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Wednesday, April 22, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
BULGARIA: Release of Medics Leaves Larger Issues Hanging
The release of six Bulgarian medics detained in Libya for eight years seems to have led to a sudden "normalisation of ties" between Libya and the European Union.BULGARIA: Little Hope against Organised Crime
A recent shooting in Bulgarian capital Sofia involving Serbian Zemun clan members has brought into focus the seriousness of Bulgaria's problems with organised crime.ENVIRONMENT-ALBANIA: No Time to Waste
Albania cannot hope to become a major tourist destination unless it solves its waste management problem. Seeing this, authorities are wasting no more time in taking action.ALBANIA: Thermal Plant Threatens Tourism
The building of a thermal power plant in Vlora could reduce Albania's electricity deficit, but it would also damage one of the country's most beautiful tourist destinations. The local population is fighting to have the factory built elsewhere.ALBANIA: A Provincial Capital On The Move
Friendly, small-scale and cheap, colourful and somewhat improvised, Tirana, like its people, seems to be happy and curious about any visitor. Whether it can preserve this charm remains to be seen.ALBANIA: Saving Beaches for Others, and Itself
Albania has launched a new programme to save its beaches for tourists – and from tourists.ROMANIA: Gay Rights Far From Being Acknowledged
The third Gay Pride Parade that drew strong opposition earlier this month underlines the fact that gay rights are far from being accepted in this country.ROMANIA: Cannes Award Brings Back Memories
A Romanian triumph at the Cannes film festival this year has revived painful memories for thousands of women.BULGARIA: Eye on Justice as New Political Star Emerges
Justice Minister Georgi Petkanov announced he will resign after the weekend because of health reasons, saying "work at the ministry is extremely hard." Meanwhile, a rising politician who has staked a claim as an anti-crime crusader is making his way towards the prime minister's chair.
BULGARIA: A Capital That Can’t Handle Its Mess
On several occasions over the past two years, the streets of the Bulgarian capital Sofia have been literally covered with trash. The city of one million is one of the few European capitals without a waste processing system.ROMANIA: Referendum Asserts Popular Will Over Parliament
A decision by parliament to oust Romanian President Traian Basescu was overturned in a historic referendum that has endorsed his wide popular appeal despite recent political turmoil.BULGARIA: Addicted to Russia’s Energy
A member of the European Union since Jan 1 2007, Bulgaria still takes its cues on energy from Russia.ROMANIA: What are Intellectuals Doing with Politics
Over the past months, the Romanian Parliament passed a censorship motion against reformist justice minister Monica Macovei and suspended President Traian Basescu. As the elected representatives of the people get increasingly entangled in power games, prominent intellectuals try to speak up, only to be slandered in response.ROMANIA: Corruption Concerns Split Government
The Romanian government stands divided by differences that have emerged between the President and the Prime Minister, many of them over the issue of corruption.ENVIRONMENT-ROMANIA: That Lethal Name, Copsa
In Copsa Mica the cemetery, a heavy metal factory and a complex of apartment buildings for the factory workers are all close together. To the residents the message seems to be that they are disposable.ROMANIA: Young Turn Away from Politics
Students in Romania have gone back to having student-like problems.CORRUPTION: Reformist Minister Under Fire in Romania
Romanian civil society leaders are worried by a new attack on a minister battling corruption.ROMANIA: Past Steps In to Upset Russians
Russia and neighbouring Moldova have expressed anger over a Romanian court decision declaring Romania's invasion of the former Soviet Union in 1941 legitimate.ROMANIA: A European Home to Hepatitis
About two million of Romania’s 22 million people are carrying some form of hepatitis, in the highest infection rates in Europe.CORRUPTION: Bulgaria Begins a Brave Fight
Still "on probation" from Brussels, Bulgaria is taking bold steps to persuade the European Union that it is efficient in getting rid of corruption and organised crime.ROMANIA: How Bleak Is My Valley
Petrosani, a town of about 50,000, presents a stark picture today of what the abrupt replacement of state socialism by unbridled capitalism can do.« Previous Page — Next Page »
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