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Multigenderism’s Curious Impact

1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe   In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …

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Balluku Charges Test PM Rama’s Power

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …

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Albanian Political Giants’ Electoral Reform Deal is a Sham, Rivals Suspect

Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here

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Western Balkans Remains Key Smuggling Corridor in Europe: Report

The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 10, 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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Ambassador Tsao: lets focus cooperation on technology and AI

Tirana Times sat with the Head of the Taipei Representative office in Italy, Ambassador Vincent Tsao on his recent visit to Albania to talk about cooperation and exchange in technology, development, education and more… Your Excellency, Taiwan is known globally for its advanced technology and innovation sectors. What specific areas …

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Albania’s Gender Equality Law: Now Let’s See It Implemented

Online disinformation from opponents of the new gender equality law shouldn’t obscure the real issue: this vital legislation has been adopted by parliament, but now we need it to work in practice, not just on paper. Original post Here

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Albania Gender-Equality Law Draws Praise and Condemnation

Women’s rights groups hailed adoption of the new equality law as a historic move – while the opposition Democratic Party and ‘pro-family’ groups called it an attack on traditional values. Original post Here

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Leaked Albanian Investigation Implicates Deputy PM in Tender-Rigging

A leaked file, apparently from an anti-corruption prosecutors’ probe, suggests deputy prime minister Belinda Balluku played an active role in predetermining the winner of a major construction tender. Original post Here

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Rama: Albania Has No Fear of Russia

Tirana Times | November 5, 2025 Berlin/Tirana – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has downplayed growing Western fears of a possible Russian expansion of aggression in Europe, declaring that Moscow would “not attack Albania or any other European country” and that NATO remains fully capable of deterring any threat. In …

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Albania expands ALBTraceCo’s role in biometric and digital identity services

The Council of Ministers has approved changes that expand the activity of ALBTraceCo, the company responsible for producing and distributing biometric documents. The new decision adds services and technology systems linked to biometric and digital identity. Under the decision, the company will manage and develop high-security infrastructure and technologies. ALBTraceCo …

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Shijak approves 11 new priority zones for mountain economy development

The Council of Ministers has approved changes that add new priority areas for developing the mountain economy in Shijak. The government introduced the changes under Law No. 20/2025, known as the “Mountain Package”. The Minister of State for Local Government proposed the amendments. Under the decision, authorities have revised the …

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Hoxha: Russian aggression will not weaken Europe’s resolve, security or unity

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has reacted to the latest attacks in Kyiv and the reported Russian drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. Hoxha said the incidents will not weaken Europe’s determination to support Ukraine. “Russia has once again shown that it will not stop its …

News
Rama thanks Sala for her contribution and continued international engagement

Prime Minister Edi Rama has thanked Prof. Evis Sala for her dedication and professionalism during her time as Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Rama praised Sala for her work on the government’s new reform program. He also highlighted her continued contribution through her international engagement. “I warmly thank Professor …

News
New EU Ambassador Dirk Schuebel begins his mission in Kosovo

Germany’s Dirk Schuebel has started his mandate as the new European Union Ambassador to Kosovo. Schuebel has called for the rapid formation of Kosovo’s institutions. He said functioning institutions would allow the EU to fully engage with Kosovo and provide the support available to the country. “There is an important …

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PM Rama: Inspections must pass “Besa” test, no unannounced checks

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said inspections must pass the “Besa” test and that authorities should no longer conduct checks without prior notice. Speaking at an extended meeting with inspectors, attended by Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and General Inspector Dashnor Sula, Rama called for a …

News
President President Begaj receives new EU Ambassador de Sousa, reaffirms 2030 membership goal

TIRANA, September 2 – President Bajram Begaj received the new European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who presented her credentials. The president wished de Sousa success in her new role and praised the EU Delegation’s contribution to strengthening relations between Tirana and Brussels and supporting Albania’s European …

News
Europexplores names Albania Europe’s top travel destination

TIRANA, September 2 – Albania has been highlighted as Europe’s top travel destination by Europexplores in an Instagram post. The travel platform describes Albania as one of the most talked-about destinations for European getaways. It highlights the turquoise beaches of the Albanian Riviera and Ksamil, along with the historic streets …

