Ukraine’s Zelensky Calls for Defence ‘Co-Production’ With Balkan Countries
Volodymyr Zelensky in Tirana urged Balkan countries to ‘co-produce’ arms and proposed a joint defence industry forum to be held in Kyiv or a Balkan capital. Original post Here
Greek Police Closer to Cracking Gang Behind 2020 Mafia Murders
Greek police working in the context of an international police operation arrested an Albanian citizen allegedly involved in four murders of Montenegro mafia members in Greece in 2020 – increasing the number of suspects behind bars in several countries. Original post Here
Tensions Over ‘Gulenist’ Claims Mar Election of Albania’s Muslim Leader
The election of Bujar Spahiu as the new head of the Albanias an Muslim Community was marred by opponents’ allegations that he supports Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is wanted for arrest by the Ankara government. Original post Here
Albania Convicts Ethnic Greek Politician Fredi Beleri of Vote-Buying
After a high-profile trial that caused a diplomatic rift between Albania and Greece, the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of the Albanian town of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was sentenced to two years in prison for vote-buying. Original post Here
Albanian Public Broadcaster Fires Programme Director for Social Media Post
A programme director at the Albanian public broadcaster RTSH was fired by the new head of the station, Alfred Peza, a former ruling party MP who has been criticised for other dismissals since he took the job. Original post Here
TikTok Used Across Balkans to ‘Slutshame’ Women and Girls
A BIRN analysis of hundreds of videos uploaded by TikTok users in eight Balkan countries shows the platform has become a hub for abuse of women and girls based on their appearance and actual or perceived sexual behaviour – ‘slutshaming’. Original post Here
Online Video in Albania of Prince’s Fight Raises Privacy Concerns
Experts say leak of video showing fight between prince and ex-wife serves no public interest – and raises serious legal and ethical questions about standards of media in Albania. Original post Here
Women in Albanian Textile Sector Pay High Price for Lek’s Rally
Critics say the government is not doing enough to protect Albanian textile exporters from the rapidly strengthening lek currency. Most of the industry’s employees are women at risk of sliding into poverty. Original post Here
More Soldiers, Jets and Javelins: Southeast Europe Seeks Defence Upgrade
Whether through compulsory military service or new hardware, some countries in southeast Europe are trying to bolster their defences in light of Russia’s war in Ukraine. But not all states can afford it. Original post Here
Albanian Parties’ Possible Deal Sparks Fears About Justice Reform
The ruling Socialist Party and opposition Refoundation Democratic Party told BIRN they are nearing an agreement to end the ongoing disruption of parliament, but concerns have been raised that a deal could derail judicial reform and the fight against corruption. Original post Here
This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Kanye West in Tirana: Has a Global Spectacle Become a Political Backfire? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here
Tineke Strik, the MEP who led an environmental fact-finding mission to Albania, says its EU accession is in peril if the government doesn’t change course on protected areas. Original post Here
The village of Zogaj, located near Shkodra Lake, transformed into a summer celebration hub with the “Lake Festival,” an event that promoted local traditions, gastronomy and the natural beauty of the area. Residents and foreign tourists gathered by the lake to enjoy traditional flavors, music and the famous hospitality of …
Rama says Kanye West concert showcased Albania as a safe destination for major events and investment
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Kanye West concert demonstrated that Albania can successfully host major international events in a safe and welcoming environment. He said the event sent a positive message to international visitors and investors by showing that Albania remains a secure destination for tourism, business and large-scale …
American rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, thanked Prime Minister Edi Rama and the people of Albania for their hospitality following his performance at Eagle Stadium in Tirana. In a social media post, West wrote, “Thank you Edi Rama and all of Albania for building a stadium and for …
Tirana hosted Kanye West’s first-ever concert in Albania, marking a milestone for the country’s live entertainment industry. Thousands of fans from Albania, Kosovo and across Europe traveled to the capital to attend the performance. Throughout the evening, West performed some of his biggest hits, while spectacular visuals and stage effects …
Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed condolences following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, describing him as a visionary statesman and a historic leader of Qatar. In a social media message, Rama praised Sheikh Hamad’s role in transforming Qatar and laying the foundations for the country’s remarkable development. …
New York City has officially added “Little Albania” to its map of immigrant neighborhoods, recognizing the important role of the Albanian community in the city’s cultural and social life. The city included the Bronx neighborhood among 30 areas across New York’s five boroughs that represent diverse immigrant communities and their …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again defended the upcoming Kanye West concert in Tirana, scheduled for Saturday evening. In a post on social media, Rama shared footage of the completed concert venue, saying the stadium is ready and that the event will place Albania on the global map of music fans. The prime …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e5659a20-7ccd-4ac7-ac8b-8f8f08377e9a-28″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e5659a20-7ccd-4ac7-ac8b-8f8f08377e9a-28″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-58″ data-turn=”assistant”> Visitors to the southeastern Albanian region of Kolonja are not only exploring its natural attractions and cultural heritage sites, but also learning how to prepare traditional dishes before enjoying them. Cooking alongside local residents has become one of the area’s most popular experiences …