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Albanian Parties’ Possible Deal Sparks Fears About Justice Reform

The ruling Socialist Party and opposition Refoundation Democratic Party told BIRN they are nearing an agreement to end the ongoing disruption of parliament, but concerns have been raised that a deal could derail judicial reform and the fight against corruption. Original post Here

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Nowhere to go: Albanian Women Reporting Domestic Violence Risk Homelessness

Too many municipalities in Albania lack shelters for domestic violence victims – which are needed to encourage victims to speak out. Original post Here

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Albanians Abroad Start Campaign to Vote for 2025 Elections

Campaigners say it is high time the 1.68 million Albanians living and working outside the country had a right to vote in the country’s elections without having to travel home. Original post Here

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Albania Road Authority Chief Held on Corruption, Money Laundering, Charges

In a high-profile anti-corruption case, prosecutors arrested Evis Berberi, General Director of the Albania Road Authority, after uncovering a scheme involving corruption and money laundering. Original post Here

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Albania Parties Reach Agreement to End Opposition Protests

Opposition MP Gazmend Bardhi confirmed to BIRN that an agreement had been reached with the ruling Socialists that will enable them to return to normal work in the country’s parliament. Original post Here

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Albanian PM’s ‘Intimidation’ of Woman Journalist Condemned

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama declined to answer questions from journalist Ambrozia Meta and instead touched her face – a gesture condemned as intimidating by media rights organisations. Original post Here

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Cyberattacks and Ethnically-Fuelled Harassment Mark Start of Year

Public institutions faced cyberattacks as countries battled misinformation amid political crises in the region. Original post Here

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Albanian Court Detains Controversial Acting Mayor on Corruption Charge

Jorgo Goro, who became acting mayor of Himara municipality amid a diplomatic row between Albania and Greece over his election rival’s arrest, was ordered into detention on suspicion that he transferred state land to private individuals. Original post Here

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‘It’s Devastating’: BIRN Maps Illegal Landfills Blighting the Balkans

Authorities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia are failing in the fight against illegal landfills; the environment and the public are paying the price. Original post Here

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With Two Mayors Behind Bars, Albanian Municipality Elects Caretaker

Blerina Bala was elected caretaker mayor of Himara by the municipal council after previous acting mayor Jorgo Goro resigned following his arrest for alleged corruption and election-winner Fredi Beleri was convicted of vote-buying. Original post Here

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Hasan Prishtina Remembered as a Key Figure of Albanian National Cause

Hasan Prishtina was born on April 27, 1873, in Vushtrri, Kosovo. He came from a wealthy family. He studied in Thessaloniki and Istanbul. He later became a strong voice in the Ottoman Parliament between 1908 and 1912. He defended the rights of Albanians in the Balkans. He played a leading …

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Week 33 of Superiore Ends, AF Elbasani Takes Top Spot

The 33rd week of the Abissnet Superiore ends with two final matches. The round confirms strong competition in the decisive stage of the championship. AF Elbasani wins an important match 3–1 against Vllaznia at “Elbasan Arena”. The team moves to first place with 62 points. Vllaznia drops to second place …

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Kosovo Marks Day of Missing Persons from the War

Kosovo commemorates April 27 as the Day of Missing Persons from the war. The country holds various activities and symbolic visits. Institutions, organizations, and families take part. The day highlights the ongoing need for justice. It also stresses the importance of finding the truth. Families continue to seek answers about …

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Viroi Park in Gjirokastër attracts camper travellers in spring

TIRANA, April 27 – Spring has increased visitor numbers at Viroi Park in Gjirokastër. Camper travellers now stop there during trips in southern Albania. The park offers a quiet setting, clean air, and open space. It attracts visitors who seek nature and calm conditions. Meanwhile, Jolanda and Frans Koopman from …

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Kosova ratifies agreement with Albania for Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games

TIRANA, April 27 – Kosovo’s parliament approved the draft law ratifying an agreement with Albania for the Mediterranean Games “Prishtina 2030”. Lawmakers voted 93 in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions. The agreement formalises cooperation between the two countries for the organisation of the Games. Opposition parties, including …

News
Justice institutions agree on unified statistics system

TIRANA, April 27 – Justice institutions signed an agreement to standardise statistics across the justice system. The Ministry of Justice, judicial and prosecutorial bodies, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the High Inspectorate of Justice, and the School of Magistrates took part. The EU Delegation in Albania attended the signing. Justice Minister …

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Cooperation with Germany seen as key step for Albanian agriculture toward EU standards

