Trump’s Suspension of US Foreign Aid Hits Hundreds of Balkan Projects
The three-month pause in foreign aid imposed by the new US administration has left the future of numerous civil society, human rights and independent media projects in the Western Balkans in limbo. Original post Here
SPAK takes measures to implement a dedicated strategy against electoral crime
TIRANA, Jan 29, 2025 – The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has outlined its plan to investigate and prevent electoral crimes for the May 11, 2025 elections. Under the direction of Chief Prosecutor Altin Dumani, the plan includes the creation of a Task Force, field monitoring and investigations, and a special platform …
Swiss cultural week provides a highlight for Albanian art and creativity
Unlike typical cultural weeks organized by embassies, this event features the works of Albanian artists Jan 29, 2025 The Swiss Cultural Week 2025 officially began on January 28, kicking off a nine-day program that highlights the artistic talents of Albania’s independent cultural community while promoting dialogue on social issues. The …
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 …
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
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
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
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
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 …
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 …
TIRANA, August 4 – Children attending the Horizont Center day camp visited RTSH Korça, where they discovered how a regional public television station produces and broadcasts its programmes. The station’s management welcomed the group and introduced them to the newsroom, television studios, control room and other production facilities. The children …
TIRANA, August 4 – The Port of Durrës processed 2,057,526 tonnes of cargo during January–June 2026, marking a 7.2% increase compared with the same period of 2025. According to the Port Authority of Durrës, imports accounted for 1,430,236 tonnes of the total volume, while exports reached 627,290 tonnes. Export activity …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:6450831a-d16b-4993-b314-03f540205914-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:6450831a-d16b-4993-b314-03f540205914-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> The U.S. Department of State has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement with Albania to support investments in the country’s defence sector. In its official statement, the State Department said the agreement will help Albania meet its …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”149fb836-ca6f-41ab-b866-328f2f5bb8c2″ data-turn-id-container=”149fb836-ca6f-41ab-b866-328f2f5bb8c2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has issued a statement on Facebook regarding the ratification of the $302 million loan agreement between the United States and Albania. The embassy said the agreement will support Albania’s progress toward fulfilling the Hague Defence Commitment. …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:6450831a-d16b-4993-b314-03f540205914-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:6450831a-d16b-4993-b314-03f540205914-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s Ministry of Interior has declared two North Macedonian citizens persona non grata over activities deemed harmful to Albania’s national security and public order. The two individuals have been identified as Valon Bela and Bekir Halimi. The measure imposed on both …
The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) announced that a total of 14,628,595 cyberattack attempts targeting Albania’s cyber ecosystem infrastructure were recorded during the first half of 2026, covering the period from January to June. According to AKSK, this is equivalent to approximately 56.4 cyberattack attempts every minute. Of the total …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:6450831a-d16b-4993-b314-03f540205914-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:6450831a-d16b-4993-b314-03f540205914-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister of Defence Ermal Nufi announced that 727 operational personnel have been deployed over the past 24 hours to manage 20 active wildfire hotspots across different parts of Albania. According to a statement posted on Facebook, support for local authorities included …
The Vlora Border Police will continue carrying out daily inspections in Albania’s coastal waters throughout the tourist season, with a focus on ensuring maritime safety and preventing accidents. The head of the Triport Border Police Station, Amarilda Shabani, said that during July alone, authorities imposed 32 administrative penalties and seized …
A large wildfire has broken out in the Nivicë area of the Municipality of Himarë, raising concerns as the flames continue to spread rapidly. According to preliminary information, strong winds are fueling the fire, making it more difficult for firefighters to bring the blaze under control. Firefighting crews have arrived …
As the beginning of August approaches, construction on the final section of the “Taulantia” promenade in Durrësremains unfinished, despite earlier promises from the contractor’s engineer and Mayor Emiriana Sako that the project would be completed by the end of June. At the construction site, located in one of the city’s …