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10KSA – Together for Health

Saudi Arabia and the Rise of a New Human-Centered Diplomacy When National Transformation Becomes a Global Movement for Life There are moments when an initiative that begins as a simple community project transforms into a global movement. Moments when awareness campaigns cross the boundaries of public messaging and become part …

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Probe Urged of ‘Unjustifiable’ Cost of Italy’s Migrant Camps in Albania

Anti-poverty NGO ActionAid has filed a complaint to the Court of Auditors in Italy over the 133 million euro cost of two migrant detention centres in Albania as part of a controversial asylum offshoring deal between Rome and Tirana. Original post Here

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Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across …

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‘Hope Dies Last’: The Bosnian Wartime Sexual Violence Survivor Fighting for Justice

In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion

By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …

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Week in Review: Surprises and Standoffs

As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here

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How Albanians in America Lobbied for Freedom Back Home

Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here

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Rebuilt Housing Estate for Albanian Quake Survivors Hosts Just One Family

The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here

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Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM

O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …

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The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row

The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She …

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Aubrey Herbert, British colonel and friend of Albania and Albanians

TIRANA, April 3 – Aubrey Herbert, a British politician, diplomat, and writer, was born in London on 3 April 1880. He became one of the most notable figures in Anglo-Albanian friendship. His travels across Albanian lands from 1904 to 1917 created a deep spiritual bond with the Albanian people and …

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Interior minister Lamallari says Albania strengthens fight against organised crime and border security

TIRANA, April 3 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari presented key security reforms linked to Albania’s European Union integration process. Speaking at a press conference, he outlined progress under Chapter 24 on justice, freedom, and security. He said authorities have achieved measurable results in several areas. In particular, he highlighted stronger …

News
Prosecutors association strengthens cooperation with US justice authorities

TIRANA, April 3 – The head of Albania’s Prosecutors Association, Gezim Spahiu, held a series of meetings in the United States this week. He met North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby and US Attorney Robert Higdon Jr. He then continued talks with Jordan Ford, head of financial crimes …

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19 years since Ahtisaari Plan was debated at United Nations

TIRANA. April 3 – Today marks 19 years since the United Nations Security Council debated the Ahtisaari plan. On 3 April 2007, UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari presented the proposal behind closed doors. The plan aimed to grant Kosova supervised independence. At the time, authorities expected President Fatmir Sejdiu to …

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Suspected Burial Sites of Communist-Era ‘Disappeared’ Found in Albania

The International Commission on Missing Persons has gathered evidence of a series of sites believed to have been used by Albania’s Communist regime to bury the bodies of political opponents, and is calling on the authorities to launch excavations. Original post Here

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Justice Minister Gogu meets chief of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure to strengthen law and rule of law

TIRANA, April 3 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu met with the chief of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, Klodjan Braho, to discuss the functioning of Albania’s justice system. The talks focused on inter-institutional cooperation in key areas. Gogu highlighted improving the legal framework, strengthening institutional capacities, providing infrastructure support, and increasing …

News
Customs point in Saranda improves efficiency and service

TIRANA, April 3 – The customs point in Saranda is set to become more efficient and functional. The director general of customs, Besmir Beja, highlighted the importance of strengthening operations at the site. Staff were urged to maintain high standards, follow procedures, and cooperate closely across structures. The goal is …

News
Lower Selca Illyrian tombs attract tourists and researchers

TIRANA, April 3 – The Royal Illyrian Tombs of Lower Selca attract scholars and tourists each year. They are located in the Mokra region, between Pogradec and Korça in southeastern Albania. The site is one of the Balkans’ most significant archaeological complexes. It was discovered accidentally during the communist era. …

News
Interior minister Lamallari says US embassy advisory standard, police boost security measures

TIRANA, April 3 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari confirmed that Albanian police have increased security measures at critical sites for some time. He spoke during a press briefing addressing the US embassy’s recent security advisory. Lamallari said the embassy notice is standard and mirrors similar alerts in other countries, including …

News
Photo Archive: Foreign Tourists During the Communist Era

Before the 1990s, Albania did not treat tourism as a strong economic sector. The government mainly used it as propaganda to show foreign visitors the achievements of the communist state. During the regime, few foreigners entered Albania. The government strictly controlled visits after World War II. Officials monitored not only …

News

Aubrey Herbert, British colonel and friend of Albania and Albanians

TIRANA, April 3 – Aubrey Herbert, a British politician, diplomat, and writer, was born in London on 3 April 1880. He became one of the most notable figures in Anglo-Albanian friendship. His travels across Albanian lands from 1904 to 1917 created a deep spiritual bond with the Albanian people and …

News

Interior minister Lamallari says Albania strengthens fight against organised crime and border security

TIRANA, April 3 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari presented key security reforms linked to Albania’s European Union integration process. Speaking at a press conference, he outlined progress under Chapter 24 on justice, freedom, and security. He said authorities have achieved measurable results in several areas. In particular, he highlighted stronger …

News

Prosecutors association strengthens cooperation with US justice authorities

TIRANA, April 3 – The head of Albania’s Prosecutors Association, Gezim Spahiu, held a series of meetings in the United States this week. He met North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby and US Attorney Robert Higdon Jr. He then continued talks with Jordan Ford, head of financial crimes …

News

19 years since Ahtisaari Plan was debated at United Nations

TIRANA. April 3 – Today marks 19 years since the United Nations Security Council debated the Ahtisaari plan. On 3 April 2007, UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari presented the proposal behind closed doors. The plan aimed to grant Kosova supervised independence. At the time, authorities expected President Fatmir Sejdiu to …

News

Suspected Burial Sites of Communist-Era ‘Disappeared’ Found in Albania

The International Commission on Missing Persons has gathered evidence of a series of sites believed to have been used by Albania’s Communist regime to bury the bodies of political opponents, and is calling on the authorities to launch excavations. Original post Here

News

Justice Minister Gogu meets chief of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure to strengthen law and rule of law

TIRANA, April 3 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu met with the chief of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, Klodjan Braho, to discuss the functioning of Albania’s justice system. The talks focused on inter-institutional cooperation in key areas. Gogu highlighted improving the legal framework, strengthening institutional capacities, providing infrastructure support, and increasing …

News

Customs point in Saranda improves efficiency and service

TIRANA, April 3 – The customs point in Saranda is set to become more efficient and functional. The director general of customs, Besmir Beja, highlighted the importance of strengthening operations at the site. Staff were urged to maintain high standards, follow procedures, and cooperate closely across structures. The goal is …

News

Lower Selca Illyrian tombs attract tourists and researchers

TIRANA, April 3 – The Royal Illyrian Tombs of Lower Selca attract scholars and tourists each year. They are located in the Mokra region, between Pogradec and Korça in southeastern Albania. The site is one of the Balkans’ most significant archaeological complexes. It was discovered accidentally during the communist era. …

News

Interior minister Lamallari says US embassy advisory standard, police boost security measures

TIRANA, April 3 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari confirmed that Albanian police have increased security measures at critical sites for some time. He spoke during a press briefing addressing the US embassy’s recent security advisory. Lamallari said the embassy notice is standard and mirrors similar alerts in other countries, including …

News

Photo Archive: Foreign Tourists During the Communist Era

Before the 1990s, Albania did not treat tourism as a strong economic sector. The government mainly used it as propaganda to show foreign visitors the achievements of the communist state. During the regime, few foreigners entered Albania. The government strictly controlled visits after World War II. Officials monitored not only …