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Appointment of CEC members, Constitutional Court declares Osmani’s request inadmissible

The Constitutional Court has declared inadmissible the request of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, regarding the appointment of members of the Central Election Commission (CEC). Osmani had requested an assessment of a “conflict between constitutional competencies under Article 113” of the Constitution—specifically between herself and “parliamentary groups as bodies …

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AIIS Honors Ilir Ikonomi with “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize

Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 –  The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …

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Week in Review: Alignment, Collision and Scandal

From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here

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Iran-Linked Hackers Target Albanian Post in Latest Attack

The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here

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In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

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Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

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Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

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Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

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Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

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Diaspora must become an active force in decision-making, says Tourism Minister

TIRANA, April 15 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja has called for concrete mechanisms to integrate the Albanian diaspora into national decision-making processes. He made the remarks during the fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He stressed that symbolic ties alone are no longer sufficient. Gonxhja said Albania must …

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Border security strengthened as migrant smuggling networks disrupted, says State Police chief

TIRANA, April 15 – The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, said Albania has strengthened border security and intensified efforts against illegal migration networks. He spoke during the panel on migration management and diaspora engagement at the fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. Hita said police units have increased …

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Diaspora helps drive Albania’s shift toward circular economy, says Environment Minister

TIRANA, April 15 – Albania is advancing toward a circular economy model with strong input from the diaspora, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said in Tirana. He spoke during the fourth Diaspora Summit in a panel focused on sustainable development and European Union integration. He placed environmental reform at the center …

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Albania deepens NATO dialogue, says Defence Minister after Brussels meeting

TIRANA, April 15 – Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania is strengthening its strategic dialogue with NATO. He made the statement after a meeting in Brussels with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. The talks focused on expanding cooperation within the alliance framework. Both sides …

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Foreign Minister calls for global diaspora “atlas” to map Albanian networks

TIRANA, April 15 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha called for a structured mapping of Albania’s global diaspora network. He spoke during a panel at the fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana focused on coordination and communication. A proposed “atlas” would document Albanian diaspora activity across major host countries. These include the …

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Foreign Minister calls for global diaspora “atlas” to map Albanian networks

TIRANA, April 15 – President Bajram Begaj met Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in Tirana. The meeting focused on humanitarian cooperation and emergency response support in Albania. The Presidency said Begaj expressed gratitude for assistance provided during emergency situations in Albania. …

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Burned Apartment Building in Tirana: Edi Rama Reacts

This Wednesday, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to the fire that engulfed an apartment building in a complex in the “Farmacia 10” area of Tirana, an घटना that occurred a day earlier. In his response, the head of government stressed that the damaged building will be fully rebuilt by …

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Tourist Ports Law: EU Delegation in Tirana Reacts to Euronews Albania

The European Union Delegation in Albania has reacted to the recent amendments approved by Parliament to the Law “On Tourist Ports in the Republic of Albania,” in a response to Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu. In its official statement, the EU Delegation said it is aware of the developments and …

News
Construction Company Arlis Construction Responds After Fire in Tirana Residential Building

The construction company Arlis Construction has officially responded following a fire that engulfed a residential building in the “Farmacia 10” area in Tirana a day earlier. Through a press statement, the company expressed solidarity with the affected residents, emphasizing that it stands by them during this difficult situation and shares …

News
Transparency Board Lowers Fuel Prices Again, Diesel Drops to 207 Lek per Liter

The Transparency Board has published the new fuel prices. Starting from 13:30 today, diesel will be sold at retail for 207 ALL per liter, while gasoline will be sold at no more than 174 ALL per liter. Full statement: At its meeting on April 15, 2026, the Transparency Board decided: …

News

Diaspora must become an active force in decision-making, says Tourism Minister

TIRANA, April 15 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja has called for concrete mechanisms to integrate the Albanian diaspora into national decision-making processes. He made the remarks during the fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He stressed that symbolic ties alone are no longer sufficient. Gonxhja said Albania must …

News

Border security strengthened as migrant smuggling networks disrupted, says State Police chief

TIRANA, April 15 – The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, said Albania has strengthened border security and intensified efforts against illegal migration networks. He spoke during the panel on migration management and diaspora engagement at the fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. Hita said police units have increased …

News

Diaspora helps drive Albania’s shift toward circular economy, says Environment Minister

TIRANA, April 15 – Albania is advancing toward a circular economy model with strong input from the diaspora, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said in Tirana. He spoke during the fourth Diaspora Summit in a panel focused on sustainable development and European Union integration. He placed environmental reform at the center …

News

Albania deepens NATO dialogue, says Defence Minister after Brussels meeting

TIRANA, April 15 – Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania is strengthening its strategic dialogue with NATO. He made the statement after a meeting in Brussels with the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. The talks focused on expanding cooperation within the alliance framework. Both sides …

News

Foreign Minister calls for global diaspora “atlas” to map Albanian networks

TIRANA, April 15 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha called for a structured mapping of Albania’s global diaspora network. He spoke during a panel at the fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana focused on coordination and communication. A proposed “atlas” would document Albanian diaspora activity across major host countries. These include the …

News

Foreign Minister calls for global diaspora “atlas” to map Albanian networks

TIRANA, April 15 – President Bajram Begaj met Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in Tirana. The meeting focused on humanitarian cooperation and emergency response support in Albania. The Presidency said Begaj expressed gratitude for assistance provided during emergency situations in Albania. …

News

Burned Apartment Building in Tirana: Edi Rama Reacts

This Wednesday, Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to the fire that engulfed an apartment building in a complex in the “Farmacia 10” area of Tirana, an घटना that occurred a day earlier. In his response, the head of government stressed that the damaged building will be fully rebuilt by …

News

Tourist Ports Law: EU Delegation in Tirana Reacts to Euronews Albania

The European Union Delegation in Albania has reacted to the recent amendments approved by Parliament to the Law “On Tourist Ports in the Republic of Albania,” in a response to Euronews Albania journalist Eksiola Shehu. In its official statement, the EU Delegation said it is aware of the developments and …

News

Construction Company Arlis Construction Responds After Fire in Tirana Residential Building

The construction company Arlis Construction has officially responded following a fire that engulfed a residential building in the “Farmacia 10” area in Tirana a day earlier. Through a press statement, the company expressed solidarity with the affected residents, emphasizing that it stands by them during this difficult situation and shares …

News

Transparency Board Lowers Fuel Prices Again, Diesel Drops to 207 Lek per Liter

The Transparency Board has published the new fuel prices. Starting from 13:30 today, diesel will be sold at retail for 207 ALL per liter, while gasoline will be sold at no more than 174 ALL per liter. Full statement: At its meeting on April 15, 2026, the Transparency Board decided: …