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Archbishop Anastasios, who revived Albania’s Orthodox Church, laid to rest, marking end of an era

TIRANA, Jan. 30, 2025 – The Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania bid farewell to its long-serving leader, Archbishop Anastasios Yannoulatos, on Thursday, marking the end of a transformative era for the church and Albania’s religious landscape. The 95-year-old archbishop, who led the revival of Albanian Orthodoxy for more than three …

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Albania Says Farewell to Archbishop Who Restored Orthodox Church

Archbishop Anastasios, who has passed away after almost 33 years as Primate, rebuilt hundreds of churches and schools, had a canny eye for business – and did his best to stay out of nationalist conflicts. Original post Here

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Skyscrapers and Social Media: Getting Out the Albanian Vote Abroad

An Albanian businessman based in Italy is pulling the strings of a major online ad campaign to secure the votes of Albanians abroad for the ruling Socialist Party in upcoming elections. He also just got the green light for a major real estate development in Tirana. Original post Here

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Digital Rights Review: Turkey Detains Data ‘Exploiters’, Serbian Tabloids’ ‘Hate’ Stories Removed

Turkey carried out arrests after disaster victims’ data was stolen, while Serbia and Albania faced crackdowns over misinformation and online violence, BIRN’s digital rights monitors found in December and January. Original post Here

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Italy Sends Third Ship Transporting Migrants to Albania

After two failed attempts to sent migrants and asylum seekers to camps in Albania for processing under a controversial scheme instigated by Italian premier Giorgia Meloni, Italy sent a third ship that reached Albania on Tuesday. Original post Here

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Anastasios, the Archbishop Who Rebuilt the Orthodox Church of Albania

He revived the Orthodox Church, which had been destroyed under the communist regime. Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Primate of Albania, passed away at the age of 95. He was a tireless advocate for ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. By Ilda Mara Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres, and All Albania, a key …

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A wasted chance for internal party democracy

This week the Central Elections Commission (CEC) consolidated what was previously agreed between the two major political parties in Albania, SP and DP, when it comes to the composition of the MP candidate lists in the upcoming general elections on May 11,2025. According to the formula that will be applied …

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Albanian Art Show Depicts Trump as Icon of Freedom

Albanian artist Avni Delvina’s ‘Triumph’ exhibition playfully explores themes of the new US president as a Roman emperor, a Greek god and a ‘spirit of freedom’. Original post Here

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Italy-Albania Migrant Offshoring Deal Tests Respect for Rule of Law

The opening of two Italian-run migrant camps in northwest Albania was a short-lived boon for local villagers. The camps’ fate now hangs in the balance, as a test of Europe’s commitment to the rule of law, rights activists say. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Accused of Allotting Island to Trump’s Son-in-Law to Win Favour

A firm linked to Jared Kushner was granted ‘strategic investor’ status just weeks before the new US president’s inauguration, even without a business plan or feasibility study for the construction of a luxury resort on an uninhabited island once used by the army for shooting practice. Original post Here

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International Museum Day marked, free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 in Albania

TIRANA, May 18 – The global museum community marks International Museum Day today. In this context, Albania offers free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 for related cultural events. Meanwhile, the International Council of Museums established the day in 1977. The initiative aims to raise public awareness …

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Albania Cycling Tour 2026 starts, temporary road closures in Tirana

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania hosts the 83rd Albania Cycling Tour from today until 22 May. Twenty elite teams from Albania, the Balkans and Europe take part in the race. The first stage starts at 12:00. Cyclists begin in Tirana and finish in Lezha. The State Police announces temporary traffic …

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“Egnatia Fest 2026” Opens Tourist Season in Librazhd

Librazhd opened the tourism season with “Egnatia Fest 2026” in the Cherry Park. Around 54 businesses joined the event and promoted the area’s nature, history, traditions, and tourism potential. Minister Andis Salla attended the festival and highlighted the importance of local tourism and private investment for economic growth. Salla said …

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Dushaj, the Picturesque Village of Stone Towers Above Fushë-Bulqizë

Dushaj stands above Fushë-Bulqizë with stone towers, green valleys, waterfalls, and mountain landscapes. The village has become a growing destination for visitors seeking nature, history, and authentic Albanian hospitality. At the entrance of the village, the historic Kulla Hupi welcomes tourists preparing for the new tourism season. Workers continue restoration …

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OSBE Ambassador: Steps taken to improve journalists’ conditions, further efforts needed on transparency and editorial independence

TIRANA, May 18 – OSCE Ambassador to Tirana, Michele Tarran spoke at a media freedom conference. He said journalism represents a public service, not only a profession or an industry. He pointed to declining trust in institutions, disinformation and manipulation. He also cited reduced media pluralism, information insecurity, hate speech …

