‘Return Hubs’ for Migrants Anticipated in Balkans for ‘Era of Deportations’
As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations. Original post Here
Waste Money Wasted: The Millions of Euros Behind Albania’s Ghost Incinerators
BIRN dissects the accusations against 12 individuals standing trial for allegedly siphoning millions of euros in public money supposed to be spent on solving Tirana’s long-standing garbage problem. Original post Here
Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open
Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …
Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness
Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …
Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games
Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …
Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy
Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …
Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award
Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …
U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security
The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …
Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics
The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …
Albania’s Flamingo Movement Said ‘No’, Now It Needs the Courage to Say ‘Yes’
The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …
Albania is taking steps to give traditional and locally made products greater value in domestic and European markets through stronger geographical protection. A new legal framework aims to protect the names, quality and reputation of products linked to specific regions. The initiative forms part of Albania’s industrial property reform and …
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania recorded 31 wildfires over the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Defence. Three fires remain active, while authorities are monitoring 6 others. A total of 370 operational personnel and 22 firefighting vehicles have joined efforts to manage the situation. The Armed Forces have …
TIRANA, August 25 – The State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination has updated Albania’s Unified List of Projects of National Importance. The list includes 118 projects with a projected investment value of 14.8 billion euros. The projects support the country’s strategic development priorities and aim to provide a …
Shkodra has received the “Green Destinations Bronze Award”, recognizing the city’s efforts to promote sustainable and responsible tourism. The international certification highlights Shkodra’s commitment to protecting its natural environment, cultural heritage and local communities while developing tourism. The award adds Shkodra to a growing global network of destinations focused on …
TIRANA, August 25 – Dardha village in Korça remains a popular tourist destination throughout the year. Visitors come for its natural surroundings, climate and traditional character. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the picturesque village on social media today. The photos show Dardha surrounded by green forests and visitors …
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania Under-21 beat Kosova 3-1 today in their second Group B match of the football tournament at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Bode opened the scoring in the 51st minute. Valentin Daja doubled Albania’s lead in the 74th minute. Arlind Leshi added a third goal from …
The Divjakë-Karavasta National Park continues to attract visitors with its rich biodiversity, wetlands and rare bird species. In 2026, the park remains an important destination for nature tourism and birdwatching in Albania. At the heart of the Karavasta Lagoon lies the Pelican Island, an important nesting site for the Dalmatian …
TIRANA, August 25 – Former US Congressman Joe DioGuardi has urged Kosova’s parliamentary parties to elect the country’s president. He warned that failure to do so could create major problems for Kosova and affect stability in the Balkans. DioGuardi made the remarks after receiving Kosova citizenship. DioGuardi said he had …