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As Open AI employees celebrated the return of CEO Sam Altman with a five-alarm office party , OpenAI software engineer Steven Heidel was busy publicly rebuffing overtures from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. Heidel was one of more than 700 OpenAI employees who's threatened exodus halted a would-be mutiny at one of Silicon Valley's most important AI companies. He was previously a scientist at Facebook AI Research and worked as a member of Google Brain under supervision of Prof. Geoffrey Hinton and Ilya Sutskever. Alec Radford: Radford was hired in 2016 from a small AI company he founded in his dorm room. Tao Xu : technical staff, worked on GPT4 and WhisperChristine McLeavey : technical staff, with contributions to music-related productsChristina Kim : technical staffChristopher Hesse : technical staffHeewoo Jun : technical staff, researchAlex Nichol : technical staff, researchWilliam Fedus: technical staff, researchIlge Akkaya: technical staff, researchVineet Kosaraju : technical staff, researchHenrique Ponde de Oliveira Pinto : technical staffAditya Ramesh : technical staff, developed DALL-E and DALL-E 2Prafulla Dhariwal : research scientistHunter Lightman : technical staffHarrison Edwards : research scientistYura Burda : machine language researcherTyna Eloundou : technical staff, researchPamela Mishkin : researcherCasey Chu : researcherDavid Dohan : technical staff, researchAidan Clark : researcherRaul Puri : research scientistLeo Gao : technical staff, researchYang Song : technical staff, researchGiambattista ParascandoloTodor Markov : Machine learning researcherNick Ryder : technical staff

Persons: Sam Altman, Steven Heidel, Marc Benioff, Heidel, Altman, Mira Murati, Murati, Brad Lightcap, Lightcap, Jason Kwon, Kwon, Wojciech Zaremba, Geoffrey Hinton, Ilya Sutskever, Alec Radford, Radford, OpenAI, Peter Welinder, He's, Github Copilot, Anna Makanju, Andrej Karpathy, OpenAI's, Michael Petrov, Petrov, Greg [ Brockman, Miles Brundage, Brundage, John Schulman OpenAI, Srinivas Narayanan, Scott Grey, Grey, Bob McGrew, Research Che Chang, Lillian Weng, Safety Systems Mark Chen, Frontiers Research Barret Zoph, Peter Deng, Jan Leike Evan Morikawa Steven Heidel Jong Wook Kim, Tao Xu, Christine McLeavey, Christina Kim, Christopher Hesse, Heewoo, Alex Nichol, William Fedus, Henrique Ponde de Oliveira Pinto, Aditya Ramesh, Hunter Lightman, Harrison Edwards, Yura, Tyna, Pamela Mishkin, Casey Chu, David Dohan, Aidan Clark, Raul Puri, Leo Gao, Yang, Giambattista Parascandolo Todor Markov, Nick Ryder Organizations: Business, BI, OpenAI, Khosla Ventures, Facebook, Research, Google, Tesla, U.S . Department of Energy, Oxford University, Safety Systems, Frontiers Research Locations: Albania, Canada, OpenAI

☆ Italy says migrant pact with Albania isn't comparable to UK-Rwanda plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Angelo Amante | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"This Protocol is not comparable to the agreement between the United Kingdom and Rwanda," Tajani said, rejecting comparisons between the Italian initiative and Britain's, which UK's top judges have declared unlawful. The protocol, seen by Reuters, says the camps will operate under Italian jurisdiction, and should open in spring 2024. Tajani told lawmakers Italy would bear all the costs, including building and policing the centres, and would pay 16.5 million euros ($18.00 million) for the initial expenses. Some 150,000 sea migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, compared to around 94,000 in the same period in 2022. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Angelo Amante Editing by Alexandra HudsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Antonio Tajani, Tajani, Meloni, Silvio Berlusconi, Angelo Amante, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Reuters, Albanian, Forza Italia, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Albania, Rwanda, Africa, Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom, Tajani

☆ Mira Murati is OpenAI's new interim CEO. Here's what we know about the exec who replaces Sam Altman.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Jordan Hart | Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is out, the company's board said late Friday. Mira Murati, OpenAI's chief technology officer, will replace Altman as the interim CEO. "A member of OpenAI's leadership team for five years, Mira has played a critical role in OpenAI's evolution into a global AI leader. Murati joined OpenAI as a researcher in 2018 when the company had just 40 to 50 employees, she told Fortune. "Our goal is to get to AGI, and we want to get there in a way that makes sure that AGI goes well for humanity," Murati told Fortune.

