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Albania joins rescue efforts in earthquake-devastated southeast Turkey

TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2023 – A rapid assistance mission with 53 medical personnel and search and rescue specialists from Albania has flown to Turkey to help in search and rescue operations following the devastating earthquake in Turkey’s southeast region on Monday. A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked wide parts of Turkey …

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Albania and Greece reach deal on Vjosa River cross-border park 

TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2023 – The Albanian and Greek ministers in charge of environmental issues have agreed to work together to create the first cross-border park on the path of the Vjosa River, which crosses from Greece into Albania to reach the sea.  Greece’s Kostas Skrekas and Albania’s Mirela Kumbaro …

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The Albanian ambassador to Turkey: No report of Albanians affected by the earthquake

The ambassador of Albania to Turkey, Kastriot Robo, in a Skype connection with ABC News, confirmed that so far no Albanians have been affected by the devastating earthquake, which left many dead and injured. He emphasized that Albania has send a rescue aid group towards Turkey and according to him …

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Earthquake in Turkey, react president Begaj

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has expressed his condolences for the lives lost by the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this Monday. “Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria this morning. I and the Albanians stand by the people affected and the …

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Albanian Embassy in Ankara: There are currently no Albanians injured!

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Olta Xhaçka, expressed her condolences for the lives lost in Turkey and Syria as a result of the devastating earthquake. She emphasized that the prayers of the Albanians are for the Turkish people and that our country will stand by the …

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Albania sends rescue team to the affected areas after the quake in Turkey

Albania will send a rescue team to the areas affected by the tragic earthquake in Turkey. The news was announced by the head of the government, Edi Rama, through a post on Twitter, where he expresses his condolences for the lives lost by the powerful earthquake in Turkey. Deeply saddened …

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The Siberian cold “grips” the country, temperatures drop to -10°C

The Siberian cold that has gripped the country is expected to mark the turning point at the weekend. In a direct link to ABC News meteorology, Lajda Porja from MeteoAlb said that the country will go through a week of low temperatures, while rains will give way to frosts. Also, …

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Alarm among Villagers, Environmentalists over Hydro Plan in Albania

On a visit to northeastern Albania late last month, Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed complaints about his government’s plan to build a new hydropower plant on the country’s biggest river, the Drin. Original post Here

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6 kg drugs seized in Tirana, 4 people arrested

A criminal group that carried out criminal activity in the field of distribution in quantities and doses of strong drugs heroin and cocaine was hit in Tirana, while 4 people were arrested. As part of the coded police operation “Pandora’s Box”, after a several-week investigation with proactive methods, 6 kg …

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Arrested for abuse of duty, doctors released

The court of Tirana has released the doctor and technician of the imaging service at QSUT (Mother Teresa Hospital), who were taking bribes from patients to do scans. The court has ordered suspension from duty for three months. Nazmi Metaliu and Astrit Mansaku were arrested on charges of corruption and …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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
RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

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The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …

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Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans

An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …

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 …

News

RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

News

The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …

News

Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans

An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …