Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Italy and Albania target cocaine-linked property ring in joint operation
Gazeta Tema
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July 3, 2025
Italian and Albanian prosecutors have frozen more than €4 million in assets as part of a joint investigation into a drug trafficking and money laundering network allegedly led by two Albanian brothers. The group is accused of smuggling cocaine...
Companies Behind the Esencia Project in Puerto Rico Leave a Global Trail of Damage
Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
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July 2, 2025
The five foreign companies behind the Esencia megaproject in Cabo Rojo, on Puerto Rico’s southwest coast, have left a trail of environmental destruction and community disputes in the ecologically sensitive areas where they’ve developed previous...
Govt approves draft law for EIB rail financing
Gazeta Tema
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July 3, 2025
TIRANA, July 3 — Albania’s government has approved a draft law to ratify a financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the first phase of the Corridor VIII railway infrastructure project, officials said on Wednesday. The...
Economic Confidence Declines in June
Albanian Daily News
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Albania’s economic sentiment index decreased by 2.2 percentage points (pp) in June to around 6.4 pp above the long-term average, after increasing by 1.1 pp in May, the central bank said on Tuesday. The decline reflected decreases in the industry...
Albanian insurance market expands, life policies remain limited
Gazeta Tema
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July 2, 2025
Albania’s insurance sector grew in the first five months of 2025, with total premiums collected rising 7.6% to 10 billion lek (€90 million), driven by strong demand for mandatory and non-life coverage, according to the Financial Supervisory...
Top Bankers Petroleum execs arrested in Albania raid
Gazeta Tema
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July 2, 2025
TIRANA, July 4 – Albanian police in Fier today arrested two senior executives at Bankers Petroleum—including current CEO Hongping Xiao (Chinese national) and former head Leonidha Çobo—for allegedly failing to pay multi-million‑lek environmental...
Central bank cuts key interest rate to 2.5%
Gazeta Tema
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July 2, 2025
TIRANA, July 4 – Albania’s central bank has reduced its key interest rate from 2.75% to 2.5%, marking the first cut of 2025 as inflation trends toward target. The Bank of Albania also lowered its overnight lending rate to 3.5% (from 3.75%) and its...
Albanian watchdog flags ATM fee issues, urges reforms
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
TIRANA, July 1 – Albania’s Competition Commission has called on the central bank to tighten oversight of ATM withdrawal fees, after a market review revealed low transparency and inconsistent charges, especially for foreign cardholders. The...
Director and Former Administrator of “Bankers Petroleum Albania” Arrested
Euronews Albania
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July 2, 2025
The Prosecutor’s Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Fier has launched a criminal investigation into the concessionary company Bankers Petroleum Albania, as part of a case related to tax evasion and money laundering. The...
Berisha at the OSCE Assembly: Albania Is Experiencing a Demographic Drama in Europe
Euronews Albania
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July 2, 2025
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, raised alarm over Albania’s depopulation during his speech at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, currently taking place in Porto. In his address, Berisha cited statistics, stating that in just one...
Nudity at the Beach Still a Taboo in Albania, Citizens Call for Designated Areas
Euronews Albania
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July 2, 2025
At a time when many foreign tourists choose Albania for their vacations and often have no issue going topless on the beach, for the majority of Albanians, this remains a line that should not be crossed. In Durrës, beachgoers express surprise — and...
“€250 Million Credit Line for Agriculture,” Rama: We Will Develop Rural Entrepreneurship
Euronews Albania
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July 2, 2025
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting today in the city of Cërrik, focusing on agricultural development, the challenges the sector faces, and the need for a comprehensive approach. In his speech, Rama emphasized that agriculture should not be...
Sughd’s dried fruit sector advances with commercial specification workshop
Asia Plus
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10:32, todayAuthor: Press release by ITC Tajikistan Dried fruit producers and exporters in Sughd province of Tajikistan took a major step forward with a focused workshop on writing product specifications for formal retail, designed to help the...
BoA Cuts Policy Rate to 2.5%, as Inflation Eases
Albanian Daily News
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Albania's central bank said it has decided to slash its benchmark interest rate to 2.50%, from 2.75 %, as inflation has eased and economic growth has continued steadily. Bank of Albania's supervisory council also decided to cut the overnight...
Albanian prosecutors link ex-president’s family to $240k luxury spending
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
Albania’s anti-corruption prosecutors say Monika Kryemadhi, the ex-wife of former president Ilir Meta, spent nearly $240,000 using a U.S.-linked credit card in what may be a new episode of political corruption. According to the Special...
PM says Albania’s agriculture holds vast untapped potential
Gazeta Tema
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July 2, 2025
Prime Minister Edi Rama told farmers and agribusiness leaders that Albania’s agricultural sector holds “extraordinary, still-untapped potential” and should be central to the country’s path toward EU membership by 2030. Speaking at a roundtable in...
Albanian MP on trial warns OSCE of China–Russia ties
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
Fatmir Mediu, an Albanian MP currently on trial over a deadly 2008 munitions blast, told the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly that China, Iran, and North Korea are enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine and undermining European security. “China is Russia’s...
Albania’s manufacturing sector faces fresh job cuts
Gazeta Tema
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July 1, 2025
Albania’s garment and footwear industry faces new factory closures and layoffs after summer, driven by falling orders, euro depreciation, and rising costs, industry leaders warned. Edvin Prençe, head of ProEksport Albania, said the sector employs...
Fortis Energy can build a major solar plant in Albania
CEENERGYNEWS
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July 2, 2025
Turkish renewable energy company Fortis Energy has been granted a construction permit to build a 62-megawatt (MW) solar plant near the town of Ersekë in southeastern Albania. The facility will play a key role in transforming the country’s...
The state will increase funds for Bulgarians in North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Ukraine and Moldova
BNR - Radio Bulgaria
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July 2, 2025
Georg Georgiev Photo: BTA In 2025, 1.3 million euros are planned for the implementation of the program for support of organizations of Bulgarian communities from Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Ukraine and Moldova and of citizens of North Macedonia with...