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Albania Pressed to Act Over Currency’s Unexplained Rise

The rapid rise in the value of Albania’s currency, the lek, is alarming exporters and tourist operators – but the government is unwilling to take action. Original post Here

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A 31-year-old thief arrested in Tirana

A 31-year-old man from Kamza was arrested on charges of theft this Wednesday. He was put in handcuffs, as it is suspected that on July 10 he stole work tools in two different businesses. In the meantime, the young man is expected to be interrogated about the motives that led …

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Arrested for abuse of duty, former mayor of Durres will appear at court on July 18

The former mayor of Durres Vangjush Dako, arrested for abuse of duty, will appear in front of the Court of Special Appeal on July 18 at 10 am. The appeal session will be reviewed by Judge Daniela Shirka. Dako was arrested on June 6 by order of the Special Prosecutor’s …

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Rama: Vilnius summit finds NATO allies stronger and more determined

On July 11 and 12, the leaders of the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will meet in Vilnius, Lithuania. They are expected to address the most urgent challenges for the alliance, to increase the defensive and preventive capacities of NATO, as well as to bring Ukraine …

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Two Kruja men arrested on drugs cultivation charges

Police of Kruja has put this Tuesday in handcuffs two citizens, who were wanted for criminal offenses in the field of narcotics. In the village of Shkoze, a 36-year-old resident of Thumanë was arrested. This citizen, together with his father and another citizen (previously arrested), cultivated 925 cannabis seedlings in …

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Tirana, woman found dead by husband

A 33-year-old woman has been found this Tuesday without signs of life inside her apartment in the Kombinati area, in Tirana. According to the police, the victim was found by her husband, while no signs of violence were found on her body during the preliminary examination. Meanwhile, the investigative group …

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Today the decision on Arben Ahmetaj’ arrest

The Council of Mandates meets this Tuesday at 16:00, to consider the request of SPAK for the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. The Special Prosecutor’s Office asked the assembly for permission to arrest the former finance minister and former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj at the same …

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Begaj: Vilnius Summit, crucial to Euro-Atlantic security

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj declared Tuesday that the NATO meeting in Vilnius is a decisive moment for the Euro-Atlantic security. Through a social media statement at the beginning of the NATO summit in Lithuania, Begaj underlined that Albania continues to be steadfast in supporting the Alliance’s efforts to …

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Op/Ed: Remembering the Srebrenica Genocide

by George Monastiriakos In 1993, one year into the Bosnian War, the United Nations declared “safe areas” in the Muslim enclaves of Republika Srpska to protect Bosniak refugees fleeing from the violence. Security Council Resolution 819 designated the city of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia as a “safe area.” Security Council …

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Albania Ruling Party Postpones Controversial Lustration Legislation

After an EU intervention, ruling Socialist Party MPs postponed the approval of legal changes that critics claim are intended to target former President Ilir Meta for alleged collaboration with the Communist-era intelligence service. Original post Here

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EU grant for Vorë-Hani i Hotit, minister Mete signs the agreement

An agreement providing 136 million Euros of EU grants for the rehabilitation of the Vorë-Hani i Hoti railway line was signed today, at the House of Europe, in Tirana, by the Minister of Finance Ervin Mete, EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato and Head of EBRD in Albania Ekatarina Solovova. The funds …

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Start the last session of Assembly, is expected the approval of the SP-PD agreement for the electoral law

Today is the second day of the plenary session. The last session for this parliamentary session. Yesterday’s session was accompanied by debates between the parties, where the report of the head of the Supreme State Audit was discussed. This Friday, the main topic will be the agreed draft for the …

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The hearing session for Ilir Beqaj is postponed again due to the absence of one of the lawyers

The preliminary hearing for Ilir Beqaj and the other persons accused of the “Sterilization” file is postponed for the umpteenth time. The reason was the absence of one of the lawyers. The former Minister of Health was present at the session and requested that through a statement he opposes the …

News
“One in three should be a woman”, is expected the approval of SP-DP for code changes

Another amendment has been submitted to the assembly regarding the draft law on changes to the Electoral Code. Journalist Fjona Xhafaj reports for ABC News that the letter was signed by 26 women MPs. The women’s group was joined by the chairmen of the Bledi Çuçi and Gazment Bardhi groups. …

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Arrestohet ish-zëvendësministri rus i Mbrojtjes

Ish-zëvendësministri rus i Mbrojtjes, Dmitry Bulgakov është arrestuar për korrupsion, sipas Shërbimit Federal të Sigurisë të Rusisë. Gjithashtu po kryhen masa operativo-kërkimore për identifikimin e shkaqeve dhe kushteve që kanë lehtësuar veprimtarinë e paligjshme. Bulgakov ishte përgjegjës për mbështetjen materiale dhe teknike të ushtrisë ruse. Russia’s FSB detained the former …

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Op/Ed: A lesson for a new world politics

