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THE UNITED STATES AND KOSOVA: FROM A SPECIAL TO A MORE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP

Elez Biberaj Having made such huge investments in Kosova, the U.S should now help it get to the finishing line in its efforts to cement its sovereignty and achieve lasting peace with Serbia. The United States and Kosova have had a unique, multi-faceted, special relationship. As any bilateral, asymmetrical relationship, …

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Lutfi Dervishi It is not easy to summarize three eras in one sentence: post-war, post-wall, post-west. Historian, commentator, and author Timothy Garton Ash articulated this postulate two years ago in his book “Homelands.” Among these three eras, in one, we have been the luckiest country on earth. From a war-weary …

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Film Exposes Persecution of Kosovo Albanian Writers in Hoxha’s Albania

Many Albanians in Yugoslavia came to see Albania as a promised land, but Albania’s treatment of ethnic Albanian writers and artists from outside its borders was often brutal. Original post Here

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Balkan Countries Must Respond Proactively to Evolving Cyber Threats: Report

As cyberattacks in the region become ever more sophisticated and daring, Western Balkan governments need to improve their cybersecurity frameworks and cooperate, a new BIRN report warns. Original post Here

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Fostering a thirst for knowledge: the key to building the world of tomorrow

H.E Alvaro Renedo Zalba, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Albania It is a true pleasure to speak to you today on this rainy November morning. The dim light of today’s overcast Tirana sky seems just right for inspiring fruitful academic exchanges and soulful musings. First and foremost, I …

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Saudi Arabia at the center of global foreign policy hosting USA-Russia talks

Saudi Arabia has consolidated its rising position in the global affairs arena, emerging as a focal point for the ongoing talks between USA the Russia for a variety of issues including recalibrating their bilateral relations and ultimately reaching an agreement about stopping the war in Ukraine. Representatives from the US …

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Albania will not shelter Palestinians from Gaza

The Albanian PM denies claims, provides no value statements over the proposal despite EU wide condemnation  Feb 16,2025 – At the Munich Security Conference, Albanian PM Edi Rama denied any claims that Albania will shelter Palestinians from Gaza. When asked about the controversial proposal of American President Donald Trump to …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 17, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Mayor’s Arrest Deals Albania’s Ruling Party a Pre-Election Blow

Erion Veliaj’s arrest for alleged corruption, alongside his wife, has enraged the ruling Socialist Party – and could undermine its chances in the May elections. BIRN looks at the charges and their political impact. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Accused of Undermining Special Prosecution’s Independence

After Edi Rama criticised the Special Prosecution over the arrest for alleged corruption of his political ally, Tirana’s mayor, the country’s top judicial body delivered a stinging rebuke. Original post Here

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Albania Emerges as Destination Port for Illicit Oil from Russia and Libya

Low quality, sanctioned oil products originating in Russia and Libya are finding a way through Albanian ports, hidden behind forged cargo declarations or inside the modified hulls of fishing boats. Original post Here

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AI ‘Candidate’ Proposed for Albania Mayoral Election

After Albania’s government appointed an AI-generated digital assistant as a ‘minister’, a group of information technology experts have proposed an AI ‘candidate’ for the upcoming Tirana mayoral election. Original post Here

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Albania Beats Serbia, Keeps World Cup Dream Alive

By Tirana Times Staff | October 12, 2025 LESKOVAC . Albania stunned Serbia with a 1–0 victory on Saturday night, a result that not only strengthens its bid for a first-ever World Cup but also carries enormous symbolic weight in one of the most politically charged rivalries in European football. …

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Week in Review: Leaping into the Unknown

Electoral races, political comebacks and anti-corruption efforts: our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week looks at how current developments are shaping the region’s future. Original post Here

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Arab Scientist Among 2025 Nobel Chemistry Laureates for Groundbreaking Molecular Architectures

In an era when Arab nations are investing heavily in science and technology especially under initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Yaghi’s Nobel Prize is seen as both a personal triumph and a symbolic breakthrough for scientific ambition across the Middle East By Tirana Times Staff | October 8, …

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‘No One’s Above the Law’: Albania’s Anti-Graft Prosecutor Leaves Formidable Legacy

