Albanian PM Accused of Allotting Island to Trump’s Son-in-Law to Win Favour
A firm linked to Jared Kushner was granted ‘strategic investor’ status just weeks before the new US president’s inauguration, even without a business plan or feasibility study for the construction of a luxury resort on an uninhabited island once used by the army for shooting practice. Original post Here
Balkan Politicians Visit Washington to Pay Homage to Trump
A convoy of politicians from Balkan countries has trouped to Washington for Donald Trump’s inauguration – some boasting about their invites, others making the trip simply to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the new president. Original post Here
Thousands of Tons of Hazardous Waste Illegally Exported from Albania
At least 20,000 tonnes of hazardous waste have been illegally exported from Albania since 2020; experts say Albanian authorities are failing in their monitoring obligations. Original post Here
Albania Opposition Chief to Ask Trump to Review ‘Persona Non Grata’ Status
Declaring Donald Trump’s victory in the US elections “a miracle”, Sali Berisha said he will call on the new US administration to remove his ‘persona non grata’ designation, which he called a “corrupt” decision. Original post Here
Albanian PM Under Fire Over TikTok Ban in Election Year
Civil society groups in Albania have questioned the rationale behind an announced 12-month ban on TikTok in the wake of the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old. Opposition parties say PM Edi Rama’s decision is more about the upcoming election than child safety. Original post Here
Great Expectations: Trump’s Return Sparks Hope on All Sides in Divided Albania
Both the ruling Socialists and opposition conservatives spy potential dividends from a second Trump term in the White House. Original post Here
Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania has officially approved Jared Kushner’s ambitious plans to transform the uninhabited Sazan Island into a luxury eco-resort. The Albanian government’s Strategic Investments Committee granted strategic investor status to Kushner’s Atlantic Incubation Partners LLC late last month, just three weeks ahead of the return to …
Albania signs €1bn deal with Italy and UAE on renewable energy, new undersea connection
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2025 – Albania, Italy and the United Arab Emirates have signed a trilateral agreement to develop renewable energy infrastructure, marking a €1 billion investment to produce and share solar, wind and other clean energy resources. The project will include an undersea cable linking Albania’s port of Vlorë …
Emigration and Infrastructure Woes Hold Back Albania’s Olive Growers
Albania should be well-placed to take advantage of growing demand for olive oil amid rising prices, but poor roads and a lack of labour during harvest season are stifling the sector. Original post Here
Albania Greenlights Jared Kushner Plan to Develop Island as Luxury Resort
The government has granted Strategic Investor Status to a proposal by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump, to build a luxury resort on the uninhabited island of Sazan. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has officially begun a new aerial survey of its territory. The project is being carried out through cooperation between the State Authority for Geospatial Information and the Albanian Development Fund. The initiative aims to update geospatial information and strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor, plan …
TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has reported 34 wildfires over the past 24 hours. Five remain active and four are under monitoring, according to the Ministry of Defence. A total of 219 operational personnel and 35 firefighting vehicles have joined the response. The Armed Forces have deployed 60 personnel, one …
TIRANA, August 26 – The United Kingdom and Albania have signed their first regional Asset Sharing Agreement after authorities recovered proceeds linked to a drug trafficking case. The agreement follows a criminal case involving a conspiracy to supply cannabis to organised crime groups in England and Wales. British and Albanian …
TIRANA, August 26 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu called for a broader assessment of Albania’s justice reform. He said the assessment should cover more than the number of cases resolved, their duration and the quality of rulings. It should also reflect citizens’ experience when they first contacted the justice system. …
TIRANA, August 26 – The Vora-Hani i Hotit railway reconstruction project was presented in Lezha during a public consultation with communities along the planned route. The project will rehabilitate the existing railway track and bring it in line with European transport standards. The project has entered the contractor selection phase. …
TIRANA, August 26 – President Bajram Begaj received the credentials of Belgium’s ambassador to Albania, Olga Cogen, during a meeting in Tirana today. Begaj welcomed Belgium’s decision to open its first embassy in Albania, with its headquarters in Tirana. The move marks a new step in diplomatic relations between the …
SIAR Guesthouse in Pogradec is emerging as a new example of Albania’s growing agrotourism sector, combining nature, traditional hospitality and rural experiences. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the guesthouse, highlighting its contribution to the development of tourism and family-run businesses in Albania’s tourist areas. SIAR features nine private …
TIRANA, August 26 – The Academy of Sciences today commemorated Hasan Ceka, one of the founders of Albanian archaeology. Ceka was born on August 25, 1900. He studied archaeology and history and later became known for laying the foundations of archaeological research in Albania. Ceka studied in Vienna and returned …
Ardenica Monastery stands among the most important historical and religious sites in the Lushnjë area and ranks among Albania’s most visited cultural attractions. The monastery rises on the fertile hills of Ardenica, about 200 meters above sea level. Travelers heading toward Fier and Vlorë can spot the monastery after a …
TIRANA, August 26 – Maritime transport operators in Albania will face new requirements to document and control greenhouse gas emissions. A draft decision under public consultation aims to align environmental rules with European Union practices. Under the proposed system, operators will measure, report and verify emissions from ships. The system …