Rama-Kurti shake hands in warm welcome ahead of Berlin Process Summit
Prime Minister Edi Rama is welcoming the leaders of the Region and the leaders of the European Union to the Martyrs of the Nation Boulevard. As he had confirmed, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, arrived and was welcomed with a smile by Prime Minister Rama and a handshake. …
Von der Leyen, a very strong message of how committed we are to enlargement
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, during her stay in Tirana, spoke to journalists in connection with the launch of the Berlin Summit Process. She said that this summit is held at a time when the situation in the Balkans is tense, but this shows the …
The Interreligious Collaboration Center QBNF Becomes an Official Member of the Prestigious Network for International Religious Peacemakers
ELBASAN, Oct. 13 – With a decision of the Board of Directors, the Interreligious Cooperation Center (QBNF) in the Elbasan region has been officially accepted as a member of the “Network for traditional Religious Peacemakers”. This is a major change in the mission and impact of the QBNF in improving …
Declared wanted for drug trafficking in Italy, a 53-year-old man arrested in Vlora
A 53-year-old man was arrested by the Vlora police after being declared internationally wanted by the Italian state as a member of a criminal group in the field of drug trafficking. Lorenc Kapllani alias Lorenc Sadikaj was arrested in the neighborhood “10 Korriku” in Vlora with the intention of extradition …
Car hits two pedestrians in Fier
A serious accident occurred on Saturday morning in front of the “Janaq Kilica” gymnasium in Fier. As a result, a couple of pedestrians were injured. It is learned that a “Volkswagen” type vehicle, driven by a woman, hit two citizens, 38 and 44 years old, one of whom suffered leg …
War in Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 7 Albanians return to their homeland, among them a minor
Through a flight from Tel Aviv to Skopje coordinated by the Republic of North Macedonia, 7 Albanian citizens have arrived, among them a minor. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that after arriving in Skopje, they headed towards Albania to the cities where they live and reside. “The Ministry for …
The Berlin Process in Tirana, 1,604 officers deployed for the security of the summit
The General Director of the State Police, Sokol Bizhga, has presented the plan of measures undertaken for the smooth running of security for the Berlin summit, which will be held on Monday in Tirana. He emphasized that some roads will be blocked while nearby businesses will also remain closed. Bizhga …
SPAK aeizes assets of Albanian drug trafficker
The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has decided to seize the assets of Erjet Strefi, who is accused of being part of a criminal group based in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Six are the seized assets, which include a two-story villa in …
Foreign Minister discusses Israel conflict with Saudi Arabia counterpart
Foreign Minister Igli Hasani had a phone call with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, where they reportedly discussed the latest developments in Israel and the war. During the phone call, the two sides talked about international efforts related to this issue, to ensure the lives of …
Kosovo youths injured in Thumana car crash
A serious accident was reported on Friday morning on the Fushë Krujë-Thumana road segment. a vehicle driven by a Kosovo Albanian collided with the Thumana roundabout barriers. As a result, the driver and the passenger, also a Kosovar Albanian, were injured. The two injured have been sent for medical help …
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
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 …