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Albania Bank Governor Faces Prosecution Threat Over Fraudulent Loans

Prosecutors say Gent Sejko has questions to answer over a dodgy company that harassed some 17,000 Albanians for nonexistant loans, and which operated under bank’s license for years. Original post Here

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Albania’s Roma Decry Lack of Progress on Govt’s Integration Pledge

Five years ago, Albania promised its Roma community “full equality and integration”. There has been no discernible change. Original post Here

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‘No Way Out’: Support Shortfall Forces Albanian Abuse Victims Back to Abusers

Albania registers thousands of cases of domestic violence every year but the absence of an adequate state support system means many victims end up back with their abusers. Original post Here

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In Albania, Journalist’s Arrest for ‘Fake News’ Alarms Rights Groups

Media rights groups have called on Albania’s police to explain the arrest of a journalist and two police officers for producing ‘false information’ for the purpose of denigrating state officials. Original post Here

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Women on Albanian Councils Told to ‘Shut Up’, Study Reveals

Albania has approved gender equality quotas for local councils since 2015. However, undemocratic practices by party leaders make women less willing to speak out and, when they do, more prone to be told: “Shut up”, a study has found. Original post Here

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School’s Out: In Albania, Segregation of Minority Pupils Fuels High Dropout Rate

Evidence shows that schools with a large concentration of Roma and ethnic Egyptian pupils underperform – but Albania’s Education Ministry doesn’t see a problem. Original post Here

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OSCE Questions Efficiency, Quality of Balkan Organised Crime, Graft Trials

An exhaustive analysis of organised crime and corruption trials in five Western Balkan countries identified a lack of efficiency, staffing, fairness and quality. Original post Here

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Italy Eyes August Start Date for Albania Asylum Centres

Italy’s right-wing prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, inspected work on two asylum centres being built in Albania under a controversial deal between the two countries. Original post Here

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As Palestine Recognitions Grow, Balkan States’ Stances Shaped by Geopolitics

Slovenia has recognised war-ravaged Palestine as independent, but some Balkan countries prefer to stay quiet and follow the United States’ lead – while others recognised Palestinian statehood decades ago while they were under communist rule. Original post Here

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Albania Leader’s New Anti-Corruption Initiative Branded a PR Project

Prime Minister Edi Rama has pushed through a resolution setting up a new Special Anti-Corruption Commission – but critics claim it’s a partisan initiative, established to combat negative publicity over graft cases involving former ruling party politicians. Original post Here

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Rama: Albanian iso-polyphony and çifteli flute sounds inspire “The Odyssey” soundtrack

Albanian musical traditions have inspired the soundtrack of one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey,” directed by Christopher Nolan. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video about the film and said Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson visited southern Albania. During his visit, Göransson explored Albanian iso-polyphony and the traditional sounds …

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Rama: New Saranda Welcome Center improves mobility and services for tourists

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new Saranda Welcome Center at the Port of SarandaThe new facility aims to improve the visitor experience and make movement around the city easier. It serves as a modern gateway for passengers and tourists. The center offers parking for cars and tourist buses. It …

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EU Commissioner Kos condemns Serbian minister’s remarks on Kosovo

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has again condemned remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović about the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosovo. Kos said she was shocked that Paunović remains in office after making such a statement. She also warned politicians in EU candidate countries that their words carry weight. The …

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Minister: Albania targets full electrification of Tirana-Durrës-airport rail link by end-2027

Albania plans to fully electrify the Tirana-Durrës railway line and its branch to Tirana International Airport by the end of 2027, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Thursday. Presenting a bill to Parliament to ratify a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Karakaçi …

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Serbian Minister’s Ethnic Cleansing Remarks ‘Irresponsible and Outrageous,’ Balla Tells Parliament

*]: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=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-turn-id-container=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-turn=”user”> The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, described recent remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović as “irresponsible and outrageous” during a debate in Parliament with MP Redi Muçi, who questioned why Balla had not publicly responded to the …

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Spiropali Publishes Motion Submitted to Socialist Assembly, Calls for Reform of Socialist Party and Electoral System

Socialist Party MP Elisa Spiropali has made public the motion she submitted to the Socialist Party’s General Assembly, proposing the launch of a national dialogue on a “New Agreement for Albania.” Spiropali said the document is not a personal initiative but an open proposal for discussion among all members of …

