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Institutional cooperation strengthened in fight against trafficking of cultural heritage

TIRANA, May 11 – The General Directorate of Customs took part in a two-day activity on combating illegal trafficking of cultural heritage, organized within a project aimed at strengthening capacities and law enforcement cooperation. The event brought together cultural heritage professionals and law enforcement institutions. It focused on improving inter-institutional …

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Kanye Concert in Prague Puts Spotlight on Tensions over Freedom of Expression

Pro-Israel Czechia may provide US rapper and ‘reformed antisemite’ Kanye West oddly favourable ground to return to the European stage this summer. Original post Here

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Besfort Lamallari visited the National September 11 Memorial & Museum during his trip to New York

The Albanian Interior Minister shared photos from the visit on social media. He described the museum as a tribute to one of the most shocking events in modern history. Besfort Lamallari paid respect to the victims and honored the courage of those who served during the attacks. He said the …

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Rama Announces Stronger Support for Farmers in Albania

Edi Rama announced increased financial support for farmers, introducing a new scheme that could reach up to 55 million euros depending on invoicing levels. Speaking at the Socialist Party Assembly in Elbasan, he said the government has replaced the former 18-million-euro fuel subsidy with a new system that rewards farmers …

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Eurovision 2026: Albania targets Vienna final as voting opens for Alis with “Nan”

TIRANA, May 11 – Attention shifts to 14 May as the 70th Eurovision Song Contest prepares to take place in Vienna, Austria. Albania competes with Alis and the song “Nan”, aiming for a place in the Grand Final. Earlier, Alis won first prize at the 64th edition of the Festival …

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Tirana Lake Remains Capital’s Green Oasis

Artificial Lake Park remains one of the most popular and attractive areas in the Albanian capital. The lake offers a peaceful space for both residents and foreign tourists visiting Tirana. The area combines nature, sports, and relaxation in the heart of the city. Edi Rama shared images this Sunday from …

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Rama: Elbasan Holds Strategic Position for Infrastructure

Edi Rama highlighted several strategic investments in the Elbasan County, with a special focus on Corridor VIII. Speaking at a meeting of the Socialist Party assembly in Elbasan, Rama said the region holds a strategic geographic position because of major infrastructure projects. He stressed that the European Union officially recognized …

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Foreign Tourists Explore Rare ATSH Historical Exhibition in Tirana

Tourists visit a historic exhibition at Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH) in Tirana Castle. First, they explore rare photographs and archival materials that show Albania’s media history. Then, they see old equipment used in photo processing and news production. Meanwhile, visitors from Italy describe the exhibition as highly informative and unique. …

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Arbër Gashi Shares Political Journey in Swedish Parliament

Arbër Gashi, a member of the Swedish Parliament with roots in Drenica, was the guest on Edi Rama’s podcast “Flasim.” First, Gashi shared his political journey in Sweden, which began at the age of 14 when he founded a local branch of the Social Democratic Party. Then, he explained how …

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Weather forecast: unstable conditions today with rain in mountainous areas

TIRANA, May 11 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will face relatively unstable atmospheric conditions today. The weather will feature periods of clear skies combined with moderate and at times dense cloudiness. The cloud cover will be more pronounced in the eastern mountainous areas. During midday and afternoon hours, …

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The Re-emergence of Terrorism and the Threat to the Global Economy

by Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, September 11, 2026 – The increasingly visible re-emergence of international terrorism against the backdrop of the major conflict unfolding in the Middle East is a new development, but hardly an unexpected one. The experience of the past three decades has shown that terrorism finds its …

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Government reshuffle, Interior Minister Lamallari leaves, Ervin Demo takes over

Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially announced a change in of Albania’s Interior Ministry, with Besfort Lamallari leaving the post and Ervin Demo taking over as minister. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama said the move was part of a reshuffle within the government team. Lamallari will …

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Ervin Demo, who is Albania’s new Interior Minister?

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to his government, with Ervin Demo taking over as Interior Minister as of Friday. Demo had served as Minister of State for Local Government since September 2025. As part of the latest government changes, the Ministry of State for Local Government will be …

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Administrative Court unblocks magistrates’ salaries, Rama: If only it had the same standard for citizens’ problems…

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …

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Week in Review: Tests and Pressures

Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Ervin Demo to take over Interior Ministry as Lamallari moves to Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …

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Ministry of Defense: 40 wildfires reported across Albania, six remain active

The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …

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Klodiana Spahiu sworn in as new health minister

Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …

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Ibrahim Kodra exhibition “The Sea and Music” to open in Tirana on September 23

An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …

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Gonxhja: National Campaign to Register Artisans Begins

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …

News

The Re-emergence of Terrorism and the Threat to the Global Economy

by Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, September 11, 2026 – The increasingly visible re-emergence of international terrorism against the backdrop of the major conflict unfolding in the Middle East is a new development, but hardly an unexpected one. The experience of the past three decades has shown that terrorism finds its …

News

Government reshuffle, Interior Minister Lamallari leaves, Ervin Demo takes over

Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially announced a change in of Albania’s Interior Ministry, with Besfort Lamallari leaving the post and Ervin Demo taking over as minister. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama said the move was part of a reshuffle within the government team. Lamallari will …

News

Ervin Demo, who is Albania’s new Interior Minister?

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to his government, with Ervin Demo taking over as Interior Minister as of Friday. Demo had served as Minister of State for Local Government since September 2025. As part of the latest government changes, the Ministry of State for Local Government will be …

News

Administrative Court unblocks magistrates’ salaries, Rama: If only it had the same standard for citizens’ problems…

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …

News

Week in Review: Tests and Pressures

Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Ervin Demo to take over Interior Ministry as Lamallari moves to Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …

News

Ministry of Defense: 40 wildfires reported across Albania, six remain active

The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …

News

Klodiana Spahiu sworn in as new health minister

Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …

News

Ibrahim Kodra exhibition “The Sea and Music” to open in Tirana on September 23

An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …

News

Gonxhja: National Campaign to Register Artisans Begins

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …