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Government Accused of Influencing OSCE Election Findings

Tirana , August 5, 2025– Allegations that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party is attempting to influence the final report of the OSCE’s election observation mission have sparked controversy in the wake of the country’s most disputed parliamentary elections in over a decade. The May 11th vote handed Prime Minister Edi Rama’s …

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Anger in Albanian Mountain Village After Holiday Cabins Demolished

Albanian authorities have bulldozed dozens of illegally built holiday cabins in the picturesque mountain village of Theth, but critics say the state shares the blame for unlawful construction in protected areas. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 4, 2025

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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Week in Review: Schemes and Interventions

Flashbacks from old habits, past failures, challenges and interventions are what link our selection of Premium stories together this week. Original post Here

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Personal Data Misuse Tops Albanian Cybercrime List: Police

Head of cybercrime directorate says computer fraud and related offences – often for the purpose of financial gain – are the main cybercrimes committed in Albania. Original post Here

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‘Tragicomic’: Ex-Political Prisoners in Albania Still Awaiting Compensation

More than three decades since communism fell in Albania, only six per cent of former political prisoners or their family members have received the full compensation they are entitled to. Original post Here

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EU Keeps IPARD III Frozen Over Corruption and Abuse

Albania, July 29,2025, While Albania’s government continues to project an image of rapid progress toward European Union membership—pledging to have negotiated all accession chapters by 2027—the reality on the ground tells a very different story. A recent reaffirmation by the European Commission that €112 million in IPARD III agricultural development …

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Unprotected, Women in Albania, Kosovo Face ‘Toxic Coexistence’ with Digital Abuse

Weak laws and institutional indifference mean women in Albania and Kosovo are largely unprotected against often devastating levels of gender-based digital violence. Original post Here

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Albanian Drug Cartel Dismantled in EU Crackdown

Seizure of six tons of cocaine reveals how criminal profits are laundered into Albania’s booming construction sector. TIRANA, July 27, 2025 (Tirana Times) — Albania’s political crisis deepened this week asopposition leader Sali Berisha launched a sweeping series of accusations against PrimeMinister Edi Rama, claiming the May 11 local elections …

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Dirty Money Fuels Albania’s Construction Boom

 Tirana, Albania – July 28, 2025 A sweeping European-led crackdown on a transnational Albanian drug cartel, culminating in the seizure of six tons of cocaine valued at over €400 million, has reignited concerns that Tirana’s high-rise construction boom is being bankrolled by illicit wealth from organized crime and corruption. The …

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Letter from Washington: Buying Trump’s Favour with UFC in Serbia, Arms in Albania

The countries of the Balkans are coming to understand just how much Donald Trump enjoys transactional displays of admiration. Original post Here

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Malaj: Public Revenues Have Increased by 31% Over the Past Three Years

Albania’s public revenues have increased by 31% over the past three years. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance aims to increase public revenues by €1.2 billion compared with 2024 by the end of this year. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the increase reflects sustained economic growth and the formalization of Albania’s …

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Conference League: Dinamo City Face Decisive Second Leg Against Pafos

Dinamo City will face Pafos on Thursday, August 27, at 19:00 in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The match will take place at Limassol Stadium and will decide which team advances to the league phase of the competition. The 1-1 draw at Elbasan Arena has left …

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Clear weather with temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, August 27 – The Military Meteorological Service said stable atmospheric conditions would affect Albania on Thursday. The weather would remain clear across most of the country. Meanwhile, some passing clouds would appear over mountainous areas in the east and northeast. Winds would blow from the southeast to the northwest …

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Ibrahimaj: “PriceWatch Albania” platform to launch in September for price transparency and comparison

Albania will make basic product prices more transparent for consumers through the new “PriceWatch Albania” platform. The government plans to launch the platform in September. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said today that the platform will allow citizens to view and compare the prices of basic products. They will …

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Koçiu: Government’s Main Focus Starts with Housing for Young Couples and Families

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has presented the government’s new political priority, focusing on improving citizens’ quality of life. This autumn, the “Social Albania” initiative will launch a new housing program for young couples and families. As the new political season begins, the government will put “Social Albania” at the …

