Politicians and Public Targeted in Online Intimidation Cases
BIRN’s latest three-month monitoring review of digital violations, covering the period from January to March, highlights how online targeting of politicians and government critics, as well as other forms of digital intimidation, have become significant issues of concern in the Balkans and Central and Eastern Europe. Original post Here
Fresh Suspicions over Albania Airport after Turkish Partner Pulls Out
Environmentalists and the European Commission were already alarmed by Albanian plans to build an airport in a coastal region rich in biodiversity. Now one of the partners in the project has pulled out, taking its airport expertise with it. Original post Here
ODIHR starts monitoring mission for Albania’s May 14 administrative elections
TIRANA, March 8, 2023 – International observers of ODIHR, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, have started the mission of monitoring Albania’s local elections of May 14 with a press conference. The mission will be led by Ambassador Audry Glover, who has been in charge of international …
PM pitches large public sector wage increases, leading to concern over costs, political use
TIRANA, April 8 – Albania’s government is preparing to approve large wage increases in the public sector that could lead to the average salary going up 60 percent by 2024, Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced. According to the government, the new system of public sector wages will bring the …
Albanian PM Threatens to Quit International Arbitration Body
Premier Edi Rama reacted angrily to a decision by a World Bank-funded international arbitration body to grant around 110 million euros in compensation to an Italian businessman who claimed he was politically persecuted in Albania. Original post Here
Op/Ed: The Quad: Searching for purpose in yet another new regional constellation
By ALBA CELA Last week, the Foreign Affairs ministers of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Kosovo launched the “Western Balkans Quad – 100% alignment with EU Common Foreign Security Policy” as a platform to address CFSP in the sensitive geopolitical context brought about by Russian aggression in Ukraine. All countries …
CEC introduces electronic platform on political parties’ funding monitoring
Central Elections Commission (CEC) has introduced Wednesday the Electronic Platform for Financial Reporting, which aims at strengthening the monitoring of the financing of political parties and the transparency of campaign funds. During the working table, the Head of the CEC, Ilirjan Celibashi, said that this platform will contribute to efficient …
Colombian woman busted with drugs in Rinas airport
A Colombian citizen has been arrested this Wednesday at Rinas airport, after a quantity of cannabis was found in her handbag. Law enforcement revealed that the citizen with the initials C.J, 26 years old, who was traveling from Colombia to Albania was discovered during the control at the second line. …
Two arrested and two wanted as drugs group dismantled in Fier
Police of Fier have finalized this Thursday the coded operation “Unique”, where quantities of narcotics heroin, cocaine and cannabis were seized. During this operation, the citizens, Klejdi Çela and Zhanri Hajdari, were arrested, while the citizens, Marsel Korreshi, previously convicted for the same criminal offense, and Selim Koçi were declared …
Assets of Fushe-Kruja brothers seized by SPAK order
Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) seized this Thursday 5 assets of two brothers from Fushë-Kruja, Bardhok and Kastriot Shota, residents in the village of Derven. These two citizens have been investigated and are being tried by the Belgian authorities, as within a structured criminal group they have …
President Bajram Begaj visited Boston and met local authorities and members of the Albanian community. He praised strong Albanian-American ties and the contribution of the diaspora. During the visit, Massachusetts officials welcomed Begaj, while Worcester Mayor Joe Petty presented him with the Key to the City. The president also visited …
President Bajram Begaj strongly condemned the armed incident targeting U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton. In a post on X, Begaj said such attacks undermine democracy and fundamental values. He stressed that differences in democracies must be …
Prime Minister Edi Rama strongly condemned the armed attack in a hotel in Washington, D.C. during a presidential event with journalists. He described the incident as shocking and said it strikes at freedom and democratic values everywhere. Rama said he was relieved that U.S. President Donald Trump and all attendees …
The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has reacted to the shooting reported during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Osmani wrote that Kosovo believes in the resilience of the United States and its institutions, and that they remain steadfast partners in promoting peace, security, and stability around the world. She …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted through a post on X regarding the shooting reported during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton. Rama wrote that such an attack strikes at freedom and the democratic way of life everywhere. Among other things, he condemned the attack, emphasizing that …
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, reacted through a post on Facebook regarding the shooting reported during the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Berisha described the attack as a “horror act.” Among other things, he added that the Democratic Party strongly condemns the attack, which according to him …
A bomb threat was reported around midday this Sunday at a shopping mall in the capital, where all employees and citizens inside the premises were immediately evacuated. Following the alert, police forces arrived at the scene and began the necessary checks and verifications to determine whether it was a false …
The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, reacted following the shooting that occurred in the United States during an event attended by Donald Trump along with his wife, Melania Trump. Begaj condemned the incident, emphasizing that violence is unacceptable and goes against the fundamental values of democracy. According to him, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama took part this Sunday in the final of the National Science Festival. Rama awarded the three top prizes of the festival, which were won by the high schools “Zhani Ciko” (Patos), “28 Nëntori” (Shkodër), and “Asim Zeneli” (Gjirokastër). During his speech, Rama stated that the improvement …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said this Sunday during his podcast “Flasim” that he spoke about his visit to Greece as part of his participation in the Delphi Economic Forum. Rama emphasized that during his meeting with his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, they expressed confidence that they will properly address long-standing …