Why Albania sees Kosovo as an Autonomous Province of hers
The article below was first published on Feb. 26, 2020 in the Tirana Observatory. Many of the issues affecting the Albania-Kosovo relationship remain the same since then, albeit new issues have risen to add fuel to previous disagreements. It is part of a book authored by Albert Rakipi, “Albania and …
Op/Ed: The Future of Europe – Assuming Responsibility with Courage
By Karl von Habsburg In mid-December last year, a friend from Ukraine paid a visit to Vienna. Ihor Zhaloba, a historian from Chernivtsi, a university professor, a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, co-chairman of the Austrian-Ukrainian Historical Commission, President of the Pan-European Union of Ukraine, and: soldier. Three …
Tirana, two arrested after embezzling EUR 10,000 off employer
Two people were arrested in Tirana in the framework of the police operation coded “All in”, as informed this Saturday. They were put in handcuffs after, in different periods of time, they stole the amount of EUR 10,000 from a company where they were employed, in the “Ali Demi” neighborhood. …
Dibra stricken by heavy snowfall, drivers urged to use tire chains
Snowfall has covered Dibra since the early hours of Saturday morning. Thickness of the snow in the city of Peshkopia and Bulqiza reaches 10 cm, while in the mountainous areas the thickness is greater, ranging from 15-20 cm. Peshkopi-Tirana road is passable after the snow removal vehicles have passed and …
Man steals ALL 5000 off Fier shop after breaking glasses
An unidentified person committed a theft in a grocery store in Fier, during the very early hours of this Saturday morning. Incident took place while it was still dark, in the “Apollonia” neighborhood, where the perpetrator broke the windows of the shop and took 5,000 ALL. On its part, the …
Two apartments burned in Memaliaj building, residents evacuated
A 2-story building was engulfed in flames on “Ali Pashë Tepelena” street in Memaliaj, in the early hours of this Saturday morning. From the fire on the second floor, 3 apartments were completely burned, while 3 other apartments were partially affected by the flames. Intervention of the fire brigade made …
Rama: East bus terminal in Tirana fully functional
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj have published this Friday morning the images from the East Bus Terminal in the capital, which is already in full operation. Students and citizens, who travel from the east to Tirana and vice versa, will not wait for hours to …
Criminal event prevented in Tirana, explosives seized
Tirana Police have prevented this Friday a criminal event that would have been carried out with a remote-controlled explosion of explosives. During police operation coded “Brothers”, 20-year-old Jesar Shabaj was arrested and his brother, 23-year-old Jaser Shabaj, is wanted. During the investigative actions, 2 remote-controlled mines with C4 explosives weighing …
Berisha’s request to participate in plenary sessions rejected
Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has rejected the request of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha to participate in the plenary sessions in the Assembly, in the capacity of a deputy. After becoming familiar with the content of this request, the prosecutors have decided not to accept it. Berisha’s lawyers argued that …
Alibeaj: I am the only representative of the Democratic Party
The co-chairman of the Electoral Reform Commission, Enkelejd Alibeaj, has stated that he is open for proposals from all opposition parties for the Electoral Commission. He emphasized that he is only a representative of the Democratic Party and not of the interests of the opposition in the parliament. “I will …
SPAK could move toward a harsher measure against the suspended deputy prime minister, including a request for house arrest or detention. Tirana Times – December 9, 2025 The suspension from office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku has pushed Albania into one of the …
Judges Association claims that Edi Rama’s attacks on court decision to suspend Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over legal allegations are designed to undermine faith in the Albanian judiciary. Original post Here
By Genc Pollo On the Commissioner’s satisfaction The statement by Mrs. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, that the general elections in Albania this May were free and fair, but we welcome suggestions for their improvement” rightly caused surprise, irritation and was condemned by the opposition. Fortunately, on Monday the …
Saudi Arabia and the Rise of a New Human-Centered Diplomacy When National Transformation Becomes a Global Movement for Life There are moments when an initiative that begins as a simple community project transforms into a global movement. Moments when awareness campaigns cross the boundaries of public messaging and become part …
Anti-poverty NGO ActionAid has filed a complaint to the Court of Auditors in Italy over the 133 million euro cost of two migrant detention centres in Albania as part of a controversial asylum offshoring deal between Rome and Tirana. Original post Here
By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across …
In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here