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Kosovo to Compete with Seven Judokas at “Taranto 2026”, Aiming for Medals

Following competitions in various sports, it is now judo’s turn at the “Taranto 2026” Mediterranean Games, a sport that has brought Kosovo some of its greatest successes on the international stage. Kosovo’s judokas will compete on August 28 and 29 in Taranto, Italy, aiming to win medals at this major …

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Energy in Q2: Production Up 34.4%, Exports Rise 55.4%

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4%, while exports rose by 55.4% in the second quarter of the year. Lower imports improved the country’s energy balance, although consumption and energy losses remain a challenge. Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4% in the …

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0% Interest Home Loans Launched for 300 Public Administration Employees

The government has launched a program to help 300 public administration employees purchase homes under favorable conditions. Teachers, doctors, police officers, and employees of other public institutions can benefit from the scheme by applying through the e-Albania platform by September 25. The program provides financing for the purchase of a …

News
Velipoja Among Tourists’ Favorite Destinations This Summer

Velipoja continues to be one of the most popular destinations for both domestic and international visitors during the summer season. At the peak of the season, the beach is filled with tourists, while its peaceful atmosphere and wide-open spaces remain among the main reasons holidaymakers choose the area. The long, …

News

Letter from Washington: Buying Trump’s Favour with UFC in Serbia, Arms in Albania

The countries of the Balkans are coming to understand just how much Donald Trump enjoys transactional displays of admiration. Original post Here

News

Malaj: Public Revenues Have Increased by 31% Over the Past Three Years

Albania’s public revenues have increased by 31% over the past three years. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance aims to increase public revenues by €1.2 billion compared with 2024 by the end of this year. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the increase reflects sustained economic growth and the formalization of Albania’s …

News

Conference League: Dinamo City Face Decisive Second Leg Against Pafos

Dinamo City will face Pafos on Thursday, August 27, at 19:00 in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The match will take place at Limassol Stadium and will decide which team advances to the league phase of the competition. The 1-1 draw at Elbasan Arena has left …

News

Clear weather with temperatures of up to 39 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, August 27 – The Military Meteorological Service said stable atmospheric conditions would affect Albania on Thursday. The weather would remain clear across most of the country. Meanwhile, some passing clouds would appear over mountainous areas in the east and northeast. Winds would blow from the southeast to the northwest …

News

Ibrahimaj: “PriceWatch Albania” platform to launch in September for price transparency and comparison

Albania will make basic product prices more transparent for consumers through the new “PriceWatch Albania” platform. The government plans to launch the platform in September. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said today that the platform will allow citizens to view and compare the prices of basic products. They will …

News

Koçiu: Government’s Main Focus Starts with Housing for Young Couples and Families

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has presented the government’s new political priority, focusing on improving citizens’ quality of life. This autumn, the “Social Albania” initiative will launch a new housing program for young couples and families. As the new political season begins, the government will put “Social Albania” at the …

News

Kosovo to Compete with Seven Judokas at “Taranto 2026”, Aiming for Medals

Following competitions in various sports, it is now judo’s turn at the “Taranto 2026” Mediterranean Games, a sport that has brought Kosovo some of its greatest successes on the international stage. Kosovo’s judokas will compete on August 28 and 29 in Taranto, Italy, aiming to win medals at this major …

News

Energy in Q2: Production Up 34.4%, Exports Rise 55.4%

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4%, while exports rose by 55.4% in the second quarter of the year. Lower imports improved the country’s energy balance, although consumption and energy losses remain a challenge. Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4% in the …

News

0% Interest Home Loans Launched for 300 Public Administration Employees

The government has launched a program to help 300 public administration employees purchase homes under favorable conditions. Teachers, doctors, police officers, and employees of other public institutions can benefit from the scheme by applying through the e-Albania platform by September 25. The program provides financing for the purchase of a …

News

Velipoja Among Tourists’ Favorite Destinations This Summer

Velipoja continues to be one of the most popular destinations for both domestic and international visitors during the summer season. At the peak of the season, the beach is filled with tourists, while its peaceful atmosphere and wide-open spaces remain among the main reasons holidaymakers choose the area. The long, …