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Albania Opposition Leader Hires Trump Campaign Manager

Democratic Party says it is ‘honoured’ that Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Donald Trump’s successful campaign for the US presidency, will lead the party’s campaign for the May parliamentary elections. Original post Here

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The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania organizes the event “International Arabian Leopard Day”

Saudi Embassy Leads Efforts to Protect the Endangered Arabian Leopard The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tirana and the Zoological Garden, took a leading role in raising awareness about the conservation of the Arabian leopard—one of the world’s rarest species. …

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Bird-Hunting Tourism Threatens to Wipe Out Balkan Quails

Routine use of illegal ‘lures’ by visiting European hunters who love to shoot migrating birds in the Balkans is pushing some species to the brink – while weak policing allows the crime to continue unchecked, conservationists warn. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 10, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Balkan Cold Cases #3: Young Men Killed in Crackdown as Albanian Communism Fell

When police attacked the first demonstrations against Albania’s repressive communist regime in April 1991, four students were killed. The officials who were initially convicted were amnestied, and there has never been a proper investigation into what happened. Original post Here

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‘Lifeless’: Pollution Threatens the Drin and its Tributaries in Three Balkan States

Without concerted action, pollution threatens to leave the Drin River and its main tributaries “lifeless”, environmentalists in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia warn. Original post Here

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Albania’s Marginalised Small Parties Spy Opportunity in 2025 Elections

In a system that favours the two big players, their smaller rivals have traditionally stood no chance – but might things be different in the looming May 2025 elections? Original post Here

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Albanian Politician’s Arrest Lays Bare Organised Crime’s Electoral Influence

Corruption charges against a former MP of the ruling Socialist Party represent a case study in the transactional relationship between organised crime and politics in Albania, a relationship with the power to tip the electoral scales, experts say. Original post Here

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Albanian Cannabis Gangs Exploit Poverty to Hire Female Day Labourers

Women from impoverished parts of Albania are being lured into work as day labourers on illegal cannabis plantations; if caught, they face paying a high price for what their lawyers say is effectively ‘modern slavery’. Original post Here

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Afghan Refugees in Albania Alarmed as Trump Slams US Doors

New US administration’s freeze on foreign aid and crackdown on immigration has left Afghan refugees in Albania in a state of limbo. Original post Here

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Rama: “We have no role or technical capacity to disable social media accounts”

Prime Minister Edi Rama has rejected claims that the government intervened to deactivate or restrict the social media accounts of people linked to the ongoing protest. In a post on X, Rama said the government has no role in decisions made by social media platforms. He also stressed that state …

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UNICEF approves new 2027–2031 program for Albania, focusing on child protection and skills

UNICEF’s Executive Board has approved a new country program for Albania for 2027–2031. UNICEF Albania and the Albanian government jointly developed the program. The five-year program sets shared priorities and a roadmap to improve children’s well-being, protection and development across the country. According to UNICEF Albania, the program will focus …

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Jaupaj: Albania accelerates alignment of environmental legislation with the EU

Albania aims to complete the alignment of its environmental legislation with European Union rules by September 2027, as part of negotiations on Chapter 27. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said in a television interview that the process covers around 90 EU directives and regulations. Albania must incorporate these rules into around …

News
Hoxha meets EU Commissioner Kos: Albania determined to maintain momentum in EU accession talks

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Dublin on Thursday. Hoxha held the meeting on the sidelines of the General Affairs Council, which is taking place in Dublin. “It was a pleasure to meet and discuss with EU Commissioner for Enlargement …

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Green economy: Albania advances legal framework in line with EU standards

Albania is advancing its legal framework to support a greener and more sustainable economy through ecodesign, as part of its efforts to align with European Union legislation. As part of the European Integration Partnership Platform, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy held a meeting with the Ministry of Economy and …

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Jorgji: National Film Festival will bring artists together, not just screen films

The Albanian National Film Festival will return after a 14-year break. The festival aims to reconnect Albanian cinema with the public and create new opportunities for artists and filmmakers. The National Center of Cinematography (QKK) supports the event, while Ilir Butka leads its artistic direction. Iceberg Communication joins the festival …

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PM Rama: “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) to bring citizens’ concerns into institutional channels