As head of Albania’s special anti-graft and organised crime prosecution, Altin Dumani proved no one is ‘untouchable’ anymore. Experts say he set a high bar for his successor. Original post Here

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Praise for ‘Hero’ Dictator Hoxha Sparks Outrage in Albania

MPs slammed the Albanian parliament’s administration for sending out an official document listing the country’s Communist-era dictator Enver Hoxha as a ‘hero’. Original post Here

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NY Mayor’s Visit Puts Spotlight on Rama’s Foreign Links

By Tirana Times StaffTIRANA — October 7, 2025 The visit of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to Tirana this week at the personal invitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama has reignited scrutiny of the Albanian leader’s expanding network of foreign political connections and associates. Adams’ trip, coming just days …

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Judge’s Killing in Courtroom Shakes Albania’s Justice System

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, October 7, 2025 — The fatal shooting of Appeals Court Judge Astrit Kalaja inside a courtroom in Tirana on Monday has sent shockwaves across Albania, raising profound questions about the state of justice reform, courtroom security, and the country’s fragile rule of law. Judge Kalaja, …

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Albania Judges Warned Police of Threats Before Fatal Court Shooting

The shocking killing of judge Astrit Kalaja on Monday inside a Tirana court has led to serious questions over levels of security in the country’s institutions. Original post Here

News

Albania Emerges as Destination Port for Illicit Oil from Russia and Libya

Low quality, sanctioned oil products originating in Russia and Libya are finding a way through Albanian ports, hidden behind forged cargo declarations or inside the modified hulls of fishing boats. Original post Here

News

AI ‘Candidate’ Proposed for Albania Mayoral Election

After Albania’s government appointed an AI-generated digital assistant as a ‘minister’, a group of information technology experts have proposed an AI ‘candidate’ for the upcoming Tirana mayoral election. Original post Here

News

Albania Beats Serbia, Keeps World Cup Dream Alive

By Tirana Times Staff | October 12, 2025 LESKOVAC . Albania stunned Serbia with a 1–0 victory on Saturday night, a result that not only strengthens its bid for a first-ever World Cup but also carries enormous symbolic weight in one of the most politically charged rivalries in European football. …

News

Week in Review: Leaping into the Unknown

Electoral races, political comebacks and anti-corruption efforts: our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week looks at how current developments are shaping the region’s future. Original post Here

News

Arab Scientist Among 2025 Nobel Chemistry Laureates for Groundbreaking Molecular Architectures

In an era when Arab nations are investing heavily in science and technology especially under initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Yaghi’s Nobel Prize is seen as both a personal triumph and a symbolic breakthrough for scientific ambition across the Middle East By Tirana Times Staff | October 8, …

News

‘No One’s Above the Law’: Albania’s Anti-Graft Prosecutor Leaves Formidable Legacy

As head of Albania’s special anti-graft and organised crime prosecution, Altin Dumani proved no one is ‘untouchable’ anymore. Experts say he set a high bar for his successor. Original post Here

News

Praise for ‘Hero’ Dictator Hoxha Sparks Outrage in Albania

MPs slammed the Albanian parliament’s administration for sending out an official document listing the country’s Communist-era dictator Enver Hoxha as a ‘hero’. Original post Here

News

NY Mayor’s Visit Puts Spotlight on Rama’s Foreign Links

By Tirana Times StaffTIRANA — October 7, 2025 The visit of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to Tirana this week at the personal invitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama has reignited scrutiny of the Albanian leader’s expanding network of foreign political connections and associates. Adams’ trip, coming just days …

News

Judge’s Killing in Courtroom Shakes Albania’s Justice System

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, October 7, 2025 — The fatal shooting of Appeals Court Judge Astrit Kalaja inside a courtroom in Tirana on Monday has sent shockwaves across Albania, raising profound questions about the state of justice reform, courtroom security, and the country’s fragile rule of law. Judge Kalaja, …

News

Albania Judges Warned Police of Threats Before Fatal Court Shooting

The shocking killing of judge Astrit Kalaja on Monday inside a Tirana court has led to serious questions over levels of security in the country’s institutions. Original post Here