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Is Albania Slipping into a one part-system ?

  Albania is now an efficient laboratory to prove how easy it is to rebuild a totalitarian society in the conditions when the country is open to the world. The head of Albania’s opposition, Sali Berisha Albania’s former President and a former two-term Prime Minister was arrested on Saturday, Dec. …

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From Ant to Colony

The late 1870s and early 1890s ushered in the Gilded Age of the U.S., where rapid industrialization and free-flowing innovations were sweeping the nation. As I see it, successful ventures from the private sector played an interesting role in the development of the state during this period. The steel conglomerate …

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File Not Found: Drive for Open Data Stalls in Western Balkans

Governments in the Western Balkans committed years ago to make official data open and transparent – but a BIRN survey suggests they sometimes supply only incomplete or out-of-date information. Original post Here

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USA and Albania toast the 248th Anniversary of US Independence Day

Courtesy of New York Magazine Erjola Braha, recently celebrated by Forbes Italia, presents Robert Mondavi’s wines at the official ceremony organized in Tirana on the occasion of US Independence Day. The United States Embassy in Tirana celebrated the 248th Anniversary of US Independence with a prestigious event, which saw the …

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Exhibition of Prisoners’ Letters Sheds Light on Albania’s Communist-Era Jails

‘Letters From Hell’, an exhibition in Tirana, explores the grim conditions in two of Communist Albania’s most infamous prisons, Spac and Burrel, showcasing correspondence from some of the prisoners. Original post Here

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Open Data Deficit Hinders Green Transition in Kosovo and Albania

Experts say a lack of open data when it comes to the environment is hindering the green transition in Albania and Kosovo. Original post Here

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Albanian Opposition Protesters Block Roads in Six Towns

Albania’s opposition continued what it called its campaign of “civil disobedience” against Edi Rama’s government by blocking roads in six towns across the country. Original post Here

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Albania Prosecution Orders Seizure of Suspected Hazardous Waste on Ship

After a ship refused entry to Thailand arrived back in Albania, prosecutors ordered the seizure of the cargo for examination. Original post Here

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Using AI in Albanian Public Procurements ‘No Easy Solution’ for Corruption

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed using artificial intelligence in public procurement processes to tackle corruption – but experts argue that the root causes should be dealt with first. Original post Here

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Minister of Hajj and Umrah Begins Balkan Tour to Enhance Services for “Guests of God”

Tirana, October 26, 2024 Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, has begun a four-day official visit to several Western Balkan countries, including Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. This visit is part of Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Western Balkans and improve …

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Albanian Opposition Furious as AI ‘Minister’ Makes Parliament ‘Speech’

In a tense parliament session, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave the floor to the AI entity he has appointed as artificial intelligence minister, sparking an angry backlash from opposition MPs. Original post Here

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‘Enemies of the State’: Concern in Albania, EU Over PM’s Criticism of Courts

In singling out judges and prosecutors for stinging personal criticism, Albania’s Edi Rama risks further eroding the democratic separation of powers, experts say. Original post Here

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‘Enemies of the State’: Concern in Albania, EU Over PM’s Criticism of Courts

In singling out judges and prosecutors for stinging personal criticism, Albania’s Edi Rama risks further eroding the democratic separation of powers, experts say. Original post Here

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Albania’s Headline-Grabbing AI ‘Minister’ is a Risky Innovation

Without legal frameworks and safeguards, the decision to appoint an AI entity as a ‘minister’ entrusted with sensitive tasks is ambitious – but fraught with danger. Original post Here

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“Pashaliman Deal: Albania’s Transactional Politics and Western Patronage”

From D’Alema to Tony Blair, Rama’s reliance on influential Western figures fuels controversy. TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 15,2025) — The Albanian government’s decision to hand over part of the Pashaliman naval base to an Italian developer under criminal investigation has widened into a broader debate about Prime Minister Edi …

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EU Countries Ban Albanian Farm Exports Amid Safety Scandal

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 10, 2025 ) — Albania is grappling with an escalating food safety crisis as European Union member states including Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Germany repeatedly block or destroy shipments of its agricultural products, citing dangerous levels of pesticides and heavy metals. The latest scandal unfolded …

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Saudi Literature in Albanian: Tirana Times Publishes Three New Titles Ahead of Saudi Cultural Week in Tirana

Tirana Times Staff Albania, September 15, 2025, Tirana Times .With the opening of the Saudi Cultural Week in Tirana tomorrow, Tirana Times Publishing House is marking the occasion with the release of three new translations of contemporary Saudi novels into Albanian. The titles—Critical Condition of Patient “K” by Aziz Muhamed, …

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In Albania, Christians and Muslims Unite to Protect Religious Heritage

In the Diber region in Albania’s north-east, Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with a helping hand from their Muslim neighbours. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 15, 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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Tirana’s Water Crisis Hits Diplomats

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 14, 2025) — In a city where cranes rise daily and glass towers dominate the skyline, the most basic element of urban life — running water — is vanishing. For more than three months, the residence of the European Union ambassador in Tirana has received …

News

Albanian Opposition Furious as AI ‘Minister’ Makes Parliament ‘Speech’

In a tense parliament session, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave the floor to the AI entity he has appointed as artificial intelligence minister, sparking an angry backlash from opposition MPs. Original post Here

News

‘Enemies of the State’: Concern in Albania, EU Over PM’s Criticism of Courts

In singling out judges and prosecutors for stinging personal criticism, Albania’s Edi Rama risks further eroding the democratic separation of powers, experts say. Original post Here

News

‘Enemies of the State’: Concern in Albania, EU Over PM’s Criticism of Courts

In singling out judges and prosecutors for stinging personal criticism, Albania’s Edi Rama risks further eroding the democratic separation of powers, experts say. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Headline-Grabbing AI ‘Minister’ is a Risky Innovation

Without legal frameworks and safeguards, the decision to appoint an AI entity as a ‘minister’ entrusted with sensitive tasks is ambitious – but fraught with danger. Original post Here

News

“Pashaliman Deal: Albania’s Transactional Politics and Western Patronage”

From D’Alema to Tony Blair, Rama’s reliance on influential Western figures fuels controversy. TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 15,2025) — The Albanian government’s decision to hand over part of the Pashaliman naval base to an Italian developer under criminal investigation has widened into a broader debate about Prime Minister Edi …

News

EU Countries Ban Albanian Farm Exports Amid Safety Scandal

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 10, 2025 ) — Albania is grappling with an escalating food safety crisis as European Union member states including Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Germany repeatedly block or destroy shipments of its agricultural products, citing dangerous levels of pesticides and heavy metals. The latest scandal unfolded …

News

Saudi Literature in Albanian: Tirana Times Publishes Three New Titles Ahead of Saudi Cultural Week in Tirana

Tirana Times Staff Albania, September 15, 2025, Tirana Times .With the opening of the Saudi Cultural Week in Tirana tomorrow, Tirana Times Publishing House is marking the occasion with the release of three new translations of contemporary Saudi novels into Albanian. The titles—Critical Condition of Patient “K” by Aziz Muhamed, …

News

In Albania, Christians and Muslims Unite to Protect Religious Heritage

In the Diber region in Albania’s north-east, Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with a helping hand from their Muslim neighbours. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 15, 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

News

Tirana’s Water Crisis Hits Diplomats

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 14, 2025) — In a city where cranes rise daily and glass towers dominate the skyline, the most basic element of urban life — running water — is vanishing. For more than three months, the residence of the European Union ambassador in Tirana has received …