Albania’s Promised ‘Open Government’ Remains on Paper Only
More than a decade since it joined, Albania has made little progress in fulfilling the commitments made under the US ‘Open Government’ initiative. Original post Here
LGBT Pride and Euro 2024 Become Focus for Online Hate Speech
BIRN’s roundup of digital rights violations for June shows how marches to celebrate LGBT Pride month attracted online insults and threats, while nationalists used the Euro 2024 football tournament to voice ethnic slurs on social media. Original post Here
Tirana/ 13 arrested in one week for various criminal offenses
Thirteen people have been arrested and 13 citizens have been prosecuted for various criminal offenses in the field of road traffic in one week. 13,578 administrative measures have been imposed: 34 measures for black glasses. 1447 measures for speeding over the permitted rates. 452 measures for mobile phone use while …
“Maritime Security”/ From Ksamil to Velipoja, the border police block 34 vessels
The Border Police has blocked 34 vessels, from Ksamil to Velipojë, within the “Maritime Security” operation. The Maritime Police Unit and the Border Police have intensified controls along the entire coastline, lake and river areas. During this week, the Border Police blocked 34 vessels, of which 24 jet skis, 6 …
Trump assassination attempt, Rama: This is a tragedy for the democratic world
Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to the assassination of former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Through a post on social networks, Rama says that it is disturbing to see that a candidate for president in the USA is shot during a rally and where one person remained a victim. …
The permit is approved, Beleri will be sworn in as an MEP in Strasbourg
The Directorate of Prisons approves the permit for Alfred Beleri to participate in the European Parliament. ABC News has learned that Beleri will travel alone, unaccompanied by prison officials. Just a few days ago, Athens officially asked Tirana for permission for Fredi Beleri to go to Strasbourg to participate in …
Lezha court gave life sentence for man that killed former OST director
The Court of Lezha gave a life prison sentence for Dorjan Keqi, the man who in 2016, killed the former director of OST, Saimir Jaku in Rreshen. The 42-year-old from Kruja, resident in Kurbin was found guilty for murder committed in collaboration. He was arrested on September of 2022 as …
Tensions in the opposition protest, 8 arrested
The police have released eight people who, during the opposition protest, threw flares and Molotov cocktails towards the prime minister’s building. “Following the investigative and procedural actions carried out for the protest that took place yesterday evening, the materials were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, where the proceedings for 8 …
Fires engulf Albania as a result of extreme heat
According to the data from the National Operational Center of Civil Emergencies, during the last 24 hours, 14 fires have been reported, of which 11 have been extinguished and 3 fires are active. “Today the work is continuing in the municipality of Delvina, where the hearth of the fire is …
Shooting in Tropoja, one dead, two Injured
A man died due to shootings late on Thursday in the village Breg-Lume of Tropoja. The victim is a 24-year-old with initials A.P. who died on the road to hospital, while two others, the brother of the victim and another citizen remained injured. Police informed that the perpetrator escaped from …
The European Commission has launched a call for civil society organizations that want to join the new Civil Society Platform, a permanent dialogue mechanism between civil society groups and European Union institutions. The platform aims to create a forum where organizations can exchange ideas and experiences, discuss challenges facing civil …
Albania has become part of the soundtrack of one of the year’s most anticipated films, “The Odyssey” by director Christopher Nolan. The film, which premiered worldwide this week, is Nolan’s latest adaptation of Homer’s epic poem. Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus and featuring a major Hollywood cast, the production was …
The Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), in cooperation with the Butrint Management Foundation (BMF), has launched the first call for applications under the Butrint Community Grant Scheme. The initiative supports individuals, local businesses and nonprofit organizations with projects focused on economic, cultural, social and tourism development in the Butrint National Park …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a photo album highlighting the week’s key events. First, he attended the Coalition of the Willing Summit on Ukraine in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He also joined France’s National Day ceremony and reaffirmed Albania’s strong partnership with its Euro-Atlantic allies. …
Tirana Times, July 18, 2026 – For years, the U.S. and the EU invested significant political capital, funding, and diplomatic pressure into helping Albania build one of the most ambitious anti-corruption institutions in the Balkans: the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, known as SPAK. SPAK was created to do what previous institutions …
The European Commission says Albania continued to implement judicial reform and the Cross-Sector Justice Strategy throughout 2026. First, Albania completed the vetting process for all judges and prosecutors after authorities finalized the appeals phase. Consequently, the process further strengthened judicial independence, accountability, and integrity across the justice system. In addition, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said tourism and foreign investments currently bring €8.5 billion into Albania’s economy. Speaking at an event promoting the national program “Double Your Business,” Rama highlighted the growth of tourism and its impact on economic development. According to him, tourists now fill the streets of Tirana in …
A new space dedicated to art, culture, and community has become part of Tirana’s urban landscape. The Art Park in Kinostudio has transformed the former film studio area into a new meeting point for residents, artists, and visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media showing large numbers …
TIRANA, July 17 – The Artistic Ensemble “Skanderbeg” from Korça represented Albania at the 59th edition of the International “Festival des Cultures du Monde” in Chambéry, France. The festival brought together folklore and cultural groups from different parts of the world. The Albanian ensemble presented traditional costumes, music and dances, …
TIRANA, July 17 – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj presented the sovereign scheme “Double your business”, which aims to help Albanian companies access financing and increase investment, productivity and competitiveness in European markets. Ibrahimaj said the initiative responds to the real needs of businesses and supports the development …