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President Begaj host Lord Stuart Peach

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, received today the Special Envoy of the British Government for the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach. President Begaj praised the great attention that the British government pays to the Western Balkans region, as well as hailed Lord Peach’s role in promoting strong democratic …

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Sentenced to 8 years in prison, an Albanian is arrested in Italy

In Rinas, it has become possible to capture an Albanian sentenced to eight years in prison in Italy for several crimes. The police inform that the arrested person is Dritan Hyka (Asimaj), from Vlora. The procedures to extradite him to Italy will now begin. Internationally wanted, sentenced to 8 years …

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SPAK won’t adjudicate January 21 protest killings’ lawsuits

Lawsuits on the “January 21” murders by the Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja and the Socialist Party (SP), will be reviewed by the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana. Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) declared incompetence and transferred the reports to the Prosecutor’s Office for further investigation. The …

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Albanian FA troops in Turkey rescue a 5-year-old child

The Albanian search and rescue forces in Turkey are working against the rubble and the freezing weather. It is reported that the Albanian FA troops saved the life of a 5-year-old child and pulled out 6 dead bodies from the ruins. “Or FA troops have been working for hours, non-stop, …

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Number of Albanians with residence permits in Greece falls

Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum published data on the issuance of residence permits for foreign immigrants living in Greece, most of whom are immigrants from Albania. According to official data in the month of December 2022, there are 285,842 Albanian immigrants with residence permits in Greece, which make up …

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Albanian arrested in Italy for cocaine shipment

Over 60 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a container of bananas have been discovered in Italy. Local media write that the shipment of bananas, in which the narcotic substance was found, came from Ecuador. An Albanian citizen, whose identity is not known, ended up in handcuffs for the shipment. He …

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SPAK officially investigates Fatmir Mediu for “Gërdec”

The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime submitted the request for trial for the former minister, Fatmir Mediu. Mediu is accused of the criminal offense “Abuse of duty” committed in cooperation, as well as for the commission of the criminal offense “Abuse of duty” in cooperation with a …

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Another lawsuit? Shkëlzen Berisha in SPAK

15 years after the tragedy with 28 victims in Gërdec, Shkëlzen Berisha, the son of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, seems to be facing a new lawsuit, from the new justice. While SPAK decided to send for trial Fatmir Mediu, at that time Minister of Defense, the Special Prosecutor’s Office …

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Ukraine War Increases Media Freedom Violations in Europe: Report

Media freedom violations continued to increase in central and south-east Europe in 2022 with increasing pressure from governments, threats of violence and defamation lawsuits, said a new report by Media Freedom Rapid Response. Original post Here

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ABC News in Turkey/ After the earthquake, the two countries are engulfed by snow, chaos at the Istanbul airport

After the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria the day before, causing thousands of deaths, a cold storm with snowfall has plunged Istanbul into chaos. The situation is conveyed to ABC News by the journalist Arlind Isa, who today traveled to Turkey to bring the situation to the areas …

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Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

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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, …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News

Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

News

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. …

News

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, …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …