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Albania to Contribute Troops to Gaza

PM Rama urges Trump to act on The Hague court and Kosovo leaders. Tirana Times, February 20 2026 – Albania has confirmed it will contribute troops and police personnel to the international stabilization mission in Gaza under the newly created Peace Board, an initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump …

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Balkan Leaders Heap Praise on Trump’s Board of Peace at Ceremonial Launch

Balkan and Turkish leaders lauded the Board of Peace at its Washington launch on Thursday – while the participation of an EU Commissioner from Croatia drew criticism from some EU states about her presence. Original post Here

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Rama is Turning Deputy’s Suspension Into ‘Personal Battle’ Against Albanian Judiciary

Proposed legal amendments preventing courts from suspending senior officials would be a major blow to progress on tackling corruption – and to Albania’s EU accession process, writes legal expert Gentian Serjani. Original post Here

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Powerful Interests are Driving Digital Repression in Southeast Europe

Digital spaces are the new frontlines for challenging entrenched political and economic interests, but the backlash against civic groups trying to expose corruption and environmental destruction or demand official accountability can be fierce. Original post Here

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Government Moves to Shield Cabinet from Prosecution as Judiciary–Executive Clash Deepens

Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …

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Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albanian Ruling Party Proposes Law Granting Senior Officials Immunity

Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use

Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …

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Shielding Power from Justice

How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …

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Health Minister Resigns Amid New Controversy

Tirana Times, September 02, 2026 — The resignation of Health and Social Welfare Minister Evis Sala after less than a year in office has opened a new political controversy, with the opposition alleging that her departure followed a dispute over government plans to restructure the health sector. Sala announced Wednesday …

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Albania weather: Cloudy skies, local rain and hail, temperatures up to 37 C

TIRANA, September 3 – Albania will experience relatively unstable weather conditions on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will alternate between clear spells and moderate to dense cloud cover. Cloudiness will be more pronounced over mountainous areas, mainly in the east and southeast. Light rain is expected …

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Yahoo Creators: Albania among destinations to visit now for untouched beaches and turquoise waters

TIRANA, September 3 – Albania has been included among 8 destinations that travel reporter Becca Blond recommends visiting now, before mass tourism reaches them, in an article published by Yahoo Creators. Blond describes Albania as one of Europe’s less-discovered and most authentic destinations. She highlights its wild landscapes, untouched beaches, …

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Albania approves criteria for assessing environmental threats and damage

The Council of Ministers has approved official criteria for assessing immediate threats of environmental damage and determining environmental harm. The Ministry of Environment proposed the new regulation under Albania’s environmental protection law. The measure aims to support rapid preventive and rehabilitation measures across the country. The decision establishes a clear …

News
Justice Minister Gogu highlights role of penitentiary police officers

TIRANA, September 3 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the responsibility and daily challenges faced by penitentiary police officers at the Pojska Penitentiary in Pogradec. In a video shared on social media, Gogu said work in penitentiaries requires constant vigilance, accurate implementation of procedures and careful decision-making in different …

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More than 14,000 visitors at Onufri More than 14,000 visitors at Onufri Iconographic Museum in August

TIRANA, September 3 – Around 14,000 visitors visited the National Iconographic Museum “Onufri” in Berat during August, 4,000 more than in the same month last year. State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo said the figure shows growing interest in Berat’s history and cultural heritage. The museum remains one of …

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Foreign Minister Hoxha meets Montenegrin counterpart at Bled Strategic Forum

TIRANA, September 3 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met his Montenegrin counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, at the Bled Strategic Forum. Hoxha highlighted the friendly relations between Albania and Montenegro, describing the two countries as good neighbours, trusted partners and NATO allies. …

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PM Rama meets Prishtina students, highlights role of politics and civic engagement

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama received the Student Council of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Prishtina for a discussion on the role of politics and the importance of civic engagement. Rama said politics offers an opportunity to bring people together and advance …

News
Finance Minister Malaj: Magistrates’ salaries not blocked by Finance Ministry

TIRANA, September 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said magistrates’ salaries have not been blocked by the Ministry of Finance. He said the issue concerns the methodology used by the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council to prepare their August payrolls. According to Malaj, the two institutions submitted the …

News
PM Rama: Albania must address three problems in state-citizen relations

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania must address three major problems in the relationship between citizens and the state, describing “Pasqyrë Albania” (Dashboard Albania) and the “Merit Scale” as part of that effort. Speaking to the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party and the government cabinet, …

News

Health Minister Resigns Amid New Controversy

Tirana Times, September 02, 2026 — The resignation of Health and Social Welfare Minister Evis Sala after less than a year in office has opened a new political controversy, with the opposition alleging that her departure followed a dispute over government plans to restructure the health sector. Sala announced Wednesday …

News

Albania weather: Cloudy skies, local rain and hail, temperatures up to 37 C

TIRANA, September 3 – Albania will experience relatively unstable weather conditions on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will alternate between clear spells and moderate to dense cloud cover. Cloudiness will be more pronounced over mountainous areas, mainly in the east and southeast. Light rain is expected …

News

Yahoo Creators: Albania among destinations to visit now for untouched beaches and turquoise waters

TIRANA, September 3 – Albania has been included among 8 destinations that travel reporter Becca Blond recommends visiting now, before mass tourism reaches them, in an article published by Yahoo Creators. Blond describes Albania as one of Europe’s less-discovered and most authentic destinations. She highlights its wild landscapes, untouched beaches, …

News

Albania approves criteria for assessing environmental threats and damage

The Council of Ministers has approved official criteria for assessing immediate threats of environmental damage and determining environmental harm. The Ministry of Environment proposed the new regulation under Albania’s environmental protection law. The measure aims to support rapid preventive and rehabilitation measures across the country. The decision establishes a clear …

News

Justice Minister Gogu highlights role of penitentiary police officers

TIRANA, September 3 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the responsibility and daily challenges faced by penitentiary police officers at the Pojska Penitentiary in Pogradec. In a video shared on social media, Gogu said work in penitentiaries requires constant vigilance, accurate implementation of procedures and careful decision-making in different …

News

More than 14,000 visitors at Onufri More than 14,000 visitors at Onufri Iconographic Museum in August

TIRANA, September 3 – Around 14,000 visitors visited the National Iconographic Museum “Onufri” in Berat during August, 4,000 more than in the same month last year. State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo said the figure shows growing interest in Berat’s history and cultural heritage. The museum remains one of …

News

Foreign Minister Hoxha meets Montenegrin counterpart at Bled Strategic Forum

TIRANA, September 3 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met his Montenegrin counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, at the Bled Strategic Forum. Hoxha highlighted the friendly relations between Albania and Montenegro, describing the two countries as good neighbours, trusted partners and NATO allies. …

News

PM Rama meets Prishtina students, highlights role of politics and civic engagement

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama received the Student Council of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Prishtina for a discussion on the role of politics and the importance of civic engagement. Rama said politics offers an opportunity to bring people together and advance …

News

Finance Minister Malaj: Magistrates’ salaries not blocked by Finance Ministry

TIRANA, September 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said magistrates’ salaries have not been blocked by the Ministry of Finance. He said the issue concerns the methodology used by the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council to prepare their August payrolls. According to Malaj, the two institutions submitted the …

News

PM Rama: Albania must address three problems in state-citizen relations

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania must address three major problems in the relationship between citizens and the state, describing “Pasqyrë Albania” (Dashboard Albania) and the “Merit Scale” as part of that effort. Speaking to the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party and the government cabinet, …