The Value of the Words of a Few Officials vs. the Actions of many Citizens
By Genc Pollo On the Commissioner’s satisfaction The statement by Mrs. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, that the general elections in Albania this May were free and fair, but we welcome suggestions for their improvement” rightly caused surprise, irritation and was condemned by the opposition. Fortunately, on Monday the …
10KSA – Together for Health
Saudi Arabia and the Rise of a New Human-Centered Diplomacy When National Transformation Becomes a Global Movement for Life There are moments when an initiative that begins as a simple community project transforms into a global movement. Moments when awareness campaigns cross the boundaries of public messaging and become part …
Probe Urged of ‘Unjustifiable’ Cost of Italy’s Migrant Camps in Albania
Anti-poverty NGO ActionAid has filed a complaint to the Court of Auditors in Italy over the 133 million euro cost of two migrant detention centres in Albania as part of a controversial asylum offshoring deal between Rome and Tirana. Original post Here
Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities
By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across …
‘Hope Dies Last’: The Bosnian Wartime Sexual Violence Survivor Fighting for Justice
In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here
Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
Week in Review: Surprises and Standoffs
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
How Albanians in America Lobbied for Freedom Back Home
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here
Rebuilt Housing Estate for Albanian Quake Survivors Hosts Just One Family
The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here
Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM
O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum. Hoxha said the meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. The two officials discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation …
Today marks one year since the death of People’s Artist Dhimitër Anagnosti (1936–2025), one of the most influential figures in Albanian cinema. Born in Vuno, Himara, Anagnosti graduated in cinematography from the Moscow Film Institute in 1960. He began his career as a cinematographer at the “New Albania” Film Studio. …
President Bajram Begaj congratulated Albanian weightlifter Briken Calja today after his gold-medal performance at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Begaj praised Calja’s achievement and highlighted his new Mediterranean record. “Congratulations, Briken! Albania is proud of you,” Begaj wrote in his message. He also described the achievement as “a new record …
Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed Albanian heavyweight boxer Nelson Hysa to his office today. Rama met Hysa after the boxer successfully defended his WBO title against Norwegian fighter Thomas Narmo. During the meeting, Rama asked Hysa about the fight and his career in the ring. Hysa spoke about the challenge, …
On September 1, 1912, Shkodra opened Albania’s first public cinema, known as the “Grand-Kino Skioptiko-Electric Theatre.” Austrian entrepreneur Jozef Shtauber launched the initiative. Meanwhile, renowned Shkodra painter Kolë Idromeno supported the project and offered space in his home for the screenings. The cinema continued showing films until 1914. However, the …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari has signed an order that changes the age limits for joining the Albanian State Police. The new rules open more opportunities for applicants. They target young people, experienced professionals and employees from other security institutions. The decision follows requests from citizens who contacted the minister through …
The Ministry of Defense has provided the latest update on the wildfire situation across the country. According to the update issued at 09:00 on September 1, 2026, a total of 27 wildfires were reported over the past 24 hours, of which 4 remain active, while another 4 are under monitoring. …
Islam Selmani is the Mediterranean karate champion after winning gold at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. In the final of the up to 60 kg category, he defeated Turkish karate athlete Burak Ozdemir 1-0. The bout was closely contested, with Selmani scoring the only point. This is Kosovo’s seventh medal …
Albanian weightlifter Briken Calja has won the gold medal at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, setting a new record in the process. President of the Republic Bajram Begaj praised the Albanian athlete’s achievement in a post on social media. “Congratulations to our weightlifter, Briken Calja, on winning the gold medal …
The Municipal Police have continued their operation to clear public spaces of illegally placed barriers used to reserve parking spaces. During Tuesday’s operation, officers focused on the residential blocks near “Pranvera” Square and the area around the former police district headquarters, where various obstacles were removed. Concrete blocks, metal structures, …