Podcasts about Albania

Bologna ricorda la strage ma è scontro sul 'neofascismo'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bli med på en spesiell kveld med Studio Direkte, der vi diskuterer tro, bøker og misjon. Gjestene David Østby og Ole Bjørn Saltnes deler sine erfaringer fra pinsebevegelsen og maranathavvekkelsen, mens vi også får en oppdatering på misjonsarbeid i Albania. I tillegg presenteres nye bøker av David Østby, 'Med Jesus på troens vei' og 'I din hånd er mine tider'. Kvelden byr på samtaler om tro, historie og fremtidens utfordringer for menigheter.

Scott interviews Patrick Pillow about several articles he's written about recent and ongoing color revolutions emanating from the various agencies and NGOs that Washington uses to overthrow governments it doesn't like. Discussed on the show: “The Making of Albania's Flamingo Revolution” (Libertarian Institute) “Musk v. USAID: The Complicated Legacy of America's Aid Agency” (Libertarian Institute) “Anatomy of a Regime Change: Top Stories of the "Color Revolutions" 2000-2009” (Libertarian Overwatch) Patrick Pillow is an independent researcher and writer focused on protest movements, foreign policy, and regime-change case studies. He also writes at Libertarian Overwatch on Substack.  Sign up for the Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom at scotthortonacademy.com For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/43D82oY (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/4eMQblu Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/4a5fKvx Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Tax Attorney Matt Sercely https://agoristtaxadvice.com; Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com; Expat Money https://expatmoney.com/scott; and Crowdhealth https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ (use promocode Horton) You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Download Audio. Scott interviews Patrick Pillow about several articles he's written about recent and ongoing color revolutions emanating from the various agencies and NGOs that Washington uses to overthrow governments it doesn't like. Discussed on the show: “The Making of Albania's Flamingo Revolution” (Libertarian Institute) “Musk v. USAID: The Complicated Legacy of America's Aid Agency” (Libertarian Institute) “Anatomy of a Regime Change: Top Stories of the “Color Revolutions” 2000-2009” (Libertarian Overwatch) Patrick Pillow is an independent researcher and writer focused on protest movements, foreign policy, and regime-change case studies. He also writes at Libertarian Overwatch on Substack.  Sign up for the Scott Horton Academy of Foreign Policy and Freedom at scotthortonacademy.com For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/43D82oY (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/4eMQblu Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/4a5fKvx Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Tax Attorney Matt Sercely https://agoristtaxadvice.com; Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com; Expat Money https://expatmoney.com/scott; and Crowdhealth https://www.joincrowdhealth.com/ (use promocode Horton) You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show!

We're joined by Molly Fader for a fun chat all about her new book Lady X, taking online walking tours for research, and drunk podcasting. Plus – Andrew is touring the West Coast looking at colleges with Daschel, and Dave and Laura recap their trip to Albania. We also recommend: The Woman on the Ledge … Continue reading Ep. 335 Custom Drinks With Molly Fader

She was the daughter of Scanderbeg, Albania's national hero. She married Stefan, Prince of Serbia, a kinsman of Scanderbeg who sought refuge in his court. Stefan, a gentle, God-fearing man, had been blinded by the Turkish Sultan. Princess Angelina, loving him despite his loss of his vision and his worldly kingdom, married him with her father's blessing. Together they had two sons, George and John. When their sons were grown, Albania was ravaged by an invasion of the Turks. Stefan, with Angelina and their sons, fled to Italy, where they lived until his repose in 1468. The widowed Angelina buried her husband in his Serbian homeland and devoted her remaining years to good works. Her elder son George gave up his princely title and entered monastic life. John married but died without children in 1503. When Angelina had outlived her two sons as well as her husband she too entered monastic life. She was buried with her sons at Krušedol monastery in northern Serbia. There her miracle-working relics are venerated to this day, and a service is held each year in her memory. She, her husband and her two sons are all glorified as saints of the Church.

Durante más de una década, Albania ha reformado sus leyes para acelerar grandes inversiones turísticas. Pero un proyecto impulsado por el yerno de Donald Trump ha funcionado como el detonador de un explosivo descontento popular por éste y muchos otros grandes emprendimientos inmobiliarios costeros. Esta investigación reconstruye, a partir de 251 decisiones urbanísticas, cómo ese modelo está transformando áreas protegidas, recursos naturales y comunidades locales en la paradisíaca "Riviera albanesa". Una investigación de: Alexia Galanakis, Lorin Kadiu, Pablo Fernández y Marta Moreno (corresponsal de RFI). La mayor movilización ambiental del país en una década, bautizadas ya como la "Revolución de los Flamencos", comenzaron para frenar un megaproyecto turístico impulsado por el fondo de inversión de Jared Kushner. Pero el complejo del yerno de Donald Trump no es una excepción. Es uno más dentro del modelo de desarrollo turístico que está transformando el litoral albanés. Esta investigación analiza 252 decisiones urbanísticas aprobadas por el Consejo Territorial Nacional (KKT) entre 2015 y 2026, que afectan a más de 12 millones de metros cuadrados de suelo —unas 980 hectáreas— y autorizan 6,7 millones de metros cuadrados edificables. En 2015, el Gobierno albanés aprobó la Ley de Inversiones Estratégicas (Ley 55/2015) para atraer inversiones consideradas estratégicas para el desarrollo económico, pero terminó otorgando al Ejecutivo un amplio margen de discrecionalidad para aprobar grandes proyectos con menos controles administrativos. Según el economista Zef Preçi, más del 95% de los llamados inversores estratégicos son empresarios albaneses que hicieron fortuna en otros sectores. Añade que parte del capital invertido procede de actividades que actualmente investiga la Fiscalía Especial contra la Corrupción y el Crimen Organizado (SPAK). Oasis urbanos que sirven al turismo El proyecto más grande autorizado es Green Coast que ocupa 893.000 metros cuadrados de los que alrededor de 473.000 metros acogerán villas privadas, restaurantes, clubes nocturnos y cadenas de hoteles de lujo como Hyatt o Meliá. Lo que se presenta como un resort es, en realidad, una ciudad privada junto al mar. El proyecto ha ido creciendo durante casi una década mediante sucesivas ampliaciones autorizadas por el Estado a través de 18 decisiones administrativas.Lo mismo pasa con Durrës Marina, donde 10 autorizaciones van a convertir el antiguo puerto en una ciudad de lujo de más de 790.000 metros cuadrados de viviendas, hoteles, comercios y un puerto deportivo. Concesión que se encuentra bajo sospecha: la fiscalía anticorrupción (SPAK) incautó la documentación de la licitación para examinar su legalidad. Lejos de tratarse de expedientes aislados, los grandes desarrollos turísticos avanzan mediante una sucesión continua de resoluciones que permiten ampliar y redefinir los proyectos durante años. El director de EcoAlbania, Olsi Nika, critica que “todo esto converge en ese lema político de “desarrollar” las áreas protegidas y los recursos naturales. Teniendo en cuenta todo esto, especialmente en la Riviera albanesa, vemos cómo se destruyen, transforman y alteran los hábitats naturales, pasando a ser oasis urbanos, que se supone que deben servir al turismo”. Al analizar las decisiones aprobadas por el KKT entre 2015 y 2026 emerge un patrón: cada gran flexibilización de la legislación ambiental fue seguida por un salto en la aprobación de grandes desarrollos turísticos. En 2021, tras la modificación de la legislación sobre áreas protegidas y la reducción de los límites de varios espacios naturales, se aprobaron 41 decisiones en un solo año, permitiendo urbanizar 4,41 millones de metros cuadrados de suelo. Luego, en 2024, con la Ley 21/2024, que volvió a flexibilizar la protección ambiental, se aprobaron 66 decisiones, casi tres millones de metros cuadrados de suelo afectados. La ley que acaba con las áreas protegidas Uno de esos proyectos pertenece a la sociedad Zvërnec South Adriatic Development, participada por Affinity Partners —el fondo de inversión de Jared Kushner— y el grupo albanés Kastrati. El complejo proyectado se ubicaría junto a la laguna de Vjosa-Narta. El entorno de la laguna de Narta, integrada en el delta Vjosa-Narta, es uno de los principales humedales del Mediterráneo, área de reproducción de la mayor colonia de flamencos de Albania. Fue también aquí donde se decidió construir el Aeropuerto Internacional de Vlorä. Para hacerlo posible, el Gobierno modificó la legislación sobre áreas protegidas y redefinió los límites del paisaje protegido de Vjosa-Narta, dejando fuera la superficie donde se construye la infraestructura. De este modo, la infraestructura quedó formalmente fuera del área protegida, aunque rodeada por ella y a escasos metros de la laguna. La revisión individual de los expedientes de la investigación permite identificar que decenas de los proyectos autorizados se ubican sobre humedales, sistemas dunares, bosques costeros, desembocaduras de ríos o espacios próximos a áreas protegidas de alto valor ecológico. El Parlamento Europeo aprobó en junio una resolución en la que reclama a Albania una moratoria sobre nuevos permisos y obras en áreas protegidas mientras adapta su legislación ambiental a los estándares europeos, un requisito indispensable para avanzar en su proceso de adhesión a la Unión Europea. La sed del turismo El impacto de este modelo no termina en la costa. A unos sesenta kilómetros tierra adentro, en el valle del río Shushica, una gran tubería atraviesa el paisaje. Forma parte del sistema con el que el Gobierno pretende garantizar agua para los nuevos complejos turísticos de la Riviera albanesa."Han construido primero tres ciudades turísticas y solo después se han preguntado de dónde iba a salir el agua", denuncia Astrit, portavoz de la aldea de Kuç. El proyecto va a desviar más de 22 millones de litros de agua al día desde los manantiales de Tragjas hacia la Riviera albanesa. Los vecinos aseguran que el caudal del río disminuye cada verano y temen que el trasvase comprometa la agricultura, la ganadería y el abastecimiento de los pueblos del interior. Mientras el Gobierno continúa impulsando nuevos desarrollos turísticos, muchos de los pueblos que durante generaciones vivieron de la agricultura y la ganadería siguen perdiendo población. Así, el país entrega su costa a un modelo pensado para atraer capital antes que para mantener a quienes siempre vivieron allí. Este artículo forma parte de una investigación realizada con el apoyo de Journalismfund Europe

In this episode we speak with Toni from Corporate Watch about Titan Airways, a charter airline company making millions from Britain's deportation regime.  She tells us how the firm is generating wealth by tearing families apart, making a killing from every juncture in the cycle of war, and using sport to wash its image.  ---Support The Civil Fleet Podcast--- ko-fi.com/civilfleet ---Get in touch--- Twitter: @FleetCivil Mastodon: @civilfleet@kolektiva.social Bluesky: @thecivilfleet.bsky.social Instagram: thecivilfleet YouTube: youtube.com/@thecivilfleet info@civilfleet.com civilfleet.com ---Show notes--- Check out Corporate Watch here: corporatewatch.org/  Follow Corporate Watch on BlueSky: @corporatewatch.bsky.social And on Instagram: corporatewatchuk Read Toni's co-authored article on Titan Airways here: https://corporatewatch.org/titan-airways-the-charter-airline-quietly-making-millions-from-deportations/ Read the UN document Ben and Toni mention in the episode: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=30524 For more on Corporate Watch, Air Partner and CarlsonWagonlit, check out episode 40 of The Civil Fleet Podcast. Here's an article about former British Prime Minister praising Italy's return hub deal with Albania: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cvgddpq44qjt. And here's another: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-asylum-seekers-albania-meloni-italy-b2612898.html For more on Deportation Watch, see here: https://uk.deportationwatch.net/en For more on Britain, listen to episodes: 83, 82, 73, 67, 63, 62, 61, 57, 39, 38, 32, 25, 21 and 11. You can sign JCWI's petition calling for an end to the UK and France's 1-in-1-out deal here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-racist-and-cruel-one-in-one-out-deportations/ Toni mentions Gary Stevenson and his YouTube channel, Gary's Economics. If you've somehow not heard of him, check him out here: youtube.com/@garyseconomics Toni references former England footballer and pundit Gary Lineker and the Patriotic Millionaires group calling on the British government to tax them more. Check them out here: https://patrioticmillionaires.org/ According to Flightradar24, July 23, 2026 had the most commercial flights in a single day than any other in history: https://www.newsweek.com/global-air-travel-had-busiest-day-on-record-12245968 Ben mentions No Name Kitchen and Sea-Watch. For more on the former, see episodes 87, 63, 59, 58, 51, 41, and 6, and listen to episodes 90, 70, 65, 43, 22, 7 and 1 for the latter. 

