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New Chief of Albania’s Anti-Graft Prosecution Vows ‘Tough Approach’

Despite political tensions sparked by high-profile corruption cases, Klodjan Braho tells BIRN that his main priority will be to guarantee Albanians that “no one is above the law”. Original post Here

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Former Foreign and Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka Questioned by SPAK

By Tirana Times Tirana, December 23, 2025 – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Olta Xhaçka appeared on Tuesday at the premises of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK), where she remained for approximately two hours before leaving without making any statement to the media. Xhaçka declined to …

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Opposition Takes to the Streets Over State Capture and Blocked Justice

Tirana Times, December 22, 2025 – Tirana witnessed a major opposition-led protest on Saturday, as Albania’s main opposition force, the Democratic Party, together with allied groups, demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government. The demonstration was framed not as a routine political rally, but as a …

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Albanian Opposition Rallies for Premier’s Resignation Over Indicted Deputy PM

Supporters of the opposition Democratic Party demonstrated in Tirana against Edi Rama’s government after anti-corruption prosecutors indicted his deputy prime minister and raided officials at the National Information Agency. Original post Here

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Security Beyond Soldiers: NATO’s Role in Strengthening Western Balkans Stability

Security in the Western Balkans is no longer defined only by borders and armies, but by the strength of institutions, public trust and the ability to withstand modern pressure. In an interview with the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS), Arjan Starova, former Albanian foreign minister and President of the …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: December 22, 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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A Structured Criminal Group Inside a National Security Institution: The AKSHI Case

Tirana, Tirana Times, 20 December 2025 – The investigation launched by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution has revealed the existence of a structured criminal group operating within the leadership of the National Agency for Information Society, AKSHI. At the center of the case stand the agency’s director and deputy director, accused …

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Tirana Marks International Arabic Language Day with a Festive Ceremony

Tirana, Tirana Times, 19 December 2025 – International Arabic Language Day was commemorated in Tirana through a festive ceremony organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Albania, bringing together a broad representation of Albanian state institutions, the diplomatic corps, universities, the academic community, cultural …

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Albanian MPs Clash in Parliament Amid Tensions Over Corruption Cases

Opposition MPs hurled bottles and clashed with guards as the new ruling party-backed Ombudsman took his oath amid heightened tensions sparked by high-level graft cases. Original post Here

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Visiting Thaci in Hague Jail, Albania PM Slates ’Shameful’ War Court

Albania’s Edi Rama lashed out at the Hague-based Specialist Chambers war crimes court following a visit to Kosovo’s ex-President Hashim Thaci in detention, calling it a ‘theatre of shame’. Original post Here

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PM Rama: “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) to bring citizens’ concerns into institutional channels

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) will take place every Friday at 17:00 across Albania. He said the initiative aims to make listening to citizens a condition and responding to their concerns an institutional duty. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group …

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Education Minister Kumbaro: New free textbooks for primary school students

TIRANA, September 3 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the start of textbook distribution for the new school year. For the first time, all primary school students from first to fifth grade will receive new textbooks free of charge. Kumbaro said the measure would ease the financial burden on families. …

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At the Plane Tree, at the Hunters’ Club…

Gjirokastër has places that history preserves. People also keep them alive through memory. Near the famous plane tree in the city’s Bazaar, the Hunters’ Club became a well-known part of local life after 1947. The building had once housed the Prefecture café. Later, the hunters’ association moved its offices there. …

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“Daily Express”: British travel expert chooses Albania for an autumn getaway: “Absolutely wonderful”

Albania is quickly emerging as a top destination for autumn holidays. The country offers beaches, history, hospitality and affordable prices. British travel expert Simon Calder has highlighted Albania for its natural beauty, reasonable prices and the warm hospitality of its people. He described the country as “absolutely wonderful.” Calder selected …

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PM Rama: Public administration faces performance challenges but performed strongly in EU negotiations

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s latest public administration survey had identified challenges in employee performance. He highlighted the lack of measures for poor performance as an important issue, alongside salaries. At the same time, Rama praised the administration’s work during Albania’s European Union accession negotiations. …

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National Theatre closes season with 95 performances and more than ALL 10 million in revenue

TIRANA, September 3 – The National Theatre closed its 2025-2026 artistic season with 95 performances, more than 20,000 tickets sold and revenues exceeding ALL 10 million, according to Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja. The season ran from September 2025 to May 2026 and featured a diverse repertoire of …

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Klodiana Spahiu proposed as Minister of Health and Social Welfare

