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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

☆ 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

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

☆ 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.

Persons: Christopher Cosmos, Winston Churchill, Christopher Cosmos Christopher Cosmos, Ioannis Metaxas, Emanuele Grazzi, Grazzi, Metaxas, “, c’est, oxi, Benito Mussolini’s, Adolf Hitler, he’d, Mussolini, Count Galeazzo Ciano, “ Hitler, Zeus, Alexandros Papagos, Mark Mazower, Hitler, Napoleon, Basileus Leonidas, –, it’s, Wilhelm Keitel, ”, hasn’t, Franklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, that’s what’s Organizations: Facebook, CNN, British, Italian, German, Allies, America, Nuremberg, Russia, Twitter Locations: Grand Rapids , Michigan, Greece, Italian, French, Albania, North Africa, Britain, London, United Kingdom, Italy, America, Athens, Germany, Russia, Thermopylae, Crete, Soviet Union, It’s

☆ 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

☆ US decision to send long-range missiles to Kyiv a grave mistake - Russia's envoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Armoured vehicles move during "Noble Blueprint 2023" military exercise at Novo Selo military grounds, Bulgaria, September 26, 2023. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also confirmed his forces used the ATACMS after his military reported on Tuesday striking two air bases in Ukrainian territory now controlled by Russia. Ukraine had repeatedly asked the U.S. administration for the ATACMS and pledged not to use inside Russia's territory. The Kremlin has said U.S. supplies of ATACMS missiles and Abrams tanks to Ukraine would not change the situation on the battlefield. Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anatoly Antonov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Antonov, Lidia Kelly, Christopher Cushing Organizations: NATO, Army Tactical Missile Systems, White House, Ukrainian Special Forces, Thomson Locations: Novo Selo, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, U.S, Ukraine, ATACMS, Russia, Luhansk, Ukraine's, Berdiansk, Azov, Washington, United States, Melbourne, Lincoln

"Whenever we come up against Wizz, we tend to have significantly lower fares and have much lower costs," he said. As an example of the strategy, he cited Albania, where Ryanair plans to open 25 new routes this winter to take on Wizz (WIZZ.L) in its eastern European heartland. According to data analysis firm IBA, low-cost carriers have over 59% of the aviation market in Poland, up from 31% in 2021. He added that Buzz and Ryanair were mainly focused on regional airports, like Modlin outside Warsaw or Katowice near Krakow. Poland and eastern Europe's lighter regulatory requirements, lower environmental scrutiny and poor rail connections make them appealing markets by comparison.

Persons: Wizz, Michael O'Leary, Jozsef Varadi, Varadi, Jamie Lindsay, Michal Kaczmarzyk, Buzz, Dan Taylor, Kaczmarzyk, O'Leary, Tim Hepher, Mark Potter Organizations: Ryanair, WARSAW, Wizz Air, Reuters, Wizz, Artemis Investment, LLP, Chopin, IBA Insight, Thomson Locations: Poland, PRAGUE, Europe, Ireland, Italy, Albania, Hungary, Warsaw, Modlin, Katowice, Krakow, Polish, France, Ukraine, Poland's

☆ Macron says 'Islamist terrorism' rising in Europe, all states at risk
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TIRANA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Europe is seeing a rise of "Islamist terrorism" and all states are threatened, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday during a visit to Albania, after Islamist killings of a teacher in France and two Swedish football fans in Belgium. Macron spoke a day after a 45-year-old attacker, who identified himself as a member of Islamic State and claimed responsibility in a video posted online, killed the two Swedes fans in Brussels. All European states are vulnerable, and there is indeed a resurgence of Islamist terrorism," Macron said after talks with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana. "Here, we reiterate our solidarity with our Belgian friends," Macron said. "Israel's security, the fight against all terrorist groups, as well as the peace process and the political solution, are all interconnected," he said.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Florian Goga, Fatos, Hedy Beloucif, Marine Strauss, Ivana Sekularac, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Islamic, Albanian, Edi Rama, Thomson Locations: TIRANA, Europe, Albania, France, Belgium, Islamic State, Brussels, Paris, French, Arras, Tirana, Israel, Pristina

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare was awarded the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor title by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. Macron arrived in Tirana after a summit of European Union leaders with Western Balkan countries earlier in the day. Before Albania installed political pluralism after a students’ protest in December 1990, Kadare flew to France asking for political asylum. Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesFrance has made him a foreign associate of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences and also Commander of the Legion of Honor. Kadare has been awarded a number of international prizes for his works, which include more than 80 novels, plays, screenplays, poetry, essays or story collections translated into different languages.

