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Albania’s Former Deputy Prime Minister Faces Corruption Charges After Months of Political Protection

The expanded case against Belinda Balluku puts the government’s defence of senior officials—and Parliament’s refusal to authorize her arrest—under renewed scrutiny. Tirana Times, October 20, 2026 – Albania’s special anti-corruption prosecution, SPAK, on Tuesday communicated final charges against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, including corruption, money laundering, asset concealment …

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Albanian PM Rama Steps Up Rhetoric Against Student Protesters

Edi Rama described some of the student protesters involved in unrest in Tirana as extremists who have been manipulated by foreign powers, causing critics to warn that such harsh rhetoric may further inflame tensions. Original post Here

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PM Rama: Stone marks boundary between right to protest and state authority

Prime Minister Edi Rama said student protests were being used to conceal acts of violence. He stressed that the problem was not students or citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest, but violent acts. Rama spoke during a meeting at the Ministry of Education with Minister Mirela Kumbaro and Tirana …

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Education minister Kumbaro announces psychological support for children affected by unrest

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said a team of psychologists would support children and families affected by violent protests. She made the announcement during a meeting at the Ministry of Education with Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana high school principals. Kumbaro thanked school leaders for maintaining parents’ trust. She said …

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Clear skies across Albania on Tuesday

Albania will have clear skies throughout Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Dry and stable westerly air masses will bring settled weather across the country throughout the day. Winds will blow from the southwest to southeast at an average speed of 6 metres per second. Along the coast, gusts …

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Central bank assures public that deposits are safe and payments continue normally

The Bank of Albania said citizens’ deposits and savings remain safe despite damage to some bank branches and ATMs during recent youth protests. It also confirmed that payment services continue to operate normally. In a public statement, the central bank said it was closely monitoring recent developments. It stressed that …

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Albania marks 126th anniversary of national poet Naim Frashëri’s passing

Albania marks October 20 the 126th anniversary of the death of Naim Frashëri, a leading figure of the Albanian National Renaissance and the country’s national poet. Frashëri was born on May 25, 1846, in Frashër, Përmet. His literary work focused on the Albanian language, national identity, freedom and unity. His …

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Seven Albanian Companies Showcase Olive Oil and Medicinal Herbs at SIAL Paris 2026

Seven Albanian companies are showcasing olive oil and medicinal and aromatic plants at SIAL Paris 2026, one of the world’s largest food fairs. The event runs from October 17 to 21 at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre. The companies are exhibiting at the Albanian Pavilion in Hall 4, Stand …

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Haxhiu denies Kosova’s Self-Determination Movement called on its supporters to join Tirana protests

Kosova Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu, who belongs to the Self-Determination Movement, denied that her party had called on its supporters to join the protests in Tirana. She said the party could not be held responsible for its supporters’ individual decisions. Haxhiu stressed that public support for the movement did not …

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Health Minister Spahiu stresses shared responsibility for protection of minors

Health Minister Klodiana Spahiu stressed the need to protect minors during a visit to the University Trauma Hospital. She urged parents, guardians, social workers and other professionals to listen to minors and address their concerns. Spahiu said minors had the right to express their views but also needed adult care …

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Lara Colturi Opens World Cup Season with Silver in Sölden

Albanian skier Lara Colturi opened the 2026–2027 Alpine Ski World Cup season with a silver medal in the giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, finishing just 0.01 seconds behind the winner. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja congratulated Colturi on her performance, calling it another achievement that brings pride to …

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Koçiu: Protest Violence Puts Lives of Demonstrators and Citizens at Risk

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu warned on Sunday that violence fueled by media coverage and longstanding political resentment poses a serious threat to the lives of both protesters and citizens. In a social media post, Koçiu described the injury of a young man from Elbasan as a wake-up call about …

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Koçiu: Protest Rights Remain Untouchable, Violence Will Be Punished

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday that the government would introduce six measures to curb urban violence. The measures aim to protect citizens and public and private property. Koçiu stressed that authorities would uphold the constitutional right to protest but punish anyone who incites violence, exploits minors or …

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Rama: Injured Elbasan Youth to Receive Treatment at Italy’s Best Hospital

Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that he had personally arranged medical treatment in Italy for the young man from Elbasan who suffered an eye injury during protests. He also secured an air ambulance to transport the youth to what he described as Italy’s best hospital. Rama warned that …

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Foreign Tourists Stop at Prime Minister’s Office Amid Protests

Foreign tourists visiting Tirana have encountered unusual scenes in the capital in recent days. A group of visitors stopped outside the Prime Minister’s Office, where stone chairs and tables now stand following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s invitation to protesters. The tourists sat down and took photos. “Welcome to Tirana, and …