TIRANA, September 3 – The Agency for Media and Information announced Klodiana Spahiu’s proposed appointment as Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Spahiu graduated from the University of Tirana’s Faculty of Medicine in 1997 with a degree in General Medicine. From 1998 to 2002, she specialised in cardiology at the …

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President Begaj welcomes new Swiss ambassador, calls for increased investment

TIRANA, September 3 – President Bajram Begaj received Switzerland’s new ambassador to Albania, Siri Walt, who presented her credentials. Begaj expressed confidence that her mandate would further strengthen bilateral relations. The meeting covered cooperation in governance, economic development, education, healthcare, local government and environmental protection. Begaj thanked Switzerland for its …

News
EU ambassador in Albania Moreira de Sousa meets EU ambassadors

TIRANA, September 3 – EU ambassador in Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa held her first meeting with ambassadors of EU member states in Albania under the joint “Team Europe” approach. The EU Delegation said Moreira de Sousa presented her vision for supporting Albania’s reforms during the crucial stage of accession …

News
PM Rama: Digital radar to monitor issues of public interest and online misinformation

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government is developing a “digital radar” as part of a new digital system to identify trends and signals in the public-interest sphere. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group and the government cabinet, Rama said the radar would monitor developments …

News

PM Rama: “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) to bring citizens’ concerns into institutional channels

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that “Prania Besnike” (Committed Presence) will take place every Friday at 17:00 across Albania. He said the initiative aims to make listening to citizens a condition and responding to their concerns an institutional duty. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group …

News

Education Minister Kumbaro: New free textbooks for primary school students

TIRANA, September 3 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the start of textbook distribution for the new school year. For the first time, all primary school students from first to fifth grade will receive new textbooks free of charge. Kumbaro said the measure would ease the financial burden on families. …

News

At the Plane Tree, at the Hunters’ Club…

Gjirokastër has places that history preserves. People also keep them alive through memory. Near the famous plane tree in the city’s Bazaar, the Hunters’ Club became a well-known part of local life after 1947. The building had once housed the Prefecture café. Later, the hunters’ association moved its offices there. …

News

“Daily Express”: British travel expert chooses Albania for an autumn getaway: “Absolutely wonderful”

Albania is quickly emerging as a top destination for autumn holidays. The country offers beaches, history, hospitality and affordable prices. British travel expert Simon Calder has highlighted Albania for its natural beauty, reasonable prices and the warm hospitality of its people. He described the country as “absolutely wonderful.” Calder selected …

News

PM Rama: Public administration faces performance challenges but performed strongly in EU negotiations

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s latest public administration survey had identified challenges in employee performance. He highlighted the lack of measures for poor performance as an important issue, alongside salaries. At the same time, Rama praised the administration’s work during Albania’s European Union accession negotiations. …

News

National Theatre closes season with 95 performances and more than ALL 10 million in revenue

TIRANA, September 3 – The National Theatre closed its 2025-2026 artistic season with 95 performances, more than 20,000 tickets sold and revenues exceeding ALL 10 million, according to Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja. The season ran from September 2025 to May 2026 and featured a diverse repertoire of …

News

Klodiana Spahiu proposed as Minister of Health and Social Welfare

TIRANA, September 3 – The Agency for Media and Information announced Klodiana Spahiu’s proposed appointment as Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Spahiu graduated from the University of Tirana’s Faculty of Medicine in 1997 with a degree in General Medicine. From 1998 to 2002, she specialised in cardiology at the …

News

President Begaj welcomes new Swiss ambassador, calls for increased investment

TIRANA, September 3 – President Bajram Begaj received Switzerland’s new ambassador to Albania, Siri Walt, who presented her credentials. Begaj expressed confidence that her mandate would further strengthen bilateral relations. The meeting covered cooperation in governance, economic development, education, healthcare, local government and environmental protection. Begaj thanked Switzerland for its …

News

EU ambassador in Albania Moreira de Sousa meets EU ambassadors

TIRANA, September 3 – EU ambassador in Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa held her first meeting with ambassadors of EU member states in Albania under the joint “Team Europe” approach. The EU Delegation said Moreira de Sousa presented her vision for supporting Albania’s reforms during the crucial stage of accession …

News

PM Rama: Digital radar to monitor issues of public interest and online misinformation

TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government is developing a “digital radar” as part of a new digital system to identify trends and signals in the public-interest sphere. Speaking to the Socialist Party parliamentary group and the government cabinet, Rama said the radar would monitor developments …