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Albania joins rescue efforts in earthquake-devastated southeast Turkey

TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2023 – A rapid assistance mission with 53 medical personnel and search and rescue specialists from Albania has flown to Turkey to help in search and rescue operations following the devastating earthquake in Turkey’s southeast region on Monday. A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked wide parts of Turkey …

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Albania and Greece reach deal on Vjosa River cross-border park 

TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2023 – The Albanian and Greek ministers in charge of environmental issues have agreed to work together to create the first cross-border park on the path of the Vjosa River, which crosses from Greece into Albania to reach the sea.  Greece’s Kostas Skrekas and Albania’s Mirela Kumbaro …

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The Albanian ambassador to Turkey: No report of Albanians affected by the earthquake

The ambassador of Albania to Turkey, Kastriot Robo, in a Skype connection with ABC News, confirmed that so far no Albanians have been affected by the devastating earthquake, which left many dead and injured. He emphasized that Albania has send a rescue aid group towards Turkey and according to him …

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Earthquake in Turkey, react president Begaj

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has expressed his condolences for the lives lost by the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this Monday. “Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria this morning. I and the Albanians stand by the people affected and the …

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Albanian Embassy in Ankara: There are currently no Albanians injured!

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Olta Xhaçka, expressed her condolences for the lives lost in Turkey and Syria as a result of the devastating earthquake. She emphasized that the prayers of the Albanians are for the Turkish people and that our country will stand by the …

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Albania sends rescue team to the affected areas after the quake in Turkey

Albania will send a rescue team to the areas affected by the tragic earthquake in Turkey. The news was announced by the head of the government, Edi Rama, through a post on Twitter, where he expresses his condolences for the lives lost by the powerful earthquake in Turkey. Deeply saddened …

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The Siberian cold “grips” the country, temperatures drop to -10°C

The Siberian cold that has gripped the country is expected to mark the turning point at the weekend. In a direct link to ABC News meteorology, Lajda Porja from MeteoAlb said that the country will go through a week of low temperatures, while rains will give way to frosts. Also, …

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Alarm among Villagers, Environmentalists over Hydro Plan in Albania

On a visit to northeastern Albania late last month, Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed complaints about his government’s plan to build a new hydropower plant on the country’s biggest river, the Drin. Original post Here

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6 kg drugs seized in Tirana, 4 people arrested

A criminal group that carried out criminal activity in the field of distribution in quantities and doses of strong drugs heroin and cocaine was hit in Tirana, while 4 people were arrested. As part of the coded police operation “Pandora’s Box”, after a several-week investigation with proactive methods, 6 kg …

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Arrested for abuse of duty, doctors released

The court of Tirana has released the doctor and technician of the imaging service at QSUT (Mother Teresa Hospital), who were taking bribes from patients to do scans. The court has ordered suspension from duty for three months. Nazmi Metaliu and Astrit Mansaku were arrested on charges of corruption and …

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Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …

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Believers receive Easter light at Tirana Orthodox Cathedral midnight service

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers gathered at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral to celebrate Easter with the traditional midnight liturgy. The call “Come receive light from the unsetting light” marked the start of one of the most solemn services in the Orthodox calendar. Large numbers of worshippers attended the …

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President Begaj extends Easter wishes, calls for spread of faith and hope

TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message of faith, hope, and renewal. In a social media post, he wished that the light of God’s presence spreads everywhere and illuminates lives with belief and joy. He accompanied the message …

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Prime Minister Rama extends Orthodox Easter greetings to believers

TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message shared on social media. In his post, he wished followers a blessed morning and a happy Orthodox Easter. His message comes as believers across Albania celebrate one of the most …

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Easter celebration in Dhërmi features drone and fireworks display

TIRANA, April 12 – Dhërmi turned into a festive scene on Easter Eve, as hundreds of Orthodox believers gathered to celebrate the Holy Day. The coastal village hosted large crowds who joined prayers and candlelit rituals marking one of the most important dates in the Orthodox calendar. The atmosphere combined …

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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, …

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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 …

News

Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …

News

Believers receive Easter light at Tirana Orthodox Cathedral midnight service

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers gathered at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral to celebrate Easter with the traditional midnight liturgy. The call “Come receive light from the unsetting light” marked the start of one of the most solemn services in the Orthodox calendar. Large numbers of worshippers attended the …

News

President Begaj extends Easter wishes, calls for spread of faith and hope

TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message of faith, hope, and renewal. In a social media post, he wished that the light of God’s presence spreads everywhere and illuminates lives with belief and joy. He accompanied the message …

News

Prime Minister Rama extends Orthodox Easter greetings to believers

TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message shared on social media. In his post, he wished followers a blessed morning and a happy Orthodox Easter. His message comes as believers across Albania celebrate one of the most …

News

Easter celebration in Dhërmi features drone and fireworks display

TIRANA, April 12 – Dhërmi turned into a festive scene on Easter Eve, as hundreds of Orthodox believers gathered to celebrate the Holy Day. The coastal village hosted large crowds who joined prayers and candlelit rituals marking one of the most important dates in the Orthodox calendar. The atmosphere combined …

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 …