UAE President’s Historic Visit to Albania Strengthens Bilateral Ties, Sparks Debate
In a rare and tightly scheduled diplomatic visit, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Tirana on Friday for a two-hour stay, marking the first-ever visit by a UAE leader to Albania. The trip, which included high-level meetings and the signing of …
Serbian Prosecutors Move Against Construction Graft, on President’s Order
For years, prosecutors in Serbia have been sitting on evidence of graft in the Belgrade real estate sector. Only when the country’s embattled president announced a crackdown on corruption was the man at the top finally arrested. Original post Here
A legal and moral Victory against unjust detention in Albania
ECHR Rules in Favor of Thoma Gëllçi Tirana Times, Februar 25.The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg ruled today in favor of Thoma Gëllçi, confirming that his arrest was unlawful. This decision represents a significant legal and moral victory for the former director of Albania’s national broadcaster, RTSH, …
Albanian Mayor Takes Aim at Corruption Prosecutor from Detention
Tirana’s mayor Erion Veliaj, who is in custody facing corruption charges, has been mounting daily verbal assaults on his case prosecutor and the judge via his social media accounts. Original post Here
At an Albanian Market, Fruit, Veg and Claims of Organised Crime
In Albania’s Elbasan, prosecutors say the town’s only fruit and vegetable market is the base of a powerful organised crime gang. That hasn’t stopped the local council from giving its owner permission to expand. Original post Here
Serbia Arrests Former Mayor of Nis for Alleged Corruption
In the latest in a series of corruption arrests in Serbia, the former mayor of Nis was held for allegedly offering contracts to companies for construction work in the southern Serbian city, bypassing laws on procurement. Original post Here
Internet Freedoms ‘Deteriorated Again in Southeast Europe in 2024’
AI caused an increase in digital rights violations in 2024 while discrimination, genocide denial and disinformation continued to flourish, a webinar held by BIRN and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom heard. Original post Here
THE UNITED STATES AND KOSOVA: FROM A SPECIAL TO A MORE COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP
Elez Biberaj Having made such huge investments in Kosova, the U.S should now help it get to the finishing line in its efforts to cement its sovereignty and achieve lasting peace with Serbia. The United States and Kosova have had a unique, multi-faceted, special relationship. As any bilateral, asymmetrical relationship, …
Lutfi Dervishi It is not easy to summarize three eras in one sentence: post-war, post-wall, post-west. Historian, commentator, and author Timothy Garton Ash articulated this postulate two years ago in his book “Homelands.” Among these three eras, in one, we have been the luckiest country on earth. From a war-weary …
Film Exposes Persecution of Kosovo Albanian Writers in Hoxha’s Albania
Many Albanians in Yugoslavia came to see Albania as a promised land, but Albania’s treatment of ethnic Albanian writers and artists from outside its borders was often brutal. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 19 – Albania’s Under-21 national football team will compete at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, which RTSH will broadcast. Albania Under-21 head coach Alban Bushi has announced the squad for the tournament. He said the team wants to show the character, personality and mentality of Albanian football. Albania …
TIRANA, August 19 – Cultural and religious heritage sites have attracted strong interest from domestic and foreign tourists in Gjirokastër County this year. Churches, mosques, cultural monuments and historical sites have featured prominently in tourist itineraries. As a result, cultural and religious tourism has become one of the area’s main …
Durrës remains one of Albania’s most popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists during the summer season. The coastal city combines beaches, history, culture and Albanian hospitality, offering visitors a diverse holiday experience. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the city’s busy streets, filled with tourists during the …
Drashovica lies at the entrance to the hills and mountains of the Shushicë River valley. For centuries, its location has earned it the name “Gateway to Labëria.” The village has a history of at least 585 years and is believed to have been founded in 1431. It has played an …
TIRANA, August 19 – Opportunities to strengthen relations between Albania and Kazakhstan were discussed at a meeting at the Kazakh Embassy in Tirana. The talks focused on air links, economic and investment cooperation, tourism and contacts between regions. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Albania, Iskander Aisariyev, met Albanian media representatives, experts, a …
TIRANA, August 19 – Wildfires remain active in the forests of Mount Tërbuni and the Gjegjan-Gojan area in Puka Municipality, Shkodër County. The county authorities said the situation on Mount Tërbuni is under control. However, firefighters continue to battle the flames in Gjegjan-Gojan, where high temperatures and strong winds have …
TIRANA, August 19 – The high number of tourists visiting Lezhë and surrounding areas has increased traffic on local roads. As a result, the Road Police has increased its presence to manage traffic and prevent long queues at the most congested points. Officers are monitoring traffic continuously and intervening where …
TIRANA, August 19 – A draft bill on the Chamber of Commerce proposes replacing the current Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a new National Economic Chamber. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has opened the draft for public consultation. The proposal aims to establish a new model for business …
The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) has responded to recent claims about Diella, the artificial intelligence system operating on Albania’s e-Albania portal. AKSHI said the webpage users see is only the system’s interface. It is not the system itself. When citizens ask Diella for a document, the request is …
TIRANA, August 19 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts mainly clear skies with periods of moderate and locally dense cloud cover over hilly and mountainous areas. Clouds will remain present until the afternoon. Later, they will gradually clear and mostly sunny …