‘Return Hubs’ for Migrants Anticipated in Balkans for ‘Era of Deportations’
As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations. Original post Here
Waste Money Wasted: The Millions of Euros Behind Albania’s Ghost Incinerators
BIRN dissects the accusations against 12 individuals standing trial for allegedly siphoning millions of euros in public money supposed to be spent on solving Tirana’s long-standing garbage problem. Original post Here
Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open
Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …
Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness
Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …
Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games
Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …
Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy
Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …
Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award
Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …
U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security
The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …
Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics
The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …
Albania’s Flamingo Movement Said ‘No’, Now It Needs the Courage to Say ‘Yes’
The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for. Original post Here
The German Embassy has shared the position of the European Union Delegation to Albania regarding the ongoing student protests in Tirana. The German Embassy has expressed the same position as the EU Delegation, which voiced concern over escalating tensions between law enforcement officers and young protesters and called on all …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced during a government meeting that a proposal to establish a working group tasked with drafting, coordinating and harmonising a state strategy regarding appeal proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague had been approved. Kurti stated that the first-instance verdict against the four …
The British Embassy in Tirana has reacted following clashes on the second day of protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a statement published on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the embassy stressed that the right to protest does not justify the use of violence or damage to public and …
Former Defence Minister Piro Vengu has reacted following acts of violence reported for the second consecutive day during protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a social media post, Vengu stated that students have the right to protest and express their concerns, but stressed that violence and vandalism serve no …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has reacted to the incidents that occurred today during protests that have escalated significantly. In an official statement, Begaj called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further. Begaj stressed that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but violence must not …
The US Embassy in Tirana has issued another warning following clashes on Wednesday afternoon during a protest that began on Durrës Street before moving towards the Prime Minister’s Office. In a message addressed to American citizens in Tirana, the embassy warned that the protest had turned violent and could spread …
Croatia has sent European Union member states a document outlining its national position on unresolved issues with Montenegro. In the document, Zagreb lists the conditions Montenegro must fulfil before joining the European bloc. Croatia directly links some of these demands to the closure of negotiating Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental …
The Albanian Bishops’ Conference has condemned the burning of the Vatican flag during a protest on Durrës Street in Tirana, describing the act as unacceptable and contrary to the law and Albania’s tradition of hospitality. In an official statement, the Bishops’ Conference expressed solidarity with the Apostolic Nuncio in Tirana, …
President Bajram Begaj voiced concern about escalating tensions as students who gathered for a second day of rallies against the government clashed with law enforcement officers again. Original post Here
Franciscan priest Shtjefën Gjeçovi, a prominent figure in Albanian history, passed away on October 14, 1929. He devoted his life to the Albanian cause. According to documents held by the General Directorate of Archives, two men speaking Serbian ambushed Gjeçovi as he returned from Prizren and shot him. Born Hilë …