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The bombing on the hospital in Gaza/Rama: No justification, the perpetrators should be investigated and find out

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted regarding the recent attack on a hospital in Gaza, where hundreds of people were massacred and lost their lives. Through a post on the “X” social network, Rama, among other things, demands an investigation of the facts to bring out the perpetrators of this …

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President of Croatia arrives in Albania, hosted with ceremony by Begaj

The President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, has arrived in Tirana, while he was received with an official ceremony by his Albanian counterpart, Bajram Begaj. Milanovic, accompanied by the First Lady of Croatia, Sanja Music Milanovic and an official delegation. At noon today, the two presidents will hold a media conference, …

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Dead body found in Devoll

A dead person’s body was found this Wednesday morning, near the border in the village of Ponçare in Devolli. According to preliminary information, there are no signs of violence on his body, while the body will be taken to the morgue for expertise. In the meantime, the identification of this …

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Athens court to decide on Lushnja gang head’s extradition to Albania

Court of Appeal in Athens will decide this Wednesday on the fate of Lushnja gang’s head, Laert Haxhia. Albania has demaded his extradition, as he was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Court of Lushnja for murder in other qualifying circumstances remaining pending. He is also in the …

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Begaj appeals to condemn the attacks in North Kosovo, dialogue is the only way

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, at the press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Zoran Milanovic, evaluated the relations and cooperation between the two countries. He thanked Croatia, which according to him has been and continues to be a strong advocate of Albania towards its aspiration to become part …

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Pedestrian crashed to death on Lezha-Lac road

A serious accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on the road segment that connects Lezha and Lac area. ABC News reporter Gjergj Figuri reported that a vehicle hit a pedestrian to death. On their part, the authorities have accompanied the driver of the vehicle to the police station …

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Saranda prosecution arrests 6 former officials for illegal constructions in Ksamil

The prosecution office at Saranda Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction sought the arrest of four former employees of the Local Inspectorate of Territory Protection (LITP) and two employees of NITP (responsible for Saranda Municipality territory), on suspicion of the criminal offense “Abuse of office”. According to prosecution, up …

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President Begaj hosts french counterpart, Macron

President of France, Emmanuel Macron has been received this Tuesday morning in a high-level state ceremony by his Albanian counterpart, Bajram Begaj. French Head of State arrived on Monday afternoon in Tirana, while he was received by Prime Minister Edi Rama at the Palace of the Brigades. After the meeting …

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Albania abstained russia’s draft-resolution on Israel-Palestine conflict

Ambassador Ferit Hoxha has revealed that at the meeting of the Security Council where the situation in the Middle East including the Palestinian issue was discussed, Albania abstained voting on the draft resolution presented by Russia. This was done with the argument that the text failed to adequately address all …

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UK donated drones to monitor Albania’s land, sea borders

Interior Minister Taulant Balla and the Foreign Minister of Great Britain, James Cleverly visited together the new Border Police Station in Rinas, built with the funds of the British government as an aid to increase the capacities of the State Police. Minister Balla first expressed his gratitude for the support …

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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News
Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

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Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

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Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

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One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

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“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”

Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …

News
Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe

Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here

News
Forum of Alumni from Saudi Universities in the Balkans

Saudi Ambassador  Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025,  The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …

News

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News

Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News

One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

News

“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”

Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …

News

Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe

Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here

News

Forum of Alumni from Saudi Universities in the Balkans

Saudi Ambassador  Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025,  The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …