Albania

Parents in Argelita fixed up this abandoned lot adjacent to the new school, turned it into a playground and garden.

A school reopens in this small Spanish village after 47 years

Back in the ‘70s, Argelita's village school in northeast Spain closed down because there just were not enough children. But now, after 47 years, children finally have a place to learn in town.

A school reopens in this small Spanish village after 47 years
The luxurious Rafaelo resort is in stark contrast with the conditions in Afghanistan. At least 2,000 Afghans feel fortunate to stay here but also guilty about those left behind.

Afghans endure indefinite limbo at 5-star hotel in Albania

Afghans endure indefinite limbo at 5-star hotel in Albania
Albania

Albania's golden eagle, a national symbol, is on the road to extinction

Albania's golden eagle, a national symbol, is on the road to extinction
An Albanian state police officer holds a piece of freshly cut cannabis near the town of Kruja. Most of the pot produced in Albania is grown outdoors, on public land. Growers take advantage of the country’s Mediterranean climate and mountainous terrain.

Riding along with Albania's pot police

Riding along with Albania's pot police
Jetmir Gjini used to grow marijuana -- lots of it. Now he and his family are back to herding sheep.

In Europe’s former pot capital, now the only grass is for sheep

In Europe’s former pot capital, now the only grass is for sheep
Uendi Pustina (R) and members of the band PreMenstrual Syndrome.

This punk band uses English to get across — to some — their feminist message

PreMenstrual Syndrome says English makes it easier to push the envelope in socially conservative Albania. But is the message lost in the process?

This punk band uses English to get across — to some — their feminist message
citizenship oath

First Generation? Second? For immigrants and their children, a question with meaning.

A sociologist, a public health director and a Hollywood actress are all asking the same question but finding their own way to define their immigrant identity.

First Generation? Second? For immigrants and their children, a question with meaning.
Julian Assange

Remember WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange? If not, he's got a T-shirt for you

Julian Assange has been staying in the Ecuadorean embassy in London for months, largely out of the spotlight. But he's trying to put his face back in front of people — literally. On T-shirts. Meanwhile, we take your questions about Ebola and, in Canada, the dollar has fallen to a new five-year low, making Canadian goods inexpensive. All that and more in today's Global Scan.

Remember WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange? If not, he's got a T-shirt for you
Fans and players of Serbia and Albania clash during their Euro 2016 Group I qualifying soccer match at the FK Partizan stadium in Belgrade on October 14, 2014.

Soccer goes to war during a match between Serbia and Albania

A scoreless match turned into a riot in Belgrade on Tuesday — literally. When a banner-toting drone flew over the match between political rivals Albania and Serbia, it touched off a riot between the teams and hardcore Serbian fans.

Soccer goes to war during a match between Serbia and Albania

With The Joining Project, an Albanian artist is knitting Boston together

Ever knit a blanket? Ever hung that from a bridge? If it seems outlandish, it probably is. But The Joining Project is doing it, with a serious purpose.

With The Joining Project, an Albanian artist is knitting Boston together
Workers dressed in protective clothes hold a mock chemical World War Two grenade during a demonstration

Wanted: Peaceful place to destroy toxic WMDs, no experience required

The UN-linked group responsible for destroying Syria's chemical weapons arsenal wants to do the destruction away from Syria's civil war. But no country has offered to host the operation, which involves toxic chemicals. The other alternative is to do it at sea, but that is hardly ideal.

Wanted: Peaceful place to destroy toxic WMDs, no experience required

Albania's Bunker Mentality

More than half a million concrete bunkers dot the Albanian landscape, holdovers from the Cold War. Now, Albanians are trying to figure out whether to reduce, reuse or recycle them.

Albania's Bunker Mentality

Former Guantanamo detainee now making pizza in Albania

Five Muslim Uighurs from China who spent years in Guantanamo are now living in Albania. One of them is now a pizza maker in Tirana.

Former Guantanamo detainee now making pizza in Albania

American cars a sign of status, admiration in Kosovo

The United States is held in high regard in Kosovo because of its role in supporting the former Serbian province's bid for independence. So, for many Kosovars, having a beefy American muscle car is a high sign of status. So much so that Kosovars living abroad, even in the U.S., often bring their cars home with them on vacation.

American cars a sign of status, admiration in Kosovo

Because of disputed status, first Kosovar Olympian competing for Albania

Majlinda Kelmendi will be competing in the Olympics in London this year. She's the first Kosovar to participate since the country declared independence back in 2008. But because Kosovo isn't recognized by the United Nations, she must compete for Albania.

Because of disputed status, first Kosovar Olympian competing for Albania