—❗️🇦🇱/🇺🇸 NEW: PM Edi Rama has stated that Albania is open to allowing the US military to launch operations from its territory against Iran, provided Washington supplies the country with an air defense system.

➡️ In an interview with Politico, Rama noted that Albania currently lacks its own air protection and would require security guarantees in exchange for staging rights.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—NOTE: However, he faces much more severe charges in Romania, where he is accused of treason and espionage for allegedly passing classified documents to the Belarusian KGB in exchange for money—crimes that carry a sentence of over 20 years.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇴 Romania’s only round village quietly fades

➡️ Charlottenburg, Romania’s only circular village founded in 1771 by Danube Swabians in the Banat region, is now down to just 4–5 families, watched over by its last Swabian resident, 88‑year‑old Peter Trimper, as this unique piece of regional heritage slowly vanishes.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇧🇬 FACT: Contrary to popular belief, the Cyrillic alphabet didn't originate in Russia. It was actually developed in the First Bulgarian Empire during the 9th century!

🔗 Bulgaria

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇨🇳/🇷🇸 NEW: Chinese furniture manufacturer JPAI Home is planning a major new investment in Serbia to expand its local production capacity.

➡️ The company, which has operated in Krnjesevci for several years, intends to build a new factory to strengthen its assembly and manufacturing of modern furniture for the European market.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇸/🇺🇸 NEW: Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has issued a strong condemnation of the armed assault targeting Donald Trump, describing political violence as "the epitome of cowardice."

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—❗️🇽🇰/🇷🇸 NEW: Jelena Đukanović has been sentenced to 25 years in prison by a court in Pristina for spying and conspiracy against Kosovo.

➡️ Đukanović, an employee of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, was found guilty of using her position to interfere in crucial reports and sharing classified information with Serbian intelligence agencies.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—NOTE: Critics and local analysts have raised concerns about the employment practices of these agencies, with some alleging that Serbian nationals often receive priority in hiring, potentially creating a "hub" for espionage activities within Pristina’s borders.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇸/🇮🇱 WATCH: Serbia and Israel have held their first-ever strategic dialogue, a milestone announced today by Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar.

➡️ Sa’ar highlighted the "historic depth" of bilateral relations, describing Serbia as a "reliable ally and a true friend" under the leadership of President Aleksandar Vučić.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇷🇸/🇨🇳 NEW: Serbia is reportedly moving toward the acquisition of the Chinese HQ-9B long-range air defense system, a move seen as filling the gap left after Belgrade abandoned plans for Russian S-300 and S-400 systems due to Western pressure.

🔗 Dunav Intel

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English

—🇧🇬 NEW: The Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgi Kandev, after being selected to continue his duties in Radev’s new government, revealed that he is under external pressure.

➡️ According to him, the plot involves both individuals from the criminal underworld and former high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Interior.

➡️ He also stated that, in anonymous phone calls he received, he was told that fake testimonyes are already being submitted to the Sofia Prosecutor’s Office against him by influential figures, including a businessman known by the nickname “The Potato.”

➡️ Kandev firmly declared that he will not step down, will continue to fulfill his duties, and will not give in to the pressure.

ℹ️ Information reported by our source in Bulgaria.

✅ @balkanspectator — the leading Balkan news channel in English