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Albanian Central Bank Printed Money to Finance Hotel Purchase – Draft Report

A damning draft audit into the workings of the Bank of Albania – declared secret but obtained by BIRN – found the central bank printed money to fund the purchase of an iconic Tirana hotel and other expenditures. Original post Here

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History of the Armed Forces, part of the Central State Archive/ Minister Vengu visits the Central Archive of the Armed Forces

Thousands of materials belonging to the Central Archive of the Armed Forces will be part of the Central State Archive. The work has already started and is expected to be completed by January 1, 2025. The Minister of Defense, Mr. Pirro Vengu, accompanied by the General Director of the Central …

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Minister Hasani gathers ambassadors and consuls on Monday: We discuss the challenges of Albanian diplomacy

On August 26-28, 2024, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organizes the Conference of Ambassadors “Tirana Diplo 2024”. The event will be organized in the premises of the Palace of Congresses. In addition to ambassadors and heads of consular posts, Albanian and foreign dignitaries will be invited. The three-day …

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Fight between several people in a hotel in Saranda, two arrested

A fight took place on Saturday evening between several people in a hotel in Saranda. According to the police, a 19-year-old man from Saranda and a Frenchman clashed with two other French citizens, disrupting public peace and causing material damage to the hotel. As a result, the 19-year-old man and …

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Declared wanted, a 50 year old is extradited from Spain

Ismali Zeneli was extradited from Spain to our country, after the finalization of the operation by Interpol Tirana. The 50-year-old was declared internationally wanted by the Interpol Directorate, he is part of the gang group where Erzen Breçani was arrested. The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized …

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An 18 year old died after he lost control of the vehicle

An 18-year-old, who was injured on Thursday, after losing control of the car and ended up in the canal, died this Friday. The accident happened yesterday, around the early hours of the morning. The driver of the vehicle was immediately sent to the hospital for medical assistance, but as a …

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A 26-year-old man is arrested in Elbasan for threatened to kill the police officer

A 26-year-old man was arrested in Elbasan after threatening to kill a police officer. According to the police, the young man was walking around armed with a pistol, at midnight, in the “Luigj Gurakuqi” neighborhood, while it was ascertained by the police officer that he was off duty. At the …

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GAIN Summit 2024 to Explore Latest Global Developments in AI

Third edition of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit announced TIRANA, 21 August 2024 – AI leaders from around the world will be gathering for the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN) on September 10-12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hosted by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority …

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Sydney-Based Lawyer Makes ‘Special Swim’ from Italy to Albania

Long-distance swimmer Eva Buzo tells BIRN her Albanian heritage made the 35-hour swim from Italy to Albania extra special. Original post Here

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Chinese citizen arrested in Tirana, for prostitution network

The Tirana police attacked a prostitution ring in Tirana this Thursday. Investigations and verifications revealed the scheme of practicing prostitution in the capital. According to Tirana police, two 52-year-old Chinese citizens and another 38-year-old woman recruited other Chinese and Filipino citizens through social networks and accommodated them in a rented …

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Firefighters continue efforts to fully extinguish Vilz village blaze in Shkodër Municipality

TIRANA, August 3 – Emergency teams continue operations to extinguish a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in Vilz village, in the Postriba administrative unit of Shkodër. The Shkodër Prefecture and the National Civil Protection Agency are coordinating the response. Local civil protection forces and the Shkodër Fire and Rescue …

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Italian media highlights Albanian Alps as a top budget summer escape

TIRANA, August 3 – Italian news outlet Fanpage.it has ranked the Albanian Alps among the best-value mountain destinations for summer 2026. The report recommends Theth and Valbona Valley as ideal retreats for travelers seeking cooler temperatures during Italy’s Ferragosto holiday. According to Fanpage.it, Italy has experienced repeated heatwaves this summer, …

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Gjirokastër celebrates August with “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” cultural evenings

TIRANA, August 3 – Gjirokastër has launched “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” (Iso on the Cobblestones), a month-long cultural event that fills the city’s historic bazaar with the sounds of Albanian iso-polyphony. Gjirokastër Mayor Flamur Golemi shared scenes from the lively streets, where performances will take place every evening from August 1 …

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Five medieval icons undergo restoration in Korça museum

TIRANA, August 3 – Five icons of outstanding historical and artistic value are undergoing restoration at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça. Conservation specialists are carrying out the work to preserve the artworks and extend their lifespan for future generations. The collection includes a 14th-century icon that experts …

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PM Rama: Albanian-made military vehicles secure export deals with 30 countries

TIRANA, August 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage on social media today showing the first Albanian-made military vehicles undergoing road tests after their delivery to the Albanian Armed Forces. Rama described the vehicles as a source of national pride. He said the vehicles meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization …

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Veteran bard Isa Elezi keeps the centuries-old lahuta tradition alive

TIRANA, August 3 – Isa Elezi, a lahuta player from Rugova in Kosova, says the traditional instrument has long inspired Albanian warriors and preserved the nation’s history. Elezi describes the lahuta as more than a musical instrument. He says it carries centuries of values and traditions. According to him, its …

News
Decisive week ahead as Kosova awaits new institutions

TIRANA, August 3 – This week could bring progress in talks on forming Kosova’s new institutions. The discussions involve the Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje), which won the June 7 elections, and the opposition Democratic League of Kosova (LDK). Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he expects results from talks with …

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Filip Shiroka remembered as a voice of Albania’s National Awakening

TIRANA, August 3 – Albania marks the anniversary of the birth of poet and patriot Filip Shiroka, one of the leading literary voices of the Albanian National Awakening whose work championed national identity and independence. Born in Shkodra on August 3, 1859, Shiroka devoted his poetry and journalism to patriotism. …

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Defense Minister Nufi unveils Sports Academy Initiative for Armed Forces

TIRANA, August 3 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met elite athletes serving in Albania’s Armed Forces to present a new initiative that will introduce sports classes as an extracurricular program at the Armed Forces Academy. Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, also attended the meeting. Participants discussed …

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Economic Sentiment Index weakens in July as Business Confidence falls

TIRANA, August 3 – Albania’s Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) weakened in July after business confidence declined across all sectors, especially construction and trade. Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved. According to the Bank of Albania, the index remained 5.4 points above its long-term average despite the monthly decline. Confidence in industry fell …

News

Firefighters continue efforts to fully extinguish Vilz village blaze in Shkodër Municipality

TIRANA, August 3 – Emergency teams continue operations to extinguish a fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in Vilz village, in the Postriba administrative unit of Shkodër. The Shkodër Prefecture and the National Civil Protection Agency are coordinating the response. Local civil protection forces and the Shkodër Fire and Rescue …

News

Italian media highlights Albanian Alps as a top budget summer escape

TIRANA, August 3 – Italian news outlet Fanpage.it has ranked the Albanian Alps among the best-value mountain destinations for summer 2026. The report recommends Theth and Valbona Valley as ideal retreats for travelers seeking cooler temperatures during Italy’s Ferragosto holiday. According to Fanpage.it, Italy has experienced repeated heatwaves this summer, …

News

Gjirokastër celebrates August with “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” cultural evenings

TIRANA, August 3 – Gjirokastër has launched “Iso mbi Kalldrëm” (Iso on the Cobblestones), a month-long cultural event that fills the city’s historic bazaar with the sounds of Albanian iso-polyphony. Gjirokastër Mayor Flamur Golemi shared scenes from the lively streets, where performances will take place every evening from August 1 …

News

Five medieval icons undergo restoration in Korça museum

TIRANA, August 3 – Five icons of outstanding historical and artistic value are undergoing restoration at the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korça. Conservation specialists are carrying out the work to preserve the artworks and extend their lifespan for future generations. The collection includes a 14th-century icon that experts …

News

PM Rama: Albanian-made military vehicles secure export deals with 30 countries

TIRANA, August 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage on social media today showing the first Albanian-made military vehicles undergoing road tests after their delivery to the Albanian Armed Forces. Rama described the vehicles as a source of national pride. He said the vehicles meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization …

News

Veteran bard Isa Elezi keeps the centuries-old lahuta tradition alive

TIRANA, August 3 – Isa Elezi, a lahuta player from Rugova in Kosova, says the traditional instrument has long inspired Albanian warriors and preserved the nation’s history. Elezi describes the lahuta as more than a musical instrument. He says it carries centuries of values and traditions. According to him, its …

News

Decisive week ahead as Kosova awaits new institutions

TIRANA, August 3 – This week could bring progress in talks on forming Kosova’s new institutions. The discussions involve the Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje), which won the June 7 elections, and the opposition Democratic League of Kosova (LDK). Meanwhile, caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said he expects results from talks with …

News

Filip Shiroka remembered as a voice of Albania’s National Awakening

TIRANA, August 3 – Albania marks the anniversary of the birth of poet and patriot Filip Shiroka, one of the leading literary voices of the Albanian National Awakening whose work championed national identity and independence. Born in Shkodra on August 3, 1859, Shiroka devoted his poetry and journalism to patriotism. …

News

Defense Minister Nufi unveils Sports Academy Initiative for Armed Forces

TIRANA, August 3 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi met elite athletes serving in Albania’s Armed Forces to present a new initiative that will introduce sports classes as an extracurricular program at the Armed Forces Academy. Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, also attended the meeting. Participants discussed …

News

Economic Sentiment Index weakens in July as Business Confidence falls

TIRANA, August 3 – Albania’s Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) weakened in July after business confidence declined across all sectors, especially construction and trade. Meanwhile, consumer confidence improved. According to the Bank of Albania, the index remained 5.4 points above its long-term average despite the monthly decline. Confidence in industry fell …