Persons: Sam Altman, Mira Murati, Altman, —, Mira, OpenAI, PATRICK T, FALLON, Murati, ChatGPT, Tesla, Eugene Gologursky, She's, AGI, Getty, Rainer Maria Rilke Organizations: Service, Albania who's, Murati, Dartmouth, OpenAI, Time Magazine, Radiohead Locations: Albania, Murati, AGI, Silicon Valley, Vancouver

☆ Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT parent company Open AI, is out after board found he was ‘not consistently candid’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —OpenAI, the company behind the viral chatbot ChatGPT, fired its CEO and founder, Sam Altman, on Friday. The company, in a statement, said an internal investigation found that Altman was not always truthful with the board. ChatGPT launched late last year, making Altman an overnight quasi-celebrity and the face of a new crop of AI tools that can generate images and texts in response to simple user prompts. Google has a rival called “Bard,” and other generative AI tools have been developed in recent months. “I am sure the OpenAI board took this decision after a lot of deliberation,” he said.

Persons: CNN — OpenAI, Sam Altman, shockwaves, Altman, Mr, ” OpenAI, Mira Murati, “, ”, what’s, ChatGPT, “ Bard, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, OpenAI, Elon Musk, Arun Chandrasekaran, he’s, Murati, Mira, Eric Schmidt, ” Schmidt, ” Reece Hayden, ” Hayden, CNN’s Clare Duffy Organizations: CNN, Fortune, Microsoft, Google, “, White House, Gartner Research, Dartmouth, OpenAI, Tesla, ABI Research Locations: openai, San Francisco, Albania

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Thousands of Bulgarian football supporters on Thursday took to the streets of the capital, Sofia, in protest over the management of the national football union, a demonstration that eventually turned violent. The qualifying match between Bulgaria and Hungary for next year's European soccer championship fell victim to a bitter dispute between the management of the Bulgarian Football Union and soccer fans from across the Balkan country. Political Cartoons View All 1253 ImagesThe Bulgarian national team has failed to qualify for a major tournament for nearly two decades. The decision fueled anger not only amid Bulgarian fans. As they had already planned their trip, they intended to join the Bulgarian fans’ protest, according to BTA.

Persons: “, Bulgarian Football Union Borislav Mihaylov, Mihaylov, ”, BTA Organizations: Bulgarian, football union, Bulgarian Football Union, Media, Bulgarian Football Union Borislav, UEFA, Vasil Levski National Locations: SOFIA, Bulgaria, Sofia, Hungary, European, Albania, Lithuania, Bulgarian

☆ Juventus extend contract of banned Fagioli until 2028
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Nov 14 (Reuters) - Juventus have renewed the contract of Nicolo Fagioli until June 2028, the Serie A club said on Tuesday, after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) banned the midfielder for seven months for breaching rules on betting on matches. Fagioli's previous deal, signed in August 2022, was valid until 2026. "The relationship with Nicolo therefore continues, with the midfielder having arrived at Juventus in 2015 as a 14-year-old, rising through the youth ranks until his senior debut in 2021," Juventus said in a statement. The ban of the 22-year-old Fagioli, who made his Italy debut in a friendly 3-1 win against Albania in November 2022, began on Oct. 19, meaning the player could return to the squad for the end of the season. Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nicolo Fagioli, Nicolo, Anita Kobylinska, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Juventus, Serie, Italian Football Federation, Albania, Thomson Locations: Italy, Gdansk

