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Floods situation improves significantly in Shkodra

Floods situation has improved considerably in Shkodra, while the total flooded area has decreased to 500 hectares. According to this Wednesday’s reports, the situation has also improved on Oboti road as there is no water present. Civil Emergency Groups of the Municipality are in constant monitoring of the situation, as …

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Elbasan police removes 37 illegal cameras, 10 person under investigation

Elbasan Police has uninstalled and seized this Wednesday 37 security cameras installed by criminal groups, while the investigations have started for 10 people who installed these cameras in violation of the law. Seized cameras were placed without the relevant permission of the competent bodies, as their placement is in violation …

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Electronic voting approved for three municipalities on May 14 Polls

Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided this Wednesday to implement the procedure for electronic voting and counting within the local elections of May 14 for the municipalities of Vora, Kamza and Elbasan. This point of the agenda that was agreed upon by the parties, while the decision came after the …

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Transparency Concerns over Tony and Cherie Blair’s Balkan Endeavours

Cherie Blair’s law firm has made hundreds of thousands of euros representing governments in Albania and Serbia, which have also been advised by Tony Blair’s consultancy. Original post Here

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Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary Corruption Worsening, Transparency Says

Latest Transparency International report on perceived levels of public corruption gives Hungary, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania the thumbs down – but notes progress in Kosovo, North Macedonia and Moldova. Original post Here

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Albanian gov’t, UAE investor sign deal on €2 billion redevelopment of Durrës waterfront

TIRANA, Jan. 30, 2023 – Albania’s government has officially signed off on a 2 billion euro private-public partnership with a major UAE investor, Muhamed Alabbar, to redevelop the Durrës port area waterfront.  The agreement on the Durrës Yacht and Marina Project signed Monday follows almost a year of negotiations between …

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Illegal Builder in Albania’s capital Linked to Ruling Party

Government’s claim to be leading crackdown on illegal builds hides an important fact – that such violators are often well connected to the ruling Socialist Party. Original post Here

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Britain Must Focus on Root Causes of Migrant Crisis

In dealing with the mass influx of Albanians into the UK, it is not enough to tighten security; measures must be taken to disincentivize their flight. Original post Here

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Greek Prime Minister Pays Historic Visit to Minority in Albania

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has made the first visit to the Greek minorityin Albania in decades, where he voiced support for Albania’s European integration. Original post Here

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Hidden Victims: Workplace Accidents go Underreported in Albania

Data analyzed by BIRN, and interviews with employers, lawyers and activists, suggest that the publicly available statistics on workplace accidents in Albania are just ‘the tip of the iceberg’. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

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Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

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Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

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Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

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Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

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Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News
Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News
After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News
“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …