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Rama Says Violence at Protests Was Planned for Months, Claims Evidence Is in Police Hands

Prime Minister Edi Rama has claimed that violence at recent protests in Albania was planned months in advance. He said the State Police now holds information about the people and groups allegedly involved. In a statement shared on social media, Rama said he had recognised the protesters’ right to demand …

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PM Rama backs Lana Nusseibeh for United Nations secretary-general

Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed Albania’s full support for Lana Nusseibeh of the United Arab Emirates as a candidate for United Nations secretary-general. In a post on X, he described her candidacy as an opportunity for a fresh start for the international organization. Rama said he had met Nusseibeh …

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Albania Passes Copyright Law to Strengthen Protection for Creators

Albania’s parliament has passed a new Copyright Law aimed at strengthening protections for Albanian creators and aligning the country with European standards. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the law introduces stricter rules for digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. Platforms must obtain authorization to use copyrighted …

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PM Rama renews dialogue offer to protesters

Prime Minister Edi Rama has renewed his call for dialogue with protesters, placing a sheet of paper bearing the word “dialogue” on stone benches. Rama said he remained ready to meet anyone who believed Albania could improve through dialogue, respectful exchange and the discussion of opposing views. He said he …

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PM Rama Endorses Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General: “A Woman of Exceptional Calibre”

Prime Minister Edi Rama has confirmed Albania’s support for diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, nominated by the United Arab Emirates for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations. In a post on X, the prime minister described her candidacy as an opportunity for a fresh start for the UN at a …

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Chancelor Merz in Montenegro: Regional cooperation essential for EU integration

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Western Balkan countries to strengthen regional cooperation and continue reforms for European Union membership. Speaking at the Berlin Process summit in Budva, Montenegro, he also stressed that violence must never be an option during protests. Merz said EU enlargement must continue and bring …

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Rama Shares Footage of Stone Benches Removed from Dialogue Site: “The ‘Professors’ Came Again”

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage on social media showing protesters’ response to his invitation for dialogue. The video shows protesters removing stone benches that the government had symbolically placed as an invitation to discuss their demands. The benches were intended to provide a setting for dialogue between the …

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Albania Ratifies Council of Europe Convention to Protect Lawyers, Sets Five State Obligations

Albania has ratified the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, the first legally binding international treaty dedicated entirely to safeguarding the legal profession. Justice Minister Toni Gogu outlined five key obligations the state assumes under the Convention. These include ensuring lawyers can practise freely, …

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Koçiu: Albania Is More Than the Anger on Our Screens — It Is Also the Work We Don’t See

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has praised public administration employees and frontline service workers for continuing to serve citizens amid heightened tensions. In a video message, Koçiu highlighted the daily work of doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, police officers, firefighters, emergency teams and municipal workers who clean and maintain cities. …

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Albania’s Cultural Heritage Institute Marks 61 Years of Preserving National Monuments

Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage has marked 61 years since its establishment, celebrating decades of research, documentation, conservation and restoration of the country’s historic monuments. The institution traces its roots to 1965, when Albania established the Institute of Cultural Monuments to bring these activities under one organization. It later …

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Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

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Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

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“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

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President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

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Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

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American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

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Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …

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Abissnet Superiore: Matchday 9 Set for Wednesday and Thursday

Albania’s Abissnet Superiore will resume on Wednesday and Thursday, October 28–29, with five matches scheduled across the ninth round. Wednesday’s fixtures begin at 13:30, when FK Vora host Vllaznia. Two more matches follow at 18:30, as Skënderbeu face Laçi and AF Elbasani take on Partizani at Elbasan Arena. Meanwhile, Thursday …

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Albanian government examines record €10 billion budget for 2027

The Albanian government will review the draft 2027 budget today, with planned spending of €10 billion. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj will then present the document to the Assembly’s Conference of Chairpersons. Parliamentary committees will subsequently examine the proposal. Reporter Rugova Dunisha reported that the budget may include compensation for businesses …

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EU tells Serbia election results do not change commitments in dialogue with Kosova

The European Union has stressed that Serbia’s parliamentary election results do not change the framework of its facilitated dialogue with Kosova. All commitments made by both sides in the normalisation process remain in force, an EU spokesperson told Radio Television of Kosova. These include obligations under the 2023 Agreement on …

News

Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

News

Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

News

“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

News

President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

News

Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

News

American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

News

Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …

News

Abissnet Superiore: Matchday 9 Set for Wednesday and Thursday

Albania’s Abissnet Superiore will resume on Wednesday and Thursday, October 28–29, with five matches scheduled across the ninth round. Wednesday’s fixtures begin at 13:30, when FK Vora host Vllaznia. Two more matches follow at 18:30, as Skënderbeu face Laçi and AF Elbasani take on Partizani at Elbasan Arena. Meanwhile, Thursday …

News

Albanian government examines record €10 billion budget for 2027

The Albanian government will review the draft 2027 budget today, with planned spending of €10 billion. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj will then present the document to the Assembly’s Conference of Chairpersons. Parliamentary committees will subsequently examine the proposal. Reporter Rugova Dunisha reported that the budget may include compensation for businesses …

News

EU tells Serbia election results do not change commitments in dialogue with Kosova

The European Union has stressed that Serbia’s parliamentary election results do not change the framework of its facilitated dialogue with Kosova. All commitments made by both sides in the normalisation process remain in force, an EU spokesperson told Radio Television of Kosova. These include obligations under the 2023 Agreement on …