Share Your Experience: Corruption in Albania’s Health Sector
Have you been asked to transfer your treatment from a public to a private hospital? Do you suspect that healthcare staff are illicitly profiting from your treatment? Have you been asked for a bribe by a medical professional? Tell us your story. Original post Here
Tourist season/ State Police: 378 arrested, 25 of them in the wanted list
The State Police has made the balance of the month, helping for a tourist season as safe as possible. It is known that 378 citizens were arrested and 25 of them were wanted internationally. So far, the Traffic Police has arrested 143 drivers, of which 104 for driving while intoxicated …
Independence of USA, Begaj: We share friendship and strengthened partnership towards democratic values
President Bajram Begaj congratulated July 4, the day of US Independence. In a post on social networks, Begaj emphasizes the joint commitment between Albania and the USA as strategic allies. “Albania and the U.S. share a friendship and partnership strengthened by a common commitment to democratic values. Together, as strategic …
Former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj arrested
The former Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, was arrested this Thursday. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that Beqaj was arrested for embezzling funds from the State Agency for Strategic Program and Aid Coordination, also known as SASPAC. Regarding this file, a few months ago, several checks were carried out …
CEC postpones the decision on the validity for the mandate of Fredi Beleri
Central Election Commission (CEC) has postponed the decision regarding the validity of the mandate of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri. “Regarding the time, I don’t believe we have the opportunity to do it today. We can probably organize it, it doesn’t have to come from the place of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, tribute to renowned writer Ismail Kadare
Tributes are being held in honor of Ismail Kadare, the well-known Albanian writer. Prime Minister Edi Rama, in the speech he is giving to the audience, said that Kadare feels protected by Mother Teresa, referring to the installation of the Albanian saint that stands next to the archmort of the …
25 police officers in Korça suspended for abuse with Frontex funds
Korça Prosecutor’s Office is criminally prosecuting 25 employees of the Korça Police Department and the Border and Migration Directorate. On the other hand, the court decides the suspension from duty of these employees. According to the Korca prosecutor’s office, the police officers are accused of abusing the funds in terms …
Chronicles and Fragments
The novels of Ismail Kadare. By James Wood Like Trieste or Lvov, the medieval city of Gjirokastër, in southern Albania, has passed its history beneath a sign perpetually rewritten, in different hands, but always with the same words: “Under New Management.” It enters the historical record in 1336, as a Byzantine …
A phone call not every writer wants
By Kristoffer Leandoer Every year he waits in vain by the phone on this very day, and a whole nation waits with him. Every year the Albanian people are equally surprised that Ismail Kadare has been passed over once again. The recently published “A dictator calls” (Counterpoint LLC), makes full use of …
Tribute to Ismail Kadare, state ceremony in honor of the well-known writer
Tributes have begun at the National Theater of Opera and Ballet in honor of the writer Ismail Kadare, who passed away at the age of 88. Helena Kadare, the wife of the late writer, arrived at the theater accompanied by the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj. The highest heads of …
*]: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=”be058c35-e82e-43c8-8d85-0d7c47dc523e” data-turn-id-container=”be058c35-e82e-43c8-8d85-0d7c47dc523e” data-testid=”conversation-turn-15″ data-turn=”user”> Residents and local government representatives gathered outside Patos Municipality on Monday to protest a proposal to merge the Municipality of Patos with the Municipality of Fier. *]: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:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> *]: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:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-7″ …
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has been denied conditional release from pre-trial detention in The Hague. According to Klan Kosova, the request was rejected due to concerns over the risk of flight and the potential for interference with the judicial proceedings. Thaçi had offered a financial guarantee of €50,000 and …
*]: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:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Obesity is becoming one of Europe’s biggest public health challenges, but Albania continues to rank among the countries with the lowest obesity rates on the continent. According to Eurostat data for 2022, 12.6% of Albanians aged 18 and over are classified …
At the end of June, the Municipality of Durres introduced the city’s first public beach, equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers available free of charge for visitors. The initiative has been welcomed by residents, particularly elderly beachgoers who have frequented this stretch of sand along the Taulantia promenade for years. …
*]: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=”4ca8945c-e447-4e71-aff9-53c29cb8b97e” data-turn-id-container=”4ca8945c-e447-4e71-aff9-53c29cb8b97e” data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-turn=”user”> Rising temperatures have led to an increase in heat-related health emergencies across Albania. In an interview with Euronews Albania, National Emergency Service Director Skënder Brataj said that emergency teams assisted more than 6,700 people during July who sought help for heat-related …
*]: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=”5a79515d-c08e-45c0-b7db-3afcb0f8a319″ data-turn-id-container=”5a79515d-c08e-45c0-b7db-3afcb0f8a319″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita welcomed a high-level delegation from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, led by the Commander of Air and Maritime Operations, Major General Joselito Minuto. *]: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:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> During the meeting, …
*]: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=”10e5ebe6-16b5-4cec-91e2-c7592938b98c” data-turn-id-container=”10e5ebe6-16b5-4cec-91e2-c7592938b98c” data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-turn=”user”> The 65th protest organized by activists and citizens took place in Tirana on Monday, as participants once again gathered to demonstrate against the government. *]: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:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8d784432-a90e-4d80-a353-c5142e3e58fc-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Protesters initially assembled at Skanderbeg Square before marching …
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 …
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, …
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 …