☆ Germany's Scholz looking 'closely' at Italy's migrant deal with Albania
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks on next to the President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Stefan Lofven during the meeting of the Party of European Socialists in Malaga, Spain, November 11, 2023. REUTERS/Jon Nazca Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Nov 11 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday signalled an openness to study Italy's deal to hold migrants in Albania as the European Union tries to stem illegal immigration. Scholz's briefing, of which Reuters obtained an audio file, was held on the sidelines of a congress of the Party of European Socialists (PES). Scholz had on Tuesday agreed on a tougher migration policy and new funding for refugees with the heads of Germany's 16 states. Scholz also said six western Balkan states that had been promised EU membership 20 years ago should "soon" be integrated.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Stefan Lofven, Jon Nazca, Scholz, Andreas Rinke, Vera Eckert, Dditing, David Holmes Organizations: Party of European Socialists, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Monday Rome, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Malaga, Spain, Albania, Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Israel, Gaza

☆ It's Not Guantanamo, Italy's Tajani Says, Defending Albania Migrant Camps
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - A deal that allows Italy to build migrant reception and detention camps in Albania respects European Union rules, Italy's foreign minister said on Thursday, dismissing suggestions they were an Italian Guantanamo Bay. Italian opposition parties have denounced Meloni's plans as a deportation, with Riccardo Magi, a lawmaker with the centrist +Europa group, evoking the notorious Guantanamo Bay extrajudicial camps used by the U.S. in Cuba to detain Islamist terrorism suspects. It's a normal humanitarian accord," Tajani said. The German government agreed to look into whether asylum procedures could be carried out outside the European Union, though Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed scepticism on whether that was constitutionally possible and if countries would agree to it. (Reporting by John Irish; additional reporting by Alvise Armellini; editing by Nick Macfie)

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni's, Riccardo Magi, Antonio Tajani, It's, Tajani, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, John Irish, Alvise, Nick Macfie Organizations: PARIS, European, of Human Rights, Court, Justice, European Union Locations: Italy, Albania, Italian Guantanamo, U.S, Cuba, Guantanamo, Germany

In a series of reports on countries wanting to join the bloc's ranks, the EU’s executive branch recommended that war-ravaged Ukraine should be permitted to open membership talks, once it’s addressed some shortfalls. “Moldova is the subject of constant destabilization efforts against its democracy,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. For 20 years, the prospect of EU membership has been a powerful driver of pro-democratic reform in aspiring countries. The commission said that it should only start membership talks after more progress is made. The country started its EU membership talks in 2005, but they have ground to a halt in recent years.

Persons: it’s, “, Ursula von der Leyen, ”, von der Leyen, Turkey's, backsliding Organizations: —, European Union, European Commission, Georgia, EU, Kosovo –, Kyiv “ Locations: BRUSSELS, — Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine, Brussels, Hungary, Slovakia, Balkans, Albania, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnian, Turkey, Europe

☆ Albania to host no more than 3,000 migrants under deal with Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Italian Coast Guard vessel carrying migrants rescued at sea passes near a tourist boat, on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 18, 2023. The figure compares with the more than 145,000 sea migrants who have arrived in Italy so far this year, a sharp increase from 2022 which Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government is keen to contain. Announcing the deal with Albania on Monday, Meloni said as many as 36,000 migrants per year could pass through the Albanian camps, but hitting this target depends on how quickly Italy can process asylum applications. The protocol states that Italy will shield Albania from any costs from legal action against the initiative. The facilities are more than 1,000 kilometres from Lampedusa, the island where most Italy-bound sea migrants currently land.

Persons: Yara, Giorgia Meloni's, Meloni, repatriating, Alvise, Christina Fincher Organizations: Italian Coast Guard, REUTERS, Rights, Amnesty International, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, Albania, EU, Shëngjin

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy on Tuesday heralded an agreement she had struck with Albania, a non-European Union nation, to outsource the processing and containment of migrants as a breakthrough for one of the continent’s most defining challenges. “I believe it could become a model of cooperation between E.U. countries in managing migration flows,” Ms. Meloni told the Rome-based daily newspaper Il Messaggero. “I think this agreement features a bold European spirit.”But Italian politicians caught by surprise by Ms. Meloni’s announcement in Rome on Monday questioned whether the agreement — struck earlier this week with the nation across the Adriatic Sea — was legal, ethical, practical or even real. “Before further commenting, we need to understand what exactly they want to do,” Anitta Hipper, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, said on Tuesday.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, “, Ms, Meloni, Anitta Hipper Organizations: European Union, E.U, European Commission Locations: Italy, Albania, European, Rome

