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Albania Road Authority Chief Held on Corruption, Money Laundering, Charges

In a high-profile anti-corruption case, prosecutors arrested Evis Berberi, General Director of the Albania Road Authority, after uncovering a scheme involving corruption and money laundering. Original post Here

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Albania Parties Reach Agreement to End Opposition Protests

Opposition MP Gazmend Bardhi confirmed to BIRN that an agreement had been reached with the ruling Socialists that will enable them to return to normal work in the country’s parliament. Original post Here

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Albanian PM’s ‘Intimidation’ of Woman Journalist Condemned

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama declined to answer questions from journalist Ambrozia Meta and instead touched her face – a gesture condemned as intimidating by media rights organisations. Original post Here

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Cyberattacks and Ethnically-Fuelled Harassment Mark Start of Year

Public institutions faced cyberattacks as countries battled misinformation amid political crises in the region. Original post Here

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Albanian Court Detains Controversial Acting Mayor on Corruption Charge

Jorgo Goro, who became acting mayor of Himara municipality amid a diplomatic row between Albania and Greece over his election rival’s arrest, was ordered into detention on suspicion that he transferred state land to private individuals. Original post Here

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‘It’s Devastating’: BIRN Maps Illegal Landfills Blighting the Balkans

Authorities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia are failing in the fight against illegal landfills; the environment and the public are paying the price. Original post Here

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With Two Mayors Behind Bars, Albanian Municipality Elects Caretaker

Blerina Bala was elected caretaker mayor of Himara by the municipal council after previous acting mayor Jorgo Goro resigned following his arrest for alleged corruption and election-winner Fredi Beleri was convicted of vote-buying. Original post Here

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When Crossing Borders was a Death Sentence for Albanians

Crossing borders has become safer for Albanians, but many still are haunted by the new, less visible, frontiers of a capitalist and racist Europe. Original post Here

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Seven Migrants Killed in Car Crash While Fleeing Albanian Police

Seven suspected migrants and an alleged people-smuggler were killed when the vehicle in which they were travelling crashed at high speed as the driver was trying to get away from the Albanian police. Original post Here

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‘R and M’: Albanian Officials Accused of Siphoning Public Funds via Frontmen

Two senior public officials in the Albanian capital, Tirana, stand accused of fixing state tenders to enrich a company they owned through front men. 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 …

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 …

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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 …