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SAIMIR LOLJA ON ALBANIAN COMMUNISM AND ITS REGIONAL DYNAMICS

Book Review: The Nation-Free Recipe – How the Triple Entente Served Comintern, 2nd ed., Austin Macauley Publishers, New York, 2024 By Peter Marko Tase   This non-fiction book covers Europe and Albania from the start of the 20th century until now. It has many layers that, while all rationally connected, …

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Frontex Officers Failing to Report Migrant Abuses on Albania-Greece Border

EU border agents are failing to report rights violations committed against migrants and refugees on the Albanian-Greek border, according to an investigation by BIRN. Original post Here

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Convicted for drugs in Belgium, police seized 50 million euros of assets in the name of 7 people

The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has seized 50 million euros of assets on behalf of seven persons, previously convicted in Belgium for drug trafficking. According to the prosecution, the persons in question committed the criminal offense of “Cleaning the products of a criminal offense or criminal activity” committed in cooperation. …

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A 36 year old woman arrested for drugs and prostitution

A case of prostitution in Elbasan is struck. According to the police, a 36-year-old resident of Elbasan was arrested. The 36-year-old had adapted her apartment for the practice of prostitution and for the use of the narcotic substance cocaine. “As a result of a several-month investigation, with proactive methods, carried …

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Gerdec’s trial/ Family members ask GJKKO to speed up the process

The relatives of the victims of the explosion in Gërdec have requested the acceleration of the process that is being developed against the former Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu. With a request addressed to the Special Court, the Durdaj family claims that the process is being delayed due to the …

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Two French tourists trapped in Permet are rescued

Two French tourists were stranded at midnight in the village of Pavar. The tourists were stranded because the vehicle they used to explore the area broke down. After the announcement, the services of the Permet Police Station went to the area to offer you help. The tourists were located and …

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The oncologist scandal/ Today the security measures for the doctors in the court

The Criminal Court of Tirana will evaluate this Thursday the security measures for the doctors and Oncology specialists, who allegedly directed patients with tumor diseases to private clinics. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, these persons, in cooperation with each other, have “abused their duty”. According to the file, specialists and …

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Trial with “Bankers Petroleum” company/ Albania wins in arbitration

On June 7, 2024, after several years of arbitration proceedings, the international court operating under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) with headquarters in Paris has given the final decision on the dispute raised by “Bankers Petroleum against the Ministry of Energy and Industry of Albania (MIE) ) and Albpetrol. …

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Slovenia Celebrates Euro 2024 Progress, Other Balkan Teams Rue Strife-Marred Misfortunes

Albania, Croatia and Serbia are out of Euro 2024, but Slovenia reached the knockout stages of a major football tournament for the first time since independence – while their impeccably behaved fans set an example to their misbehaving Balkan neighbours. Original post Here

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1.1 kilograms of cocaine seized, three arrested

Tirana’s Antidrug has arrested 3 people during an action against drug trafficking in Tirana. It is learned that 3 young people were caught near the “Myslym Shyri” street in an attempt to sell a significant amount of cocaine. Journalist Ervin Leka told “ABC News” that after the search, the police …

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Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness. Original post Here

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May 11 Elections: Albania at a Democratic and European Crossroads

Tirana Times,  May 8,– On May 11, 2025, Albania will hold its tenth parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1991 – a moment expected to be decisive not only for the political fate of the main parties but also for the democratic future and European orientation of the …

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Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up. Original post Here

News
Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

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‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

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Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News
Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

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Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

News
Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

News

Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness. Original post Here

News

May 11 Elections: Albania at a Democratic and European Crossroads

Tirana Times,  May 8,– On May 11, 2025, Albania will hold its tenth parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1991 – a moment expected to be decisive not only for the political fate of the main parties but also for the democratic future and European orientation of the …

News

Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up. Original post Here

News

Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

News

‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

News

Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

News

Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

News

Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

News

Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …