Albania
BALKAN BLOG: National Theatre demolition adds fuel to Albania’s fiery politics
Experience in other countries in the region has shown that protest movements born out of campaigns over urban heritage have sticking power.
Outrage in Tirana over dawn demolition of historic theatre
Actors and NGOs campaigned for years to prevent the old National Theatre being torn down. President Ilir Meta called the demolition an "unpardonable crime".
Illegal border crossings to EU via Western Balkans increase 60% in January-April
More migrants risked the Balkan route in January-March, but almost no illegal border crossings during coronavirus lockdowns in April, says Frontex.
Southeast Europe looks to near abroad tourists to save 2020 summer season
Holidaymakers from nearby countries that have managed to get their coronavirus outbreaks under control could provide a lifeline to Adriatic and Black Sea tourist destinations.
New daily coronavirus cases in Russia top 10,000 again, down to single figures in much of CEE
Russia now has the world’s second-fasted growth of COVID-19 cases after the US, with Moscow at the epicentre of the outbreak.
Western Balkans’ regional GDP to slump by as much as 5.6% this year
World Bank forecasts all six Western Balkan countries will experience negative growth this year as they grapple with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.