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Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

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Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

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Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

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Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

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Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here

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Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …

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Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International

As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital

Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here

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“The End of the Golemis” premieres at National Theatre of Opera and Ballet after six decades

TIRANA, May 29 – “The End of the Golemis”, the Albanian opera by composer Nikolla Zoraqi, premiered on Thursday evening at the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble. The monumental Albanian work returned to the stage more than six decades after its creation. The opera brings themes of …

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Dom Nikollë Kaçorri, signatory of Independence Act and key figure of Albanian state

TIRANA, May 29 – Albania on Thursday commemorated the anniversary of the death of Dom Nikollë Kaçorri, the patriot, cleric and signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence, who died on May 29, 1917. Kaçorri was born in Krej-Lura in 1862 and received his education in European institutions. He graduated …

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Spring Festival nears as artists complete final rehearsals

TIRANA, May 29 – The Spring Festival entered its final preparation phase ahead of the June 6-7 shows on Albanian Public Radio and Television. Meanwhile, organisers published the 20 competing songs on the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel on May 28. The songs drew hundreds of views and reactions within hours …

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Digital transformation saves 600 billion ALL as Albanian Digital Solutions opens new innovation phase

TIRANA, May 29 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented Albanian Digital Solutions on Friday as a new public structure for digital innovation and public services. Prime Minister Edi Rama also attended the event. Meanwhile, Ibrahimaj said Albania has built one of the region’s most advanced electronic governance systems. …

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Italy backs Albania’s European Union integration, FM Hoxha says after Rome meeting

TIRANA, May 29 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha held an official visit to Rome, where Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani received him at Palazzo della Farnesina. Meanwhile, Hoxha described the meeting as highly important in a post on X. He said Albania and Italy share a …

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Mediterranean Cinema Returns to Tirana with Four Nights at Agimi Art Center

The Tirana Mediterranean Film Festival (TMFF) returns for its second edition from 28 to 31 May 2026 in Tirana. The festival focuses on Mediterranean cinema and promotes cultural exchange and artistic dialogue. It hosts screenings, masterclasses, discussions, and meetings with film professionals. All events take place at the Agimi Art …

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Stradner: Congressional visit signals renewed United States commitment to stability in Western Balkans

TIRANA, May 29 – Two United States congress members visited the Western Balkans last week. The trip signaled renewed United States commitment to peace and stability in the region. Ivana Stradner from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington made this assessment. She referred to Republican congressman Keith Self …

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State Minister Demo meets Venice Commission delegation, focus on strengthening democratic standards

TIRANA, May 29 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo on Friday met a delegation from the Venice Commission during a visit to Tirana. Meanwhile, Demo said in a social media post that the meeting focused on strengthening democratic standards, transparency and institutional accountability, describing these principles as …

News
German Ambassador Karl Bergner: Independent Justice Essential for Albania’s EU Progress

TIRANA, May 29 – Ambassador of Germany to Albania Karl Bergner said at an event that an independent, professional and efficient justice system remains a central and necessary condition for Albania’s progress toward European Union membership. He added that meeting the interim benchmarks for accession, recently confirmed, represents recognition of …

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Tirana to host Albanian Doctors Federation in Europe congress on health system challenges

TIRANA, May 29 – Tirana will host on Saturday the 27th Congress of the Federation of Albanian Doctors in Europe (AMFE). The event will gather dozens of Albanian doctors from Europe, the United States and the region. German public health authorities recognise the congress. It provides 11 professional credits. The …

News

“The End of the Golemis” premieres at National Theatre of Opera and Ballet after six decades

TIRANA, May 29 – “The End of the Golemis”, the Albanian opera by composer Nikolla Zoraqi, premiered on Thursday evening at the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble. The monumental Albanian work returned to the stage more than six decades after its creation. The opera brings themes of …

News

Dom Nikollë Kaçorri, signatory of Independence Act and key figure of Albanian state

TIRANA, May 29 – Albania on Thursday commemorated the anniversary of the death of Dom Nikollë Kaçorri, the patriot, cleric and signatory of the Albanian Declaration of Independence, who died on May 29, 1917. Kaçorri was born in Krej-Lura in 1862 and received his education in European institutions. He graduated …

News

Spring Festival nears as artists complete final rehearsals

TIRANA, May 29 – The Spring Festival entered its final preparation phase ahead of the June 6-7 shows on Albanian Public Radio and Television. Meanwhile, organisers published the 20 competing songs on the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel on May 28. The songs drew hundreds of views and reactions within hours …

News

Digital transformation saves 600 billion ALL as Albanian Digital Solutions opens new innovation phase

TIRANA, May 29 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented Albanian Digital Solutions on Friday as a new public structure for digital innovation and public services. Prime Minister Edi Rama also attended the event. Meanwhile, Ibrahimaj said Albania has built one of the region’s most advanced electronic governance systems. …

News

Italy backs Albania’s European Union integration, FM Hoxha says after Rome meeting

TIRANA, May 29 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha held an official visit to Rome, where Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani received him at Palazzo della Farnesina. Meanwhile, Hoxha described the meeting as highly important in a post on X. He said Albania and Italy share a …

News

Mediterranean Cinema Returns to Tirana with Four Nights at Agimi Art Center

The Tirana Mediterranean Film Festival (TMFF) returns for its second edition from 28 to 31 May 2026 in Tirana. The festival focuses on Mediterranean cinema and promotes cultural exchange and artistic dialogue. It hosts screenings, masterclasses, discussions, and meetings with film professionals. All events take place at the Agimi Art …

News

Stradner: Congressional visit signals renewed United States commitment to stability in Western Balkans

TIRANA, May 29 – Two United States congress members visited the Western Balkans last week. The trip signaled renewed United States commitment to peace and stability in the region. Ivana Stradner from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington made this assessment. She referred to Republican congressman Keith Self …

News

State Minister Demo meets Venice Commission delegation, focus on strengthening democratic standards

TIRANA, May 29 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo on Friday met a delegation from the Venice Commission during a visit to Tirana. Meanwhile, Demo said in a social media post that the meeting focused on strengthening democratic standards, transparency and institutional accountability, describing these principles as …

News

German Ambassador Karl Bergner: Independent Justice Essential for Albania’s EU Progress

TIRANA, May 29 – Ambassador of Germany to Albania Karl Bergner said at an event that an independent, professional and efficient justice system remains a central and necessary condition for Albania’s progress toward European Union membership. He added that meeting the interim benchmarks for accession, recently confirmed, represents recognition of …

News

Tirana to host Albanian Doctors Federation in Europe congress on health system challenges

TIRANA, May 29 – Tirana will host on Saturday the 27th Congress of the Federation of Albanian Doctors in Europe (AMFE). The event will gather dozens of Albanian doctors from Europe, the United States and the region. German public health authorities recognise the congress. It provides 11 professional credits. The …