Pope Benedict gives last Sunday blessing at Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI has given his final Sunday blessing at the Vatican before he steps down on Thursday.

In his last Angelus in St Peter’s Square, he told thousands of cheering pilgrims his decision did not mean he was abandoning the Church.

Pope Benedict, 85, announced his resignation last week, saying ill-health meant he could not continue.

Cardinals are gathering to choose the next pope amid fears Church ++++ abuse scandals may overshadow the process.

DR Congo: African leaders sign peace deal

Regional African leaders have signed a UN-brokered accord which aims to bring peace to the troubled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The deal was signed in the presence of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

He said he hoped it would bring “an era of peace and stability” to the region.

Albania celebrates 69th anniversary

Albania celebrates today the 69th anniversary of liberation by commemorating the thousands of young people who fought against the Nazi-fascist occupation. 

Same as in the past, November 29th started with homage at the Martyrs’ Cemetery. President Bujar Nishani, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Parliamentary Speaker Ilir Meta, Ministers, Socialist Parliament Members and allies of the Socialist Party, joined together to put wreaths on the “Mother Albania” memorial.

Parliament Speaker, Ilir Meta, together with Prime Minister Edi Rama, organized a commemoration activity by addressing to the families of those who gave their lives for the freedom of Albania. Meta declared that this day not only reminds us about the sacrifice of the dead, but it also make us to work harder for a better and more prosperous Albania.

EU candidate status, Fule writes to member countries

The Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, is doing another effort by sending a long letter to the 27 member countries of the European Union, asking them to vote in favor of the Commission’s recommendation for giving Albania the candidate status. 

In this letter, which is owned by Top Channel, the Commissioner for Enlargement makes a detailed scan of the integration developments, underlining that in the last progress report, Albania has accomplished the standards that in 2012 were established as indispensable for the status. Stefan Fule asked the member countries for a series of new data that are related with the steps undertaken by the Albanian government, after publishing the progress report in October.