News
Gonzato Departs as New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa Officially Takes Office

A new chapter in the European Union’s diplomatic representation in Albania begins this Wednesday. Sofia Moreira de Sousa officially takes office as the EU Ambassador to Tirana, following the end of Italian diplomat Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. The Portuguese diplomat’s first institutional engagement will be at the Presidency of the Republic, …

News
Grenell Backs Six LDK MPs Who Rejected Sejdiu’s Candidacy for Kosovo President: “Great Friends of America”

Former U.S. envoy for the Balkans Richard Grenell has reacted to the latest political developments in Kosovo, expressing support for six MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) who have said they will not vote for Bekim Sejdiu as president. Grenell posted a photo of the six MPs on …

News

Albania expands ALBTraceCo’s role in biometric and digital identity services

The Council of Ministers has approved changes that expand the activity of ALBTraceCo, the company responsible for producing and distributing biometric documents. The new decision adds services and technology systems linked to biometric and digital identity. Under the decision, the company will manage and develop high-security infrastructure and technologies. ALBTraceCo …

News

Shijak approves 11 new priority zones for mountain economy development

The Council of Ministers has approved changes that add new priority areas for developing the mountain economy in Shijak. The government introduced the changes under Law No. 20/2025, known as the “Mountain Package”. The Minister of State for Local Government proposed the amendments. Under the decision, authorities have revised the …

News

Hoxha: Russian aggression will not weaken Europe’s resolve, security or unity

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has reacted to the latest attacks in Kyiv and the reported Russian drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. Hoxha said the incidents will not weaken Europe’s determination to support Ukraine. “Russia has once again shown that it will not stop its …

News

Rama thanks Sala for her contribution and continued international engagement

Prime Minister Edi Rama has thanked Prof. Evis Sala for her dedication and professionalism during her time as Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Rama praised Sala for her work on the government’s new reform program. He also highlighted her continued contribution through her international engagement. “I warmly thank Professor …

News

New EU Ambassador Dirk Schuebel begins his mission in Kosovo

Germany’s Dirk Schuebel has started his mandate as the new European Union Ambassador to Kosovo. Schuebel has called for the rapid formation of Kosovo’s institutions. He said functioning institutions would allow the EU to fully engage with Kosovo and provide the support available to the country. “There is an important …

News

PM Rama: Inspections must pass “Besa” test, no unannounced checks

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said inspections must pass the “Besa” test and that authorities should no longer conduct checks without prior notice. Speaking at an extended meeting with inspectors, attended by Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj and General Inspector Dashnor Sula, Rama called for a …

News

President President Begaj receives new EU Ambassador de Sousa, reaffirms 2030 membership goal

TIRANA, September 2 – President Bajram Begaj received the new European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who presented her credentials. The president wished de Sousa success in her new role and praised the EU Delegation’s contribution to strengthening relations between Tirana and Brussels and supporting Albania’s European …

News

Europexplores names Albania Europe’s top travel destination

TIRANA, September 2 – Albania has been highlighted as Europe’s top travel destination by Europexplores in an Instagram post. The travel platform describes Albania as one of the most talked-about destinations for European getaways. It highlights the turquoise beaches of the Albanian Riviera and Ksamil, along with the historic streets …

News

Gonzato Departs as New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa Officially Takes Office

A new chapter in the European Union’s diplomatic representation in Albania begins this Wednesday. Sofia Moreira de Sousa officially takes office as the EU Ambassador to Tirana, following the end of Italian diplomat Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. The Portuguese diplomat’s first institutional engagement will be at the Presidency of the Republic, …

News

Grenell Backs Six LDK MPs Who Rejected Sejdiu’s Candidacy for Kosovo President: “Great Friends of America”

Former U.S. envoy for the Balkans Richard Grenell has reacted to the latest political developments in Kosovo, expressing support for six MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) who have said they will not vote for Bekim Sejdiu as president. Grenell posted a photo of the six MPs on …