Blog
News

Trial of Former KLA Leaders: Defense Witness Says Prosecutor Pressured Her

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”eddee727-177e-4677-aa4b-303b07f10679″ data-turn-id-container=”eddee727-177e-4677-aa4b-303b07f10679″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-23″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Forensic linguistics expert Helen Fraser stated that Special Prosecutor Joshua Hafetz exerted pressure on her during yesterday’s questioning in an attempt to make her admit that Artificial Intelligence tools had been essential to her evaluations. *]: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” …

Read More
News

Albania Says Italy Migration Deal Ends in 2030

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha says Tirana will not extend the controversial agreement beyond 2030, arguing that Albania expects to be inside the European Union by then Tirana Times, May 12, 2026 – Albania does not intend to extend its controversial migration agreement with Italy beyond 2030, Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha …

Read More
News

Gjirokastër Castle welcomes 48,000 visitors in four months, 70% foreigners

TIRANA, May 12 – Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract visitors from around the world as interest in cultural tourism grows in southern Albania. The historic site recorded strong visitor numbers during the first months of the year. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from the castle …

Read More
News

Albania shows phenomenal progress, European Investment Bank expands business support

TIRANA, May 12 – Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank, said Albania achieved phenomenal progress over the past decade and described the European Union as a clear direction for the country’s future during a ceremony in Tirana. She spoke at the signing of a financing agreement with Intesa …

Read More
News

Twenty Albanian films screened at Babylon cinema in Berlin

TIRANA, May 12 – Twenty Albanian films have been screened at the “Babylon” cinema in Berlin since May 7. The selection includes restored classics from the former “Shqipëria e Re” [New Albania] film studio and recent Albanian productions, including documentaries and short films. Meanwhile, the programme continues for six consecutive …

Read More
News

Albania reports progress in anti-corruption fight, six criminal investigations into senior officials

TIRANA, May 12 – Minister of State and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka addressed measures against corruption during a hearing at the Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs. She outlined legislative and enforcement progress during 2025. Authorities implemented a package of five draft laws in the anti-corruption framework. To begin with, …

Read More
News

Early warning systems key for environmental risk management

TIRANA, May 12 – Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj highlighted early warning systems as a key tool in managing environmental risks during the international conference “United for Climate”, in a podcast moderated by Blendi Salaj, where he discussed the National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026–2036. He said the national plan includes 66 …

Read More
News

PM Rama says Albania has no “Plan B” on European Union integration

TIRANA, May 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has never had a “Plan B” regarding European Union integration during the signing of a financing agreement between the European Investment Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania, which targets support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He said Albania continues to …

Read More
News

European Investment Bank provides 20 million euros to support Albanian businesses in innovation and green transition

TIRANA, May 12 – The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo Bank Albania signed a 20 million euro financing agreement in Tirana to support Albanian small and medium-sized enterprises in innovation, digitalisation, technology, and green investment. Roberto Crod, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, and Giuseppe Janpiero, Director …

Read More
News

Defense Minister Nufi hosts North Macedonia Armed Forces Chief of Staff, focus on defense and security cooperation

TIRANA, May 12 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi hosted Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of North Macedonia Major General Sashko Lafchiski in Tirana on Monday. The meeting highlighted the importance of close cooperation on Corridor VIII, which both sides described as critical for military mobility and security in …

Read More
News
Albania’s Revolt Against the Government

The prime minister accuses Russia and Iran of fueling protests as allegations of state capture, police violence and dissent from Socialist figures deepen Albania’s political crisis. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Parts of central Tirana have taken on the appearance of a conflict zone: burning debris, damaged buildings and …

News
Albania’s Defence Tax Breaks Raise State Capture Concerns

Proposed fiscal concessions would benefit private partners of the state defence company KAYO as an arms-trafficking investigation puts the sector under scrutiny. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Albania’s government is proposing additional tax privileges for the defence industry while the state company at the centre of its expansion, KAYO, …

News
“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …

News
Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …

News
European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …

News
Rama reiterates call for dialogue: You are welcome, whenever and wherever you want, without conditions. We are ready!