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) will take place every Friday at 17:00 across Albania. He said the initiative aims to make listening to citizens a condition and responding to their concerns an institutional duty. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group …

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Education Minister Kumbaro: New free textbooks for primary school students

TIRANA, September 3 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the start of textbook distribution for the new school year. For the first time, all primary school students from first to fifth grade will receive new textbooks free of charge. Kumbaro said the measure would ease the financial burden on families. …

News
At the Plane Tree, at the Hunters’ Club…

Gjirokastër has places that history preserves. People also keep them alive through memory. Near the famous plane tree in the city’s Bazaar, the Hunters’ Club became a well-known part of local life after 1947. The building had once housed the Prefecture café. Later, the hunters’ association moved its offices there. …

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“Daily Express”: British travel expert chooses Albania for an autumn getaway: “Absolutely wonderful”

Albania is quickly emerging as a top destination for autumn holidays. The country offers beaches, history, hospitality and affordable prices. British travel expert Simon Calder has highlighted Albania for its natural beauty, reasonable prices and the warm hospitality of its people. He described the country as “absolutely wonderful.” Calder selected …

News

Rama: “We have no role or technical capacity to disable social media accounts”

Prime Minister Edi Rama has rejected claims that the government intervened to deactivate or restrict the social media accounts of people linked to the ongoing protest. In a post on X, Rama said the government has no role in decisions made by social media platforms. He also stressed that state …

News

UNICEF approves new 2027–2031 program for Albania, focusing on child protection and skills

UNICEF’s Executive Board has approved a new country program for Albania for 2027–2031. UNICEF Albania and the Albanian government jointly developed the program. The five-year program sets shared priorities and a roadmap to improve children’s well-being, protection and development across the country. According to UNICEF Albania, the program will focus …

News

Jaupaj: Albania accelerates alignment of environmental legislation with the EU

Albania aims to complete the alignment of its environmental legislation with European Union rules by September 2027, as part of negotiations on Chapter 27. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said in a television interview that the process covers around 90 EU directives and regulations. Albania must incorporate these rules into around …

News

Hoxha meets EU Commissioner Kos: Albania determined to maintain momentum in EU accession talks

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Dublin on Thursday. Hoxha held the meeting on the sidelines of the General Affairs Council, which is taking place in Dublin. “It was a pleasure to meet and discuss with EU Commissioner for Enlargement …

News

Green economy: Albania advances legal framework in line with EU standards

Albania is advancing its legal framework to support a greener and more sustainable economy through ecodesign, as part of its efforts to align with European Union legislation. As part of the European Integration Partnership Platform, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy held a meeting with the Ministry of Economy and …

News

Jorgji: National Film Festival will bring artists together, not just screen films

The Albanian National Film Festival will return after a 14-year break. The festival aims to reconnect Albanian cinema with the public and create new opportunities for artists and filmmakers. The National Center of Cinematography (QKK) supports the event, while Ilir Butka leads its artistic direction. Iceberg Communication joins the festival …

News

PM Rama: “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) to bring citizens’ concerns into institutional channels

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) will take place every Friday at 17:00 across Albania. He said the initiative aims to make listening to citizens a condition and responding to their concerns an institutional duty. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group …

News

Education Minister Kumbaro: New free textbooks for primary school students

TIRANA, September 3 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the start of textbook distribution for the new school year. For the first time, all primary school students from first to fifth grade will receive new textbooks free of charge. Kumbaro said the measure would ease the financial burden on families. …

News

At the Plane Tree, at the Hunters’ Club…

Gjirokastër has places that history preserves. People also keep them alive through memory. Near the famous plane tree in the city’s Bazaar, the Hunters’ Club became a well-known part of local life after 1947. The building had once housed the Prefecture café. Later, the hunters’ association moved its offices there. …

News

“Daily Express”: British travel expert chooses Albania for an autumn getaway: “Absolutely wonderful”

Albania is quickly emerging as a top destination for autumn holidays. The country offers beaches, history, hospitality and affordable prices. British travel expert Simon Calder has highlighted Albania for its natural beauty, reasonable prices and the warm hospitality of its people. He described the country as “absolutely wonderful.” Calder selected …