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There is no freedom for Berisha and Malltezi, GJKKO leaves them under “house arrest”

The Special Court deposes Berisha and Malltez again. The lawyers submitted a request for the removal of the measure, which was rejected by the GJKKO. The former prime minister and his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, were left “under house arrest”. The Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, with …

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20 years after the EU accession, Czechia and Slovakia reflect on their common journey

A message of peace and regional cooperation shines through in the example of these two EU member states for the rest of the countries in the WB.   Czechia and Slovakia have found themselves together and apart in various forms throughout history: as part of a bigger empire, as a …

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IRI Director brings Albania’s interfaith experience to Baku Forum

Dr. Arben Ramkaj, the chairman of the Inter-Religious Cooperation Center QBNF and the Executive Director of the Albanian Institute for Inter-Religious and Inter-Cultural Dialogue was invited to the 6th World Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan. Governments, international organizations, researchers and thought leaders have gathered for the 6th edition of the World …

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Serious accident, the Italian tourist loses control of the motorcycle and collides with a car

A car accident happened this morning on the entrance road of the city of Saranda. The motorcycle driven by an Italian tourist collided with a vehicle and as a result went off the road. It is learned that the tourist suffered minor injuries and was transported to Saranda Hospital for …

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Serious accident in Tirana/ An police oficer loses control of the vehicle and ends up in Lana River

An accident was recorded around 06:15 at the Shkoza bridge in Tirana. The police officer of the “Shqiponja” Special Force Sector, driving the service vehicle, allegedly lost control over his direction and as a result the vehicle went off the road, falling into the Lana River. The driver of the …

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Minister of Justice: To strengthen the protection of national security and the fight against terrorism

The Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja, has presented the recommendations of the Council of Ministers for the General Prosecutor’s Office in the fight against criminality throughout the year 2024. He asked for more inter-institutional cooperation and close cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, but also with organizations such as Europol …

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Minister Manja: The new Penal Code is necessary, at the request of Brussels

“Strengthening institutional cooperation inside and outside the country remains the main focus”, said the Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja, as he asked for more commitment to criminality. Minister Manja has also stated that the preparation of a New Criminal Code is necessary, while underlining that something similar is also required …

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Operation PANDORA shuts down 12 phone fraud call centres

According to Europol 39 fraudsters organised flood of unsettling telephone scams, shocking and cheating thousands of victims In the early hours of 18 April 2024, German, Albanian, Bosnian-Herzegovinian, Kosovar and Lebanese police forces raided 12 call centres identified as the source of thousands of daily scam calls. 21 persons were …

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The Roof Garden Commission: Petrit Halilaj, Abetare

Kosovar artist Petrit Halilaj (born 1986, Kostërc,Kosova ) has been commissioned to create a site-specific installation for the Museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. For the artist’s first major project in the United States, Halilaj has transformed The Met Roof with a sprawling sculptural installation.  Halilaj’s work is …

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Balla: We will increase the salaries for Police employees

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, in a statement to the media, confirmed that from July 1st, there will be a salary increase for Guard employees. Balla added that this financial assessment comes from the fund in the state budget of 400 million dollars, which will also benefit employees …

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Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

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Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

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Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

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PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

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EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

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July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

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Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

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PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …

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National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …

News

Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

News

Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

News

Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

News

PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

News

EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

News

July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

News

Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

News

PM Rama: EU membership process must stay on track, pensioners to receive oil revenue bonus

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said any political instability could halt Albania’s European Union accession process and warned that restarting it could take considerable time. Speaking during a meeting with pensioners, Rama said Albania has reached the final stage of its path toward EU membership. He stressed …

News

National Emergency adds 13 new ambulances, Health minister Sala: They function as “mini intensive care units”

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania’s National Emergency Service has added 13 new ambulances to its fleet, aiming to strengthen emergency response and lifesaving care across the country. During the inauguration ceremony, Health and Social Protection Minister Evis Sala said timely first aid remains the most important factor in saving patients’ …