Prime Minister Edi Rama has renewed his call for dialogue with protesters, urging them to distance themselves from acts of violence, stone-throwing and arson attacks against institutions. Rama stressed that the government is ready to hold talks at any time and without preconditions, while calling on protest organisers to set …

News
Ervin Demo: The right to protest is guaranteed, violence cannot be justified and offenders will be held accountable under the law

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests of recent days, stressing that the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution and that the State Police have a duty to ensure demonstrations take place peacefully. Demo emphasised that police intervention will only take place when necessary …

News
Protests in Europe and Albania, Council of Europe Secretary General reacts

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has reacted to the wave of protests sweeping several European countries in a post on the social media platform X. In his statement, Berset also mentioned Albania, highlighting the causes of social discontent as well as the violent incidents that …

News
US State Department report: Albania successfully responded to Iranian cyberattacks, US provided $25 million in cybersecurity assistance

Albania has been featured in a US State Department report on the security of digital infrastructure in developing countries, in which Washington acknowledges the progress made following the Iran-backed cyberattack in 2022. In the document submitted to the US Congress, the State Department states that the United States responded to …

News
Montenegro Seeks to Resolve Disputes with Croatia Ahead of EU Membership

Montenegro has taken steps to resolve disputes with Croatia that could hinder Podgorica’s ambition to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Last week, Zagreb circulated an eight-point list to other EU member states, outlining issues it wants resolved before Montenegro joins the bloc. Most of the …

News

Albania’s Revolt Against the Government

The prime minister accuses Russia and Iran of fueling protests as allegations of state capture, police violence and dissent from Socialist figures deepen Albania’s political crisis. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Parts of central Tirana have taken on the appearance of a conflict zone: burning debris, damaged buildings and …

News

Albania’s Defence Tax Breaks Raise State Capture Concerns

Proposed fiscal concessions would benefit private partners of the state defence company KAYO as an arms-trafficking investigation puts the sector under scrutiny. Tirana Times, October 19, 2026 – Albania’s government is proposing additional tax privileges for the defence industry while the state company at the centre of its expansion, KAYO, …

News

“Citizens must be patient,” Rama reacts again to protests: I am ready for dialogue with anyone except those engaging in violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for the past seven days. In a post on his Facebook page, Rama reiterated that he is ready for dialogue with anyone, “except those engaging in violence and political parties that fail …

News

Protests, Rama: €2,500 for every frontline police officer and salary increases from January 1

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials following last night’s violent protest. During the meeting, Rama condemned attacks on police officers and announced significant salary increases for police personnel starting January 1, as well as financial support of €2,500 for …

News

European Parliament reacts to protests in Tirana: We condemn the escalation. Serious concerns over police violence against young people

The Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Albania, Marco Tarquinio, and the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Albania, Andreas Schieder, have expressed concern over the escalation of protests in Tirana. In a joint statement, they condemned violence, attacks on institutions and the destruction of property, while calling …

News

Rama reiterates call for dialogue: You are welcome, whenever and wherever you want, without conditions. We are ready!

Prime Minister Edi Rama has renewed his call for dialogue with protesters, urging them to distance themselves from acts of violence, stone-throwing and arson attacks against institutions. Rama stressed that the government is ready to hold talks at any time and without preconditions, while calling on protest organisers to set …

News

Ervin Demo: The right to protest is guaranteed, violence cannot be justified and offenders will be held accountable under the law

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests of recent days, stressing that the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution and that the State Police have a duty to ensure demonstrations take place peacefully. Demo emphasised that police intervention will only take place when necessary …

News

Protests in Europe and Albania, Council of Europe Secretary General reacts

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has reacted to the wave of protests sweeping several European countries in a post on the social media platform X. In his statement, Berset also mentioned Albania, highlighting the causes of social discontent as well as the violent incidents that …

News

US State Department report: Albania successfully responded to Iranian cyberattacks, US provided $25 million in cybersecurity assistance

Albania has been featured in a US State Department report on the security of digital infrastructure in developing countries, in which Washington acknowledges the progress made following the Iran-backed cyberattack in 2022. In the document submitted to the US Congress, the State Department states that the United States responded to …

News

Montenegro Seeks to Resolve Disputes with Croatia Ahead of EU Membership

Montenegro has taken steps to resolve disputes with Croatia that could hinder Podgorica’s ambition to become the 28th member of the European Union by 2028. Last week, Zagreb circulated an eight-point list to other EU member states, outlining issues it wants resolved before Montenegro joins the bloc. Most of the …