EU opens defense program to Albania

TIRANA, Oct 6 (TemA) — The European Commission confirmed that Albania can take part in the EU’s new SAFE defense program, allowing companies based in the country to supply up to 35% of joint European defense projects. The move gives Albania its...

Troubled Waters: Albania’s Wild River ‘Protected Only on Paper’

The Vjosa River is a vital habitat for over 1,100 species, including 13 globally endangered species. But this summer, it was significantly impacted by oil being spilled into the river, damaging its biodiversity. BIRN witnessed this pollution, with...

A Week of Art and Creativity: One Albania Supports the Hungarian Cultural Week

With a diverse program offering entertainment through classical music, traditional folk performances, exhibitions, sports, and various other activities, the Hungarian Cultural Week took place in Albania. For the fourth consecutive year, the event...

EXCLUSIVE: Lachezar Avramov’s documentary Angel’s Torah in post-production

06/10/2025 - The movie explores the extraordinary life of Angel Wagenstein, a Holocaust survivor, partisan, dissident, intellectual and visionary artist Angel’s Torah by Lachezar Avramov (© Cinelibri) Sofia-based production company Cinelibri is...

Extracting Useful Minerals From Industrial Waste With Plants And Fungi

Hemp and sunflowers can clear away radioactive particles and were used for this purpose after the Fukushima disaster. Bacteria can clean mines of residual metals at higher rates than conventional mining. A French company is genetically engineering...

Govt plans tax reforms to boost revenue by 2030

TIRANA, Oct. 26 (TemA) — Albania will reform its tax system to align with EU rules and lift budget revenue to €10 billion by 2030, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. He said the reform package includes a limited amnesty to clear overdue tax and...

Elon Musk to ‘rewrite history books’ through AI archaeological research

Whether likening his social media ­platform to a colosseum battleground or challenging another tech magnate to a gladiatorial duel, Elon Musk has long made clear his fascination with the ­ancient world order. Now the world’s richest man, who once...

13% of Albanian Employees Migrated in Three Years

The number of Albanian individuals leaving the country for employment has increased significantly in recent years, with Eurostat reporting that in 2022-2024 alone, an average of 20,000 work permits was issued per year, mainly in Greece, Germany,...

World AFP 'I found hell': the women ensnared in Albania's global sex trade

From Venezuela, Maria travelled halfway around the world in search of a better life. Instead, the mother of two was trapped in Albanian detention for months after being lured into illegal sex work. Maria, 38, is among a growing number of women...

Slovenia blocks Albanian peppers over pesticide residues

A shipment of peppers from Albania was blocked by Slovenian authorities after testing revealed pesticide residues exceeding legal limits. The case was classified as an "alert" under the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). The peppers...

‘I found hell’: the women ensnared in Albania’s global sex trade

'Maria' is one of a growing number of victims of sex trafficking in Albania - Copyright AFP KAREN MINASYAN Briseida MEMA, Camille BOUISSOU From Venezuela, Maria travelled halfway around the world in search of a better life. Instead, the mother of...

Trump, Takaichi Seek New Trade, Security Opportunities to Counter China

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at U.S. efforts to diversify trade in Asia, Argentina’s surprise midterm election results, and Jamaica bracing for a Category 5 hurricane. A Budding Friendship This week is all about trade policy...

Eurostat: Under 30% of Albanian workers use internet at work

TIRANA, Oct. 2 (TemA) — Fewer than 30% of workers in Albania use the internet on the job, against a 63% average in the European Union, 2024 Eurostat data show. Nordic rates are above 85% in Sweden and Finland, pointing to deeper digital use at...

EcoContact presents Moldova's experience in managing national pollutant release and transfer register in Tirana

A subregional workshop dedicated to improving pollutant release and transfer registers (PRTR) in the Western Balkans and Moldova was held in Tirana, Albania, on September 30-October 1, 2025. The event brought together representatives from...

Marina Cino Pagliarello – The Meloni method after three years in power

Giorgia Meloni’s time as prime minister of Italy has been marked more by style than substance – eventually that will catch-up with her. Dr Marina Cino Pagliarello is a Visiting Fellow at the LSE’s European Institute, and a Senior Research...

Pesticide Residues Above Limit: Slovenia Blocks Shipment of Peppers from Albania

A shipment of peppers originating from Albania has been blocked by Slovenian authorities after testing revealed the presence of pesticide residues. The residues were described as “very serious” and posing a risk to consumer health. The exact...

Baku asserts its influence in Europe’s political and energy corridors at 7th EPC Summit

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Copenhagen for a working visit at the invitation of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European Council President António Costa to participate in the 7th Summit of the European Political...

More Agricultural Products in Foreign Markets

Albanian agricultural exports are increasingly expanding to foreign markets, reflecting the increase in quality and the empowerment of farmers in the country. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced that exports of...

Diaspora4Innovation: From Venice to Albania, Knowledge Without Borders Turning into Action

In a world where knowledge and innovation know no boundaries, collaboration between resident and Albanian diaspora scholars, is becoming increasingly important for the future of education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Albania. The...

Free Mumia Campaign discusses China and the international anti-imperialist struggle

On Sunday October 19 the Free Mumia Abu Jamal Campaign UK organised a discussion meeting on the theme of China and the international anti-imperialist struggle at International House in Brixton, south London. Chaired by Sarah Mudd and introduced by...