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Tirana Student Protests: 56 Arrested, 97 Others Face Criminal Proceedings

Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding protesters detained during Thursday’s protests. According to police, 56 people have been arrested and criminal proceedings have been initiated against 97 others. In the statement, police said protesters had engaged in acts of violence, throwing stones, hard objects and pyrotechnic devices at …

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Ilir Panda Takes Over as President of the Supreme Court as Sokol Sadushi Hands Over Office

Sokol Sadushi officially handed over his duties as President of the Supreme Court to Ilir Panda during a ceremony held this Friday in Tirana, in the Joint Chambers Hall. The ceremony was attended by Supreme Court judges, legal advisers, and members of the court’s administrative staff. The handover marks the …

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127 Arrested in Tirana, Public Order Director: Communication Channels Identified Calling for Terrorist Acts

The Director of the Department for Public Order and Security, Dhimitraq Ziu, said in a public statement on Friday that 127 people have so far been arrested in Tirana, while another 244 have been placed under investigation without being detained. The senior police official also stated that the Cybercrime Investigation …

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Interior Minister Demo: 156 injured in four days of protests, urges parents not to let children be used in violence

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests and violent incidents reported over the past four days. In a statement, Demo provided an overview of the situation, revealing that 156 people had been injured, including 97 police officers, 45 protesters and 12 bystanders. The minister paid particular …

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QSUT: 11 injured during protest, including 3 minors, 3 police officers and 2 bystanders

Tirana University Hospital Centre (QSUT) has updated its figures on the condition of those injured during the protest, as of 6:45 p.m. According to the statement, a total of 11 people have sought medical assistance, including protesters, minors, police officers and bystanders. Full statement: Update / Injuries during the October …

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Albania PM Defiant as Protests Spread to Provincial Cities

After the capital endured a third night of violent clashes between student-led protesters and police, Edi Rama vowed not to bow to the demands for him to quit. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Bad Deals and Scandals

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here

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Albania’s construction sector grows 36% in four years, among Europe’s fastest expansions

Albania’s construction sector expanded rapidly between 2020 and 2024, ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing markets. The latest Eurostat data show that real construction activity rose by 36% over the four-year period. Eurostat measures construction’s gross value added in real terms, using comparable prices and 2020 as the base year. Albania’s index …

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Albania beat Turkey 4-2 in second futsal friendly in Tirana

Albania’s national futsal team secured a 4-2 victory over Turkey in their second friendly match in Tirana, bouncing back after losing the opening encounter. Shqipron Brahimi opened the scoring for Albania, giving the home side an early boost. Ermir Kryeziu then delivered an impressive performance, scoring twice, while Qendrim Bakia …

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Archives Donate Rare Documents to Albanian Alphabet Museum in Bitola

The General Directorate of Archives (GDA), in cooperation with the Historical and Diplomatic Archives of Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will donate reproductions of rare documents related to the 1908 Congress of Manastir to the Museum of the Albanian Alphabet in Bitola, North Macedonia. The initiative will support …

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Rama Continues Calls for Dialogue as Students Demand His Resignation

Prime Minister Edi Rama continued his calls for dialogue with students on Tuesday, as anti-government protests entered their 15th day. In a social media post, the prime minister shared images of chairs placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office, reiterating his invitation to sit down for talks. Rama’s invitation comes at …

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Albanian Manufacturers Oppose 2027 Fiscal Package: Tax Increases Threaten Investment and Competitiveness

The Union of Albanian Manufacturers has expressed opposition to the expected changes in the 2027 fiscal package, calling for consultations with the business community before any decisions affecting enterprises are made. In a statement to the media, the association raised concerns over preliminary proposals that would increase corporate income tax …

News
1,500 Families Await Approval of Subsidized Loans, Veliaj Calls for Municipal Council Decision on October 29

Around 1,500 families in Tirana are one step away from moving forward with the procedures to obtain subsidized housing loans. Following the publication of the list of selected beneficiaries, Mayor Erion Veliaj has called on the Municipal Council to approve the entire list at its October 29 meeting. In an …

News
Medical Students Begin Gathering for Protest Outside Ministry of Education

Medical students have begun gathering again this Tuesday and have continued their march toward the Ministry of Education. Today’s protest follows an announcement made by the students yesterday, stating that they would gather outside the Ministry of Education, with their non-negotiable demand remaining the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. …

News
From Bilateral Cooperation to Regional Security: An Interview with Pakistan’s Ambassador Ali Javed

In an interview with Tirana Times, Pakistan’s Ambassador Ali Javed discusses bilateral relations with Albania, opportunities for closer cooperation, and Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional security priorities.  How would you assess relations between Pakistan and Albania, and where is the greatest potential? Thank you very much for this opportunity! I shall be …

News
Foreign Ministry congratulates Presheva Valley Albanians on election results in Serbia

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs congratulated the Albanian Coalition and ethnic Albanians in the Presheva Valley on their results in Serbia’s parliamentary elections held the previous day. The ministry said the results highlighted the importance of civic engagement and free voting as expressions of democratic will. Preliminary projections …

