Rama’s ‘Bektashi State’ proposal raises major concerns, faces negative backlash
TIRANA, Sept 24, 2024 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has ignited a major debate in Albania over his proposal to transform the global Bektashi Order’s headquarters in Tirana into a Vatican-style sovereign state. The Albanian public debate has been almost universally against the idea and there is anger at the …
Critics Pour Scorn on Albanian PM’s ‘Microstate’ Plan for Bektashi Muslims
Behind Edi Rama’s announcement of a Vatican-type ‘microstate’ for the Bektashi movement in Tirana, some critics of his rule see a bid to distract attention from domestic scandals and win more favourable foreign media coverage. Original post Here
Joint exercise with British troops, Vengu: Response to the reality of security in the region
The Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, participated in the DVDay (Distinguished Visitors Day) of the joint exercise between the Albanian and British troops “Austere wolf – 24”. During his speech, he said that this exercise is a response to the reality of security in the Western Balkans region. “Commitment to …
Accused for prostitution, Tirana police has arrested two foreign citizens
Two citizens, Russian and Ukrainian, have been arrested in Tirana. These two citizens were caught red-handed on “Naim Frasheri” street, taking sums of money from foreign citizens, which they allegedly used for prostitution. During the verifications carried out, it was found that these citizens collected the sums of money obtained …
A Rising Tide Lifts Empty Boats
Interpreting an Improved Economy in the Face of Depopulation Mark Crawford In 2024 Albania faces a paradox of statistics. After a couple of years of strong GDP growth, Albania is projected to have a stable, if not solid next couple of years. Tourism in 2023 boomed and investment in …
A Courageous Tug o’ War for American Investment
A delicate game attracting Democrat and Republican attention in the Western Balkans Mark Crawford Sir Humphrey: There are four words you have to work into a proposal if you want a Minister to accept it. Sir Frank: Quick, simple, popular, cheap. And equally there are four words to …
SPAK/ Former prime minister, Berisha will be officially recognized with the closure of the investigations on Wednesday
Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha will appear in the Special Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that SPAK has called Berisha to officially inform him of the closure of the investigation into the “Partizani” file. “It is about the completion of the investigations, SPAK will communicate …
Interior minister: 17% more people than last year were arrested in the national search
The Minister of the Interior, Ervin Hoxha, reported to the Security Commission the state of order in the country and the criminal events that happened recently. He emphasized that 17% more people were arrested in the national search between January and August of this year, more than last year. “You …
Rama invites everyone to join: 215 applicants for MPs of Socialist Party
The Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, invited everyone this Sunday who want to be part of the socialist team, to apply at the ‘Members of Parliament that we want’. In a message in the social media, Rama said that everyone is welcomed to join SP2030. Some 215 candidates applied to …
Two citizens from Poland arrested for cultivating cannabis
Two Polish citizens have been arrested in Saranda as part of the police mega-operation coded “Temple 3”. During the check in the premises of a hotel in Saranda, with one of the Polish administrators, specifically in the room where he was staying with the other Polish citizen, the Police services …
Tirana, July 29 – The US Dollar strengthened further against the Albanian Lek (ALL) on Wednesday. The official exchange rate from the Bank of Albania showed the Dollar at 82.43 ALL. The currency gained 0.22 ALL compared with Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Euro lost 0.03 ALL and reached 93.66 ALL. The …
Tirana, July 29 – Dinamo City will host Aluminij on Thursday in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. The Albanian side will seek a place in the third qualifying round after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Slovenia. Head coach Ilir Daja will …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to a report by the Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA), which found that the opposition received more media coverage than the Socialist Party in major news broadcasts during June 2026. Rama said the findings provide clear and measurable evidence that Albania has no connection to autocratic …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met with Albania’s 12 regional prefects to discuss key priorities for the months ahead. The participants focused on strengthening interinstitutional coordination and increasing the presence of public institutions in local communities. Lamallari identified public safety, the smooth running of the tourism season, and the prevention and …
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the institutions’ initial suspicion following the discovery of human remains in the village of Kalludër, Zubin Potok, was that they could belong to the 23 intellectuals from Mitrovica who were abducted and forcibly disappeared on 19 April 1999. Speaking to the media, Kurti said …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-turn-id-container=”8fc28679-8a5a-44b2-b5a1-57dd0902d361″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Democratic Party (PD) has officially challenged before the Constitutional Court the law ratifying the €302 million loan agreement between Albania and the United States for the purchase of military equipment. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, PD Parliamentary Group …
Prime Minister Edi Rama gave a television interview from Tirana to the British broadcaster Channel 4, where he was also questioned about the ongoing protests. In response, Rama said he has reflected on the demonstrations and understands the protesters. “I have reflected a great deal on these protests and have come …
*]: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:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in a report by British broadcaster Channel 4 News on the planned investment in Zvërnec, stating that it is absurd to believe Albania could move forward with a project that does not comply with European …
*]: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:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:618290df-e314-49f1-960f-3d67f2913497-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s National Civil Protection Agency (AKMC) has issued an official statement warning that the high temperatures expected in the coming days will significantly increase the risk of wildfires across the country. In its announcement, the Agency called on local government units, …
*]: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:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ca78e611-875f-41d4-a7ef-76f1d0f120ee-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Institute for Crimes Committed During the War (IKKL) has published, for the first time, an official report on the victims of the Kosovo war, documenting 12,230 people killed between 1 January 1998 and 20 June 1999. The report was presented …