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Health and Social Welfare Minister at WHO Assembly: Albania strengthened commitment to child protection and well-being

TIRANA, May 18 – Health and Social Welfare Minister Evis Sala took part in the 79th World Health Assembly session. The discussions opened with a focus on protecting children from online risks. They also addressed the impact of digital violence. At the opening stage of the event, the World Health …

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PM Rama on official visit to South Korea

TIRANA, May 18 – Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 17–21 May. He is accompanied by his wife Linda Rama and the official delegation. According to the Media and Information Agency, the visit aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries. …

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Swiss Ambassador Huber: Free media is foundation of democracy and fight against corruption

TIRANA, May 18 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber spoke at a media freedom conference with local and international participants. She said free media represents a key pillar of democracy and institutional strengthening. In this context, she described the conference as an important regional forum for dialogue among journalists …

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Elbasan Cultural Heritage Attracts French Tourists

The Ethnographic Museum in Elbasan continues to be one of the city’s most visited cultural sites, attracting both local and foreign tourists interested in tradition and cultural identity. Recently, the museum welcomed a group of French tourists who visited its historic building and explored its ethnographic collections. Visitors viewed traditional …

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Deputy PM Koçiu attends World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, focus on building safe cities

TIRANA, May 18 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu is in Baku, Azerbaijan, where she is taking part in the World Urban Forum 2026. The forum is one of the main international platforms on urban development, housing and city sustainability. The event is organised under the auspices of Azerbaijan President …

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International Museum Day marked, free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 in Albania

TIRANA, May 18 – The global museum community marks International Museum Day today. In this context, Albania offers free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 for related cultural events. Meanwhile, the International Council of Museums established the day in 1977. The initiative aims to raise public awareness …

News

Albania Cycling Tour 2026 starts, temporary road closures in Tirana

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania hosts the 83rd Albania Cycling Tour from today until 22 May. Twenty elite teams from Albania, the Balkans and Europe take part in the race. The first stage starts at 12:00. Cyclists begin in Tirana and finish in Lezha. The State Police announces temporary traffic …

News

“Egnatia Fest 2026” Opens Tourist Season in Librazhd

Librazhd opened the tourism season with “Egnatia Fest 2026” in the Cherry Park. Around 54 businesses joined the event and promoted the area’s nature, history, traditions, and tourism potential. Minister Andis Salla attended the festival and highlighted the importance of local tourism and private investment for economic growth. Salla said …

News

Dushaj, the Picturesque Village of Stone Towers Above Fushë-Bulqizë

Dushaj stands above Fushë-Bulqizë with stone towers, green valleys, waterfalls, and mountain landscapes. The village has become a growing destination for visitors seeking nature, history, and authentic Albanian hospitality. At the entrance of the village, the historic Kulla Hupi welcomes tourists preparing for the new tourism season. Workers continue restoration …

News

OSBE Ambassador: Steps taken to improve journalists’ conditions, further efforts needed on transparency and editorial independence

TIRANA, May 18 – OSCE Ambassador to Tirana, Michele Tarran spoke at a media freedom conference. He said journalism represents a public service, not only a profession or an industry. He pointed to declining trust in institutions, disinformation and manipulation. He also cited reduced media pluralism, information insecurity, hate speech …

News

Health and Social Welfare Minister at WHO Assembly: Albania strengthened commitment to child protection and well-being

TIRANA, May 18 – Health and Social Welfare Minister Evis Sala took part in the 79th World Health Assembly session. The discussions opened with a focus on protecting children from online risks. They also addressed the impact of digital violence. At the opening stage of the event, the World Health …

News

PM Rama on official visit to South Korea

TIRANA, May 18 – Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 17–21 May. He is accompanied by his wife Linda Rama and the official delegation. According to the Media and Information Agency, the visit aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries. …

News

Swiss Ambassador Huber: Free media is foundation of democracy and fight against corruption

TIRANA, May 18 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber spoke at a media freedom conference with local and international participants. She said free media represents a key pillar of democracy and institutional strengthening. In this context, she described the conference as an important regional forum for dialogue among journalists …

News

Elbasan Cultural Heritage Attracts French Tourists

The Ethnographic Museum in Elbasan continues to be one of the city’s most visited cultural sites, attracting both local and foreign tourists interested in tradition and cultural identity. Recently, the museum welcomed a group of French tourists who visited its historic building and explored its ethnographic collections. Visitors viewed traditional …

News

Deputy PM Koçiu attends World Urban Forum in Azerbaijan, focus on building safe cities

TIRANA, May 18 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu is in Baku, Azerbaijan, where she is taking part in the World Urban Forum 2026. The forum is one of the main international platforms on urban development, housing and city sustainability. The event is organised under the auspices of Azerbaijan President …