Albanian Prosecution Seeks Jail Term for Mayor-Elect of Himara
Albania’s Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime asked for a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himara, Fredi Beleri, who is on trial for alleged vote-buying. Original post Here
Repatriated Albanians Find New Routes Back to Britain
The flow of migrants from Albania to Britain has dropped dramatically since 2022, but some repatriated Albanians have found new ways to achieve their dream, one that often ends in prolonged illegality. Original post Here
Albanian Activists Condemn Govt ‘Trick’, Paving Way for Investments in Protected Areas
Edi Rama’s government is attempting to radically change the law on protected areas, paving the way for construction for ‘strategic purposes’ and skipping the public consultation process. Original post Here
Book Review – Enver Hoxha’s Long Shadow: Travels in Albania
John Watkins’ new travelogue offers an intriguing snapshot of a country still scarred by the legacy of its brutal dictator. Original post Here
Albania Legalizes Online Sports Betting, Overturning 2018 Ban
After banning sports betting in 2018, Albania’s parliament has voted to permit it once again – in online form only, and under the management of ten selected companies. Original post Here
EU Urges Albania to Rethink Planned Changes to Protected Areas
Letter from the Head of the EU Delegation in Tirana expresses concern that planned changes to the law on national parks could result in ‘large tourism and industrial investments’ in areas whose biodiversity needs protection. Original post Here
Albanian Gang Killings Spur Calls for Better Prevention
Albania is being blighted by gangland killings and the authorities appear helpless to act, experts say. Original post Here
Albanian Socialists ‘Fishing for Votes’ to Pardon Corrupt Officials
Ruling Socialists face accusations that they are the real movers behind an opposition MP’s proposal to widen an amnesty to include officials sentenced for corruption and organised crime. Original post Here
Turkey-Albania Media Deal Risks ‘Exporting Erdogan’s Propaganda’ – Experts
New media cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday may well strengthen Turkish government propaganda in the Albanian media, experts warn. Original post Here
BIRN Film Recounts Albanian Artist’s Repression by Communist Regime
BIRN’s documentary ‘Painting in Darkness’, telling the story of an artist who was imprisoned as a political dissident and whose works were confiscated by Albania’s repressive Communist regime, was premiered in Tirana. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 5 – The Kakavija border crossing with Greece continues to operate smoothly despite the peak summer travel season. Border Police report normal traffic flow, with no queues or long waiting times for travellers or vehicles. Meanwhile, officers processed 7,448 travellers during the past 24 hours. Authorities recorded 4,359 …
TIRANA, August 5 – Albania and Italy have established Fincantieri Albania, marking a new step in their strategic partnership and the development of Albania’s maritime industry. Officials signed the company’s founding act and statute at the Naval Vessels Division of Italy’s Fincantieri in Genoa. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said …
*]: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:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Albanian Road Authority (ASRA) has announced that on August 6 and 7, 2026, traffic will be restricted on two lanes of the main Tirana–Durrës highway near the new Kashar overpass from 00:00 to 04:30. According to the authority, the restrictions …
*]: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:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Border crossing points in Korçë County continue to experience an increasing flow of travelers entering and leaving Albania. Over the past 24 hours, 5,252 Albanian and foreign nationals entered the country through the Kapshticë Border Crossing Point, while 4,658 people crossed …
*]: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=”1a058c7f-d397-4086-bfe5-d644c7da2d09″ data-turn-id-container=”1a058c7f-d397-4086-bfe5-d644c7da2d09″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> A fire that broke out around midday on Wednesday in the village of Penkovë, in the Municipality of Selenicë, spread to an auto salvage yard used for storing vehicles for spare parts. The blaze destroyed dozens of vehicles, causing significant material …
*]: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:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Several neighborhoods in Vlorë continue to lack access to public transportation, including the Transballkanike area, where more than 5,000 residents live and around 1,000 businesses operate. Despite its large population, no urban bus service has operated along this route for more …
A large fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in an olive grove located about 100 meters from the Elbasan–Mjekës–Cërrujë–Gramsh 400 kV substation, raising concerns due to its proximity to critical power infrastructure. The blaze burned an area of olive trees, while thick smoke spread across the surrounding area. However, thanks …
A meeting between Vetëvendosje (LVV) leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku, aimed at reaching a coalition agreement, has concluded without a deal. Speaking briefly after the meeting, Kurti said there was no progress to announce. “We have no news, as long as we don’t have an agreement. …
Amid the constant buzz of thousands of bees and the scent of blooming flowers, Behexhet Ruda begins the same daily routine he has followed for more than 43 years. In the village of Shushicë, near Elbasan, the 66-year-old beekeeper tends to his hives with the same dedication that began in childhood, when he accompanied his …
TIRANA, August 5 – The Spanish travel blog “Viajablog” has presented Albania as a destination for every season. Writing for the blog, Quique Cardona highlights the country’s diverse climate and geographical position between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. The article describes Albania as a destination where visitors can explore the …