Experts say an operation that used seized communications app data to investigate seven organised crime groups offers new evidence of the connections in Albania between gangsters, politics and the economy. Original post Here

Victims of Albania’s communist regime and activists gathered at a former labour camp to honour the prisoners’ uprising in 1984 and call for the location to be preserved as a reminder of past suffering. Original post Here

Municipality’s payments to a restaurant owned by the wife of the former deputy mayor – now a government minister – raises fresh questions about business connections between state officials and their private business partners. Original post Here

A same-sex couple held a private civil partnership ceremony at Tirana City Hall – but even though it had no legal standing, their ‘marriage’ sparked angry reactions from traditionalists. Original post Here

Evidence shows that schools with a large concentration of Roma and ethnic Egyptian pupils underperform – but Albania’s Education Ministry doesn’t see a problem. Original post Here

Albania has approved gender equality quotas for local councils since 2015. However, undemocratic practices by party leaders make women less willing to speak out and, when they do, more prone to be told: “Shut up”, a study has found. Original post Here

Media rights groups have called on Albania’s police to explain the arrest of a journalist and two police officers for producing ‘false information’ for the purpose of denigrating state officials. Original post Here

As beaches, historic sites and natural beauties in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece and Turkey draw increasing numbers of tourists, governments eye bumper profits – though experts warn that relentless growth in the sector comes with costs. Original post Here

Public institutions in the six Western Balkan countries routinely refuse to respond to freedom of information requests, and it’s getting worse, a new report from the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network warns. Original post Here

Fredi Beleri, a mayor-elect in Albania who has been in prison since May 2023, is expected to enter the European parliament after standing as a Greek MEP, further complicating already strained relations between Albania and Greece. Original post Here