud and irregularities

Yes, journalism needs public funding

14/02/2025 -  Lorenzo Ferrari

The sudden cut in US support for civil society organizations abroad is also putting many media outlets in crisis, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Their voice is important for democracy, but there are not many viable alternatives for their financial sustainability

Peter Sorensen, what to expect from the new EU representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue?

14/02/2025 -  Mehmet Krasniqi Pristina

Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen is the new EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. The appointment was welcomed in Pristina, but the outlook for the future of the negotiations remains murky

Kosovo Elections: Kurti wins, uncertainties remain

13/02/2025 -  Gresa Hasa

The parliamentary elections in Kosovo outline an uncertain scenario: Kurti won but without a large majority. A coalition government now appears inevitable, with repercussions on political stability and dialogue with Serbia

Solar energy in Europe’s countryside: huge potential, complex challenges

13/02/2025 -  Marco RanocchiariOrnaldo Gjergji

Europe’s rural areas could produce up to 30 times their energy needs with photovoltaics, but technical, environmental and social obstacles complicate their development. Networks, storage and community involvement will be crucial for a sustainable future