The UN has recognized the Srebrenica massacre as genocide by a majority vote. With this decision, the international community gives a warning signal against any form of genocide. And the role of Mrs. Del Ponte for hiding the truth. By SYLË UKSHINI* On May 23, the United Nations General Assembly approved …

News
Albania’s two largest parties reach deal on electoral reform, face criticism

TIRANA, July 25, 2024 – Albania’s two largest political parties — the ruling Socialist Party and the main opposition Democratic Party — have reached a deal to make significant changes to the country’s electoral code ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. Key changes include only partially opening candidate lists so …

News
Cooperation against crime with Montenegro, more than 11 thousand cannabis roots are destroyed

The operation “Bjeshket”, carried out in cooperation with the Albanian police and the police of Montenegro, is finalized. The director of the Shkodra Police, Edmond Sulaj, in a communication to the media, emphasized that hundreds of thousands of cannabis plants were destroyed by this operation. Accordingly, during this action, 11,358 …

News
Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

TIRANA, July 24, 2024 – The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana to establish Qatar Square, a significant development in the heart of Albania’s capital.  The €11 million project, to be built on 23,700 square meters, aims to transform the end …

News
Accused of bribery of 25,000 to influence the judges, SPAK closes investigations for lawyer Petraq Semani

The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations and submitted the file of lawyer Petraq Semani for trial. The investigation showed that Petraq Semani, as the legal defender of the citizen Llazar Dine, asked the citizens Llazar Dine and Sidorela Dine for the monetary amount of 25,000 Euros, after he …

News

EU grant for Vorë-Hani i Hotit, minister Mete signs the agreement

An agreement providing 136 million Euros of EU grants for the rehabilitation of the Vorë-Hani i Hoti railway line was signed today, at the House of Europe, in Tirana, by the Minister of Finance Ervin Mete, EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato and Head of EBRD in Albania Ekatarina Solovova. The funds …

News

Start the last session of Assembly, is expected the approval of the SP-PD agreement for the electoral law

Today is the second day of the plenary session. The last session for this parliamentary session. Yesterday’s session was accompanied by debates between the parties, where the report of the head of the Supreme State Audit was discussed. This Friday, the main topic will be the agreed draft for the …

News

The hearing session for Ilir Beqaj is postponed again due to the absence of one of the lawyers

The preliminary hearing for Ilir Beqaj and the other persons accused of the “Sterilization” file is postponed for the umpteenth time. The reason was the absence of one of the lawyers. The former Minister of Health was present at the session and requested that through a statement he opposes the …

News

“One in three should be a woman”, is expected the approval of SP-DP for code changes

Another amendment has been submitted to the assembly regarding the draft law on changes to the Electoral Code. Journalist Fjona Xhafaj reports for ABC News that the letter was signed by 26 women MPs. The women’s group was joined by the chairmen of the Bledi Çuçi and Gazment Bardhi groups. …

News

Arrestohet ish-zëvendësministri rus i Mbrojtjes

Ish-zëvendësministri rus i Mbrojtjes, Dmitry Bulgakov është arrestuar për korrupsion, sipas Shërbimit Federal të Sigurisë të Rusisë. Gjithashtu po kryhen masa operativo-kërkimore për identifikimin e shkaqeve dhe kushteve që kanë lehtësuar veprimtarinë e paligjshme. Bulgakov ishte përgjegjës për mbështetjen materiale dhe teknike të ushtrisë ruse. Russia’s FSB detained the former …

News

Op/Ed: A lesson for a new world politics

The UN has recognized the Srebrenica massacre as genocide by a majority vote. With this decision, the international community gives a warning signal against any form of genocide. And the role of Mrs. Del Ponte for hiding the truth. By SYLË UKSHINI* On May 23, the United Nations General Assembly approved …

News

Albania’s two largest parties reach deal on electoral reform, face criticism

TIRANA, July 25, 2024 – Albania’s two largest political parties — the ruling Socialist Party and the main opposition Democratic Party — have reached a deal to make significant changes to the country’s electoral code ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. Key changes include only partially opening candidate lists so …

News

Cooperation against crime with Montenegro, more than 11 thousand cannabis roots are destroyed

The operation “Bjeshket”, carried out in cooperation with the Albanian police and the police of Montenegro, is finalized. The director of the Shkodra Police, Edmond Sulaj, in a communication to the media, emphasized that hundreds of thousands of cannabis plants were destroyed by this operation. Accordingly, during this action, 11,358 …

News

Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

TIRANA, July 24, 2024 – The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana to establish Qatar Square, a significant development in the heart of Albania’s capital.  The €11 million project, to be built on 23,700 square meters, aims to transform the end …

News

Accused of bribery of 25,000 to influence the judges, SPAK closes investigations for lawyer Petraq Semani

The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations and submitted the file of lawyer Petraq Semani for trial. The investigation showed that Petraq Semani, as the legal defender of the citizen Llazar Dine, asked the citizens Llazar Dine and Sidorela Dine for the monetary amount of 25,000 Euros, after he …