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Albanians ‘Deliberately Forgetting’ Horrors of Communist Past, Writer Says

In his new book, political scientist Ermal Hasimja says Albanians have deliberately decided to ‘forget’ the criminal nature of the country’s former communist regime, as a kind of defence mechanism. Original post Here

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Freed Albanian Opposition Leader Demands New Govt Ahead of Elections

After being freed from house arrest, the opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha demanded the formation of a new ‘technical’ caretaker government to steer the country ahead of 2025 elections. Original post Here

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Robert Budina: Filmmaker Whose Risky Escape from Albania Shaped His Work

The son of an army general in communist Albania, Robert Budina was part of the student protests that helped bring down the regime, only to flee to Italy on an overcrowded boat. The experience has informed his work ever since. Original post Here

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Albania Drug Trafficking Probe Targets Top Policeman, Ex-Judge, Journalists

Prosecutors are investigating an Elbasan-based organised crime group that trafficked drugs from Latin America and whose suspected members and associates include a former judge, a senior police official and two journalists. Original post Here

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Hundreds of Albanians Still Waiting for Homes, Five Years After Earthquake

The state promised everyone left homeless by a 2019 earthquake a new home in 2020. Some are still living in squalor. Original post Here

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THE HISTORY OF AN ART GALLERY

ON THE OCCASION OF 10th ANNIVERSARY OF GALERIAKALO   With the exhibition titled PROMENADE organized last week, FONDACIONI KALO ART and GALERIAKALO celebrated their 10th anniversary. A selected number of artworks by Masters, and other well-established artists were displayed on that occasion.  GALERIAKALO was founded in November 2014 to support …

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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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274 Armed Forces personnel deployed to fight wildfires

TIRANA, August 13 – Firefighting operations continue on the ground and from the air. The Armed Forces are supporting operations in several areas across Albania. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said 274 Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed. They are using 21 vehicles, 1 water tanker, 3 ambulances and 9 firefighting …

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Bank of Albania expects inflation to ease as growth continues

TIRANA, August 13 – Albania’s economy continues to grow, while the recent rise in inflation is mainly temporary, according to the Bank of Albania. The central bank said average inflation reached 3% in the second quarter, up from 2.5% in the first quarter. Higher fuel prices and some domestic services …

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Korça Beer Festival marks 20th edition at new events venue

TIRANA, August 13 – The 20th Korça Beer Festival opened on Wednesday evening at the new Events Hub in Drenova. The festival runs until August 16 with 5 nights of music, beer, gastronomy and entertainment. Korça Mayor Sotiraq Filo said the opening night created a lively atmosphere. He described the …

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Foreign tourists discover Gjirokastër through history and tradition

TIRANA, August 13 – Gjirokastër continues to attract tourists from around the world. Visitors experience the “stone city” through its history, architecture, traditions and hospitality. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video featuring tourists from Australia, Sweden, New Zealand, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries. Visitors praised the Cold War …

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Eyes on the Sky for the Solar Eclipse in the Balkans

People gathered at vantage points all across the Balkans to enjoy the unique experience of watching the solar eclipse on Thursday evening. Original post Here

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10 fires recorded in Lezha, deliberate arson under investigation

TIRANA, August 13 – The Municipality of Lezha recorded 10 fires across its territory on Wednesday. Mayor Pjerin Ndreu urged residents to remain extremely cautious. He also called on them to report to authorities anyone identified as starting a fire. Ndreu said firefighters responded to 10 fires in different areas …

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Agritourism AL platform helps visitors discover rural destinations

TIRANA, August 13 – The Agritourism AL application has become an information platform for agritourism and rural tourism destinations in Albania. It helps tourists and visitors plan trips and discover offers linked to nature, gastronomy and Albanian traditions. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said users can download the …

News
Mahmut Orhan to perform in Drymades on August 15

TIRANA, August 13 – Albania has become a popular summer destination for international electronic music artists. On August 15, Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan will perform at MOYO Drymades. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event. The performance will start at 20:00 and continue into the …

News
12 active fires reported across Albania, 418 hectares burned

TIRANA, August 13 – Authorities reported 45 fires across Albania during the past 24 hours. Twelve remain active and 1 remains under monitoring. The Agency for Media and Information said 72 firefighting vehicles and 839 operational personnel have joined the response. The Armed Forces have provided 250 personnel, 5 helicopters …

News
Ministers visit tourism measures in Saranda

TIRANA, August 13 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja, and Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi visited tourism measures in Saranda. Lamallari said rising tourist numbers bring greater responsibility for the State Police. He stressed the need to protect residents and visitors. He also called for …

News

274 Armed Forces personnel deployed to fight wildfires

TIRANA, August 13 – Firefighting operations continue on the ground and from the air. The Armed Forces are supporting operations in several areas across Albania. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said 274 Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed. They are using 21 vehicles, 1 water tanker, 3 ambulances and 9 firefighting …

News

Bank of Albania expects inflation to ease as growth continues

TIRANA, August 13 – Albania’s economy continues to grow, while the recent rise in inflation is mainly temporary, according to the Bank of Albania. The central bank said average inflation reached 3% in the second quarter, up from 2.5% in the first quarter. Higher fuel prices and some domestic services …

News

Korça Beer Festival marks 20th edition at new events venue

TIRANA, August 13 – The 20th Korça Beer Festival opened on Wednesday evening at the new Events Hub in Drenova. The festival runs until August 16 with 5 nights of music, beer, gastronomy and entertainment. Korça Mayor Sotiraq Filo said the opening night created a lively atmosphere. He described the …

News

Foreign tourists discover Gjirokastër through history and tradition

TIRANA, August 13 – Gjirokastër continues to attract tourists from around the world. Visitors experience the “stone city” through its history, architecture, traditions and hospitality. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video featuring tourists from Australia, Sweden, New Zealand, Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries. Visitors praised the Cold War …

News

Eyes on the Sky for the Solar Eclipse in the Balkans

People gathered at vantage points all across the Balkans to enjoy the unique experience of watching the solar eclipse on Thursday evening. Original post Here

News

10 fires recorded in Lezha, deliberate arson under investigation

TIRANA, August 13 – The Municipality of Lezha recorded 10 fires across its territory on Wednesday. Mayor Pjerin Ndreu urged residents to remain extremely cautious. He also called on them to report to authorities anyone identified as starting a fire. Ndreu said firefighters responded to 10 fires in different areas …

News

Agritourism AL platform helps visitors discover rural destinations

TIRANA, August 13 – The Agritourism AL application has become an information platform for agritourism and rural tourism destinations in Albania. It helps tourists and visitors plan trips and discover offers linked to nature, gastronomy and Albanian traditions. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said users can download the …

News

Mahmut Orhan to perform in Drymades on August 15

TIRANA, August 13 – Albania has become a popular summer destination for international electronic music artists. On August 15, Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan will perform at MOYO Drymades. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event. The performance will start at 20:00 and continue into the …

News

12 active fires reported across Albania, 418 hectares burned

TIRANA, August 13 – Authorities reported 45 fires across Albania during the past 24 hours. Twelve remain active and 1 remains under monitoring. The Agency for Media and Information said 72 firefighting vehicles and 839 operational personnel have joined the response. The Armed Forces have provided 250 personnel, 5 helicopters …

News

Ministers visit tourism measures in Saranda

TIRANA, August 13 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja, and Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi visited tourism measures in Saranda. Lamallari said rising tourist numbers bring greater responsibility for the State Police. He stressed the need to protect residents and visitors. He also called for …