TIRANA, April 27 – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Fatmir Guri described the cooperation protocol with Germany as an important and concrete step for aligning Albanian agriculture with European Union standards. He said the timing of the agreement matches Albania’s progress in the EU integration process. He also …

News
Government and SP parliamentary group review EU agenda and legislative work

TIRANA, April 27 – The government and the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party held their expanded end-of-month meeting. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaired the meeting, which also included members of the cabinet. PM Rama said the discussion focused on communication with party structures under the framework of “Affairs of …

News
Gjekmarkaj Meets Sottanelli to Strengthen Albania–Italy Friendship Relations

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Agron Gjekmarkaj meets Italian MP Giulio Cesare Sottanelli in the Parliament building. Sottanelli represents the “Azione” party. Gjekmarkaj thanks Italy for its long-standing support to Albania. He highlights Italy as a key and stable partner. He also praises the role of the Italian government, the Chamber …

News
Mexhiti Says Albanians in North Macedonia Need Support from Albanian State Institutions

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha meets Izet Mexhiti, leader of the Democratic Movement and mayor of Çair. Mexhiti thanks Hoxha for the invitation. He stresses shared responsibility among Albanian leaders to strengthen ties between Albanians. He says Albanians in North Macedonia are an inseparable part of the …

News

Hasan Prishtina Remembered as a Key Figure of Albanian National Cause

Hasan Prishtina was born on April 27, 1873, in Vushtrri, Kosovo. He came from a wealthy family. He studied in Thessaloniki and Istanbul. He later became a strong voice in the Ottoman Parliament between 1908 and 1912. He defended the rights of Albanians in the Balkans. He played a leading …

News

Week 33 of Superiore Ends, AF Elbasani Takes Top Spot

The 33rd week of the Abissnet Superiore ends with two final matches. The round confirms strong competition in the decisive stage of the championship. AF Elbasani wins an important match 3–1 against Vllaznia at “Elbasan Arena”. The team moves to first place with 62 points. Vllaznia drops to second place …

News

Kosovo Marks Day of Missing Persons from the War

Kosovo commemorates April 27 as the Day of Missing Persons from the war. The country holds various activities and symbolic visits. Institutions, organizations, and families take part. The day highlights the ongoing need for justice. It also stresses the importance of finding the truth. Families continue to seek answers about …

News

Viroi Park in Gjirokastër attracts camper travellers in spring

TIRANA, April 27 – Spring has increased visitor numbers at Viroi Park in Gjirokastër. Camper travellers now stop there during trips in southern Albania. The park offers a quiet setting, clean air, and open space. It attracts visitors who seek nature and calm conditions. Meanwhile, Jolanda and Frans Koopman from …

News

Kosova ratifies agreement with Albania for Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games

TIRANA, April 27 – Kosovo’s parliament approved the draft law ratifying an agreement with Albania for the Mediterranean Games “Prishtina 2030”. Lawmakers voted 93 in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions. The agreement formalises cooperation between the two countries for the organisation of the Games. Opposition parties, including …

News

Justice institutions agree on unified statistics system

TIRANA, April 27 – Justice institutions signed an agreement to standardise statistics across the justice system. The Ministry of Justice, judicial and prosecutorial bodies, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the High Inspectorate of Justice, and the School of Magistrates took part. The EU Delegation in Albania attended the signing. Justice Minister …

News

Cooperation with Germany seen as key step for Albanian agriculture toward EU standards

TIRANA, April 27 – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Fatmir Guri described the cooperation protocol with Germany as an important and concrete step for aligning Albanian agriculture with European Union standards. He said the timing of the agreement matches Albania’s progress in the EU integration process. He also …

News

Government and SP parliamentary group review EU agenda and legislative work

TIRANA, April 27 – The government and the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party held their expanded end-of-month meeting. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaired the meeting, which also included members of the cabinet. PM Rama said the discussion focused on communication with party structures under the framework of “Affairs of …

News

Gjekmarkaj Meets Sottanelli to Strengthen Albania–Italy Friendship Relations

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Agron Gjekmarkaj meets Italian MP Giulio Cesare Sottanelli in the Parliament building. Sottanelli represents the “Azione” party. Gjekmarkaj thanks Italy for its long-standing support to Albania. He highlights Italy as a key and stable partner. He also praises the role of the Italian government, the Chamber …

News

Mexhiti Says Albanians in North Macedonia Need Support from Albanian State Institutions

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha meets Izet Mexhiti, leader of the Democratic Movement and mayor of Çair. Mexhiti thanks Hoxha for the invitation. He stresses shared responsibility among Albanian leaders to strengthen ties between Albanians. He says Albanians in North Macedonia are an inseparable part of the …