News
Mostly clear skies with light mountain showers and temperatures up to 20°C

Albania will experience mostly stable weather today, with generally clear skies. By midday, temporary patches of cloud will develop over the eastern mountain areas. According to the Military Meteorological Service, isolated light rain is expected in these areas, with light snowfall on mountain peaks. Winds will blow from the north-northeast …

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British outlet Rest Less ranks Albania among Europe’s most affordable holiday destinations

British media outlet Rest Less, in an article by Selene Nelson, has included Albania among 14 of Europe’s most affordable destinations for travellers on a budget. The article highlights the Albanian Riviera, with its attractive beaches and clear blue waters. It names Dhërmi and Ksamil among the country’s popular coastal …

News
KO Film Fest Brings 100 Short Films from 40 Countries to Korçë

Korçë has become a meeting point for international cinema as the 13th edition of KO Film Fest opens, bringing 100 short films from 40 countries to the southeastern Albanian city over six days. The festival will screen films at Majestik Cinema and the Digital Arts Gallery (GAD), bringing together diverse …

News
Tropoja chestnut festival supports local businesses and exports

Tropoja’s Chestnut Festival brings together growers and processors to promote local production and expand access to foreign markets. Traditional music and performances by the Dardania ensemble mark the start of the event, which continues into the evening. The festival showcases fresh chestnuts and related products, including honey and traditional dishes …

News

Rama Continues Calls for Dialogue as Students Demand His Resignation

Prime Minister Edi Rama continued his calls for dialogue with students on Tuesday, as anti-government protests entered their 15th day. In a social media post, the prime minister shared images of chairs placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office, reiterating his invitation to sit down for talks. Rama’s invitation comes at …

News

Albanian Manufacturers Oppose 2027 Fiscal Package: Tax Increases Threaten Investment and Competitiveness

The Union of Albanian Manufacturers has expressed opposition to the expected changes in the 2027 fiscal package, calling for consultations with the business community before any decisions affecting enterprises are made. In a statement to the media, the association raised concerns over preliminary proposals that would increase corporate income tax …

News

1,500 Families Await Approval of Subsidized Loans, Veliaj Calls for Municipal Council Decision on October 29

Around 1,500 families in Tirana are one step away from moving forward with the procedures to obtain subsidized housing loans. Following the publication of the list of selected beneficiaries, Mayor Erion Veliaj has called on the Municipal Council to approve the entire list at its October 29 meeting. In an …

News

Medical Students Begin Gathering for Protest Outside Ministry of Education

Medical students have begun gathering again this Tuesday and have continued their march toward the Ministry of Education. Today’s protest follows an announcement made by the students yesterday, stating that they would gather outside the Ministry of Education, with their non-negotiable demand remaining the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. …

News

From Bilateral Cooperation to Regional Security: An Interview with Pakistan’s Ambassador Ali Javed

In an interview with Tirana Times, Pakistan’s Ambassador Ali Javed discusses bilateral relations with Albania, opportunities for closer cooperation, and Pakistan’s foreign policy and regional security priorities.  How would you assess relations between Pakistan and Albania, and where is the greatest potential? Thank you very much for this opportunity! I shall be …

News

Foreign Ministry congratulates Presheva Valley Albanians on election results in Serbia

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs congratulated the Albanian Coalition and ethnic Albanians in the Presheva Valley on their results in Serbia’s parliamentary elections held the previous day. The ministry said the results highlighted the importance of civic engagement and free voting as expressions of democratic will. Preliminary projections …

News

Mostly clear skies with light mountain showers and temperatures up to 20°C

Albania will experience mostly stable weather today, with generally clear skies. By midday, temporary patches of cloud will develop over the eastern mountain areas. According to the Military Meteorological Service, isolated light rain is expected in these areas, with light snowfall on mountain peaks. Winds will blow from the north-northeast …

News

British outlet Rest Less ranks Albania among Europe’s most affordable holiday destinations

British media outlet Rest Less, in an article by Selene Nelson, has included Albania among 14 of Europe’s most affordable destinations for travellers on a budget. The article highlights the Albanian Riviera, with its attractive beaches and clear blue waters. It names Dhërmi and Ksamil among the country’s popular coastal …

News

KO Film Fest Brings 100 Short Films from 40 Countries to Korçë

Korçë has become a meeting point for international cinema as the 13th edition of KO Film Fest opens, bringing 100 short films from 40 countries to the southeastern Albanian city over six days. The festival will screen films at Majestik Cinema and the Digital Arts Gallery (GAD), bringing together diverse …

News

Tropoja chestnut festival supports local businesses and exports

Tropoja’s Chestnut Festival brings together growers and processors to promote local production and expand access to foreign markets. Traditional music and performances by the Dardania ensemble mark the start of the event, which continues into the evening. The festival showcases fresh chestnuts and related products, including honey and traditional dishes …