Bajram Fezollari recounts his family's daring escape from Albania's oppressive communist regime in 1975, their subsequent life in Australia, and their eventual return to Albania after the fall of communism. The narrative highlights the challenges and resilience of the Fezollari family, the broader context of Albanian emigration, and the enduring impact of political persecution. Despite the hardships, Bajram's entrepreneurial spirit flourished in Australia, and he eventually chose to return to his roots in Pogradec, where he now runs a bar and a TV station.

The article discusses the opening of the secret police archives in Albania, which allows individuals to access files from the Communist era. Maks Velo, a painter who was imprisoned and forced into hard labor for his art, reflects on his experience after reviewing his file, which revealed that about 20 people, including a close friend and his former mother-in-law, had informed on him. The article touches on the history of Albania's dictatorship under Enver Hoxha, the role of the Sigurimi secret police, and the lack of a systematic purge of officials post-Communism, known as 'lustration.' It also includes perspectives from Gentina Sula, the director of the agency providing access to the files, and Nesti Vako, a former Sigurimi official. The piece explores the complex feelings of victims and the public towards those who collaborated with the regime.

Albania has committed to building new cemeteries for Greek soldiers who died on its territory during World War II, as part of a broader agreement aimed at resolving historical issues and facilitating Albania's EU negotiation process. The agreement, which addresses past, present, and future issues, includes ending the formal state of war between Greece and Albania since 1941. Despite the positive diplomatic steps, some experts in Albania fear that the new cemeteries could stir old resentments and potentially revive Greek territorial claims over 'Northern Epirus'. The article also touches on the Cham Albanian issue, where tens of thousands were expelled from northern Greece after WWII, a matter that has not been resolved in the recent talks between the two countries.

North Macedonia faces significant challenges in conducting a census due to ethnic tensions, political disputes, and historical grievances. The census, delayed multiple times, is crucial for determining the rights and representation of ethnic communities, particularly the Albanian minority. The Ohrid Agreement and subsequent political developments have tied minority rights to population numbers, making accurate census data essential. Despite efforts to depoliticize the process, opposition parties and concerns about COVID-19 have further complicated the situation. The inclusion of the diaspora in the census adds another layer of complexity, with potential implications for political and social dynamics in the country.

Sabire Plaku, a 78-year-old woman in Labinot, Albania, has been guarding the last undamaged statue of Enver Hoxha, Albania's former communist dictator, for three decades. The statue, hidden in the basement of a former museum, symbolizes the village's historical significance during the communist era. Despite the regime's brutal history, some villagers express nostalgia for the stability and infrastructure of that time. The article explores the complexities of Albania's communist past, the crimes committed, and the ongoing struggle to reconcile with this history. Efforts to restore the museum and find a new home for the statue are underway, but challenges remain.

Sabire Plaku, a 78-year-old woman in Labinot, Albania, has been guarding the last undamaged statue of Enver Hoxha, Albania's first communist chief of state, for three decades. The article explores the historical significance of the statue and the village's museum, the crimes committed during Hoxha's brutal regime, and the mixed feelings of the villagers towards their communist past. It also highlights the challenges faced by Sabire in protecting the statue and the lack of accountability for the crimes of the communist era in Albania.

Around 25 women and children have escaped from the Al-Hawl and Ein Issa camps in northern Syria and are currently at the border with Turkey, hoping to return home to Kosovo. Bedri Elezi of the Kosovo Institute for International Studies, who assists in repatriating ethnic Albanian relatives of ISIS fighters, urges the Kosovo government to coordinate with Turkey for their return. The situation in the camps is reported as difficult, with clashes and escape attempts. Turkey's ambassador to Tirana, Murat Ahmet Yoruk, emphasized the priority of repatriating ISIS fighters and their families from Syria.

In Martanesh, north-east of Tirana, Albania, shepherds are repurposing abandoned Communist-era bunkers as shelters for their sheep during the summer. These bunkers, built under the orders of dictator Enver Hoxha to protect against potential invasions, have been largely unused since the fall of Communism in 1990. Now, they provide a safe haven for flocks from Tirana and Elbasan, allowing them to graze in the region's lush pastures.

Arta Lleshi, whose family suffered under the communist regime in Albania, expresses disappointment over the country's failure to undergo a proper decommunization process. Despite the prevalence of communist symbols, initiatives to ban them have been unsuccessful. Data from the Institute for the Studies of Communist Crimes highlights the regime's brutality, with thousands executed, missing, or imprisoned. Journalist Desada Metaj attributes the failure to condemn communist symbols to a lack of transparency and politicization. Lleshi finds it difficult to show restraint when communist symbols are still widely displayed, including on publicly funded television.

Czechs commemorated the 50th anniversary of Jan Palach's self-immolation, a protest against the Soviet invasion that ended the Prague Spring reforms. Public events, including a concert and memorial plaque unveiling, were held across the Czech Republic. Palach's act aimed to combat censorship and Soviet propaganda, inspiring others in Czechoslovakia and the Eastern Bloc.

Investigative journalists in Albania face severe threats and violence, with little to no protection or justice from the judicial system. High-profile cases, including attacks on Klodiana Lala and Elvi Fundo, highlight the impunity and corruption within the Albanian judiciary. Despite public condemnations from politicians like Prime Minister Edi Rama, actual prosecutorial action remains minimal. The judicial system's corruption, currently under international scrutiny, exacerbates the dangers for journalists, who often find themselves without support from media owners or legal protection. Calls for free legal aid and better employment rights for journalists are growing as a necessary measure to ensure their safety and ability to report on organized crime and corruption.

Albanian weightlifting, a source of national pride due to its history of success, is facing challenges due to institutional neglect and doping scandals. The European Weightlifting Federation had to relocate the European Championships from Tirana after a doping scandal involving medalist Romela Begaj. The Albanian Federation's president resigned, and the sport's reputation in Europe suffered. Despite past glories, including Ymer Pampuri's 1972 World Championship win, the fall of communism saw a decline in state support. Athletes lack financial stability and proper medical supervision, leading to frequent doping cases. The Ministry of Sport's budget for weightlifting was halved in 2018, and a law to improve athletes' conditions remains unimplemented. The doping issue is not only a national embarrassment but also threatens the sport's Olympic future, as the International Olympic Committee considers excluding weightlifting from the 2024 Olympics due to widespread doping issues.

Albanian weightlifting, historically a source of national pride and numerous medals, faces significant challenges due to a lack of institutional support and recurring doping scandals. The recent doping case involving Romela Begaj and the subsequent resignation of the Albanian Federation President Elez Gjozaj have tarnished the sport's reputation, leading to the relocation of the European Championships from Tirana. Despite past glories and notable athletes like Ymer Pampuri and Erkand Qerimaj, the sport struggles with inadequate funding, lack of proper medical and nutritional support, and insufficient implementation of supportive legislation. The Ministry of Education and Sport acknowledges the damage caused by doping but emphasizes the need for broader efforts to combat it. The article highlights the ongoing struggle of Albanian weightlifters to gain proper recognition and support in a challenging environment.

A plane has transported 155 members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq, an exiled Iranian opposition group, to Tirana, Albania. The Albanian government, under a 2013 agreement believed to be signed with the US, is expected to receive a total of 676 members this month. The group, controversial for its past and listed as a terrorist organization by the US until 2012, has been relocated from Camp Liberty in Iraq. Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and US officials have previously discussed the agreement, with Albania having already accepted around 1,000 members and promising to take in 2,000 more.