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‘No Way Out’: Support Shortfall Forces Albanian Abuse Victims Back to Abusers

Albania registers thousands of cases of domestic violence every year but the absence of an adequate state support system means many victims end up back with their abusers. Original post Here

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Albania’s Roma Decry Lack of Progress on Govt’s Integration Pledge

Five years ago, Albania promised its Roma community “full equality and integration”. There has been no discernible change. Original post Here

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Albania Bank Governor Faces Prosecution Threat Over Fraudulent Loans

Prosecutors say Gent Sejko has questions to answer over a dodgy company that harassed some 17,000 Albanians for nonexistant loans, and which operated under bank’s license for years. Original post Here

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‘The Same Coin’: Crackdown Exposes Organised Crime’s Penetration of Albanian Politics

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

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Never Forget: Albanians Commemorate Communist-Era Labour Camp Uprising

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

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Conflict of Interest? Restaurant Investment Raises Questions for Albanian Minister

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

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Unofficial Same-Sex ‘Marriage’ Ceremony Causes Controversy in Albania

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

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School’s Out: In Albania, Segregation of Minority Pupils Fuels High Dropout Rate

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

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Women on Albanian Councils Told to ‘Shut Up’, Study Reveals

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

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Balkan Countries Push for Record Tourism Year, Despite Growth Concerns

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