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Minister of Education resigns from the cabinet of Kurti

Minister for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in the Government of Kosovo, Edona Maloku Bërdyna has announced that she has resigned from her position for subjective reasons. She submitted her resignation to Prime Minister Kurti, saying that it is impossible to continue her commitment to this task. “I am deeply …

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SPAK seizes Tirana’s incinerator

Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office has announced that it has seized the Tirana incinerator. SPAK announces that it is investigating within the criminal proceedings for the criminal offenses of “Fraud with serious consequences” in cooperation, “Abuse of duty”, “Passive corruption of high state officials or local elected officials”. It is also …

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Kruja man prosecuted for threatening citizen with hunting rifle

A 53-year-old man has been prosecuted this Monday in Kruja after he threatened another citizen with a shotgun. Police revealed that the event took place in the village of Brret, Krujë, where after having a conflict with the 47-year-old citizen, the 53-year-old man threatened him with the gun. Following police …

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Corruption in Ministry of Health, the investigations are closed

The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations regarding the affair in the Ministry of Health, where at least four people have been charged, including the former secretary of this ministry, Joana Duro, and two engineers who won a tender worth about 8 million ALL. Journalist Ermal Vija reports for …

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Police seized 28,000 undeclared euros at the border of Muriqan

Police has seized 28,400 euros who were found in car of a 50-year old. Proceedings were initiated against the citizen from Kosovo for the criminal offense of “Failure to declare money and valuables at the border”. The materials were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, where the proceedings began in free …

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Kukes Prosecution’s Head suspended after power abuse charges

High Prosecutorial Council (HPC) has suspended this Monday from office the chief prosecutor of Kukes, Xhevahir Lita, arrested during the operation of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), codenamed “Metamorfoza”. During the meeting called by Head of HPC, Alfred Balla, it was decided that Kukesi’s Prosecutor’s Office …

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Albania and North Macedonia joint customs control, Rama: We should not wait for the EU to remove barriers between us

This Monday, Prime Minister Edi Rama was present at the Qafe-Thane border crossing point, where he emphasized the importance of customs unification between the two countries, Albania and North Macedonia, which will affect economic development. Among other things, Rama has expressed that it is important that we facilitate trade procedures …

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Police close investigations for 4 people charged for drug trafficking

Investigations are closed for 4 people who tried to traffic 1 ton of cannabis by ship to Italy. SPAK has charged Gregor Likaj, Arber Saraseli, Saverjo Imeraj and Qemal Pekmezi with the charge of international drug trafficking and organized criminal group. The narcotics were loaded by speedboats by Albanian citizens …

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Influential Albanian politician led organized crime group in Australia, intelligence reports claim

By the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) Australia’s top criminal intelligence agency suspected Tom Doshi, a leading Albanian businessman and politician with ties to the prime minister, of leading a criminal group in the country that perpetrates immigration fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Key Findings Confidential intelligence …

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Analysis: What’s behind the Albanian currency’s unprecedented strength 

TIRANA, July 23, 2023 – Albania’s currency, the lek, has continued its trend of trading at historic highs against the world’s most important currencies, causing both surprise and worry as the euro’s 12 percent fall in 7 months hurts key domestic industries that have their income in foreign currency while …

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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

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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