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Berisha Congratulates New Democratic Party Leadership: Free Vote Is the Foundation of Our Party

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has congratulated the newly elected members of the party’s leadership, emphasizing that the selection process was based on the free vote of the National Council. Berisha said the new leadership represents a renewal of the party, with several new figures taking on key positions. Speaking …

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Tirana-Durrës Railway Line Set for Electrification, Karakaçi: Service to Be Operational by End of 2027

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Enea Karakaçi told Parliament on Thursday that the government has submitted a bill to ratify an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will finance the full electrification of the Tirana-Durrës railway line and the Rinas railway station. The minister said …

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Rama: ‘Smart City’ Project Moves Forward, Set to Expand Nationwide

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the “Smart City” Command and Control Center on Thursday, stating that Albania’s public safety system is entering a new era through real-time monitoring technology. Rama said the new system is designed to detect and prevent potential threats in real time by immediately alerting the monitoring …

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Rama and Lamallari Present ‘Smart City’ Command and Control Center: System Detects Threats in Real Time

The Command and Control Center, one of the key components of Albania’s national “Smart City” project, was officially unveiled on Thursday. Speaking at the launch ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, partners, and invited guests, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said the initiative is far more than a …

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Rama: Albanian iso-polyphony and çifteli flute sounds inspire “The Odyssey” soundtrack

Albanian musical traditions have inspired the soundtrack of one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey,” directed by Christopher Nolan. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video about the film and said Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson visited southern Albania. During his visit, Göransson explored Albanian iso-polyphony and the traditional sounds …

News

Rama: New Saranda Welcome Center improves mobility and services for tourists

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new Saranda Welcome Center at the Port of SarandaThe new facility aims to improve the visitor experience and make movement around the city easier. It serves as a modern gateway for passengers and tourists. The center offers parking for cars and tourist buses. It …

News

EU Commissioner Kos condemns Serbian minister’s remarks on Kosovo

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has again condemned remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović about the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosovo. Kos said she was shocked that Paunović remains in office after making such a statement. She also warned politicians in EU candidate countries that their words carry weight. The …

News

Minister: Albania targets full electrification of Tirana-Durrës-airport rail link by end-2027

Albania plans to fully electrify the Tirana-Durrës railway line and its branch to Tirana International Airport by the end of 2027, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Thursday. Presenting a bill to Parliament to ratify a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Karakaçi …

News

Serbian Minister’s Ethnic Cleansing Remarks ‘Irresponsible and Outrageous,’ Balla Tells Parliament

*]: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=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-turn-id-container=”cba226ae-38ab-42b4-ac79-6fba2d1b4852″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-turn=”user”> The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, described recent remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović as “irresponsible and outrageous” during a debate in Parliament with MP Redi Muçi, who questioned why Balla had not publicly responded to the …

News

Spiropali Publishes Motion Submitted to Socialist Assembly, Calls for Reform of Socialist Party and Electoral System

Socialist Party MP Elisa Spiropali has made public the motion she submitted to the Socialist Party’s General Assembly, proposing the launch of a national dialogue on a “New Agreement for Albania.” Spiropali said the document is not a personal initiative but an open proposal for discussion among all members of …

News

Berisha Congratulates New Democratic Party Leadership: Free Vote Is the Foundation of Our Party

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has congratulated the newly elected members of the party’s leadership, emphasizing that the selection process was based on the free vote of the National Council. Berisha said the new leadership represents a renewal of the party, with several new figures taking on key positions. Speaking …

News

Tirana-Durrës Railway Line Set for Electrification, Karakaçi: Service to Be Operational by End of 2027

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Enea Karakaçi told Parliament on Thursday that the government has submitted a bill to ratify an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which will finance the full electrification of the Tirana-Durrës railway line and the Rinas railway station. The minister said …

News

Rama: ‘Smart City’ Project Moves Forward, Set to Expand Nationwide

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the “Smart City” Command and Control Center on Thursday, stating that Albania’s public safety system is entering a new era through real-time monitoring technology. Rama said the new system is designed to detect and prevent potential threats in real time by immediately alerting the monitoring …

News

Rama and Lamallari Present ‘Smart City’ Command and Control Center: System Detects Threats in Real Time

The Command and Control Center, one of the key components of Albania’s national “Smart City” project, was officially unveiled on Thursday. Speaking at the launch ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro, partners, and invited guests, Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said the initiative is far more than a …