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Jared Kushner’s firm eyes billion-dollar property deals in the Balkans

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Donald J. Trump, confirmed on Friday that he was closing in on major real estate deals in Albania and Serbia, the latest example of the former president’s family doing business abroad even as Mr. Trump seeks to return to the White House. Mr. Kushner’s plans …

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Sentenced to 4 years in prison for forging documents, the 40-year-old Albanian is extradited from Italy

A 40-year-old man was extradited from Italy after he was wanted for forging documents. Elmir Dashi was convicted in 2018 by the Vlora court for committing the criminal offense “Forgery of seals, stamps or forms”, committed collaboration. “Also, the citizen Elmir Dashi, 40 years old, was extradited from Italy to …

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Accused of fraud, a 52 year old Italian is expected to be extradited from Italy

An Italian citizen has been arrested in Italy with the intention of extradition to Albania after being declared wanted for fraud. The Italian, together with some Albanian citizens, had created a system of fictitious companies for the circulation of monetary amounts. In 2023, the court assigned him the security measure …

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Trump’s son-in-law plans major investment in Sazan, Albanian gov’t confirms

TIRANA, March 16, 2024 – U.S.-based company Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, the influential son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, aims to undertake two major tourism projects in Albania, along with another in Belgrade, with a combined value that could exceed $1 billion, he said on social media after …

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NATO’s new airbase in Albania highlights country’s role as staunchest supporter of alliance in the region

TIRANA, March 15, 2024 – When NATO conducted a public opinion survey last year among its then 32 members about whether they would support staying in the alliance in a referendum, Albanians showed the highest support at 100 percent.  It is no wonder then that when Albania officially reopened the …

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Albanian parliament reaches bipartisan deal on investigative commissions

TIRANA, March 15, 2024 – Albania’s ruling Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the main opposition Democratic Party led by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha have finalized an agreement that opens the way for normalization of parliamentary life in the country after five months of nonstop opposition protests …

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Roman tales: RUN, BABY, RUN

By Jerina Zaloshnja Will you come running with “Camminata Tonificante” group, through Rome, this Tuesday? – Sabrina asked me. Sure, – I said, knowing that if I didn’t go with her, my Tuesday would not feel terribly different from most others, where for hours on end I might end up …

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SPAK close the investigation for the sterilization concession

The Special Prosecutor’s Office has completed the investigations on the sterilization concession file, submitting the file to the court. SPAK is communicating the charges to the suspected persons. Eight people are under accusation for the sterilization concession, among them former officials of the Ministry of Health, including the former minister …

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Tragic accident in Lezha, a 65 year old French citizen died

The police have arrested a 23-year-old driver of the “Mercedes-Benz” type vehicle that collided with the vehicle driven by the French citizen, who died in the hospital. The serious incident happened on Thursday evening on the Lezhe-Laç axis, and then the 23-year-old man from Fushe Kuqja left the scene. He …

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16 years from the Gerdec tragedy

16 years have passed since the explosion at the ammunition dismantling factory in Gërdec. 26 people lost their lives and 300 others were injured at noon on March 15, 2008, marking one of the worst tragedies in the country’s history. The powerful explosion is still fresh in the memories of …

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Week in Review: Cocaine Busts, Changing Goals, Tourism Woes

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at Washington’s shifting foreign policy priorities in the Balkans, a suspicious drug trawl, surging property prices and more. Original post Here

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Defense company chief hails tactical vehicle milestone

TIRANA, July 31 – Ardi Veliu, chief executive officer of Albania’s state-owned defense company KAYO, said the delivery of the first 40 NATO-standard tactical vehicles produced in Albania marks an important step for the country’s defense industry. The company Timak Defence produced the vehicles, which include 35 light tactical vehicles …

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Gonxhja: Albania Suspends Construction Works in Tourist Areas During Summer Season

Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced that Albania will halt construction works and related activities in tourist areas during the summer season. The Council of Ministers approved the measure to improve visitors’ experiences and protect the quality of the tourist season. The decision will prevent construction activities from …

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PM Rama: Albania aims for fully domestic-made military equipment by 2028

TIRANA, July 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to equip its Armed Forces with military vehicles and capabilities produced in the country by 2028. Rama made the statement during a ceremony where the Armed Forces received the first 40 tactical vehicles produced in Albania by Timak Defence …

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PM Rama: Albania plans to produce super-intelligent drones for air defence

TIRANA, July 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing new defence industry capacities. He said the country plans to produce intelligent drones and advanced military equipment. Rama spoke at the ceremony for the delivery of tactical vehicles from “Timak Defence”. He said Albania would soon present more …

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New administrative reform aims to preserve European Union standards

