Latest News from Albania
Patrols on Albanian-Greek Border force Drug Smugglers to Vary Tactics
The task of some 71 officers was to crack down on the illegal migration of Albanians to Greece, but they have seized a significant amount of cannabis too, forcing traffickers to vary their tactics and seek out new routes, according to BIRN's findings. Some have abandoned the use of donkeys, preferring to hire young locals as couriers to carry small quantities of drugs on their backs.
EU confirms - Slovenia proposed changing borders in the Balkans
However, it was not made public because it could jeopardize international relations, writes Klix.ba.
The APA has asked the EU Council to disclose "documents of all kinds and in any language that would relate to alleged Slovenian non-paper or Slovenian border change initiatives in the Western Balkans and related discussions".
"People from the Balkans brought coronavirus"; "That is not true".
The Welt newspaper analyzed the figures in detail and refuted Spahn's conclusion. "We learned lessons from last summer," German Health Minister Jens Spahn told the tabloid Bild recently.
Greece to Donate Covid-19 Vaccines to Albania and North Macedonia
Greece will supply its northern neighbours Albania and North Macedonia with 40,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, the government spokeswoman said on Thursday.
Bulgaria Will Donate Covid-19 Vaccines to Western Balkan Neighbors
"Bulgaria can help North Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina with a donation of 150,000 vaccines," Minister of Health Stoycho Katsarov announced at a press conference.
‘Coffee and Cigarettes’: Albanian Miners Seek Special Status, Fair Pension
Veliu's story and countless like it are the reason why Albania's miners have been calling for 30 years for a special status that would recognise the unique nature of their work, providing for better working conditions, pensions and health cover. Retired miners currently receive pensions of between 194 and 242 euros per month.
Albanian Election Commissioner Turns Blind Eye to Broadcast Bias
The AMA recommended sanctions against several outlets, but the Commissioner decided to fine only RTSH for breaking the 'electoral silence' on the eve of the vote.
Experts were incredulous, while one AMA board member, Sami Neza, said he was "astonished".
"We have proposed more administrative sanctions, but they have not been taken into account," Neza said.
European Environment Agency Released Beaches and Bathing Water Ranking: Where Is Bulgaria?
Every year, the European Environment Agency (EEA) compiles bathing water data gathered by local authorities across the 27 European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Albania - measuring levels of bacteria from sewage and livestock. More than two thirds of sites are coastal beaches, with rivers and lakes making up the remainder.
Montenegro Urged to Compensate Human Trafficking Victims
Illustration. Photo: EPA/MLADEN ANTONOV
"The victims of trafficking are not given compensation, they should receive compensation for the damage done to them," Petya Nestorova, Executive Secretary of the Council of Europe's Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, told BIRN.
‘Untold Story’: Dark Money, Israeli Advisers and an Albanian Election
The video was a crude example of a 'deep fake', a video that portrays someone saying something they didn't. And it was not the only political attack ad run by Untold Stories of Albania and targeting Basha and other opposition leaders before the April 25 vote that was won by the ruling Socialist of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Albania Investigates Chief Judge Over TikTok Videos
Albania's Inspector of Justice on Monday ordered an investigation into Enkeleda Kapedani, the chief judge on the Elbasan Circuit in central Albania, after several videos of her posing in designer clothing were published by a TikTok account.
One video shows Kapedani, 37, posing in her office while another shows her filming herself driving a BMW while wearing Prada.
"The coronavirus erupted because of the Balkans"; "Scandalous statement"
"It is scandalous that the German minister publicly accuses the Balkans and thus humiliates people of migrant origin," Edi Rama told the German "Bild".
Week in Review: Political Surprises and Peculiar Ventures
Activist Mayor?
Zagreb's Ban Jelacic square. Photo: EPA-EFE/ANTONIO BAT.
With days to go before the key second round of local elections in Croatia, all eyes are turned to the capital, Zagreb, where leftist candidate Tomislav Tomasevic is poised to take the mayorship of the city. His main rival is popular singer and now right-wing politician Miroslav Skoro.
President Radev: Bulgaria Expects North Macedonia to Offer Roadmap to Resume EU Accession Talks
Bulgaria expects North Macedonia to offer a "roadmap" to resume talks regarding EU accession and find a solution to the issues between the two countries, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev explained after the meeting of EU leaders in Brussels on Tuesday.
Albanians Question Benefit of US Ban on Berisha
"With this designation, I am reaffirming the need for accountability and transparency in Albania's democratic institutions, government processes, and the actions of Albanian public officials," Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote in the press release.