‘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
TIRANA, September 4 – Six years have passed since Kosova and Serbia signed the Washington Agreement, mediated by the United States. On September 4, 2020, then-Kosova Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic signed commitments on economic normalisation at the White House. Then-US President Donald Trump attended the …
TIRANA, September 4 – Work on the Elbasan–Rrogozhina road, part of Trans-European Corridor VIII, has reached 87% across the first six phases of the project. Asphalt work is currently underway along around 15 kilometres of the route. The Albanian Road Authority said crews are laying asphalt across the segment. In …
TIRANA, September 4 – Authorities will impose no traffic restrictions on trucks weighing more than 20 tonnes on Friday, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The ministry said the latest official temperature forecast does not meet the conditions for temporary restrictions on heavy goods vehicles. Authorities introduce these …
TIRANA, September 4 – Import prices fell by 0.1% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the Institute of Statistics. The decline reflected lower prices for electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning, which fell by 2.2%. Extractive industry prices dropped by …
TIRANA, September 4 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in an informal meeting of European affairs ministers in Dublin, organised by Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. During a session on EU enlargement, reform support and administrative capacity, Hoxha presented Albania’s experience …
TIRANA, September 4 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said open government should not be taken for granted as the Open Government Partnership marks 15 years since its founding. The Agency for Media and Information published Rama’s video message for the anniversary. Albania joined the partnership in 2011. Rama said it …
TIRANA, September 4 – A large fire has engulfed olive groves and scrubland in Radostinë, Fier. The fire remains active. Flames have reached the area of two businesses in Qafa e Koshovicës, east of Radostinë. Several nearby families have evacuated after dense smoke covered their homes. The fire and heavy …
TIRANA, September 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will alternate between clear spells and occasional moderate cloud cover, mainly over hilly and mountainous areas. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average speed of …
TIRANA, September 4 – Ksamil has been named Europe’s best coastal destination by US travel media outlet “Travel Off Path”. Journalist Trevor Kucheran ranked it first among five European coastal destinations recommended by travel experts. The article highlights Ksamil’s exceptionally clear waters and white-pebble beaches. It also points to the …
TIRANA, September 4 – Tirana International Airport handled 6 million passengers in the first six months of 2026. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the figure puts the airport ahead of others in the region. According to Rama, passenger traffic increased by 17% compared with the same period in 2025. He …