TIRANA, July 31 – Deputy chair of the Special Commission for Administrative-Territorial Reform, Arbjan Mazniku, said the proposed territorial division aims to consolidate municipalities and improve public services. He added that the reform will preserve the standards achieved through the current system. Presenting the main elements of the draft reform, …

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U.S. Senate clears way for Eric Wendt vote as new ambassador to Albania

TIRANA, July 31 – The US Senate approved a procedural resolution that allows a group vote on 74 nominations from the American administration, including Eric Wendt’s candidacy for ambassador to Albania, according to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee website. The resolution passed with 50 votes in favor and 47 against, …

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Himara beaches inspected to protect public spaces

TIRANA, July 31 – Authorities continue inspections along coastal areas to ensure the proper use of public spaces and compliance with beach management standards. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the National Coastline Agency and municipalities are carrying out inspections in Himara to protect public beach areas. Meanwhile, …

News
Public Safety Local Council in Elbasan discusses measures against online misinformation and digital violence

TIRANA, July 31 – Online misinformation and digital violence against children were the focus of the latest meeting of the Public Safety Local Council in Elbasan. Local institutions and partners discussed measures under the School Safety Package 2026-2027. They also presented the “Raporto Tani” (Report Now) application, which aims to …

News
Gonxhja: Tirana Becomes Albania’s Tourism Capital as Cross-Border Tourism Gains Importance

Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania is reshaping its tourism policies to improve service quality and extend the tourist season throughout the year. He explained that the country is following the National Tourism Strategy and introducing new measures to strengthen sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, Gonxhja highlighted cultural tourism as a …

News

Week in Review: Cocaine Busts, Changing Goals, Tourism Woes

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at Washington’s shifting foreign policy priorities in the Balkans, a suspicious drug trawl, surging property prices and more. Original post Here

News

Defense company chief hails tactical vehicle milestone

TIRANA, July 31 – Ardi Veliu, chief executive officer of Albania’s state-owned defense company KAYO, said the delivery of the first 40 NATO-standard tactical vehicles produced in Albania marks an important step for the country’s defense industry. The company Timak Defence produced the vehicles, which include 35 light tactical vehicles …

News

Gonxhja: Albania Suspends Construction Works in Tourist Areas During Summer Season

Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced that Albania will halt construction works and related activities in tourist areas during the summer season. The Council of Ministers approved the measure to improve visitors’ experiences and protect the quality of the tourist season. The decision will prevent construction activities from …

News

PM Rama: Albania aims for fully domestic-made military equipment by 2028

TIRANA, July 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to equip its Armed Forces with military vehicles and capabilities produced in the country by 2028. Rama made the statement during a ceremony where the Armed Forces received the first 40 tactical vehicles produced in Albania by Timak Defence …

News

PM Rama: Albania plans to produce super-intelligent drones for air defence

TIRANA, July 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing new defence industry capacities. He said the country plans to produce intelligent drones and advanced military equipment. Rama spoke at the ceremony for the delivery of tactical vehicles from “Timak Defence”. He said Albania would soon present more …

News

New administrative reform aims to preserve European Union standards

TIRANA, July 31 – Deputy chair of the Special Commission for Administrative-Territorial Reform, Arbjan Mazniku, said the proposed territorial division aims to consolidate municipalities and improve public services. He added that the reform will preserve the standards achieved through the current system. Presenting the main elements of the draft reform, …

News

U.S. Senate clears way for Eric Wendt vote as new ambassador to Albania

TIRANA, July 31 – The US Senate approved a procedural resolution that allows a group vote on 74 nominations from the American administration, including Eric Wendt’s candidacy for ambassador to Albania, according to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee website. The resolution passed with 50 votes in favor and 47 against, …

News

Himara beaches inspected to protect public spaces

TIRANA, July 31 – Authorities continue inspections along coastal areas to ensure the proper use of public spaces and compliance with beach management standards. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the National Coastline Agency and municipalities are carrying out inspections in Himara to protect public beach areas. Meanwhile, …

News

Public Safety Local Council in Elbasan discusses measures against online misinformation and digital violence

TIRANA, July 31 – Online misinformation and digital violence against children were the focus of the latest meeting of the Public Safety Local Council in Elbasan. Local institutions and partners discussed measures under the School Safety Package 2026-2027. They also presented the “Raporto Tani” (Report Now) application, which aims to …

News

Gonxhja: Tirana Becomes Albania’s Tourism Capital as Cross-Border Tourism Gains Importance

Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania is reshaping its tourism policies to improve service quality and extend the tourist season throughout the year. He explained that the country is following the National Tourism Strategy and introducing new measures to strengthen sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, Gonxhja highlighted cultural tourism as a …