In every corner of the world, borrowing money is a fundamental part of life. We take out loans to start businesses, buy homes, or even just to get by. While banks are the go-to lenders for many, riskier options exist on the margins—payday loans, private lenders, and quick-cash schemes. These alternatives promise fast money but often come with hidden costs that can spiral into a cycle of debt and despair.…
IRL
The Big Picture For centuries Albania and Macedonia have faced similar challenges. Today, however, citizens in both countries are affected by toxic historical and ethnic narratives. The corrupt and controlled media landscape, along with rampant misinformation, further deepens these divisions. Unfortunately, the beneficiaries of these imposed narratives include corrupt politicians, oligarchs, and hostile foreign powers that actively undermine regional stability. Meanwhile, the majority of citizens in both neighboring countries suffer…
Stolen Lives The expensive and aggressive marketing of pay-day loan companies cannot buy off all media outlets, journalists, and public figures who are paid to create the illusion that this industry does not exploit the poor and vulnerable. “Stolen Lives” reveals how organized crime groups from Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria exploited institutional failures to oversee financial companies and to protect citizens’ personal data. Murder in Tetovo What remains after the…
In 2022, the commander of the Greek Intelligence Service put together with his interlocutor from North Macedonia, a draft preliminary agreement for cooperation on cybersecurity. But they forgot to remove a subtle, albeit very important electronic trace, which was seen by inside story. This is Part B of the investigation resulting from Inside Story’s partnership with the Investigative Reporting Lab. Tal Dilian’s group of companies developed and sold the Predator…