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SP convenes the National Assembly on September 4

The Assembly of the Socialist Party will meet next Monday, September 4. The high forum of the SP will decide on the reorganization of the party in this political season, but the reformation of the government by Prime Minister Rama is also expected to be announced there. According to the …

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Wanted Shkodra man arrested for drugs cultivation

A 33-year-old man who was declared wanted on the charges of drugs cultivation has been arrested by the Police of Shkodra this Monday. Investigations have found that 33-year-old Lazer Curri, previously convicted of cultivating narcotic plants, is the author of cultivating 245 cannabis plants, destroyed on August 9. Narcotic plants …

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Two italian tourists injured in Gjirokaster-Sarande road accident

An accident has been recorded this Monday on the Gjirokastra-Saranda road segment near the “Bistrica 2” power plant. A vehicle collided with a motorbike, as a result of which two tourists were injured. The “Volkswagen” vehicle, driven by 22-year-old Orest Zhgabi, collided with the “Dayang” type engine, driven by Italian …

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Editorial: Latest Tirana-Athens spat is bad for both Albania and Greece

TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL A wave of political commentary and debate has recently erupted in Albania, especially coming from sources that are always ready to declare Greece an enemy of Albania. Unfortunately, these pseudo-patriotic and pseudo-nationalist commentators often dominate the public opinion space.  Always ready to make conspiracy theory links, some …

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Imprisoned mayor of Himara transferred to Durres detention center

General Directorate of Prisons has transferred this Wednesday the elected Mayor of Himara, Alfred Beleri and the former mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla, to Durres Detention Center. They were kept isolated in the premises of the prison hospital in Tirana because they had shown health problems. Beleri was arrested 2 …

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“Oil in Shpirag like Saudi Arabia”, Rama: Big impact on the country’s economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku talked about oil in Shpirag, which is at an advanced stage and approaching the decisive hour. Rama said that this can have a historical impact on social development, but also on the geopolitical and geostrategic positioning of …

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Pine forest fire in Lac area partially contained

Pire that broke out yesterday in the crown of the pines in Laç, has been partially contained this Wednesday.  Throughout the night, firefighters worked to contain the fires near the Shnandou Church. In the meantime, several other fires have appeared near the former tank department, while work is being done …

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Ksamil, four tourists saved by police after being stranded at sea

Border Police and Delta Force have helped this Wednesday four vacationers, two of them minors, who were stranded at sea with a pedal boat.  Vacationers couldn’t pedal ashore because of the wind and high waves. Fortunately, the rescued citizens are in good health.  In the meantime, the State Police invites …

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Kosovo youth caught trying to smuggle gun through Durres port

A 21-year-old from Kosovo, resident in France, has been arrested by the police this Wednesday in the Port of Durres.  According to the police report, young Valmir Ademi tried to smuggle a pistol-type firearm to France. During the checks carried out on the second line, in the “Fiat 500” type …

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About 500 cannabis plants destroyed in Mat, brothers wanted

Fifth phase of the anti-cannabis operation, codenamed “Kreshta te Pastra” has been carried out this Wednesday, resulting in the finding and destruction of 453 cannabis plants in the village of Madhesh, Mat area. After the finding, Police identified and declared wanted two brothers as suspected perpetrators for the cultivation of …

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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

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

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