Ferit Hoxha and Petras Auštrevičius on Albania's rapid progress, EU reform, Kosovo, Bosnia and the security cost of delay. Last weekend, the first of my two conversations on the Western Balkans was released. This discussion examined the danger of leaving six European neighbours indefinitely in the EU's waiting room. This conversation moved from the reasons for enlargement to the mechanics of making it happen. Billions of euros are being directed towards reforms, infrastructure and economic convergence, but money alone cannot build functioning institutions, settle historical disputes or manufacture political will. The European Union promised the Western Balkans a European future at Thessaloniki in 2003. Croatia joined in 2013, then enlargement largely stalled. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine changed the strategic calculation. The region is now seen less as a distant policy file and more as a space inside Europe where Russian influence, Chinese investment, disinformation and organised crime can exploit political uncertainty. Albania and Montenegro have emerged as the front-runners, while North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia remain caught in very different political knots. My guests could hardly have been better placed to examine both sides of the process. Ferit Hoxha, Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, has spent more than 35 years in diplomacy. He has represented Albania at the United Nations, twice presided over the UN Security Council, and served as ambassador to the European Union, France and UNESCO. Beside him was Petras Auštrevičius, the European Parliament's standing rapporteur on EU enlargement and the man who personally negotiated Lithuania's accession as its chief negotiator from 2001 to 2002. From watching Europe to playing for Europe For Auštrevičius, membership changed Lithuania's position fundamentally. A candidate country may align its legislation, contribute to European security and accept decisions made in Brussels, yet it still remains outside the room where those decisions are shaped. Joining that team is a formidable task. The body of EU law, the acquis communautaire, already ran to around 120,000 pages when Lithuania was negotiating. Accession, Auštrevičius stressed, is far more than a bureaucratic exercise in changing national laws. Governments must explain the process, secure public confidence, involve businesses and social partners, and prepare institutions to function within an entirely new system. The European Union can appear excessively complicated, but common rules also create common standards, consumer protections and access to one of the world's largest markets. Auštrevičius described the EU as a globally exceptional project, imperfect and often cumbersome, yet still capable of turning former adversaries into partners. Albania's 13-month sprint Albania has moved through the revised accession system at remarkable speed. It opened all six negotiating clusters within 13 months and has now passed the interim assessment of the Fundamentals cluster, covering the judiciary, fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security. That allows the country to begin the difficult final phase of closing individual chapters, with the ambition of concluding negotiations by the end of 2027. The European Parliament has praised Albania's momentum while insisting that progress must remain strictly merit-based and that reforms must be implemented, not simply written into law. The country's momentum is real, but the remaining work is extensive. Corruption, judicial effectiveness, media freedom, political pressure on journalists and environmental protection all remain under close scrutiny. Albania must show that reforms are durable and that its institutions can enforce the standards they adopt. Environmental rules are particularly demanding because protecting biodiversity, upgrading infrastructure and modernising public administration require time, expertise and considerable investment. Hoxha accepted that the list is long. “The negotiation is about the gap,” he said: where Albania is now, where it must reach and how the country intends to bridge the distance. Merit must work in both directions Auštrevičius described two possible models of enlargement. Under the “convoy” approach, every candidate moves at the pace of the slowest. Under the “regatta” principle, each country competes against the same standards and advances according to its own performance. “To be first is good, but you have to be the best. What is promised must be implemented.” Petras Auštrevičius That distinction matters because the Western Balkans are too often treated as a single political problem. Albania's progress should not be slowed by another government's failure to reform. Equally, geopolitical urgency cannot become an excuse to admit countries whose institutions, democratic safeguards or foreign-policy choices remain incompatible with membership. Hoxha agreed that the process must remain merit-based, but argued that reciprocity is essential to its credibility. A candidate that fulfils an agreed condition must be allowed to move forward. Otherwise, public trust deteriorates and reformers struggle to explain why difficult changes bring no visible reward. Hoxha's response is to move before the political opportunity closes. Can countries begin joining before they become members? One answer may be gradual integration, giving reforming countries access to parts of the European system before full membership. This could include the single market, the SEPA payments area, EU programmes and eventually roaming without additional charges. Such measures make enlargement tangible to citizens who might otherwise wait years for its benefits. Albania already aligns fully with the EU's common foreign and security policy, Hoxha said. European sanctions become Albanian sanctions, and European missions become Albanian missions. His question was direct: if Albania accepts and implements those decisions, why should its representatives not attend relevant meetings as observers? This would also allow Albanian civil servants to understand how European decisions are formed before they must help administer them as members. Accession brings access, influence and funding, but also competition, obligations and responsibility. Preparation inside the institutions may ultimately be more effective than preparation from outside them. Europe is not a menu The sharpest part of the discussion concerned strategic alignment. Some candidate countries seek EU investment while also cultivating Russian political ties or Chinese involvement in infrastructure, telecommunications and other strategic sectors. Auštrevičius questioned whether a country can claim that Brussels is blocking its progress while its own decisions repeatedly pull it away from European foreign policy. Hoxha's answer was unequivocal: For Albania, European alignment is the first test applied to foreign-policy decisions. This is increasingly important because enlargement is intended to strengthen the Union. If new members carry the strategic influence of hostile powers into European decision-making, the process could weaken Europe from within. Auštrevičius compared accession to “a responsible marriage”. A country cannot demand solidarity, market access and financial support while refusing the political responsibilities that accompany them. Kosovo, Bosnia and the unfinished history of the region Kosovo remains unrecognised by five EU member states: Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain. Hoxha noted that practical relationships have nevertheless developed. Kosovo now has visa-free travel, its passports are recognised, and the five countries maintain varying degrees of contact. Yet the Serbia-Kosovo normalisation process remains slow despite dozens of agreements. The same tension is visible in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Dayton Peace Agreement stopped a horrific war and maintained peace, but the structure it created has also contributed to political blockages and competing centres of power. Hoxha argued that peace arrangements designed for an emergency should not automatically be considered permanent constitutional solutions. Yet Europe cannot simply impose unity upon a divided political system. “You cannot import a consensus. It has to be grown from within.” Ferit Hoxha The accession of Albania or Montenegro could provide the region with something it has lacked for more than a decade: visible proof that the door remains real. Citizens elsewhere may then exert greater pressure on leaders who use identity, history or institutional paralysis to avoid reform. The EU must also be ready to change Every stage of accession can be delayed by unanimity. Auštrevičius argued for qualified-majority voting on intermediate decisions, reducing the ability of one government to hold an entire country hostage to a bilateral dispute. This would not remove the final consent required for membership, but it could prevent accession from becoming an arena for historical retaliation. Hoxha went further, saying Albania would be willing to commit in its future accession treaty not to use a veto when it stood alone against every other member state. It was a striking promise from a country still outside the Union: Albania is already considering how to make Europe more functional once it enters. “Enlargement is our strength, not our weakness. Let us agree politically to do it on time.” Petras Auštrevičius Enlargement has always produced apprehension. Yet each previous expansion increased the Union's population, market, influence and strategic reach. For Hoxha, Albania's direction is no longer a question under discussion. The question is therefore no longer whether Albania wants Europe. It is whether Europe can reform itself, recognise progress when it occurs and act before another generation concludes that the promise was never meant to be kept.

World news in 7 minutes. Friday 24th July 2026.Today: Middle East war. Iraq green belt. India protests. New Zealand hotels. Albania protests. Nigeria drug court. Angola Russians. Panama screwworm. Mexico murders. Ukraine-Russia warehouse attacks. France wildfire. Spain animals fighting fire.With Stephen DevincenziBecome a SEND7 supporter!Ad-free listeningBonus quiz episode every FridayDaily transcripts (written by us, not AI!)Vocabulary listsWednesday worksheetsAsk questions in Ask Me Anything episodes10% of our profit goes to Effective Altruism charities.You can become a supporter at send7.supercast.comFor more information about SEND7 visit send7.org/contact or send an email to podcast@send7.org

What does it take to win an ultra-distance bikepacking race and then run 192 kilometres across the Balkans three days later? Dilara Tuna is a Belgian adventurer who moves as comfortably on foot as she does on two wheels. In 2026 she took the women's win at the Trans Balkan Race, riding on women's record pace for much of it, before heading straight out to run the Peaks of the Balkans trail through Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo.  In this episode of Detours, we talk about what running and cycling each teach you about the other, why the women's field in ultra running feels years ahead of bikepacking, and the voice that told her for years she was "too slow" to sleep — and how working with a coach helped her finally rest, race smarter, and go faster because of it. We also get into racing Silk Road in a pair with a man she'd met days earlier, the thunderstorm that cost her the record, the stray dog that followed her for five hours, and the problem with chocolate in a heatwave. Follow Dilara's adventures on Instagram @tunafisch Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you enjoy listening please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast

Stijn Schmitz welcomes back Steve Hanke back to the show. Steve Hanke is a Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University. Hanke highlights the two major wars—the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and the Ukraine war—as critical disruptors of global commodity flows. He notes that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, with Iran controlling it, and the Houthis threaten the Red Sea chokepoint, severely constricting crude and refined product supplies. Russia's cutoff of diesel exports and domestic fuel shortages compound the strain. Oil markets are in backwardation, with spot prices above futures, signaling dangerously low inventories that have cushioned prices so far but are nearing depletion. Hanke warns that once physical inventories run out, oil prices could spike dramatically, potentially later this summer. He advises going long on oil, especially major producers, as a straightforward trade for most investors. On gold, Hanke maintains a bullish outlook, projecting a peak around $6,000 per ounce based on historical ratios to real disposable income. He attributes recent pullbacks to dollar strength and rising interest rates but sees central bank buying as a fundamental driver. He also discusses the pressure on the Fed to monetize debt, which could fuel inflation and support gold. The conversation shifts to the broader commodity supercycle, fueled by deglobalization, underinvestment, and the need for larger precautionary inventories. Copper and tungsten are identified as clear bullish plays due to supply deficits. Hanke notes that high diesel prices are squeezing mining and agriculture, potentially raising output prices. He also touches on dollarization, recommending developing countries adopt the U.S. dollar to expand its use rather than de-dollarize. The interview concludes with Hanke emphasizing the importance of money supply growth as the key determinant of nominal GDP and inflation. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:05 – Key Developments on Radar 00:04:58 – Oil Predictions vs Reality 00:10:53 – Inventory and Flow Analysis 00:14:40 – Crack Spreads and Refining 00:16:27 – Demand Destruction Dynamics 00:20:51 – Anticipated Oil Price Spike 00:22:32 – Long Oil Opportunity 00:27:37 – Gold Bull Market Outlook 00:29:38 – Central Bank Buying Drivers 00:45:54 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: X: https://x.com/steve_hanke Website: https://thegoldsentimentreport.com Amazon Book: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Money-Work-Rewrite-Financial/dp/1394257260 Amazon Book: https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Interest-Waiting-Controversies-Additions/dp/3031633970 E-Mail: mailto:hanke@jhu.edu Steve H. Hanke is a Professor of Applied Economics and Founder & Co-Director of the Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Troubled Currencies Project at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C., a Senior Advisor at the Renmin University of China's International Monetary Research Institute in Beijing, a Special Counselor to the Center for Financial Stability in New York, a contributing editor at Central Banking in London, and a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal's Opinion pages. Prof. Hanke is also a member of the Charter Council of the Society of Economic Measurement and of Euromoney Country Risk's Experts Panel. In the past, Prof. Hanke taught economics at the Colorado School of Mines and at the University of California, Berkeley. He served as a Member of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors in Maryland in 1976-77, as a Senior Economist on President Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors in 1981-82, and as a Senior Advisor to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress in 1984-88. Prof. Hanke served as a State Counselor to both the Republic of Lithuania in 1994-96 and the Republic of Montenegro in 1999-2003. He was also an Advisor to the Presidents of Bulgaria in 1997- 2002, Venezuela in 1995-96, and Indonesia in 1998. He played an important role in establishing new currency regimes in Argentina, Estonia, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ecuador, Lithuania, and Montenegro. Prof. Hanke has also held senior appointments in the governments of many other countries, including Albania, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, and Yugoslavia. Prof. Hanke has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Universität Liechtenstein, the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, the Free University of Tbilisi, Istanbul Kültür University, Varna Free University, and the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in recognition of his scholarship on exchange-rate regimes. Prof. Hanke and his wife, Liliane, reside in Baltimore and Paris.

