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Rama encourages high scholars to transfer to vocational ED

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced this Friday that the innovations of vocational education, where he emphasized that the students of the first years of high schools can be easily transferred to vocational education schools, through e-Albania. In his speech, Rama said that the proper infrastructure should be created in order …

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The master of humour, Zef Deda, passed away at the age of 73

Zef Deda passed away at the age of 73 years old. Deda, has stood out with his roles in theater and cinematography, passed away this Friday in Shkoder, after a serious illness, from which he had been suffering for a long time. Zef Deda was born in Shkodër on July …

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Rama: Albania owes Diaspora a lot

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared Thursday that no country owes the Diaspora as much as Albania. During his speech at the Third Summit of the Diaspora in Tirana, Rama said that the effort and belief that with the Diaspora, we can raise Albania and the Albanians, where they have never …

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Seven prosecuted for jewelery smuggling in Tirana

Seven people were prosecuted this Thursday morning in Tirana as part of the police operation coded “Second Hand”. These persons were prosecuted, because jewelry such as pendants, bracelets, rings, with the inscription “Pandora”, which they did not justify with customs and tax invoices, and suspected smuggling, were found in their …

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Head of Saranda’s INUV arrested for abuse of duty

Director of Local Urban Construction Inspectorate (INUV) in the Municipality of Saranda, Nasip Hoxha was arrested this Thursday. According to the local media, Hoxha has been put in handcuffs, after being accused of abuse of office. His arrest was carried out by order of the prosecutor Besjana Sadikaj. Hoxha took …

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SPAK operation, Erzen Brecani appears today before court

The Special Court has postponed by one hour the hearing for the confirmation of the security measure for the four arrested within the SPAK operation related to some interceptions on the Sky application. Journalist Ervin Leka said that the session has been postponed so that the lawyers can familiarize themselves …

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Begaj calls for ensuring Albanian Diaspora’s votes

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj declared this Thursday that the diaspora is an extension of culture and identity of the Albanian state. During his speech at the Third Diaspora Summit, Begaj said that Albanian citizens living abroad should have the right to vote from where they live. “Albania is …

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Hasani: Diaspora, irreplaceable role in advancing the national cause

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, stated that the Diaspora has an irreplaceable role in the advancement of the national cause. Hasani gave the statement during his speech at the Third Diaspora Summit in Tirana. According to him, the summit takes place at a moment when we Albanians, more …

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Critics say majority has shut opposition out of parliamentary oversight

TIRANA, Nov. 23, 2023 – Albania’s Parliament, controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, approved the 2023 state budget this week in less than two minutes and without any discussion amid chaotic scenes that saw opposition MPs lit up stadium flares and overthrow chairs in an attempt to disrupt the proceedings.   …

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Rama to NATO: To co-finance the naval base in Porto Romano

Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered his speech during the joint press conference in Skopje, with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, the President of Croatia, the Prime Minister of Montenegro and the Prime Minister of Slovenia. Rama said that Albania’s request for co-financing …

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Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

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Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

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Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

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Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News
Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News
Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy

Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here

News
Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell

Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

News

Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

News

Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

News

Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News

Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News

Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy

Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here

News

Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell

Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here