☆ Italy PM hails migrants deal with Albania as possible model for EU
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The agreement announced on Monday is the first example of a non-EU country accepting migrants on behalf of an EU nation. "I believe it (the deal) could become a model of cooperation between EU and non-EU countries in managing migration flows... I think this agreement features a bold European spirit," Meloni told Il Messaggero daily. Asked about the scheme by two Italian newspapers, Rama said Italy had not been the only EU country to propose such a deal, but he said he accepted Rome's offer as a sign of "gratitude". In the 1990s, Italy took in large numbers of Albanians and Rome is now one of the most solid backers of Albania's EU accession hopes.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Giorgia Meloni's, Yara, Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Il, Rama, Federico Maccioni, Alvise Armellini, Nick Macfie Organizations: Italian, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, EU, European Commission, La Stampa, Thomson Locations: Lampedusa, Italy, Albania, EU, British, Rwanda, Rome

☆ National Geographic announces 2024 ‘cool list’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

City breaksFor great food, museums and nightlife, head to some of the cities featured on National Geographic’s list. States of beingIn several cases, National Geographic highlighted entire states. National Geographic advises not only visiting New York City – the Empire State is also home to some natural beauty at Lake Placid and Niagara Falls. Meanwhile, National Geographic also lauded the northern Indian state of Sikkim, which is nestled in the Himalayas near the country’s borders with Bhutan and Nepal. Natural wondersThe National Geographic list is heavy on beautiful natural destinations.

Persons: •, Italy •, Germany •, Chile •, Argentina • Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, National Geographic, New, Geographic, Northern Ireland • Emilia, Scotland •, Finland •, Peru •, Peru • New York State, Argentina • Akagera Locations: Europe, Albania, China, Lima, Peru, Tainan, Taiwan’s, Texas, New York, New York City, Lake Placid, Niagara Falls, , Texas, Victoria, Australian, Melbourne, Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal, Nova Scotia, Canada, Chile, Dominica, Madagascar, Scotland, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, Albanian, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Romagna, Italy, • Galloway, Southern Ayrshire, Scotland • Nordland, Norway, North Yorkshire, England, Italy • Saimaa, Finland, Finland • Tartu, Estonia, Germany, Germany • Valletta, Malta, Wales, Ireland, Atacama, Chile • Lima, Peru • New York, Miami, Florida, Dominica • Nova Scotia, Yucatan, Mexico, Wetlands, Argentina, Rwanda, Madagascar • Sierra Leone, India, Taiwan, Australia

☆ Italy to build sea migrant reception centres in Albania
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Angelo Amante | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Meloni said the Albanian centres would initially host some 3,000 people when they are due to open in spring 2024. More than 145,000 people have come ashore in Italy so far in 2023, compared with around 88,000 in the same period in 2022. The same source denied Italy would pay any money to Albania to host the centres. Meloni said Italy would build a migrant identification facility at the Albanian port of Shëngjin, and a repatriation centre inland. The main countries migrants have arrived from in Italy in 2023 were Guinea, Ivory Coast and Tunisia, official data shows.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Rama, Rome, Maurizio Veglio, Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini, Alison Williams Organizations: European Union, Italian coastguard, Albanian, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Italy, Rome, ROME, Albania, Albanian, Africa, Shëngjin, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Rwanda

☆ Ryanair’s soaring profit means regular payouts to shareholders for first time in 40 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ryanair has returned money to investors in the past, but never on a regular basis. Between 2008 and 2020, the group paid out €6.74 billion ($7.2 billion) to shareholders via buybacks and ad hoc dividend payments, according to a spokesperson. Less competition has allowed the airline to increase ticket prices, which soared 24% on average, offsetting significantly higher fuel costs. That would be up from its previous record of €1.45 billion ($1.6 billion) earned in 2018, before the Covid-19 pandemic. Ryanair agreed to buy up to 300 Boeing 737-10 planes earlier this year in a deal worth $40 billion.

