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Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

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With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

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Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …

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News24 TV’s Shutdown in Albania Sends a Worrying Signal

The Albanian police’s action – forcing the country’s largest news broadcaster off air without a court order – sets an alarming precedent. Original post Here

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Alarm in Albania at Proposed Criminal Code Changes; Govt Denies Involvement

Albania wants to align its Criminal Code with EU law, but critics, including media associations, say a proposed draft falls far short – and could limit press freedom. Original post Here

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Media Unions Criticise Albanian Police Operation Targeting TV Station

Media organisations say Albanian police action, surrounding the News 24 TV station building and seizing journalists’ computers amid a property dispute with a government ministry, is ‘heavy-handed’ and lacks a clear legal basis. Original post Here

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News 24 Raid and Blackout: Press Freedom or Property Dispute?

Tirana Times, 11 August, 2025 The forcible shutdown of Albania’s leading all-news television channel, News 24, and the blockade of the Focus Media Group headquarters by police and later military forces on August 9 has ignited national and international debate about press freedom, political retaliation, and the limits of state …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 11, 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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European Raids Hit Albanian Cartel, Millions Laundered in Resorts

Tirana Times,August 08,2025 — A massive Albanian-run cocaine trafficking syndicate, accused of moving 28 tons of the drug from Latin America to European ports and laundering its profits in luxury resorts and real estate in Albania, has been dismantled in a multinational operation. The breakthrough, announced Friday by Albania’s Special …

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Anti-Mafia Law Is Only on Paper?

The dismantling of a 28-ton cocaine trafficking network, led by Albanian nationals and operating on a global scale, should have been a triumph for Albania’s justice system. Yet the uncomfortable truth is that this success was imported. It was European law enforcement — from Belgium to Italy — armed with …

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Tirana Businesses Condemn Protest Violence, Call for Protection of Public and Private Property

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and eight business associations have condemned violence and property damage during recent protests in the capital. They have urged authorities to take concrete measures to protect public order and safety. In a joint statement, the organizations expressed concern over attacks on public institutions, …

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Egnatia Open Conference League Campaign with 1-1 Draw Against Midtjylland

Egnatia began its historic UEFA Conference League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Danish side Midtjylland at Elbasan Arena on Thursday. Gruda scored for the Albanian side, which claimed its first point in the competition’s league phase. Egnatia took the lead in the 26th minute when Gruda headed home a …

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Anti-Government Protests in Albania: The Student Revolt and the Escalation of the Political Crisis

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Anti-Government Protests in Albania: The Student Revolt and the Escalation of the Political Crisis appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Clashes Escalate in Tirana as Protesters Set Kiosks Ablaze

Masked protesters continued to clash with police in Tirana on Thursday. They damaged public spaces and private businesses as unrest spread across the capital. After vandalizing businesses on Elbasan Street, masked youths set a kiosk ablaze on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Flames engulfed the structure and sent thick smoke into …

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Begaj: Violence Is Not the Answer; Albania Needs Calm, Responsibility and Dialogue

President Bajram Begaj has called on citizens and all parties involved in the recent protests to reject violence and prioritize dialogue. He stressed that Albania needs calm, responsibility and cooperation. In a message to the public, Begaj said he had followed both the protesters’ demands and the acts of violence …

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OSCE Ready to Facilitate Dialogue in Albania

The OSCE Presence in Albania has welcomed President Bajram Begaj’s call for calm and inclusive dialogue amid the recent unrest. It has also offered to help facilitate talks if the parties request its support. In a statement, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) joined the President’s appeal …

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Student Protests: EU Delegation Urges Young People to Avoid All Acts of Violence

The EU Delegation in Tirana issued a statement on Thursday regarding the student protests, condemning the escalation of violence and damage to property. In its statement, the delegation called on protesters to refrain from violence. According to the EU, constructive dialogue among all parties is the only way forward to …

News
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro Reacts to Student and High School Protests

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro has responded following three days of protests by university and high school students, calling on parents, teachers, and the wider community to work together to ensure the safety of young people and prevent the situation from escalating. In a message addressed to parents, pupils, and university …

News
Tirana Chamber of Commerce: Businesses Must Not Become Targets of Political Tensions

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reacted to acts of violence and damage to public and private property during protests in the capital, condemning attacks on institutions, banks, shopping centers, and business premises. In its statement, the Chamber emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a …

News
Businesses Take Precautions Amid Protests, Shops Seen Installing Security Shutters

Student protests continue to escalate in the capital. In the former Blloku area, private businesses have begun taking protective measures, installing security shutters and reinforcing their commercial premises. These security measures follow incidents reported in recent hours, during which some young protesters attacked and damaged private property, as well as …

News

Tirana Businesses Condemn Protest Violence, Call for Protection of Public and Private Property

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and eight business associations have condemned violence and property damage during recent protests in the capital. They have urged authorities to take concrete measures to protect public order and safety. In a joint statement, the organizations expressed concern over attacks on public institutions, …

News

Egnatia Open Conference League Campaign with 1-1 Draw Against Midtjylland

Egnatia began its historic UEFA Conference League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Danish side Midtjylland at Elbasan Arena on Thursday. Gruda scored for the Albanian side, which claimed its first point in the competition’s league phase. Egnatia took the lead in the 26th minute when Gruda headed home a …

News

Anti-Government Protests in Albania: The Student Revolt and the Escalation of the Political Crisis

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Anti-Government Protests in Albania: The Student Revolt and the Escalation of the Political Crisis appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

News

Clashes Escalate in Tirana as Protesters Set Kiosks Ablaze

Masked protesters continued to clash with police in Tirana on Thursday. They damaged public spaces and private businesses as unrest spread across the capital. After vandalizing businesses on Elbasan Street, masked youths set a kiosk ablaze on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard. Flames engulfed the structure and sent thick smoke into …

News

Begaj: Violence Is Not the Answer; Albania Needs Calm, Responsibility and Dialogue

President Bajram Begaj has called on citizens and all parties involved in the recent protests to reject violence and prioritize dialogue. He stressed that Albania needs calm, responsibility and cooperation. In a message to the public, Begaj said he had followed both the protesters’ demands and the acts of violence …

News

OSCE Ready to Facilitate Dialogue in Albania

The OSCE Presence in Albania has welcomed President Bajram Begaj’s call for calm and inclusive dialogue amid the recent unrest. It has also offered to help facilitate talks if the parties request its support. In a statement, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) joined the President’s appeal …

News

Student Protests: EU Delegation Urges Young People to Avoid All Acts of Violence

The EU Delegation in Tirana issued a statement on Thursday regarding the student protests, condemning the escalation of violence and damage to property. In its statement, the delegation called on protesters to refrain from violence. According to the EU, constructive dialogue among all parties is the only way forward to …

News

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro Reacts to Student and High School Protests

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro has responded following three days of protests by university and high school students, calling on parents, teachers, and the wider community to work together to ensure the safety of young people and prevent the situation from escalating. In a message addressed to parents, pupils, and university …

News

Tirana Chamber of Commerce: Businesses Must Not Become Targets of Political Tensions

The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reacted to acts of violence and damage to public and private property during protests in the capital, condemning attacks on institutions, banks, shopping centers, and business premises. In its statement, the Chamber emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right in a …

News

Businesses Take Precautions Amid Protests, Shops Seen Installing Security Shutters

Student protests continue to escalate in the capital. In the former Blloku area, private businesses have begun taking protective measures, installing security shutters and reinforcing their commercial premises. These security measures follow incidents reported in recent hours, during which some young protesters attacked and damaged private property, as well as …