After years of negotiations, Albania and Italy signed the long-awaited agreement on the recognition of reciprocal social security contributions, which will benefit over 500.000 Albanians living in Italy and all Italians who have worked in Albania

Votes from Albanian diaspora and new parties make the 11 May election more uncertain, even though Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the political landscape

16 out of 41 migrants transferred earlier this year are claimed to have disappeared from the Italian-run Gjader Repatriation and Detention Centre, CPR, in Albania, according to a claim made by an Italian opposition MP after a visit to the camp

Opposition leader Sali Berisha is borrowing MAGA-style rhetoric for his campaign in view of May’s elections - many experts doubt that will work as corruption charges he faces in court and his age (81) weigh against his chances of victory

Over 175.000 military bunkers were built during Albania’s communist-era; though many were blown up, thousands remain: used for agricultural storage, wineries, resource for experimental artists, they are now becoming a tourist attraction