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Balla and Kushi present the security package in schools

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Taulant Balla, and the Minister of Education, Evis Kushi, presented this Friday the new security package in schools. It will be the local police and the municipalities who will determine the security perimeter of 50 meters around the boundary fence of each school across the …

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Albania assume the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the second time  

Albania assume the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the second time. The Foreign Minister, during her speech, said that taking over the Presidency comes at a difficult moment when the world is facing a series of serious crises. “The Presidency of the Security Council gives us the opportunity …

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Rama reacts after Varhelyi’s statement: Our commissioner who never let our region down, especially in tough time

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to a statement by Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi regarding EU expansion. The European Commissioner responded positively to the statements of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel during the Bled forum, describing this as long awaited news. OUR COMMISSIONER who never let our region …

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Fier, kidnapper and explosives’ possessor on trial

The Court of Fier has set the measure of “Prison arrest” for Albin Mecini, who was arrested on Wednesday with 2 bags inside which contained 2 packages of about 21.3 kilograms of artisanal explosives, assembled with mobile phones, for remote detonation. Also, from the control of the area where Albi …

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Looking to escape economic rut, Albania pins hopes on yet uncertain oil bonanza 

TIRANA, Aug. 30, 2023 – Faced with a GDP per capita falling far behind even the poorest EU members, lackluster foreign investments and a growing budget deficit that has to be financed by an ever-shrinking and aging population, Albania’s government is hoping for a miracle: a winning lottery ticket that …

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Michel’s 2030 EU enlargement goal welcomed, but also met with skepticism

TIRANA, Aug. 31. 2023 – European Council President Charles Michel has set a goal for the European Union and aspirant states to be ready for enlargement by 2030.  Speaking at a regional forum in Slovenia on Aug. 28, Michel said that it was time for those states that have been …

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Premier sees Prekal-Kir road’s construciton as ‘impulse for tourist development’

Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Thursday with some pictures of the works being done on the Prekal-Kir road in Shkodër.  In a social media statement, the Head of Government underlined that this road segment will serve as a new impulse for tourist development. “GOOD MORNING, and with the works …

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Durres driver arrested after crashing pedestrian to death

A 34-year-old man was arrested by the Durrës police this Thursday for an accident that happened a few days ago. Fatbardh Keci hit pedestrian Jonuz Mani to death, then fled the scene and hid the vehicle in Shijak. Regardless, the vehicle was found and blocked by the police. “Specialists of …

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“Metamorphosis” operation, the Appellate Court gives today the decision for the arrested

The Appellate Court will decide on the morning of this Thursday for the arrested during the “Metamorphosis” operation. The session will take place at 10:00 a.m. and it is expected that the decision will be given on the request of the businessman Pellumb Gjoka, the police officer Oltion Bistri and …

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Woman involved in Kukes ex-mayor sex scandal seeks lighter security measure

Alma Kaçi appeared this Thursday in the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), where the request for replacing the security measure is expected to be examined. The 40-year-old woman has demanded the replacement of the measure ‘house arrest’ with ‘investigation in free state’. At the end of last …

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Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances

Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here

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China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia

The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here

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Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News
Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News
Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News
Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News
Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News
Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News
Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances

Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here

News

China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia

The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here

News

Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here