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Rama: Violence Cannot Force My Resignation; I Will Defend Albania’s Future

Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that citizens had every right to demand his resignation and protest against the government, but no one could force him from office through violence. He made the remarks while presenting a new legislative package against urban violence. Rama defended the package, saying it …

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Rama Unveils Law on Protest Damage, Sets Fines of Up to 500,000 Lek

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new law on Sunday that would require individuals to pay for damage they cause during public gatherings. The law sets fines of up to 500,000 lek for people who remain at violent protests after police warn them to leave. Rama said the law follows …

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Hoxha Urges Presheva Valley Albanians to Vote in Large Numbers

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha on Sunday urged Albanians in Serbia’s Presheva Valley to turn out in large numbers for the country’s snap parliamentary elections. Hoxha described voting as a fundamental democratic right and an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard. He stressed that every …

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Skënderbeu Beat Partizani 2-0 as Laçi Edge Vora in Superiore

Skënderbeu defeated Partizani 2-0 in the eighth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore on Friday, deepening the capital club’s crisis. Meanwhile, Laçi secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vora. The Korçë side broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Totre converted a penalty. Dejvid Janaqi sealed the victory in the …

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Rama Unveils Package Against Violence and Urban Anarchy: Peaceful Protest Is Protected, Violence Is Punished, and Those Responsible Must Pay for the Damage

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new legislative package aimed at combating violence and urban anarchy, a day after Saturday’s protest in Tirana, which was marked by clashes, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions, and damage to public and private property. Rama stressed that the package is based on the …

News

Lara Colturi Opens World Cup Season with Silver in Sölden

Albanian skier Lara Colturi opened the 2026–2027 Alpine Ski World Cup season with a silver medal in the giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, finishing just 0.01 seconds behind the winner. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja congratulated Colturi on her performance, calling it another achievement that brings pride to …

News

Koçiu: Protest Violence Puts Lives of Demonstrators and Citizens at Risk

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu warned on Sunday that violence fueled by media coverage and longstanding political resentment poses a serious threat to the lives of both protesters and citizens. In a social media post, Koçiu described the injury of a young man from Elbasan as a wake-up call about …

News

Koçiu: Protest Rights Remain Untouchable, Violence Will Be Punished

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday that the government would introduce six measures to curb urban violence. The measures aim to protect citizens and public and private property. Koçiu stressed that authorities would uphold the constitutional right to protest but punish anyone who incites violence, exploits minors or …

News

Rama: Injured Elbasan Youth to Receive Treatment at Italy’s Best Hospital

Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that he had personally arranged medical treatment in Italy for the young man from Elbasan who suffered an eye injury during protests. He also secured an air ambulance to transport the youth to what he described as Italy’s best hospital. Rama warned that …

News

Foreign Tourists Stop at Prime Minister’s Office Amid Protests

Foreign tourists visiting Tirana have encountered unusual scenes in the capital in recent days. A group of visitors stopped outside the Prime Minister’s Office, where stone chairs and tables now stand following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s invitation to protesters. The tourists sat down and took photos. “Welcome to Tirana, and …

News

Rama: Violence Cannot Force My Resignation; I Will Defend Albania’s Future

Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that citizens had every right to demand his resignation and protest against the government, but no one could force him from office through violence. He made the remarks while presenting a new legislative package against urban violence. Rama defended the package, saying it …

News

Rama Unveils Law on Protest Damage, Sets Fines of Up to 500,000 Lek

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new law on Sunday that would require individuals to pay for damage they cause during public gatherings. The law sets fines of up to 500,000 lek for people who remain at violent protests after police warn them to leave. Rama said the law follows …

News

Hoxha Urges Presheva Valley Albanians to Vote in Large Numbers

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha on Sunday urged Albanians in Serbia’s Presheva Valley to turn out in large numbers for the country’s snap parliamentary elections. Hoxha described voting as a fundamental democratic right and an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard. He stressed that every …

News

Skënderbeu Beat Partizani 2-0 as Laçi Edge Vora in Superiore

Skënderbeu defeated Partizani 2-0 in the eighth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore on Friday, deepening the capital club’s crisis. Meanwhile, Laçi secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vora. The Korçë side broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Totre converted a penalty. Dejvid Janaqi sealed the victory in the …

News

Rama Unveils Package Against Violence and Urban Anarchy: Peaceful Protest Is Protected, Violence Is Punished, and Those Responsible Must Pay for the Damage

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new legislative package aimed at combating violence and urban anarchy, a day after Saturday’s protest in Tirana, which was marked by clashes, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions, and damage to public and private property. Rama stressed that the package is based on the …