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Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

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‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

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Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

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Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

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Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

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Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

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RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

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The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …

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Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans

An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …

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Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …

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Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness

Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …

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Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games

Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …

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Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy

Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …

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Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award

Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …

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U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security

The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …

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Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …

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Albania’s Flamingo Movement Said ‘No’, Now It Needs the Courage to Say ‘Yes’

The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for. Original post Here

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Human Rights Watchdog Urges Italy, Albania to End Offshore Migrant Detention

Amnesty International said in a new report that the Italian-Albanian deal for the offshore detention of asylum seekers and migrants is “jeopardising people’s safety, liberty and human rights”. Original post Here

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Kulmak Festival: Thousands of Bektashi pilgrims gather on Mount Tomor

TIRANA, August 20 – Thousands of Bektashi believers and visitors from Albania and other countries are gathering on Mount Tomorr this week for the traditional Kulmak Festival. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the celebrations on social media, describing the event as one of the area’s most important spiritual …

News

Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …

News

Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness

Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …

News

Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games

Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …

News

Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy

Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …

News

Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award

Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …

News

U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security

The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …

News

Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …

News

Albania’s Flamingo Movement Said ‘No’, Now It Needs the Courage to Say ‘Yes’

The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for. Original post Here

News

Human Rights Watchdog Urges Italy, Albania to End Offshore Migrant Detention

Amnesty International said in a new report that the Italian-Albanian deal for the offshore detention of asylum seekers and migrants is “jeopardising people’s safety, liberty and human rights”. Original post Here

News

Kulmak Festival: Thousands of Bektashi pilgrims gather on Mount Tomor

TIRANA, August 20 – Thousands of Bektashi believers and visitors from Albania and other countries are gathering on Mount Tomorr this week for the traditional Kulmak Festival. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the celebrations on social media, describing the event as one of the area’s most important spiritual …