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FDI SCREENING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING ALBANIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ALIGNMENT WITH THE EU

Navigating Albania-China Relations amid Euro-Atlantic Commitments During the post-communist period, Albania’s priorities were largely defined by the need to rebuild its economy, modernize infrastructure, and reintegrate into the global political and economic systems. In its pursuit of development and modernization, the Albanian government sought partnerships with a wide array of …

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FDI SCREENING AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR PROTECTING ALBANIAN NATIONAL INTERESTS AND ENHANCING ALIGNMENT WITH THE EU

Navigating Albania-China Relations amid Euro-Atlantic Commitments During the post-communist period, Albania’s priorities were largely defined by the need to rebuild its economy, modernize infrastructure, and reintegrate into the global political and economic systems. In its pursuit of development and modernization, the Albanian government sought partnerships with a wide array of …

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Albania in 2025: Parliamentary Elections Approach, But ‘No Real Alternatives’ Appear

Many expect the ruling Socialist Party to win this year’s parliamentary elections again, and are placing their hopes in anti-corruption bodies to bring some genuine change by battling high-level graft. Original post Here

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The Departed: Balkan Personalities Who Left the Stage in 2024

From a diplomat who fought in World War II to a Turkish cleric accused of subverting the state and a Bulgarian rock star who raised his voice for democracy, these are some of the key figures who passed away this year in the Balkans. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

TIRANA, Dec. 26, 2024 – The Albanian government’s recent announcement that will ban for at least a year the use within the country of the popular social media platform TikTok has generated debate over the impact of social media on society and the decision’s impact on free speech.  According to …

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1980s icon Simaku returns to the spotlight after decades of emigration hardship

TIRANA, Dec. 26, 2024 – Parashqevi Simaku, once Albania’s darling of song and stage, has re-emerged in the public eye after years of hardship, including a period of homelessness in New York City.  The beloved singer, known for her velvety voice and electrifying performances during the 1980s, is now reclaiming …

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Digital Rights Review: TikTok Backlash in Romania, Spyware Revelations in Serbia

TikTok became the focus of criticism for boosting a far-right contender in Romania’s elections, while in Serbia, evidence of the use of spyware emerged amid the largest student protests in the country in years. Original post Here

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As Justice Vetting Ends, Albania Urged to Maintain New Anti-Graft Standards

A seven-year vetting process in Albania has been hailed as setting new standards in the fight against judicial graft. Can the country maintain them? Original post Here

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Museum Honours Woman Who Challenged Albania’s Brutal Communist Takeover

Musine Kokalari paid a heavy price for opposing Albania’s slide into totalitarianism; a newly opened museum recalls her largely forgotten struggle for a more liberated society. Original post Here

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Bechtel Bespoke: US Engineering Giant’s Modus Operandi in the Balkans Causes Concern

Over the past two decades, US engineering giant Bechtel has won billions of euros worth of infrastructure work across the Balkans, often on the basis of bespoke laws that bypass public procurement rules and keep the deals’ key details under wraps. Original post Here

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Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026; Albania Under-21 coach Bushi: We want to show character, not just participate

TIRANA, August 19 – Albania’s Under-21 national football team will compete at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, which RTSH will broadcast. Albania Under-21 head coach Alban Bushi has announced the squad for the tournament. He said the team wants to show the character, personality and mentality of Albanian football. Albania …

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Cultural heritage draws tourists as monuments and religious sites enrich tourism in Gjirokastër

TIRANA, August 19 – Cultural and religious heritage sites have attracted strong interest from domestic and foreign tourists in Gjirokastër County this year. Churches, mosques, cultural monuments and historical sites have featured prominently in tourist itineraries. As a result, cultural and religious tourism has become one of the area’s main …

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Durrës remains a favorite destination for domestic and foreign tourists

Durrës remains one of Albania’s most popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists during the summer season. The coastal city combines beaches, history, culture and Albanian hospitality, offering visitors a diverse holiday experience. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the city’s busy streets, filled with tourists during the …

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Drashovica: The “Gateway to Labëria” with a Rich History and Heritage

Drashovica lies at the entrance to the hills and mountains of the Shushicë River valley. For centuries, its location has earned it the name “Gateway to Labëria.” The village has a history of at least 585 years and is believed to have been founded in 1431. It has played an …

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Albania-Kazakhstan ties: Air links, investment and regional cooperation in focus

TIRANA, August 19 – Opportunities to strengthen relations between Albania and Kazakhstan were discussed at a meeting at the Kazakh Embassy in Tirana. The talks focused on air links, economic and investment cooperation, tourism and contacts between regions. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Albania, Iskander Aisariyev, met Albanian media representatives, experts, a …

News
Shkodër wildfires: Situation under control on Mount Tërbun, firefighting continues in Gjegjan-Gojan

TIRANA, August 19 – Wildfires remain active in the forests of Mount Tërbuni and the Gjegjan-Gojan area in Puka Municipality, Shkodër County. The county authorities said the situation on Mount Tërbuni is under control. However, firefighters continue to battle the flames in Gjegjan-Gojan, where high temperatures and strong winds have …

News
Heavy traffic in Lezha during tourist season: Traffic police chief urges use of alternative routes

TIRANA, August 19 – The high number of tourists visiting Lezhë and surrounding areas has increased traffic on local roads. As a result, the Road Police has increased its presence to manage traffic and prevent long queues at the most congested points. Officers are monitoring traffic continuously and intervening where …

News
Draft bill on Chamber of Commerce: Businesses to become automatic members, with fees up to ALL 70,000

TIRANA, August 19 – A draft bill on the Chamber of Commerce proposes replacing the current Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a new National Economic Chamber. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has opened the draft for public consultation. The proposal aims to establish a new model for business …

News
AKSHI: Diella follows security standards and does not expose internal server addresses

The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) has responded to recent claims about Diella, the artificial intelligence system operating on Albania’s e-Albania portal. AKSHI said the webpage users see is only the system’s interface. It is not the system itself. When citizens ask Diella for a document, the request is …

News
Clear skies and variable cloud cover, temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, August 19 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts mainly clear skies with periods of moderate and locally dense cloud cover over hilly and mountainous areas. Clouds will remain present until the afternoon. Later, they will gradually clear and mostly sunny …

News

Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026; Albania Under-21 coach Bushi: We want to show character, not just participate

TIRANA, August 19 – Albania’s Under-21 national football team will compete at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, which RTSH will broadcast. Albania Under-21 head coach Alban Bushi has announced the squad for the tournament. He said the team wants to show the character, personality and mentality of Albanian football. Albania …

News

Cultural heritage draws tourists as monuments and religious sites enrich tourism in Gjirokastër

TIRANA, August 19 – Cultural and religious heritage sites have attracted strong interest from domestic and foreign tourists in Gjirokastër County this year. Churches, mosques, cultural monuments and historical sites have featured prominently in tourist itineraries. As a result, cultural and religious tourism has become one of the area’s main …

News

Durrës remains a favorite destination for domestic and foreign tourists

Durrës remains one of Albania’s most popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists during the summer season. The coastal city combines beaches, history, culture and Albanian hospitality, offering visitors a diverse holiday experience. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the city’s busy streets, filled with tourists during the …

News

Drashovica: The “Gateway to Labëria” with a Rich History and Heritage

Drashovica lies at the entrance to the hills and mountains of the Shushicë River valley. For centuries, its location has earned it the name “Gateway to Labëria.” The village has a history of at least 585 years and is believed to have been founded in 1431. It has played an …

News

Albania-Kazakhstan ties: Air links, investment and regional cooperation in focus

TIRANA, August 19 – Opportunities to strengthen relations between Albania and Kazakhstan were discussed at a meeting at the Kazakh Embassy in Tirana. The talks focused on air links, economic and investment cooperation, tourism and contacts between regions. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Albania, Iskander Aisariyev, met Albanian media representatives, experts, a …

News

Shkodër wildfires: Situation under control on Mount Tërbun, firefighting continues in Gjegjan-Gojan

TIRANA, August 19 – Wildfires remain active in the forests of Mount Tërbuni and the Gjegjan-Gojan area in Puka Municipality, Shkodër County. The county authorities said the situation on Mount Tërbuni is under control. However, firefighters continue to battle the flames in Gjegjan-Gojan, where high temperatures and strong winds have …

News

Heavy traffic in Lezha during tourist season: Traffic police chief urges use of alternative routes

TIRANA, August 19 – The high number of tourists visiting Lezhë and surrounding areas has increased traffic on local roads. As a result, the Road Police has increased its presence to manage traffic and prevent long queues at the most congested points. Officers are monitoring traffic continuously and intervening where …

News

Draft bill on Chamber of Commerce: Businesses to become automatic members, with fees up to ALL 70,000

TIRANA, August 19 – A draft bill on the Chamber of Commerce proposes replacing the current Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a new National Economic Chamber. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has opened the draft for public consultation. The proposal aims to establish a new model for business …

News

AKSHI: Diella follows security standards and does not expose internal server addresses

The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) has responded to recent claims about Diella, the artificial intelligence system operating on Albania’s e-Albania portal. AKSHI said the webpage users see is only the system’s interface. It is not the system itself. When citizens ask Diella for a document, the request is …

News

Clear skies and variable cloud cover, temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, August 19 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts mainly clear skies with periods of moderate and locally dense cloud cover over hilly and mountainous areas. Clouds will remain present until the afternoon. Later, they will gradually clear and mostly sunny …