‘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
Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused those behind violent protests of seeking to destabilize Albania and divert the country’s path toward the future. Speaking at a joint press conference with Interior Minister Ervin Demo, Rama alleged that organized crime and foreign actors stood behind the violent element of the protests. …
Clashes between protesters and police spread across Tirana on Saturday after a student protest began outside the Ministry of Education at 2 p.m. Some demonstrators threw stones at the building and police officers, prompting police to respond with water cannons and tear gas. Protesters then moved to Skanderbeg Square and …
The European Union has welcomed Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula’s decision to return the Law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague to Parliament for reconsideration, adding that it expects to be consulted if discussions on the legislation resume. “The EU has consistently expressed deep concern about the initiative …
Protesters mobilized by the Democratic Party (DP) set fire to the seats placed by Prime Minister Edi Rama outside the government building as an invitation for dialogue. Prime Minister Edi Rama responded in a post on his Facebook page, accusing the Democratic Party of “urban terror.” “And here comes the …
Euronews is broadcasting Saturday’s protest in Tirana live, reporting that opposition supporters and students have mobilized in the Albanian capital. According to authorities, 2,500 police officers have been deployed across the streets of Tirana. Protesters took to the streets of the capital on Saturday, as police used water cannons and …
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced that an MP, a police officer, media representatives and several protesters sought medical treatment at the University Hospital Centre of Tirana (QSUT) and the University Trauma Hospital (SUT) during today’s protest. According to preliminary information, all those who received medical attention …
Albania, the Board of Peace, the International Stabilization Force (ISF), and the Gaza Task Force have officially finalized a Participating State Agreement, paving the way for Albania’s involvement in the International Stabilization Force. Albania will provide additional support for security operations and operational planning capabilities for the mission in Gaza. …
1,500 police officers have been deployed to ensure security during the protest announced by the Democratic Party (DP), which is expected to begin at 12:00 p.m. Several water cannon trucks have also been stationed around the Prime Minister’s Office and are expected to be used against protesters if acts of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a statement on social media, reiterated his claim that violence during recent protests in Tirana was caused by ideologically radicalized individuals, religious extremists, and people with criminal backgrounds disguised as students. Rama stressed that protesting is a right that must be guaranteed in every democratic …
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a joint press conference this Saturday regarding the protests in the capital. Rama said that insisting on continuing protests while refusing dialogue was pointless, stressing that protesters were afraid to engage in talks for fear of being labelled traitors. “When …