Classic Layout

Jordan refers ex-royal chief to security court over alleged foreign-linked conspiracy

Jordanian prosecutors on Wednesday referred the case of a former top confidant of King Abdullah and a minor royal to the state security court over accusations of conspiring to destabilise the country, state media said on Wednesday. Judicial sources said the step paved the way for the trial of Bassem …

Read More »

IDF arrests Hamas leader planning base in West Bank

Military says Sheikh Jamal al-Tawil took an active part in organizing violent riots and re-establishment of terror group’s headquarters in Ramallah; arrest comes after Egyptian-brokered ceasefire halted 11 days of fighting in Gaza The IDF said Wednesday it has arrested a Hamas leader in the West Bank accused of setting …

Read More »

After coalition success, government-in-waiting seeks to replace Knesset speaker

Members of ‘coalition for change’ sign off on request to replace Likud’s Yariv Levin with Yesh Atid’s Mickey Levy in speakership post in order to fast track swearing-in of new government; Yamina MK Nir Orbach pulls signature, jeopardizing motion Hours after Yesh Atid chief Yair Lapid announced to President Reuven …

Read More »

Bosnia’s EUFOR Mission Endangered by Russia-West Row over New Overseer

Germany’s unilateral push to appoint a new High Representative in Bosnia has angered Russia, with direct ramifications for the EU’s military mission and the stability of the country. In the end, Germany got their man. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Peace Implementation Council, PIC, has approved the nomination of German parliamentarian Christian …

Read More »

‘Untold Story’: Dark Money, Israeli Advisers and an Albanian Election

Political ads paid for by anonymous ‘dark money’ were viewed more than 50 million times ahead of Albania’s April parliamentary election, according to data analysed by BIRN. hree weeks ahead of Albania’s fiercely contested parliamentary election in April, a Facebook page entitled ‘Untold Stories of Albania’, ran an excerpt from …

Read More »

Politicians Turn Influencers in Albanian ‘Online Election’

A BIRN data analysis shows that Albania’s ruling Socialists dominated the social media campaign before the country’s last parliamentary election. Experts worry about the effect on public debate and democracy. The crowd cheered and online viewers held their breath as the plane glided in to land at the Zayed-North Wings …

Read More »

Iran report: Huge fire at refinery near Tehran extinguished

A massive fire that broke out at an oil refinery near Iran’s capital and sent a huge plume of black smoke into the sky over Tehran was extinguished on Thursday, after more than 20 hours, a news agency reported. The semi-official ISNA agency quoted the country’s deputy oil minister, Alireza …

Read More »

Identity Geopolitics: Nation, Faith and the Roma of Western Thrace

A marginalised Muslim Roma border community is courted by Greece and Turkey, seeking to advance their strategic interests. The rain had stopped and the sky had begun to clear. One of the women mopped the patio while the others smoked and wondered about the coronavirus, if it really was as …

Read More »

Balkan Investors Join Crypto Trading Craze

Many people in the Balkans see cryptocurrency trading as a means to make money fast. Others are hooked on the philosophy. Stefan Angelovski starts his day with a cup of coffee and a browse online at which cryptocurrencies to buy and which to sell. The 33-year-old former fitness trainer in …

Read More »

FOUR MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION, STORK’S NEST RETURNS TO HAUNT CZECH PM

The revival of the corruption case against Babis over the alleged misuse of EU funds is one of several mounting problems for the prime minister. Czech police proposed late on Monday that Prime Minister Andrej Babis and his advisor should be charged with fraudulent use of EU funds. The return …

Read More »