Persons: Ismail Kadare, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, didn't, ” Kadare, Enver Hoxha, Kadare Organizations: Legion, Union, Army, Academy of Moral, Political Sciences Locations: TIRANA, Albania, Albanian, Tirana, Western, France, Paris

☆ Gavi strike sends Spain to Euro 2024, Turkey and Scotland also qualify
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Spain striker was the centre of attention again when midfielder Gavi fired home four minutes after the break and another VAR offside check ensued, but this time he was in the clear and the goal was allowed to stand. Norway set up to hit Spain on the break but struggled to create much in attack as the visitors kept striker Erling Haaland shackled to reach the finals with two games to spare. A brilliant volley from Yunus Akgun just before the hour put Turkey on course for a comprehensive win against Latvia that ensured they will take their place at next year's tournament. The Turks top their group with 16 points, six points ahead of Wales and Croatia after the Welsh beat the Croats 2-1 in Cardiff to keep their qualifying hopes alive. Reporting by Philip O'Connor, Tommy Lund and Anita Kobylinska; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Gavi's, Alvaro Morata, Gavi, Erling Haaland, Yunus Akgun, Cenk, Poland's, Robert Lewandowski, Ion Nicolaescu, Karol Swiderski, Philip O'Connor, Tommy Lund, Anita Kobylinska, Ken Ferris Organizations: Norway, Group, Scotland, Latvia, Turks, Welsh, Israel, Thomson Locations: Spain, Norway, Germany Turkey, Latvia, Turkey, Oslo, Kerem, Germany, Wales, Croatia, Cardiff, Switzerland, Belarus, Romania, Andorra, Swiss, Pristina, Moldova, Albania, Czech Republic

Gavi's winning goal for Spain against Norway in a European Championship qualifier on Sunday will likely have been cheered as wildly in Glasgow as it was in Madrid. The Barcelona midfielder's strike at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo secured a 1-0 win that means both Spain and Scotland have qualified for Euro 2024. Scotland might not harbor realistic ambitions of winning Euro 2024, but it has arguably exceeded expectations by qualifying from Group A. Wales moved up to second in the group ahead of Croatia in third, with both teams on 10 points. Poland drew 1-1 with Moldova to leave those teams three points and four points off the top respectively.

Persons: Gavi's, Luka, Josko Gvardiol, Marcelo Brozovic, Harry Wilson, Mario Pasalic, Yunus Akgun, Cenk Tosun, Kerem Akturkoglu, ___ James Robson Organizations: Spain, Sunday, Ullevaal, Scotland, Turkey, Latvia, European, Wales, ALBANIA, Faroe, Albania, Andorra — Locations: Norway, Glasgow, Madrid, Barcelona, Oslo, Spain, Scotland, Germany, Konya Metropolitan, Croatia, Wales, CROATIA, Qatar, Turkey, Albania, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Switzerland, Belarus, Georgia, Cyprus

☆ 2 women chasing a climbing record across 14 mountains both died in avalanches on their last peak
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Two climbers vied to become the first US female to reach the peak of the world's 14 tallest mountains. They were hit by avalanches on their final peak in southern Tibet and died, per reports. AdvertisementAdvertisementGutu wrote about her adventures on Instagram, including mountain climbing, skydiving, and paragliding. In the post, she said the mountain was known to have a "curse" for female climbers. "I am happy to see that in recent years this curse has been broken by many female climbers," she said.

Persons: —, Anna Gutu, Gina Marie Rzucidlo, Shishapangma, Gutu, Rzucdilo, Christy Rzucidlo, Suzan Rzucdilo, Exped, Anna, Mingmar Organizations: Service, New York Times, Xinhua, Facebook, NBC Locations: Tibet, China, Shishapangma, Nepal, Pakistan, Romania, Albania, Italy, Japan

☆ Soccer Juventus midfielder Fagioli faces investigation for illegal betting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is under investigation for alleged illegal betting activities, an Italian prosecutor said on Wednesday, confirming earlier press reports. "I confirm the news of the investigation," Turin Chief Prosecutor Enrica Gabetta said in an emailed statement, without elaborating. "Nicolo is calm and fully focused on Juventus and the (Italian Serie A) league," they added. Italian soccer authorities ban players from betting on soccer matches but not from other types of gambling. A player found to have bet on soccer matches risks being banned for at least three years and fined at least 25,000 euros ($26,520) under the FIGC's code of conduct.

Persons: Nicolo Fagioli, Enrica Gabetta, Luca Ferrari, Armando Simbari, Nicolo, Fagioli, Angelo Amante, Alvise Armellini, Elvira Pollina, Gavin Jones, Ed Osmond Organizations: Juventus, La Stampa, A, Italian national, Albania, Thomson Locations: Turin, Italian

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