Persons: ”, Adina Vălean, we’ve, Michael O’Leary, “ I’m Organizations: London CNN, Ryanair, Lauda, Interactive Investor, Financial Times, International Air Transport Association, Boeing Locations: Austrian, Dublin, Europe, Albania

☆ Trump waited until after he left office to disclose trademarks he owns in China and Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Donald Trump disclosed that he owns hundreds of foreign trademarks in his ethics filings this year. Trump owns 114 trademarks in China — more than any other country by far, including the US. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)The final form Trump submitted during his presidency, dated January 15, 2021, disclosed Trump's financial interests in numerous overseas companies. The only indication of trademark holdings noted is his ownership of a company called "CHINA TRADEMARK LLC." AdvertisementAdvertisementIn his following OGE Form 278e form, filed on April 2023, as a presidential candidate, Trump disclosed a long list of foreign trademarks.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, —, Donald, Forbes, Alex Brandon, Joe Biden, Richard Painter, George W, Bush, Painter, who's, Joe Raedle, Ivanka Trump Organizations: Service, Hartsfield, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Trump, Drinks Israel, United Arab Emirates, LLCs, The New York Times, Trump Tower, Times, Associated Press, Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Locations: China, Russia, Venezuela, Iran, Cuba, Belarus, United States, CHINA, United Kingdom, Ukraine, El Salvador, Mexico, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Albania, sweeten, Saudi

☆ Flooded pitch fails to dampen spirits of Ireland's women
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Wettest game in history but job done and top of the group with the girlsss," Ireland captain Katie McCabe posted on Instagram after the match in Shkoder. "Ballon Pour," Ireland team mate Louise Quinn commented under the post, a reference to McCabe, like many others, missing the Ballon d'Or ceremony on Monday despite her nomination. After 20 minutes of play the first rumbles were heard, accompanied by torrential rain. The game was scoreless at halftime and play was suspended for an hour as ground staff cleared the waterlogged pitch. Denise O'Sullivan scored the winner in the 88th minute, and with four wins from four games, Ireland have secured the group win and promotion with two games still to play.

Persons: Ireland's Katie McCabe, Dan Peled, Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn, McCabe, Denise O'Sullivan, Sinead Farrelly, Trevor Stynes Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane Football, REUTERS, Ireland, League, Women's Nations, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, of Ireland, Nigeria, Brisbane, Australia, Republic, Albania, Shkoder, Dublin

☆ Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Maureen Ohare | Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Get your wishlist fired up, Lonely Planet just revealed its 50 top travel destinations for the year ahead. The travel publishing empire turns 50 this year, and its bumper Best in Travel 2024 list is expanded across five categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations and best-value locations. The “wild beauty” of South Africa also gets a nod, with Lonely Planet recommending visitors check out the country’s “impressive crop of ecolodges” committed to protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The underrated American Midwest is the top tip here: in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, “you’ll find old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco design hotels and many Michelin-starred restaurants,” says Lonely Planet. Says Lonely Planet, “Here you’ll find the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails.”Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024India: A big country with a whole lot to love, including Gadisar lake in Rajasthan.

Persons: CNN —, Lucia, Torres del, ecolodges ”, Babanango, “, ”, you’ll, Ilan Shacham, Ireland País Vasco, Português, daniel Organizations: CNN, Lonely, Lonely Planet, Kenyan, Michelin, Getty, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia St, Regions, CNN Cities Nairobia, Chile Greenland, Lithuania Eco, France Egypt Ikaria, Greece Algeria Southern Lakes, Central Otago , New Zealand Locations: Mongolia, Mexico, Croatia, St, Benin, Uzbekistan, City, Nairobi, Paris, Prague, Czech, “, Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Spain, Valencia, Barcelona, South Africa, South, KwaZulu Natal, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Algeria, Northern Africa, Europe, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Hercegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Adriatic, Donegal, Ireland’s, India, Rajasthan, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia, Lucia Macedonia, South Australia Donegal, Ireland, Spain Southern Thailand Swahili, Tanzania Montana, USA, Austria, Kenya Paris, France Montreal, Canada Mostar, Herzegovina Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Manaus, Brazil Jakarta, Indonesia Prague, Czech Republic Izmir, Turkey Kansas City , Missouri, Spain Patagonia, Argentina, Chile, Chile Greenland Wales, Santiago Palau Hokkaido, Japan Ecuador Baltic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, South Africa Poland, USA Poland Nicaragua Danube Limes, Bulgaria Normandy, France Egypt, Greece Algeria Southern, Central Otago , New

