Latest News from Albania
Croatia Demands Action on EU Refugee Plan
Croatian Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic on Thursday said Croatia was demanding am EU meeting in order to implement the European Commission plan on refugees.
OSCE urges Albania to reject libel bill
Albania should reject a bill introducing imprisonment for libel of public officials, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.
Albania Backs off From Restoring Defamation Crime
Following a hostile reaction from the media and pressure from international bodies such as the OSCE, the Albanian government has withdrawn a draft amendment that aimed to re-criminalize defamation of senior officials.
BIRN Albania Slates Call to Restore Libel as Crime
BIRN office in Albania had criticised an apparent initiative to restore defamation as a criminal offence in Albania and has called on the government to immediately distance itself from any such move.
On Wednesday, media reports said the government was intending to restore defamation as a criminal offence in the law code.
Oil Slick in Durres Causes Outrage in Albania
Oil pollution that struck the beach of the Albanian port and resort of Durres a few days ago has revealed the negligence of institutions in preventing such situations.
Albania has also been slow in implementing regulations to ensure greater discipline regarding the waste management of ships anchored in the country's ports.
Antalya Film Festival announces foreign entrees
The 52nd International Antalya Film Festival announced 10 foreign films at the International Competition section of the festival. The films will be screened for the first time in Turkey, according to a written statement made by the festival committee.
Ex-KLA Fighter Accused of War Crimes in Kukes
Kosovo's Special Prosecution Office on Monday issued an indictment against for Xhemshit Krasniqi for war crimes allegedly committed in Kukes in Albania.
Frontex Reports 1.2 Million Illegal Border Crossings into EU in January-October
Frontex has reported a total of 1.2 million illegal border crossings at the EU's external borders in the first ten months of this year, which is four times the 282 000 recorded for the whole of 2014.
More than 540 000 migrants have arrived on the Greek islands between January and October, which was 13 times more than in the same period last year.
Corruption, Justice Top Agenda in Commission Report
The European Commission released on Tuesday its long-awaited progress report for the Countries of the Western Balkans.
While stressing that progress has been made in the past year, key reforms still need to adopted concerning the fight against corruption and organized crime, rule of law, protection of human rights, consolidation of democratic institutions and freedom of speech.
Justice Minister's Exit Raises Eyebrows in Albania
Albania's Minister of Justice resigned suddenly on Monday, in the middle of presiding over key judicial reforms that the EU considers vital for the country.
Nasip Naco, from the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI, a coalition party in the Socialist-led government, resigned after two years in office on Monday.
A Greek flag burned at Agioi Saranta
Unknown individuals burned the Greek flag outside the office of the minority political organization “OMONOIA” at Agioi Saranta, Albania.
REJECTED Kosovo failed to become a member of UNESCO
REJECTED Kosovo failed to become a member of UNESCO
UNESCO has not accepted Kosovo as a member; the proposal failed to gain a two-thirds majority at the organization's General Conference in Paris on Monday.
142 countries voted - 92 in favor, 50 against, while 29 abstained. Pristina's bid required 95 votes in favor to be successful.
Albania MPs Vote to Form Civil Society Council
Albania's parliament has voted to set up a National Council for Civil Society in an attempt to create an organized structure that includes the voice of civil society in the policy-making process.
BIRN Albania Journalist Wins CEI SEEMO Prize
The Central European Initiative, CEI, and the South East Europe Media Organisation, SEEMO, on Thursday awarded Aleksandra Bogdani for her professional achievements as an intrepid reporter covering complex stories of human trafficking, organised crime and child abuse, corruption and national security.
She received the CEI/SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits.
Becchetti Faces Possible Extradition to Albania
Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in the UK on December 7 for a procedural hearing that will consider an extradition request by the Albanian authorities.
Becchetti, 49, was arrested in London by officers from the UK's Metropolitan Police Extradition Unit on 26 October on behalf of the Albanian authorities.