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Albanian Premier Edi Rama’s Diaspora Tour: Outreach or Electioneering?

From New York to Thessaloniki, Prime Minister Edi Rama has been travelling the world to hold meetings with Albanian diaspora communities ahead of next year’s elections. Opponents say he’s trying to avoid discontent at home. Original post Here

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UNED Campus in Gjirokastra: A European Hub in the Western Balkans

By Jerina Zaloshnja   It is a beautiful, joyous day in Gjirokastra. October 30, 2024. The sun shines brightly in the warm, clear blue air. From the loudspeakers at the campus of UNED, Spain’s new university in the country, Spanish music reverberates slowly. Young students dressed in traditional Gjirokastra costumes …

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The UNED Campus in Gjirokaster a gateway to global academic excellence and a bridge to Europe

By Ricardo Mairal Uson It is an immense honor and privilege for me to stand before you today, on this momentous occasion—the inauguration of the UNED Center in the historic and culturally significant city of Gjirokaster. This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the strong relationship between …

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Albania struggles with hazardous waste scandal as ship awaits clearance off Durres coast

DURRES, Oct. 31, 2024 – A cargo ship laden with over 100 containers of suspected hazardous waste, which arrived in Albania from Singapore, remains anchored off the coast of Durres for the fourth consecutive day.  The ship’s entry into port has been delayed by authorities awaiting necessary safety preparations, intensifying …

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Is Albania Slipping into a one part-system ?

  Albania is now an efficient laboratory to prove how easy it is to rebuild a totalitarian society in the conditions when the country is open to the world. The head of Albania’s opposition, Sali Berisha Albania’s former President and a former two-term Prime Minister was arrested on Saturday, Dec. …

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From Ant to Colony

The late 1870s and early 1890s ushered in the Gilded Age of the U.S., where rapid industrialization and free-flowing innovations were sweeping the nation. As I see it, successful ventures from the private sector played an interesting role in the development of the state during this period. The steel conglomerate …

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File Not Found: Drive for Open Data Stalls in Western Balkans

Governments in the Western Balkans committed years ago to make official data open and transparent – but a BIRN survey suggests they sometimes supply only incomplete or out-of-date information. Original post Here

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USA and Albania toast the 248th Anniversary of US Independence Day

Courtesy of New York Magazine Erjola Braha, recently celebrated by Forbes Italia, presents Robert Mondavi’s wines at the official ceremony organized in Tirana on the occasion of US Independence Day. The United States Embassy in Tirana celebrated the 248th Anniversary of US Independence with a prestigious event, which saw the …

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Exhibition of Prisoners’ Letters Sheds Light on Albania’s Communist-Era Jails

‘Letters From Hell’, an exhibition in Tirana, explores the grim conditions in two of Communist Albania’s most infamous prisons, Spac and Burrel, showcasing correspondence from some of the prisoners. Original post Here

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Open Data Deficit Hinders Green Transition in Kosovo and Albania

Experts say a lack of open data when it comes to the environment is hindering the green transition in Albania and Kosovo. Original post Here

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Interior Minister Lamallari at United Nations highlights Albania’s return migration approach

TIRANA, May 7 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari attended the International Forum on Migration Review at the United Nations in New York. He joined a panel discussion on “Migration as a creative force”. At the discussion, Lamallari presented Albania’s approach to migration. He focused on the return of emigrants and …

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“After School” Programme Pilot Starts in Tirana Schools

TIRANA, May 7 – The “After School” programme started its pilot phase in several schools in Tirana. Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro announced the launch on her official page. She said the pilot began this week after regular classes. The programme includes activities such as dance, crafts, visual arts, and …

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Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City Reach “Final Four” in Superiore League

Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City have secured places in the “Final Four” of the Albanian Superiore League. The teams will compete to determine the league champion. At the same time, Flamurtari has been relegated to the First Division after the 35th round results. Tirana earned a crucial 1-0 victory …

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Fuel prices capped at 196 Lek per litre, Transparency Board decides

TIRANA, May 7 – The Transparency Board cut the price of diesel by 10 lek per litre at its latest meeting. It set a new maximum retail price for standard diesel at 196 lek per litre. It fixed the wholesale price at 184 lek per litre. The Board also set …

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Ibrahimaj: Young People Are Building Innovative Solutions for Albania’s Economy

Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj visited a FinTech company in Tirana to learn about new digital products and innovative projects developed by young Albanian entrepreneurs. During the visit, she said that startups are playing an increasingly important role in building a modern and competitive economy. In addition, she …

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200,000 signatures delivered in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders

TIRANA, May 7 – The Organisation of Kosova Liberation Army War Veterans said it delivered 200,000 signatures to the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders. Veterans’ organisation head Hysni Gucati said the signatures represent “200,000 voices” calling for justice for the former …

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Gjirokastër attracts German tourists drawn to history, architecture and culture

TIRANA, May 7 – German tourists show rising interest in Gjirokastër, turning the historic southern Albanian city into a key destination in Albania. Visitors explore its architecture, cobblestone streets, and cultural heritage. Renata and Wolfgang, a German couple, visit Gjirokastër this spring during a longer trip across Albania. Spring travel …

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Keti Meadows in Klos offers white lilies and a natural fragrance oasis near Tirana

TIRANA, May 7 – Keti Meadows in Mat, part of Klos municipality, offers a striking natural landscape rich in vegetation and floral scents. The site lies around 25 kilometres from Tirana and attracts visitors with its mountain scenery and seasonal flower bloom. White lilies dominate the area, creating a distinctive …

News
Tourism drives Albania’s economic growth

TIRANA, May 7 – Tourism remains a key driver of Albania’s economic growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said in an interview with the Montenegrin magazine “The Collection”. The interview is titled “Shaping the Future: Tourism as the Engine of Albania’s Economic Growth”. Gonxhja described tourism as a …

News
Government Launches 2026 Self-Employment Program to Support Young Entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has launched the 2026 call for the Self-Employment Program. The initiative aims to support unemployed jobseekers in starting their own businesses and creating new jobs. Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented the program and highlighted its importance. She said it supports young people, women, and vulnerable …

News

Interior Minister Lamallari at United Nations highlights Albania’s return migration approach

TIRANA, May 7 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari attended the International Forum on Migration Review at the United Nations in New York. He joined a panel discussion on “Migration as a creative force”. At the discussion, Lamallari presented Albania’s approach to migration. He focused on the return of emigrants and …

News

“After School” Programme Pilot Starts in Tirana Schools

TIRANA, May 7 – The “After School” programme started its pilot phase in several schools in Tirana. Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro announced the launch on her official page. She said the pilot began this week after regular classes. The programme includes activities such as dance, crafts, visual arts, and …

News

Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City Reach “Final Four” in Superiore League

Elbasani, Vllaznia, Egnatia and Dinamo City have secured places in the “Final Four” of the Albanian Superiore League. The teams will compete to determine the league champion. At the same time, Flamurtari has been relegated to the First Division after the 35th round results. Tirana earned a crucial 1-0 victory …

News

Fuel prices capped at 196 Lek per litre, Transparency Board decides

TIRANA, May 7 – The Transparency Board cut the price of diesel by 10 lek per litre at its latest meeting. It set a new maximum retail price for standard diesel at 196 lek per litre. It fixed the wholesale price at 184 lek per litre. The Board also set …

News

Ibrahimaj: Young People Are Building Innovative Solutions for Albania’s Economy

Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj visited a FinTech company in Tirana to learn about new digital products and innovative projects developed by young Albanian entrepreneurs. During the visit, she said that startups are playing an increasingly important role in building a modern and competitive economy. In addition, she …

News

200,000 signatures delivered in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders

TIRANA, May 7 – The Organisation of Kosova Liberation Army War Veterans said it delivered 200,000 signatures to the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague in support of former Kosova Liberation Army leaders. Veterans’ organisation head Hysni Gucati said the signatures represent “200,000 voices” calling for justice for the former …

News

Gjirokastër attracts German tourists drawn to history, architecture and culture

TIRANA, May 7 – German tourists show rising interest in Gjirokastër, turning the historic southern Albanian city into a key destination in Albania. Visitors explore its architecture, cobblestone streets, and cultural heritage. Renata and Wolfgang, a German couple, visit Gjirokastër this spring during a longer trip across Albania. Spring travel …

News

Keti Meadows in Klos offers white lilies and a natural fragrance oasis near Tirana

TIRANA, May 7 – Keti Meadows in Mat, part of Klos municipality, offers a striking natural landscape rich in vegetation and floral scents. The site lies around 25 kilometres from Tirana and attracts visitors with its mountain scenery and seasonal flower bloom. White lilies dominate the area, creating a distinctive …

News

Tourism drives Albania’s economic growth

TIRANA, May 7 – Tourism remains a key driver of Albania’s economic growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said in an interview with the Montenegrin magazine “The Collection”. The interview is titled “Shaping the Future: Tourism as the Engine of Albania’s Economic Growth”. Gonxhja described tourism as a …

News

Government Launches 2026 Self-Employment Program to Support Young Entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has launched the 2026 call for the Self-Employment Program. The initiative aims to support unemployed jobseekers in starting their own businesses and creating new jobs. Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented the program and highlighted its importance. She said it supports young people, women, and vulnerable …