Albania and Colombia Arrest 17 for Trafficking Women for Sex Work
The EU police agency said 17 people suspected of trafficking women from South America to Europe for sexual exploitation have been arrested in Albania and Colombia. Original post Here
Rama’s Trump Joke Overshadows Copenhagen Summit
Tirana, Albania (Tirana Times). Prime Minister Edi Rama’s attempt at humor during a European summit turned into a viral spectacle on Thursday, overshadowing the European Political Community’s agenda in Copenhagen and sparking both international scrutiny and domestic criticism. The incident unfolded when Rama, known for injecting jokes into international meetings, …
Mayoral Election in Capital Stirs Albanian Opposition Hopes of Comeback
The byelection in Tirana, whose Socialist mayor is behind bars, is a precious opportunity for Albania’s opposition – but analysts warn that victory remains unlikely. Original post Here
Albania Govt Demands Elections in Capital Despite Jailed Mayor’s Court Appeal
Ruling Socialists push for new elections in Tirana as jailed mayor tries to block the move, claiming his dismissal is in breach of his constitutional rights. Original post Here
Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals Slip
Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals SlipTirana, September 26, 2025 — By Tirana Times Staff Albania’s summer tourism season ended on a stronger note in August, with a surge in visitors from neighboring Kosovo offsetting weak demand from other markets, particularly Italy. According to official data from …
Fourth estate’s useful idiots
(cases from Albania in which international media should had known better) The cashless dream This July, a Politico-Europe journalist texted me about comments regarding Albanian PM Edi Rama’s recent statement that he would abolish all cash payments by 2030. I replied that this would be a recurring attention-seeking stunt and …
Digital Rights Review: AI and Growing Uncertainty Over What’s Real Online
BIRN monitoring during August revealed widespread misuse of AI to impersonate citizens and politicians across Southeast Europe, while Albania appointed an AI as a government minister, and Turkey treated an AI chatbot as a criminal for insulting the President. Original post Here
Albanian Mayor’s Dismissal Seemingly Ends Rising Star’s Career
Erion Veliaj’s dismissal as Tirana mayor appears to have terminated the career of a man once seen as a possible successor to Edi Rama. Original post Here
Tirana Council Dismisses Mayor Erion Veliaj
Tirana, September 23, 2025 , Tirana Times– The extraordinary dismissal of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, by the Municipal Council marks one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Albania’s recent history. Once celebrated as the rising star of the Socialist Party and widely perceived as a potential successor to Prime …
Building integrity and accountability in Albanian public universities: practical lessons from the United States
Aaron Savoy-Pasha | Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) Albanian higher education faces documented integrity risks, particularly in grading, favoritism, and political influence. A 2024 peer-reviewed study highlights how these pressures shape assessment and weaken trust in degrees (Shahini, Zhllima, and Imami, 2024). Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perceptions Index …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits Kosova today for meetings with its institutional leaders. She first meets acting President Albulena Haxhiu at the Presidency. Von der Leyen then meets Prime Minister Albin Kurti at the Government building. Kurti and von der Leyen are to hold a press conference …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj took part in the Berlin Process Economic Ministerial in Cetinje, Montenegro. Ministers from the six Western Balkan countries, European Commission representatives, regional organizations and international financial institutions also attended. Discussions focused on the Regional Common Market action plan, economic cooperation and closer alignment with …
Foreign Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha takes part in the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Przno, Montenegro. He reaffirms Albania’s commitment to a safer, more competitive and better-connected Western Balkans. Hoxha says Western Balkan security and European security are inseparable. He describes enlargement as a response …
European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says Albania is progressing very well in its European Union integration process. She highlights Albania among the countries leading the current enlargement process. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Kos also says Western Balkan countries will soon receive roaming benefits. Kos discusses the …
Ambassador Eric Wendt met with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, the U.S. Embassy announced in a Facebook post. According to the statement, the meeting focused on highlighting the more than 100-year relationship between the United States and Albania, as well as discussing the expansion of trade, energy …
Prime Minister Edi Rama attended on Thursday the presentation of the five projects submitted as part of the international “Tirana Fountain Tower” competition. During his remarks, Rama responded to criticism regarding urban development and construction projects in the capital, stressing that no one is forcibly removed from their home to …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha took part in the Berlin Process Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held in Pržno, Montenegro. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said that during the meeting, Hoxha reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to a safer, more competitive and better-connected Western Balkans, stressing that the security …
The Albanian Mountaineering and Mountain Tourism Federation has issued an official statement regarding an incident reported a few days ago, in which a group from North Macedonia removed a double-headed eagle symbol that had been placed by a team of Albanian mountaineers on Mount Korab. The Federation stressed that the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected the new Cardiac Surgery facility at the “Mother Teresa” University Hospital Center (QSUT), which aims to provide modern services and raise standards of patient care. During the visit, Rama said investments in QSUT would continue in 2027, with the aim of fully addressing the needs …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a meeting with senior State Police officials at both central and regional levels, focusing on improving security, strengthening prevention measures, and responding to all forms of illegal activity with the full force of the law and professionalism. Minister Demo requested detailed and up-to-date information from …