Whether through compulsory military service or new hardware, some countries in southeast Europe are trying to bolster their defences in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine. But not all states can afford it. Original post Here

Critics say the government is not doing enough to protect Albanian textile exporters from the rapidly strengthening lek currency. Most of the industry’s employees are women at risk of sliding into poverty. Original post Here

Experts say leak of video showing fight between prince and ex-wife serves no public interest – and raises serious legal and ethical questions about standards of media in Albania. Original post Here

A BIRN analysis of hundreds of videos uploaded by TikTok users in eight Balkan countries shows the platform has become a hub for abuse of women and girls based on their appearance and actual or perceived sexual behaviour – ‘slutshaming’. Original post Here

A programme director at the Albanian public broadcaster RTSH was fired by the new head of the station, Alfred Peza, a former ruling party MP who has been criticised for other dismissals since he took the job. Original post Here

After a high-profile trial that caused a diplomatic rift between Albania and Greece, the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of the Albanian town of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was sentenced to two years in prison for vote-buying. Original post Here

The election of Bujar Spahiu as the new head of the Albanias an Muslim Community was marred by opponents’ allegations that he supports Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is wanted for arrest by the Ankara government. Original post Here

Greek police working in the context of an international police operation arrested an Albanian citizen allegedly involved in four murders of Montenegro mafia members in Greece in 2020 – increasing the number of suspects behind bars in several countries. Original post Here

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama declined to answer questions from journalist Ambrozia Meta and instead touched her face – a gesture condemned as intimidating by media rights organisations. Original post Here

Opposition MP Gazmend Bardhi confirmed to BIRN that an agreement had been reached with the ruling Socialists that will enable them to return to normal work in the country’s parliament. Original post Here