What do dinosaur fossils, Bubble Wrap, Super Soakers, Viagra, and Bob Ross have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode of The Box of Oddities, Jethro introduces the astonishing true story of Baron Franz Nopcsa—the eccentric Hungarian aristocrat who transformed himself into one of history's most visionary paleontologists. Decades before mainstream science caught up, he proposed that some dinosaurs were warm-blooded, cared for their young, and evolved through island dwarfism. But his remarkable life didn't stop there. Nopcsa also became an explorer, linguist, spy, and even launched a serious bid to become King of Albania. His extraordinary achievements, however, are overshadowed by one of the most tragic endings imaginable. Then Kat lightens the mood with a celebration of history's greatest happy accidents. Discover how forgotten experiments and unexpected mistakes gave us saccharin, Bubble Wrap, the Super Soaker, and even Viagra—proving that some of humanity's biggest breakthroughs happened because someone was curious enough to ask, "What else could this be?" It's an episode filled with brilliant minds, bizarre history, accidental inventions, dark twists, and the wonderfully unexpected. In this episode: * Baron Franz Nopcsa and the dinosaurs that changed science * The scientist who wanted to become King of Albania * Paleontology, espionage, and eccentric genius * The tragic final chapter of Franz Nopcsa's life * The accidental invention of saccharin * How Bubble Wrap went from failed wallpaper to shipping legend * The surprising origin of the Super Soaker * Why Viagra was originally developed for heart disease * Bob Ross, happy accidents, and the value of unexpected discoveries If you love strange history, forgotten inventors, scientific oddities, accidental discoveries, and true stories that are stranger than fiction, this episode belongs in your queue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 494 features the New Old Heads breaking down Jay-Z's historic three-night anniversary residency at Yankee Stadium. We discuss his flawless execution of Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint, and debate if the success of the concert proves that older Hip Hop legends can still draw massive stadium crowds. We also address DJ Funk Flex comparing Jay-Z's weekend to Kanye West's massive sold-out show in Albania, asking if cancel culture even exists anymore. Finally, we tackle Jay-Z's controversial freestyle subbing Colin Kaepernick, questioning if the billionaire is simply out of touch with the very criticism he is trying to defend against.Support the show

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In this episode of Peace Matters, we explore the unfolding environmental crisis in Albania's Zvërnec and Sazan Island, where the "Flamingo Protests" have emerged as a symbol of the country's deepening struggle between rapid economic expansion and democratic accountability. We examine how a localized environmental movement has evolved into a systemic critique of executive power, exposing the friction between state-led "strategic investments" and the preservation of Albania's last remaining wild frontiers.As Albania accelerates its bid for European Union membership, we analyze the delicate balance between accession benchmarks and the transactional nature of modern diplomacy, questioning whether the path to Brussels is being paved over protected landscapes at the expense of independent oversight. Can a candidate country's environmental and democratic integrity survive the pressure of high-stakes foreign investment, or is the "European dream" becoming a tool for silencing domestic dissent?Guest: Gresa Hasa is an expert on Albania and the Western Balkans, with a particular focus on the rule of law, state capture, democratic backsliding, and electoral politics. She is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Law and the Center for Southeast European Studies at the University of Graz, Austria, as well as a 2026 BiEPAG Fellow. Her research focuses on the 2016 judicial reform in Albania and broader processes of Europeanization. She holds degrees in Southeast European Studies, with a specialization in law and politics, from the University of Graz and the Central European University, as well as a degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana. In addition to her academic research, she regularly contributes political and cultural commentary to regional and international media outlets.Accompanied by:Gjergj Loka, Project Coordinator at the IIP.This episode was recorded on 6 July 2026.

Kate Adie introduces stories on Bangladesh's deadly measles outbreak, France's military flex on Bastille Day, Albania's 'flamingo revolution', Ecuador's bird-watching boom, and remembering BBC Rome correspondent David Willey. Bangladesh is experiencing a severe measles outbreak, with around 700 people dying of confirmed and suspected cases since March - most of them children. BBC South Asia Correspondent Azadeh Moshiri reports from a hospital, north of the capital Dhaka. France celebrated Bastille Day this week, which marks the beginning of the French revolution. This was the last parade under President Emmanuel Macron, who steps down from office next year – but he made sure to make his mark, showcasing French military power and celebrating unity with its allies. James Waterhouse reports from Paris.In Albania, the pink flamingo has become an unlikely symbol of protest, reflecting environmental concerns over a proposed tourism development that triggered recent protests. But as Guy De Launey discovered, unhappiness among voters runs much deeper. Ecuador is one of the best places to watch birds anywhere in the world, boasting some 1600 species – twice as many as the whole of Europe. Unsurprisingly, birding tourism is thriving. Stephen Moss has been ticking off some rare spots.And veteran BBC correspondent, David Willey, died last weekend at the age of 93. Across a career spanning decades, he reported from around the world - covering communist China, the Vietnam war, and Libya during in Gaddafi era. His former producer, Joanne Cayford, remembers her time working with him during his long-standing role as BBC Rome correspondent. Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production coordinators: Gemma Ashman & Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Dr. Elida Dakoli joins the program to share her family's firsthand experience surviving one of the most brutal communist regimes in modern history. A concert pianist and author, Dr. Dakoli recounts the murder of her grandfather, who served as mayor of her hometown before being targeted during the communist party's crackdown, along with other members of her family. She explains how fear, surveillance, and silence became tools of control, creating a society where people learned that speaking openly could come at an unimaginable cost.Sarah and Dr. Dakoli discuss the unsettling parallels they believe are emerging in the West today as governments grow larger and citizens increasingly look to institutions for security during periods of economic hardship. As prices rise, jobs become scarcer, and financial pressures mount, they explore the importance of resisting the temptation to exchange freedom for promises of stability and support. Dr. Dakoli's family's story serves as both a historical account and a cautionary reminder of how easily liberty can erode when fear and dependency replace individual responsibility and resilience.Learn more, see her event dates and purchase her book at elidadakoli.com

La celebración de la selección de Argentina tras vencer a Inglaterra 2 a 1 y clasificar a la final del Mundial 2026 desató una nueva polémica internacional. El político mexiquense Javier Albarrán, actual integrante del PAN, generó polémica tras publicar un video en el que aseguraba que el voto en México debería emitirse "por casa y por familia". Un nuevo testigo protegido aseguró que el entonces secretario de Marina, Rafael Ojeda Durán, facilitaba la operación de buques cargados con combustible ilegal.El gobierno de Brasil anunció que activará la Ley de Reciprocidad para responder a los aranceles del 25% impuestos por Estados Unidos a diversos productos brasileños. Más de 100 incendios están fuera de control en Canadá desde este miércoles, mientras cientos más están siendo vigilados y atendidos. Dua Lipa expresó su apoyo a las protestas en Albania contra un megaproyecto turístico impulsado por Ivanka Trump y su esposo Jared Kushner. La Reserva Ecológica Chaparrí, en Perú, anunció el nacimiento de dos cachorros de oso andino. Para enterarte de más noticias, suscríbete aquí a nuestro newsletter y síguenos en redes sociales. Estamos en todas las plataformas como Te lo cuento. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is my conversation about the 1931 film Tabu: A Story of the South Seas. I'm joined by James Kreul from the Moving Image Madison newsletter and we talk about how the film's pacing suffers due to trying to blend documentary filmmaking with a loose narrative structure, the film's influence on modern films set in the same region like Moana, and the sad passing of the film's director just a week before it debuted.You can watch Tabu on Amazon Prime or YouTube or purchase a copy for yourself and be sure to check out James's newsletter.Other films mentioned in this episode include:All Quiet on the Western Front directed by Lewis MilestoneDracula directed by Tod BrowningNanook of the North directed by Robert J. FlahertyMoana directed by Robert J. Flaherty and Frances Hubbard FlahertyWhite Shadows of the South Seas directed by W.S. Van DykeJaws directed by Steven SpielbergSunrise directed by F. W. MurnauNosferatu directed by F. W. MurnauCity Girl directed by F. W. MurnauWith Byrd at the South Pole directed by Julian JohnsonBlack Pearl directed by Michał WaszyńskiThe Hurricane directed by John FordMutiny on the Bounty directed by Frank LloydThe Last Laugh directed by F. W. MurnauTrader Horn directed by W.S. Van DykeMorocco directed by Josef von SternbergCimarron directed by Wesley RugglesThe Right to Love directed by Richard WallaceSvengali directed by Archie MayoOther referenced topics:B.C. (comic)Wizard of Id (comic)Zog I of Albania"The Star Spangled Banner""The Academy and the Cameramen" from Experimental Cinemalantern digital library"Reri's Real Name is Anna" from Movie ClassicMorduant Hall in The New York TimesAndréas Giannopoulos on Senses of Cinema"Photoplayfare" by Roy W. Winton in Movie MakersInformation on the San Francisco Film Preserve's new restoration of Sunrise: A Song of Two HumansSupport the show

North Macedonia has waited 21 years at the EU's door. Zoran Dimitrovski and Linas Kojala ask what delay now costs Europe. Look at a map and the unresolved logic is striking. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are almost entirely surrounded by EU and NATO members. These countries are not on some distant European frontier. They form an enclave within the Union's own geography. In 2003, at the Thessaloniki summit, the EU promised the Western Balkans a European future. More than two decades later, Croatia remains the last country to have joined, back in 2013. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, enlargement has shifted from a slow technical process to an urgent geopolitical question: what happens when Europe leaves a space inside its own borders unfilled? My guests brought two unusually powerful perspectives to that question. Zoran Dimitrovski, North Macedonia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, spent 35 years as a journalist before entering government. He edited some of his country's leading newspapers, reported from Washington, wrote more than 1,500 articles and investigations, and continues to teach critical thinking and analytical writing. Alongside him was Linas Kojala, CEO of the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center in Vilnius and a lecturer at Vilnius University. A Fulbright scholar with studies at Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard, Kojala has written about Lithuania's own journey into the European Union and has been ranked among his country's most influential public figures. Twenty-one years at the front door North Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, around the same time as Croatia. Yet it still has not opened substantive accession negotiations. The country first faced a long dispute with Greece over its name, eventually resolved through the Prespa Agreement and the adoption of the name North Macedonia. That opened the way into NATO. A second dispute then emerged with neighbouring Bulgaria, involving language, identity, history and the recognition of a Bulgarian community within North Macedonia's constitution. Zoran Dimitrovski did not deny the work still required within his own country. North Macedonia must continue aligning its laws with the EU, strengthening the judiciary and fighting corruption. His argument was that these shortcomings were not the principal reason the country had been stopped. This describes one of the demands that, in Dimitrovski's view, reach beyond the Copenhagen criteria governing democratic institutions, human rights, the rule of law and a functioning market economy. There is, however, responsibility on both sides of the border and both sides of the accession table. The European Parliament's latest assessment expresses regret at North Macedonia's lack of progress, calling for the constitutional amendments, stronger cross-party cooperation and deeper reforms. Yet that same resolution warns that bilateral disputes over language, culture and national identity should not be used to obstruct accession. This is the uncomfortable heart of the story: the EU must remain demanding enough for membership to retain meaning, while remaining fair enough for its promises to retain credibility. The rules were written for a different Europe Kojala argued that the enlargement machinery itself must adapt to a radically altered security landscape. The process still requires unanimity at critical stages, allowing one member state to hold up another country's progress. Under normal circumstances, such caution might be defensible. These, he stressed, are not normal circumstances. The EU's decision-making can be painfully slow because 27 governments must agree on decisions touching sovereignty, money and national interest. Kojala compared it to 27 friends attempting to choose a restaurant, except that several of them may not be friends and the decisions are monumental. The central question is therefore whether procedures devised 20 years ago are still adequate for a Europe facing war, cyber-attacks, sabotage, disinformation and growing competition from authoritarian powers. Railways, bridges and the architecture of security EU enlargement may sound abstract, but it rapidly becomes concrete. It is about railway lines, bridges, roads, energy systems and digital networks. Dimitrovski pointed to Corridors VIII and X, which cross North Macedonia and connect the Adriatic, Black and Aegean Seas with wider Europe. These routes matter for trade and daily life, but also for NATO's ability to move personnel and equipment across the continent. A bridge too weak to carry military vehicles is simultaneously an infrastructure problem, an economic weakness and a security vulnerability. Kojala offered a useful challenge to the language of cost. Security spending is often discussed as money disappearing from productive use. Yet roads, schools, housing, communications and transport capacity remain in the communities where they are built. The same is true of enlargement: investment in the Western Balkans is not charity at Europe's edge. It is investment in the resilience of the continent as a whole. A vacuum rarely stays empty Russia remains an influential force in Serbia and parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Chinese lending and infrastructure investment have expanded across the region. Dimitrovski was careful not to suggest that the Western Balkans would simply abandon Europe for Moscow or Beijing. His warning was more subtle. Prolonged uncertainty can produce weaker institutions, frustrated populations and a region increasingly exposed to financial pressure, political manipulation and disinformation. Europe therefore faces a choice that is larger than whether another flag appears outside the institutions in Brussels. It must decide whether the Western Balkans are genuinely part of its future, and demonstrate that belief through fair conditions, credible timelines and visible results. Kojala described the European Union as something close to a “boring miracle”: cumbersome, imperfect and endlessly predicted to collapse, yet remarkably capable of adapting and surviving. That miracle now requires another act of political imagination. The Western Balkans have spent more than 20 years hearing that their future lies inside the European Union. Europe may now need to ask a harder question of itself: how long can a promise remain credible before waiting becomes its own form of rejection?