☆ A 'festering' powder keg in Europe is lurking in the shadow of the Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

"Consequently, the Serbia-Kosovo discord, while festering, finds itself languishing in the shadow of these more immediate and globally resonant challenges." It highlights a major challenge for policymakers: providing ongoing conflicts with near-constant attention, while still monitoring other strategically significant risks. "The fact remains that the Balkan region is a powder keg, where even minor incidents can swiftly spiral into broader conflicts. History has underscored the adage that what happens in the Balkans, doesn't stay in the Balkans," the CEPA's Hartwell said. "The U.S., EU and U.K. do not have the diplomatic and military bandwidth to respond to several conflicts of strategic interest.

Persons: Stringer, Leon Hartwell, Hartwell, Banjska, doesn't, Majda Ruge Organizations: NATO, Kosovo Force, KFOR, Afp, Getty, Center for, CNBC, European Union, Anadolu Agency, European Council, Foreign Relations Locations: Mitrovica, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Balkans, Europe, Serbia, Kosovo, Palestine, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Southern, Eastern Europe, Moscow, Brussels, Washington, Serbs, Kosovan, U.S, EU, Pristina, destabilising Kosovo, Yugoslavia

☆ EU to Help Western Balkans Reforms With 6 Billion Euro Package - Von Der Leyen
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - The European Union plans to help the countries of the Western Balkans to pursue reforms needed for integration with the wealthy bloc with 6 billion euros investment, the EU executive's president Ursula von der Leyen said in Skopje on Monday. North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina all need to seize the "window of opportunity" for the enlargement of the EU and work to align their standards to those in the bloc, von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen said the EU's new growth plan for the region would include the opening of its common market to the Western Balkan countries in areas such as free movement of goods and services, transport and energy. "These reforms will come with investment," von der Leyen said during a news conference with North Macedonia's Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski at the start of her Western Balkans tour. "We have proposed a 6 billion euro ($6.34 billion) package for Western Balkan partners," she said.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Dimitar Kovacevski, Daria Sito, Alison Williams, Ed Osmond Organizations: European Union, EU, ., North Macedonia's, Western Balkan, Brussels Locations: SARAJEVO, Balkans, Skopje, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, EU, North Macedonia

☆ EU to help Western Balkans reforms with 6 billion euro package - von der Leyen
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SARAJEVO, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The European Union plans to help the countries of the Western Balkans pursue reforms needed for integration with the wealthy bloc with an investment of 6 billion euros ($6.4 billion), the EU executive's president, Ursula von der Leyen, said in Skopje on Monday. North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina all need to seize the "window of opportunity" for the enlargement of the EU and work to align their standards to those in the bloc, von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen said the EU's new growth plan for the region would include the opening of its common market to the Western Balkan countries in areas such as free movement of goods and services, transport and energy. It also urged the countries to open a common regional market, and pursue it with necessary reforms. "These reforms will come with investment," von der Leyen said during a press conference with North Macedonia Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski at the start of her Western Balkans tour.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Dimitar Kovacevski, Daria Sito, Fatos Bytyci, Alison Williams, Ed Osmond, Mark Porter Organizations: European Union, EU, ., North Macedonia, Brussels, Thomson Locations: SARAJEVO, Balkans, Skopje, Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, EU, North Macedonia, Pristina

☆ Two strangers moved into an apartment in Prague. Then they fell in love
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

Marcus was studying in his bedroom in the Prague apartment when Mandy’s message popped up on his laptop. “It was a super-nice apartment in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Prague,” Marcus tells CNN Travel. Arriving in PragueMandy moved into Marcus' apartment in Prague's vibrant Vinohrady area. Here's one of Marcus and Mandy's first photos together, taken in their Prague apartment in 2020. “The night before he left, I’m crying and I’m like, ‘Oh, gosh, you’re leaving and I’m so sad,’” recalls Mandy.

