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Environment Paying Price of Albania’s Failure to Rehabilitate after Mining

A law requiring mining companies to rehabilitate the environment after their operations shut down is being almost completely ignored, and the state has failed to step in. Original post Here

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Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

TIRANA, Nov. 22, 2024 – Albania’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has been approved, and the country will join on Jan. 1, 2025, alongside Montenegro, the central bank announced Thursday.  SEPA membership is particularly important because it is a rare tangible measure of EU integration at …

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Albania Condemns ‘Passivisation’ of Albanians’ Addresses in South Serbia

Albania joined Kosovo in criticising Serbia’s practice of marking ethnic Albanians’ addresses as ‘inactive’, describing it as a “violation of human rights and standards for the protection of minorities”. Original post Here

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Western Balkans’ Biodiversity Threatened by Development and Mismanagement, Report Warns

German-based EuroNatur Foundation report highlights escalating threats to ecosystems im Western Balkans, saying development pressures, policy gaps and poor enforcement of rules jeopardise their future. Original post Here

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As Borders Tighten, Violence Rises on Migrant Route Through the Balkans

With the EU tightening its borders, violent transnational smuggling groups have strengthened their grip on the smuggling route that brings refugees and migrants to Europe through the Balkans. Original post Here

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Balkan Countries at UN Climate Summit: Touting Renewables, Chasing Gas Deals

The COP29 climate change summit in Baku has proven a lucrative side hustle for the host – gas-producing, oil-rich Azerbaijan – with Balkan visitors lining up to strike deals. Original post Here

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The Re-election of Donald Trump and its Implications

By Bernd J. Fischer Professor Emeritus ,Indiana University On November 6th the world woke to what was, for many, an unexpected event, the re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Since then, there has been considerable speculation generated concerning how this happened, and some anxiety about what …

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Albanian Minister’s Bargain Lakeside Land Purchase ‘Raises Red Flags’

Experts say the details of a 2021 land deal involving Albania’s current justice minister warrant investigation. Original post Here

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Reality Bites: Illegal, Isolated, Overworked Albanians Count Cost of UK Dream

Though numbers are down, Albanians are still being drawn to British shores by the social media promise of a better life. The reality is often very different. Original post Here

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Italy-Albania Migrant Deal Branded ‘Failure’ After Court Ruling

After Italian judges scuppered a second attempt to send migrants for processing in Albania, critics say the ‘offshoring’ agreement between the two countries is in deep trouble. Original post Here

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Children explore the world of television at RTSH Korça

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 …

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Port of Durrës processes over 2 million tonnes of cargo in first half of 2026

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 …

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U.S. State Department Ratifies $302 Million Loan Agreement with Albania

*]: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 …

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U.S. Ratifies Loan Agreement with Albania, U.S. Embassy Reacts

*]: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. …

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Interior Ministry Declares Two North Macedonian Citizens Persona Non Grata

*]: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 …

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AKSK: 14.6 Million Cyberattack Attempts Targeted Information Infrastructure in First Half of 2026

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 …

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20 Active Wildfires Across Albania, Minister Nufi: 727 Operational Personnel Deployed

*]: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 …

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32 Watercraft Seized in July, Vlora Border Police Chief: Daily Inspections Will Continue

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 …

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Large Wildfire Breaks Out in Himarë, Strong Winds Fuel the Flames

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 …

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Work on Durrës’ “Taulantia” Promenade Remains Suspended, Residents Criticize Delays

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 …

News

Children explore the world of television at RTSH Korça

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 …

News

Port of Durrës processes over 2 million tonnes of cargo in first half of 2026

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 …

News

U.S. State Department Ratifies $302 Million Loan Agreement with Albania

*]: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 …

News

U.S. Ratifies Loan Agreement with Albania, U.S. Embassy Reacts

*]: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. …

News

Interior Ministry Declares Two North Macedonian Citizens Persona Non Grata

*]: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 …

News

AKSK: 14.6 Million Cyberattack Attempts Targeted Information Infrastructure in First Half of 2026

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 …

News

20 Active Wildfires Across Albania, Minister Nufi: 727 Operational Personnel Deployed

*]: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 …

News

32 Watercraft Seized in July, Vlora Border Police Chief: Daily Inspections Will Continue

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 …

News

Large Wildfire Breaks Out in Himarë, Strong Winds Fuel the Flames

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 …

News

Work on Durrës’ “Taulantia” Promenade Remains Suspended, Residents Criticize Delays

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 …