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Money laundering for “Cosa Nostra”, Rezart Taçi’s accomplices are sentenced to prison

The Special Court has sentenced to 14 years in prison the two associates of the businessman Rezart Taçi, Bledar Lilo and Artur Balla, who are accused of laundering millions of euros of the Italian mafia organization “Cosa Nostra” in Albania. The Special Court sentenced Artur Balla, the brother-in-law of the …

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21-year-old arrested for hauling illegal migrants

A 21-year-old man has ended up in handcuffs this Tuesday after he was caught transporting migrants to Montenegro. Citizen Orjad Tarja was caught in flagrant at the roundabout of Hoti, Malësi e Madhe, while transporting 3 citizens from Pakistan by vehicle, with the intention of illegally crossing the border. Afterwards, …

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Ex-MP’s house in Italy engulfed by flames

A serious incident happened to the former Member of Parliament Eduard Ndocaj, whose house in Milan, Italy caught fire and it is suspected in advance that an electric spark may have been the cause. In a statement for the Albanian local media, Ndocaj told the whole moment when the event …

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Rama invites youths to join armed forces, promises wage increase

Prime Minister Edi Rama has called on young people this Tuesday to join the Armed Forces, underlining that for this category, in addition to the salary increase of 30% in 2022 and 7% this year, another significant increase up to 22% will become a reality in 2024. Through a social …

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CEC cast lots for Berisha-Meta

Has been the cast at the CEC to divide the fourth counter between PL and PDIU for the May 14 elections. PDIU will have counters at even-numbered tables, while the Freedom Party will have counters at odd-numbered tables. Counting groups have 4 members: 2 majorities and 2 opposition. For the …

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Explosives attack recorded in Shkodra bar

A quantity of explosives blasted in a bar in the “Fermentim” neighborhood in Shkodër in the early hours of this Monday morning. According to the police, it was the owner of the bar, citizen F. K., 65 years old, who informed the police that when he went to open his …

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Trial on former defense minister in GJKKO postponed

Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has postponed this Monday the session against the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, who was taken as a defendant in the “Gërdeci” case. Reason for postponing the session is because the Prosecution needs time to present the final charges. The next …

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Defense Minister warns of raining, rivers ewelling in North-western Albania

Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, has declared that starting from this Monday, there will be raining of medium intensity and to some extent high, mainly in the north-western part of Albania. In a statement from Korça, Peleshi said that it will not be necessary for discharges in cascades, since the …

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Under-construction block of flats endangered by fire

A fire broke out this Monday near a block of apartments that is under construction in the “New Boulevard” area of Tirana. According to preliminary information, garbage was being burned near the building that is being constructed. Firefighters went to the scene to put out the flames, which endangered the …

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Fier incinerator session at Special Court fails

The first session for the Fieri incinerator, which was expected to be held this Monday, has failed. The reason was the non-notification of one of the accused persons. In today’s session, the former Minister of Environment, Lefter Koka, and the former secretary of this ministry, Alqi Blako, were not present. …

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Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness. Original post Here

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May 11 Elections: Albania at a Democratic and European Crossroads

Tirana Times,  May 8,– On May 11, 2025, Albania will hold its tenth parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1991 – a moment expected to be decisive not only for the political fate of the main parties but also for the democratic future and European orientation of the …

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Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up. Original post Here

News
Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

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‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

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Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News
Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

News
Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

News
Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

News

Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness. Original post Here

News

May 11 Elections: Albania at a Democratic and European Crossroads

Tirana Times,  May 8,– On May 11, 2025, Albania will hold its tenth parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1991 – a moment expected to be decisive not only for the political fate of the main parties but also for the democratic future and European orientation of the …

News

Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up. Original post Here

News

Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

News

‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

News

Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

News

Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

News

Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

News

Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …