Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans
An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …
Italy Queried Over Fate of 16 ‘Missing’ Migrants Outsourced to Albania
Opposition MP demands answers after a visit to the Italian-run Repatriation and Detention Centre in Albania revealed that 16 out of 41 migrants sent there two weeks ago had gone. Original post Here
Surveillance and Censorship Worsening in Western Balkans: BIRN Report
New report shows governments in the region increasingly use technology to suppress dissent, filter content, restrict access to digital platforms and carry out mass and targeted surveillance. Original post Here
In a depopulating Albania, why is the PM campaigning on a promise to make it easier for young people to leave?
If Rama wants to be the prime minister who ushers Albania into the European Union, he must first be the leader who makes Albania worth staying in. It means building a country where the EU passport is a gateway — not an escape route. Because freedom is not just the …
Call to Arms for the ‘Next Generation’
Albania is in a precarious situation at the moment. We are faced with a prevailing cultural acceptance of complacency and corruption. This reality had periodically made itself known to me during my summer trips back to Albania. Truthfully, however, this had no bearing on my life back then. I was …
Is AI worsening the mental health crisis in journalism?
Mental health remains a relatively under-discussed issue for those working in journalism, a profession that is often precarious for many. AI has now been added to this situation. Instability and precariousness, low salaries, the “obligation to stay connected” and the pressure to keep up the pace: these are the factors …
Newsanalysis: Kosovo Parliament Fails Again to Elect Speaker, Highlighting Deepening Partisan Divides and Institutional Fragility
Tirana, Tirana Times, April 27 — Kosovo’s political deadlock deepened further on Sunday as the Parliament failed once again to elect a Speaker and officially constitute the Assembly, despite seven attempts. The candidate proposed by the winning party, Vetëvendosje (VV), acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, did not secure enough votes, …
Elmar Brok: Berisha calls for liberation – Rama’s power crumbles
A new chapter is dawning in Albania. For the first time in years, Edi Rama’s iron-fisted ruleis beginning to totter. The country is facing a historic decision: Freedom or downfall. And inthe midst of this moment, an old fighter rises up – Sali Berisha, the symbol of Albania’s firstliberation, is …
Farewell, Pope Francis
By Jerina Zaloshnja Rakipi — Reporting from Vatican City Tirana Times, April 26, 2025 In 1967, a Catholic priest in Tirana—whose name I never managed to learn—quietly came to our home to baptize me. I was only two years old, born to a Bektashi father and a Muslim mother, who, …
Digital Divide: The Albanians Left Behind by Move to Online Public Services
Albania has moved almost all of its public administration online, yet the elderly, those with disabilities, and others who lack the necessary digital skills risk being locked out if authorities do not step up support. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 24 – The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed Albania’s support for Ukraine on its Independence Day. The ministry said the Ukrainian people have the right to determine their future as a free nation. It also praised Ukraine’s courage and resilience in defending its sovereignty and …
Albania has celebrated a historic success at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as wrestler Islam Dudaev won the country’s first gold medal of the Games. Dudaev claimed the title in the men’s freestyle 74-kilogram category. He reached the final and secured the gold after his opponent, Fati Vejseli of North …
Albania has celebrated a major success at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026”, with wrestler Islam Dudaev winning the country’s first gold medal. Dudaev triumphed in the men’s freestyle wrestling event in the 74-kilogram category. He secured the title after his opponent, North Macedonia’s Fati Vejseli, withdrew from the final because …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said citizen protests can challenge the government and help improve governance and its relationship with the public. Speaking after a government cabinet meeting in Pogradec, Rama said the recent protests over a tourism project in Zvërnec had provided a real challenge for the government. He argued …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has outlined new government priorities focused on improving living standards and strengthening social policies across Albania. Following a cabinet meeting in Pogradec, Rama said the government will give particular attention to healthcare and education. He also called for stronger policies that directly improve the quality of …
President Bajram Begaj has called for stronger efforts to preserve the memory of the victims of Albania’s communist regime. During a visit to Lushnjë, Begaj paid tribute to people who suffered political persecution and internment. He laid flowers at the Memorial of Political Persecution and visited the former internment camp …
Albania has celebrated a strong start in wrestling at the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto, winning three medals. Islam Dudaev secured the gold medal, giving Albania its first gold at the Games. Zelimkhan Abakarov followed with a silver medal, while Ardit Zeneli won bronze. President Bajram Begaj congratulated the Albanian …
The Tirana Traffic Police announced that it issued 11,420 administrative fines over the past week as part of checks aimed at preventing road accidents and managing traffic on major roads, as well as at the entry and exit points of the capital. During the inspections, 55 people were arrested or …
*]: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” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:abd5f9c3-e6f6-4ffd-a368-acf87625c22f-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:abd5f9c3-e6f6-4ffd-a368-acf87625c22f-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Former U.S. Congressman Joe DioGuardi has said that Kosovo needs to elect a president as soon as possible. Speaking in Pristina, he said that the ongoing political crisis is putting Kosovo in a difficult situation. “I am here, as you know, …
This Monday, President Bajram Begaj honored the victims of internment under Albania’s communist regime in Lushnje, where he called for the preservation of historical memory as both a lesson and a responsibility to future generations. On the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes, …