Persons: Mandy Sanchez, Mandy, She’d, Marcus Wecksten, Marcus, Boris, ”, “, ” Marcus, ” Marcus –, Prague’s Charles University –, they’re, ’, that’s, you’re, ’ ”, Prague Mandy, Mandy Sanchez Mandy, who’d, ” Mandy, Mandy’s Uber, Uber, Mandy “, ’ ” Mandy, decamped, she’d, Mandy's, couldn’t, Marcus “, they’d, Marcus didn’t, Let’s, Mandy’s hesitations, Mandy couldn’t, Kemal Onur Ozman, coronavirus, They’d, ” Mandy wasn’t, ” Boris, Marcus wasn’t, I’ll, Mandy –, I’ve, I’m, Charles, –, phoning, hadn’t, Mandy’s, Here's Mandy, Marcus ’, – Marcus wouldn’t, “ He’d, ” “ We’ve, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Texas, M University, Facebook, Prague’s Charles University, CNN Travel, Midway, Uber, Google, Pilsner, ”, Prague Locations: Texas, Prague, Prague ”, Europe, Vinohrady, –, Germany, Finland, Czech Republic, Karlovy Vary, Albania, Helsinki

☆ Opinion: Oxi Day: The true story of how Greece helped defeat the Nazis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Opinion Christopher Cosmos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

To fully understand the quote, though, it’s necessary to start further back, in the hours before the invasion and fighting began. Adolf Hitler himself, as Chancellor of Germany and leader of the Axis Powers, had no intention of invading Greece. The German invasionEven though Greece had defied the odds and beaten the Italians when no one thought they could, they wouldn’t be able to defeat the combined Italian and German forces. Join us on Twitter and FacebookOxi Day celebrates the path of bravery, unity, and freedom over the path of fascism, tyranny, and lies. Most of all, Oxi Day is a day that celebrates sacrifice of the highest order by the Greek people during WWII, and all those who fought in Greece alongside them.

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☆ Albanian prosecutors charge former Prime Minister Sali Berisha in corruption probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha gestures as he speaks during an anti-government protest in front of Prime Minister Edi Rama's office in Tirana, Albania, November 12, 2022. REUTERS/Florion Goga/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTIRANA, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Albanian prosecutors have charged former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law on corruption charges over a land deal involving the grounds of a sports club, investigators said on Sunday. Berisha has accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating the whole case. The accusations are baseless and are Edi Rama's direct political attacks against me," Berisha told reporters late on Saturday. Berisha served as president from 1992 to 1997, immediately after the fall of communism in Albania, and as prime minister from 2005 to 2013.

Persons: Sali Berisha, Florion, Berisha, Taulant Balla, Florion Goga, Fatos Bytyci, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Democratic Party, Edi, REUTERS, Rights, FC Partizani, Thomson Locations: Tirana, Albania, Rights TIRANA, United States

☆ Albanian Prosecutors Charge Former PM Berisha in Corruption Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

TIRANA (Reuters) - Albanian prosecutors have charged former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law on corruption charges over a land deal involving the grounds of a sports club, investigators said on Sunday. While his son-in-law was arrested late on Saturday, Berisha himself is a lawmaker and has immunity from prosecution. Berisha has accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating the whole case. The accusations are baseless and are Edi Rama's direct political attacks against me," Berisha told reporters late on Saturday. Berisha served as president from 1992 to 1997, immediately after the fall of communism in Albania, and as prime minister from 2005 to 2013.

Persons: Sali Berisha, Berisha, Taulant Balla, Florion Goga, Fatos Bytyci, Hugh Lawson Organizations: FC Partizani, Edi, Democratic Party Locations: TIRANA, Tirana, United States, Albania

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