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Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

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Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

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Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

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Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

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Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

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Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

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Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

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Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

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Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration

She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …

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Blendi Gonxhja said traditional crochet art is a candidate for UNESCO recognition

Blendi Gonxhja said traditional crochet art is a UNESCO candidate. He announced the nomination of “ojnat.” He submitted it in a joint file with Romania and Turkey. First, he highlighted its cultural value. He said Albanian women passed it down through generations. Then, he explained the technique. Artisans use fine …

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Rama on the ‘Flasim’ Podcast: PISA 2025 Results, the Product of Years of Work

Prime Minister Edi Rama has brought back his “Flasim” podcast, focusing on education and Albania’s results in the international PISA 2025 assessment. In the first episode of the new season, titled “News from School,” Rama spoke about the start of the new school year and the progress of the education …

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Minister Nufi: Defence Industry a Strategic Priority for Albania

Defence Minister Ermal Nufi describes the development of the defence industry as a strategic priority for Albania. In a video message, he said that the country has now entered a new phase in which the defence industry aims to strengthen national security, technological capabilities and economic development. “The development of …

News
Magistrates’ Salaries, Rama: Albania Ranks First for Entry-Level Judges’ Pay

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on judges’ salaries, publishing on the social media platform X a table comparing the monthly salaries of entry-level judges in Albania with those in other countries in the region. In his post, Rama wrote: “Today, an entry-level judge in Albania earns €500 …

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Albin Kurti Unveils New Cabinet

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has unveiled his new government cabinet, announcing the names of those who will head the executive’s ministries. – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora – Glauk Konjufca; – Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice – Donika Gërvalla; – …

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Kurti on The Hague Proceedings: Serbia Committed Genocide Against Albanians, No Court Can Tarnish the KLA’s War

At the start of his presentation outlining his fourth term in government, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that all of Kosovo is awaiting the decision of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers concerning the former KLA leaders. “I congratulate you on the constitution of the 11th legislature of the Assembly. These days, …

News
Day 106 of protest in Tirana, citizens gather outside Prime Minister’s Office

Large numbers of citizens and activists took to the streets again this Sunday for the latest protest, which entered its 106th day. As on previous afternoons, shortly after 19:00, protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting slogans including: “Your time is up,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” and “Rama in …

News
Rama on judges’ salaries: We may disagree, but we must address it in a civilized manner

Prime Minister Edi Rama has again commented on the dispute over judges’ salaries, criticizing the way the issue has been handled by the judiciary. Speaking in a live video on Facebook, Rama said that, regardless of judges’ right to raise their concerns, those concerns should be addressed in a civilized …

News
‘Kurti 4’ government approved with 62 Votes, New Cabinet Sworn In

The “Kurti 4” government was approved with 62 votes in favour and eight against during an extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly. Following the vote, the new government cabinet was sworn in. The session was held after Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu declared the Assembly constituted without a deputy speaker from …

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Kurti: No domestic or international court can Tarnish the KLA

Prime minister-designate Albin Kurti has said that no domestic or international court can tarnish the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Presenting his programme to the Kosovo Assembly, Kurti said that everyone was anxiously awaiting the Specialist Chambers’ ruling on September 16 concerning former KLA leaders. He said the prosecution’s request was …

News
Remembering Emma Bonino

Emma Bonino, a European of Tomorrow – A Fighter, a Beacon, and the Enduring Voice of a Strategic Europe by Nora Ahmeti Tirana Times, September 13, 2026 – Emma Bonino spent much of her life fighting for a Europe that did not yet exist. She imagined a continent that would …

News

Rama on the ‘Flasim’ Podcast: PISA 2025 Results, the Product of Years of Work

Prime Minister Edi Rama has brought back his “Flasim” podcast, focusing on education and Albania’s results in the international PISA 2025 assessment. In the first episode of the new season, titled “News from School,” Rama spoke about the start of the new school year and the progress of the education …

News

Minister Nufi: Defence Industry a Strategic Priority for Albania

Defence Minister Ermal Nufi describes the development of the defence industry as a strategic priority for Albania. In a video message, he said that the country has now entered a new phase in which the defence industry aims to strengthen national security, technological capabilities and economic development. “The development of …

News

Magistrates’ Salaries, Rama: Albania Ranks First for Entry-Level Judges’ Pay

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on judges’ salaries, publishing on the social media platform X a table comparing the monthly salaries of entry-level judges in Albania with those in other countries in the region. In his post, Rama wrote: “Today, an entry-level judge in Albania earns €500 …

News

Albin Kurti Unveils New Cabinet

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has unveiled his new government cabinet, announcing the names of those who will head the executive’s ministries. – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora – Glauk Konjufca; – Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice – Donika Gërvalla; – …

News

Kurti on The Hague Proceedings: Serbia Committed Genocide Against Albanians, No Court Can Tarnish the KLA’s War

At the start of his presentation outlining his fourth term in government, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that all of Kosovo is awaiting the decision of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers concerning the former KLA leaders. “I congratulate you on the constitution of the 11th legislature of the Assembly. These days, …

News

Day 106 of protest in Tirana, citizens gather outside Prime Minister’s Office

Large numbers of citizens and activists took to the streets again this Sunday for the latest protest, which entered its 106th day. As on previous afternoons, shortly after 19:00, protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting slogans including: “Your time is up,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” and “Rama in …

News

Rama on judges’ salaries: We may disagree, but we must address it in a civilized manner

Prime Minister Edi Rama has again commented on the dispute over judges’ salaries, criticizing the way the issue has been handled by the judiciary. Speaking in a live video on Facebook, Rama said that, regardless of judges’ right to raise their concerns, those concerns should be addressed in a civilized …

News

‘Kurti 4’ government approved with 62 Votes, New Cabinet Sworn In

The “Kurti 4” government was approved with 62 votes in favour and eight against during an extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly. Following the vote, the new government cabinet was sworn in. The session was held after Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu declared the Assembly constituted without a deputy speaker from …

News

Kurti: No domestic or international court can Tarnish the KLA

Prime minister-designate Albin Kurti has said that no domestic or international court can tarnish the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Presenting his programme to the Kosovo Assembly, Kurti said that everyone was anxiously awaiting the Specialist Chambers’ ruling on September 16 concerning former KLA leaders. He said the prosecution’s request was …

News

Remembering Emma Bonino

Emma Bonino, a European of Tomorrow – A Fighter, a Beacon, and the Enduring Voice of a Strategic Europe by Nora Ahmeti Tirana Times, September 13, 2026 – Emma Bonino spent much of her life fighting for a Europe that did not yet exist. She imagined a continent that would …