Could the European football union step up its game and show FIFA the red card? Then: Inside Europe's correspondents pick their player of the World Cup, France legalizes assisted dying, Albania's Gen Z keep protesting, wildfires rage in Southern Europe, and a hidden Prague collection records disability in Europe. ++ https://tinyurl.com/4za5z2tc and https://tinyurl.com/rphv2khn ++ &maca=en-podcast_inside-europe-949-xml-mrss

VOV1 - Liên minh châu Âu (EU) vừa đồng thời tổ chức bốn hội nghị liên chính phủ với Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro và Albania trong cùng 1 ngày. Đây được xem là bước tiến đáng chú ý trong tiến trình mở rộng EU sau hơn hai thập kỷ.Động thái này diễn ra trong bối cảnh châu Âu đang đứng trước nhiều biến động về an ninh và địa chính trị. Việc EU cùng lúc thúc đẩy đàm phán với nhiều quốc gia không chỉ phản ánh quyết tâm mở rộng liên minh, mà còn làm dấy lên nhiều câu hỏi về những tính toán chiến lược phía sau quyết định này.Vì sao Brussels lại lựa chọn thời điểm hiện nay để tăng tốc tiến trình mở rộng, và EU sẽ phải đối mặt với những thách thức nào nếu kết nạp thêm thành viên?Albania, Montenegro, Moldova và Ukraine đạt bước tiến quan trọng trong đàm phán gia nhập EU. Ảnh minh họa.

It can be hard to get a clear picture, so our episode today is here to help: "How much do things cost in Morocco?"As much as there's the standard answer, "It depends," we go a little deeper than that and try to frame costs around certain standards and levels of service. Whether that means different types of accommodation, the cost of meals at sit-down restaurants, do desert camps vary greatly in price, how much are activities such as a Hot Air Balloon ride, and lots more.There are a couple of possible yet unrelated preconceptions about Morocco that we should address. For one, folks might think that Morocco is a budget travel destination akin to Thailand or El Salvador, where your dollar goes very far, decent accommodation is well under $100/night, and an amazing meal costs $5.Well, that's not the case in Morocco, our costs aren't quite that low! Secondly, costs in Morocco might simply seem unknown, with no real frame of reference. Maybe it's expensive, maybe it's not, how can you know, and what can you relate it to? And when you see the cost of something, are you getting the appropriate value for that cost?Morocco generally speaking fits in somewhere between the costs of Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Not quite as expensive as France or the UK, but not as inexpensive as maybe Albania or Poland. Similar prices to what we often see in North America, but also very good, and certainly unique value, whether it's in our distinct accommodation (riads) or our one-of-a-kind cuisine.So our goal here today is to help give you a frame of reference and ease the sticker shock that might come otherwise. And to therefore help you plan better, know what questions to ask and make an educated decision on budgeting for your trip!You can also watch the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel here: "Typical Travel Costs in Morocco" Join me for an 8-Day Boutique Moroccan Experience!https://trips.destinationsmorocco.com/Morocco-2026Step inside the hidden Morocco on this first-of-its-kind, 12-spot journey, hosted personally by Azdean.November 8-15, 2026, $1995 USD Per PersonBook Your Spot Today! Learn more about Azdean and Destination Morocco.

Medical missionaries are often called upon to provide care that is beyond the scope of their training and previous experience. This interactive case presentation looks at the realities of clinical decision-making in a critically ill snakebitten patient, and offers suggestions on how to navigate similar challenging situations.

Today we speak to Albanian journalist Eleftheria Kousta. She tells us about Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump's mission to luxury-colonise an Albanian island, and the people's anger at the government allowing it to happen.  No ads and all exclusives: patreon.com/popularfront Discounted 50% off the best internet privacy for all our listeners: proton.me/popularfront INFO | MERCH | NEWS | JAKE | SUBSTACK

Elios ha 35 anni, è un software architect e vive a Milano, ma è nato in Albania, nell'anno in cui il Paese passava dalla dittatura comunista alla democrazia. La sua è una famiglia di ceto medio che manda avanti un ristorante, dove i soldi seguono un rituale preciso: all'inizio di ogni mese si accantona per le tasse, per la scuola, per le spese, e ciò che resta si risparmia il più possibile. Si accumula, non si investe, perché non si sa cosa succederà domani. Sulla cultura e sull'istruzione non si risparmia; sul divertimento e sulle vacanze sì. Da quella selezione Elios eredita qualcosa di più profondo del solo modo di spendere. «Questa modalità aveva creato in me una specie di freno a mano invisibile, che nella vita mi ha sempre guidato a non superare quel confine».Quel freno lo accompagna a lungo. In Albania cambia tre aziende, ma mai per migliorare la remunerazione: solo per cercare più sicurezza. Poi arriva in Italia, per motivi personali, e accetta una posizione molto al di sotto delle sue competenze, a 25.000 euro lordi. Un anno e mezzo dopo arriva la pandemia, che va a colpire il suo punto più fragile: la stabilità che aveva cercato per tutta la vita. È lì che il freno smette di funzionare come protezione e diventa un limite, che lo blocca nel riconoscere il proprio valore anche sul piano economico. In famiglia, del resto, non si negoziava mai, nemmeno il prezzo di un acquisto. «Pur riconoscendo il valore del lavoro degli altri, si faceva fatica a vendere il proprio lavoro al prezzo giusto».A smuovere qualcosa è il confronto con la compagna, con cui il denaro diventa oggetto di conversazione aperta. È lei a dargli la frase che gli mancava. «Questo rispetto che metti verso gli altri, a un certo punto, lo devi mettere anche verso te stesso». Alle conversazioni con la compagna si affiancano conversazioni con esperti di finanza personale. «Quello che mi ha cambiato un po' il modo di relazionarmi con il denaro è stato partecipare a eventi di educazione finanziaria e, soprattutto, cercare di comprendere il più possibile l'economia». Nel giro di otto anni Elios arriva a guadagnare il 140% in più rispetto a quando è arrivato a Milano, cambiando azienda e negoziando. E, a differenza della sua famiglia d'origine, non si limita ad accumulare: inizia a investire. Non ha mai abbandonato la cultura con cui è cresciuto, ma l'ha completata. «Tra cinque anni mi piacerebbe avere una gestione economica che mi permetta di vivere meglio il presente e di guardare al futuro con più realismo».

Greg Dworkin helped us round up the chaos of this R -1 weekend. Did you have Lindsey Graham buying the farm before Mitch McConnell? What's the process in South Carolina for replacing Graham? Will Republicans just dip into the loser bench from their most recent statewide primary? Too soon to start thinking about how the Republican Infirmity Crisis will impact the balance of power in the next Congress? Ha ha! Trick question! There's no such concept as "too soon" anymore! Texas may yet escape Republican clutches, with the Deporter-in-Chief always on the ballot. But don't let Democratic successes get you optimistic! It's time to bite your nails about [dramatic music]… Democratic Socialists! In random news: One of those "looksmaxxing" dumbasses is dead now, too. Even though he didn't die, there's a bit of procedural drama surrounding the replacement process for Rigor Tortoise. Remember the time we spent last week on the NATO countries working on making their escape from the US umbrella? Well, it's not just NATO anymore. And speaking of craptacular foreign entanglements, Jared Kushner may have just stepped in it, in Albania. Which borders on the Adriatic.

Of course Lindsey Graham dies the day we're back to podcasting.

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Chelsea discusses our rival travel podcast, whilst James brings back an old familiar feature that you've all been asking for!PLUS, the pair discuss whether or not Albania is worth the hype and offer other - similarly beautiful - alternatives!Download SAILY in your app store and use our code HOLIDAYEXPERT at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase! For further details go to https://saily.com/holidayexpert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reports suggesting Russia may be planning a limited attack against Poland have sparked intense debate ahead of the NATO Summit. This week, Adam and Alexandra are in Sofia, Bulgaria, where they unpack the intelligence reports, discuss what they could mean for NATO deterrence, and examine thewider implications for European security.They also look at the sudden collapse of Moldova's government, what it means for the country's EU ambitions, and the growing anti-government protests in Albania, where demonstrators are now openly demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation. Finally, reporting from Sofia, Adam and Alexandra shareobservations from discussions on European security, disinformation, and the country's changing political landscape.In this episode:Reports of a possible Russian attack scenario involvingPolandWhat to expect from the NATO SummitUkraine's air defence challengesMoldova's political crisis and EU accessionAlbania's growing anti-government protestsBulgaria's political direction after joining the EurozoneEuropean security, public trust and disinformation Talk Eastern Europe is the podcast from New Eastern Europemagazine - your trusted source for in-depth analysis and expert perspectives on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and the post-Soviet space. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all majorplatforms. Read the New Eastern Europe Magazine Bimonthly publication with exclusive long-form analysis. https://neweasterneurope.eu/become-a-member-of-new-eastern-europe/ Support us on PatreonJoin our community for bonus content, early access, behind-the-scenes insights, and access to our exclusive WhatsApp group where we discuss the news in real-time.https://www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope Subscribe to the Brief Eastern Europe NewsletterWeekly briefing sent out every Monday with news updates,expert commentary, and our editorial picks - free to your inbox: https://briefeasterneurope.eu/subscribe FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neweasterneuropemag/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewEasternEurope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-eastern-europe/

Headlines for July 09, 2026; “A Disastrous Development”: Trita Parsi on Breakdown of U.S.-Iran Ceasefire; “Demanding the Truth”: Family Wants Answers After ICE Kills Houston Dad Lorenzo Salgado Araujo; Homicide by Asphyxiation: What Happened to Geraldo Lunas Campos, Who Died in a Texas ICE Jail?; Albania’s Flamingo Revolution: Protests Against Kushner-Trump Luxury Resort Could Bring Down Gov’t

Headlines for July 09, 2026; “A Disastrous Development”: Trita Parsi on Breakdown of U.S.-Iran Ceasefire; “Demanding the Truth”: Family Wants Answers After ICE Kills Houston Dad Lorenzo Salgado Araujo; Homicide by Asphyxiation: What Happened to Geraldo Lunas Campos, Who Died in a Texas ICE Jail?; Albania’s Flamingo Revolution: Protests Against Kushner-Trump Luxury Resort Could Bring Down Gov’t

Weeks of protests in Albania show no signs of stopping. Tens of thousands have been taking to the streets to oppose the proposed purchase and development of land by Donald Trump's daughter and son-in-law. As the country's tourist industry booms, there is a divide over the cost of development and the country's sense of self. Our writer went to the island at the centre of a political and national identity crisis.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Richard Assheton, features writer, The Sunday Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producers: Taryn Siegel.We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.comRead more: Is this the Kushners' $5bn Albania resort? 350 yachts and a water parkClips: David Senra podcast, APT, X/@IsamyzyrajAlb, IG/@thebrickobserversatire, DW News.Photo: Richard Assheton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's show: Headlines “A Disastrous Development”: Trita Parsi on Breakdown of U.S.-Iran Ceasefire “Demanding the Truth”: Family Wants Answers After ICE Kills Houston Dad Lorenzo Salgado Araujo Homicide by Asphyxiation: What Happened to Geraldo Lunas Campos, Who Died in a Texas ICE Jail? Albania's Flamingo Revolution: Protests Against Kushner-Trump Luxury Resort Could Bring Down Gov't. Democracy Now! is a daily independent award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. The post Democracy Now! – July 9, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.

As the Iron Curtain descends across Eastern Europe, the West is determined to roll back the march of Communism - starting with Albania. Historian Stephen Long is your guide to Operation BGFiend/Valuable - the joint MI6-CIA operation that laid the groundwork for 40 years of Cold War. From SPYSCAPE, the home of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Max Bower. Stephen Long is the author of A Rich Harvest of Bitter Fruit: CIA–MI6 Covert Action in Communist Albania at the Birth of the Cold War Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full Episode 7-6-26 - In this episode, we talk more about Albania, and the FIFA World Cup.

It's being called the 'Flamingo Revolution' – Albanians have taken to the streets in record numbers for more than a month, protesting their government's approval of a mega resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. Freelance reporter Alice Taylor joins guest host Catherine Cullen to explain what flamingos have to do with the protests, what the protestors want, and why the government is digging in.

Celebrate America's 250th birthday with Jackie Broyles and Dunlap! It's no 1976, that's for dang sure. In this episode, Jackie and Dunlap yell about: The Supreme Court Show: Supreme Court sure thinks a lot of itself. New rulings say Trump can fire independent agency heads but not Lisa Cook; Birthright citizenship okay for now but just barely; states can ban transgender kids from sports; asylum don't mean horse hockey so Trump and Stephen Miller can ship Haitians and Syrians back to their calm, peaceful countries where nothing bad can ever happen. Trump has to pay E. Jean Carroll, you can't sue Monsanto Roundup poison if you get cancer, no limit on money spending on billionaire PAC/candidate collabs.  Megyn Kelly gets racister, Stephen Miller goes from horrid troll to horrid troll with power, maybe we can keep pregnant women out of the USA. Trump is making bank by being president: Trump and his crooked family earned more than 1.4 billion smackers in crypto and meme coin schemes; Kazakhstan mineral bonanzas, free Qatari planes, billionaire buddies getting what they pay for, taxpayers on the hook for ballrooms. This is the out in the open stuff! Who knows what they're being sneak about. At least Albania hates Jared Kushner.  ICE still on their bull hockey: The UN is investigating the US for abuse, death, mistreatment and sexual assault in detention centers. Happy birthday America! Plus a Nashville judge keeps disabled immigrant children from  being turned over to ICE. Stephen Miller & The War on the Disabled: Stephen Miller hates the disabled, doesn't want to give them money, and wants to take away their autonomy and store them God-knows-where.  The "Great American State Fair": I know nobody's there, but man, there REALLY ain't nobody there. Poor Vanilla Ice. At least that MAGA streamer was having a good time. Plus! Billionaires are getting on our nerves, stepping on our freedom, and just really being bummers. Postmaster thugs up for Trump's voter roll snagging, mail-in ballot hoarding schemes. Trump hates Affordable Housing Bill but loves screwing over his fellow Republicans. DSA and young left candidates are spooking establishment Dems. Elon Musk says he ain't hurt no kids. JD Vance looks in the mirror and sees Richard Nixon staring back. Watergate 4ever! Plus the World Cup: since Jackie got all woke, does that mean he likes soccer now? Get 20 Extra Minutes with Jackie and Dunlap at http://www.patreon.com/redstateupdate Art by Yoni Limor Photos by Robyn von Swank Music by William Sherry Jr. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, BlueSky

An exclusive DW interview with Albanian PM Edi Rama, a crackdown on Turkey's opposition ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, and a spat about who gets to lead the Czech delegation. The US celebrates 250 years of independence: two journalists detained at an event in Brussels and Glyn Morgan on the "Rise and Fall of American Europe". Plus: Ireland takes over the rotating Council presidency.

Jared and Ivanka Kushner thought they were investing in luxury resorts in Albania. Instead, they sparked the biggest protests the country has seen since the fall of communism. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in Egypt last year. Photo by YOAN VALAT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode of The Sentinel Report: President Trump issues strong warnings about communism as the Supreme Court hands down major rulings with nationwide implications on the Federal Reserve, elections, and immigration. Alex Newman also examines the Communists’ key victories in New York City and the fraud through Obamacare being exposed by RFK Jr and Dr. Oz. Guests shine light on the news: Then, Brent Knudsen joins us to expose the alarming collapse of America’s bee population, why it poses a serious threat to our food supply and public health, and what can be done to reverse the crisis. Next, Melanie Kurdys of United States Parents Involved in Education breaks down H.R. 2691, legislation that would abolish the U.S. Department of Education, end federal education programs, and return authority—and funding—to the states. Finally, former Albanian President and Prime Minister Sali Berisha joins Newman to explain the Trump administration’s decision to lift sanctions against him, Albania’s escalating political turmoil, and the ongoing battle against George Soros’ influence in the Balkans. Don’t miss this important broadcast.

The new Bundibugyo strain is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak ever, with over a thousand cases detected and more than 300 deaths in just one month in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Also, protests in Albania against plans for a multi-million-dollar luxury tourism development backed by Jared Kushner have expanded to include other grievances. And, a look at how Chinese immigrants from San Francisco helped establish birthright citizenship in the US. Plus, a rundown of the latest updates in the knockout phase of the World Cup.We made our goal of $30,000! Thank you.

President Trump refuses to sign a bipartisan affordable housing bill, insisting that Congress pass his SAVE America Act first. Victories for allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani prompt a broad conversation about Democratic strategy. And concerns over an island resort pushed by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have spiraled into furious national protests in Albania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

☕️ The Rush Hour Podcast – Morning Edition Donald Trump is taking to the skies in style, officially embracing his controversial Qatari jet while critics ask whether accepting a luxury aircraft from a foreign government is any different from spending billions constructing a presidential legacy project. Today, we compare Trump's flying palace to the newly opened Obama Presidential Center and ask what modern presidential monuments say about power, image, and influence. Also in today's episode: ✈️ Trump's Qatar jet sparks renewed debate over ethics, legacy building, and presidential branding.

The levels of corruption Americans are witnessing are both historic and astounding. This week, Alex speaks to ProPublica reporter Robert Faturechi, who broke the story that the Department of Defense gave a $620,000,000 loan to a company affiliated with Donald Trump Jr. Then she's joined by Pod Save the World host Ben Rhodes to talk about how everything from the UFC cage match on the White House lawn, to Ivanka Trump's island development in Albania are indicative of the unprecedented grift, and limitless appetite for self enrichment of the Trump family. Be sure to pick up a copy of Ben's new book, All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches.

We dive into Ivanka and Jared's Albanian nightmare. What were they really up to while trying to develop a private island in Albania on protected land, and what are the ramifications of this secret operation in the broader war of democracy vs. fascism? Why are they trying to buy an island in a part of the world notorious for sex trafficking?  These questions matter in light of Ivanka's brother marrying Epstein's longtime banker, and the new bombshell reporting out of the New York Times. The Times reports that the Kremlin Klown Kar (KKK) in the White House uses our tax payer-funded Situation Room–meant for sensitive national security matters–to plot the ongoing Epstein cover-up, protecting Epstein's longtime friend, convicted felon Donald Trump. Look to the show notes for a gift link of the New York Times' reporting.  For this week's bonus show, Russian mafia expert Ogla Lautman helps connect the dots on what is up with Ivanka and Jared's mysterious island in Albania, a part of the world known for sex-trafficking. Should we be concerned? The Albanian people are–they're storming their own government in a growing anti-corruption movement over Jared and Ivanka's attempts to buy an ecologically protected island.  We also discuss Ben Black, Leon Black's son, getting a job in the Trump administration. Both father and son are all over the Epstein files.  To listen to this full episode and support our independent journalism, subscribe to Gaslit Nation on Patreon.com/Gaslit or GaslitNation.Substack.com – thank you to everyone who supports the show – we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!    Show Notes:  Inside the White House Freakout Over the Epstein Files The president's top advisers gathered in a series of Situation Room meetings as they struggled to contain a scandal engulfing Donald Trump himself. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/magazine/trump-epstein-files-white-house-vance-doj.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pVA.8Bpw._gUv6lvoFPWC&smid=url-share   Situation Room Scramble Over Sick Trump Fetish Claim Revealed https://www.thedailybeast.com/situation-room-scramble-over-sick-trump-fetish-claim-revealed/   Records: SC woman accused Trump, Epstein of sexual abuse in 1980s https://www.wistv.com/2026/03/09/records-sc-woman-accused-trump-epstein-sexual-abuse-1980s/   Donald Trump groped me in what felt like a 'twisted game' with Jeffrey Epstein, former model alleges https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/23/donald-trump-accuser-stacey-williams-jeffrey-epstein   Dozens of FBI records apparently missing from Epstein files, including Trump accuser interviews https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/24/us/epstein-files-trump-accuser-missing-files-invs   Justice Department publishes documents with sexual assault allegations against Trump https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/05/donald-trump-epstein-files-allegations-00816123   Opening clip: Rep. Garcia on MSNow https://bsky.app/profile/robertgarcia.house.gov/post/3mnzjwzllis2l   "House Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia says he plans to formally ask Chairman Comer to bring JD Vance, Susie Wiles, and Kash Patel before the Committee in light of the new NYT Epstein reporting." https://bsky.app/profile/kylegriffin1.bsky.social/post/3mnzj3dj7ns2z   Trump appointee leading $205bn US agency had personal ties to Epstein, emails show https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/03/ben-black-investment-trump-epstein   Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Find your community at GaslitNation.Substack.com or Patreon.com/Gaslit

Tommy and Ben are back to discuss a week that includes collapsed ceasefire(s), the World Cup, and Jared and Ivanka pretending to be conquistadors.The so-called ceasefires between Israel and Lebanon and the US and Iran continue to unravel, while Trump insists he has Iran and Israel under his control and twists reality (and the English language) to fit his narrative. Then, Ivanka Trump claims to have "discovered" a pristine, protected ecological island off the coast of Albania, sparking major protests and a government corruption investigation. The FIFA World Cup kicks off this week across three countries and 16 cities, and the guys dig into the Trump administration's decision to use the biggest sporting event on earth as an opportunity to deny visas to fans, journalists, and even Africa's top referee. Xi Jinping pays his first visit to North Korea in seven years amidst reports about Kim Jong Un's surprising economic turnaround. Former Trump National Security advisor John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified information, while a CIA official is caught with 303 gold bars and a 15-year-old Nigerian congressional candidate is exposed for faking his age on the campaign trail. Then Tommy speaks with the BBC's Mexico, Central America, and Cuba Correspondent, Will Grant, about life on the ground in Cuba, what US intervention on the island could look like, and the vibes in Mexico City ahead of the World Cup. Will's book is Populista: The Rise of Latin America's 21st Century Strongman.Buy Ben's book All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches  and subscribe to his Substack here.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date

On this episode of the MeidasTouch Podcast, Ben, Brett, and Jordy break down the latest international embarrassment as Donald Trump's Iran ceasefire-in-name-only appears to be falling apart even more, with fighting escalating, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly disregarding Trump's demands, and Iranian officials accusing Trump of fabricating details about negotiations. The brothers also examine how Trump's presence seems to bring chaos everywhere he goes—from disrupting the World Cup and causing massive security headaches around the NBA Finals in New York City to his bizarre plan to stage a UFC event on the White House lawn. Plus, a growing New World Screwworm outbreak raises serious public health concerns, protests erupt in Albania over projects tied to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparks outrage after botching D-Day commemorations in Normandy with offensive remarks. Finally, the hosts dissect Trump's increasingly erratic appearance on Meet the Press, where an orange-and-red-faced Trump abruptly ended the interview and stormed off when pressed on tough questions. All that and more on the MeidasTouch Podcast. Subscribe to Meidas+ at https://meidasplus.com Get Meidas Merch: https://store.meidastouch.com Deals from our sponsors!  Smalls: Head to https://Smalls.com/meidas and use promo code MEIDAS at checkout for 60% off your first order PLUS free shipping! Miracle Made: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://TryMiracle.com/meidas and use the code: MEIDAS to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. L-Nutra Prolon: Just visit https://ProlonLife.com/MEIDAS to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Willie's Remedy: Order now at https://drinkwillies.com and use code MEIDAS for 20% off of your first order + free shipping on orders over $95 Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices