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Albania’s Mild Punishments for Electoral Crimes Undermine its Democracy

The few and minimal sentences handed down by the justice system for electoral corruption do little to discourage such violations, according to experts – and undermine the path towards democracy. Original post Here

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Orderer of Shengjin explosive attack arrested after three Years

Lezha Police have arrested on Tuesday citizen Zef Kola, resident of Tirana, suspected of ordering the TNT explosion on the building that was being built by businessman Liman Gjoka in the “Rana e Hedhun” area of Shengjin, three years ago. After investigations carried out with special methods, this event was …

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Ex-son-in-law of guard killed in TV shooting detained

Vlora Police has detained this Tuesday the ex-son-in-law of Pal Kola, the guard who was killed by Kalashnikov fire in the yard of Top Channel television shortly after Monday midnight. In front of the investigators, Roberto Papçi has denied having anything to do with the event. Along with the ex-son-in-law, …

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Rama: Sports betting revenue will go to culture and tech

Prime Minister Edi Rama has underlined Tuesday that sports betting revenue will go to the projects and needs of sports federations, the culture sector, and various groups that are interested in cultural projects. In his speech, PM Rama underlined that there will be a new structure that will supervise this …

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DP submits at CEC municipal council candidates’ list for May 14 polls

Democratic Party (DP) submitted this Tuesday, within the deadline set to the Central Elections Commission (CEC), the lists for members of municipal councils for several municipalities in the country. List of democrats in Tirana is headed by pedagogue Enriketa Pandelejmoni, followed by footballer Gentin Muça and pedagogue Iris Beleraj. Among …

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Crime Ties Exposed in North Macedonia Medicinal Cannabis Boom

North Macedonia has actively promoted the development of a medicinal cannabis industry, but a BIRN investigation reveals the criminal ties behind at least some of those granted much-coveted licences. Original post Here

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Albanian Migrant Ship’s Sinking Highlighted Europe’s Unequal Power Dynamics

On March 28, 1997, an Italian corvette sunk the Albanian migrant boat ‘Katër i Radës’ in the Adriatic, taking lives of at least 92 Albanians. Rome never accepted blame, reflecting the ‘asymmetrical dynamic’ that still governs the lives of so many in Europe today. Original post Here

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President of Austria from Assembly: We support Albania in her journey towards EU

Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen, after the meeting with President Bajram Begaj, went to the Parliament, where he spoke about the close relations between Austria and Albania. He also mentioned Austria’s continued support for Albania’s path towards European integration. “Behind every activity that Austria develops in Albania, there is …

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Albanian TV Station Guard Shot Dead in Mystery Killing

Politicians have condemned and expressed shock over the shooting dead of a TV station security guard in as yet unidentified circumstances in the early hours of Monday morning. Original post Here

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SUV used by television shooters was stolen in Shkodra

New details have come to light from the post-Monday-midnight serious event, where unidentified persons fired firearms at the premises of Top Channel, killing the security guard, Pal Kola. From the preliminary data, the perpetrators moved with a Range Rover type vehicle, which turns out to have been stolen in ShkodEr. …

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PM Rama responds to Belgrade over Ibër: Rivers follow geography, not diplomatic points

TIRANA, August 11 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the dispute between Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over Serbia’s intention to change the course of the Ibër River. Rama described the exchange as an interesting summer debate. He said Albania has no …

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Hot weather to push temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clear skies will prevail across the country. Passing clouds will develop over mountainous areas from midday through the afternoon. Local rain may accompany the clouds in the high mountains of southern Albania. …

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25 wildfires reported in 24 hours, 5 remain active

TIRANA, August 11 – Authorities reported 25 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Firefighters have extinguished most of the blazes. Five remain active and 1 area remains under monitoring. The Ministry of Defence said 37 firefighting vehicles and 365 operational personnel joined the response. The Armed Forces provided …

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Tourism grows in Dropull as natural beauty and cultural heritage attract visitors

TIRANA, August 11 – Dropull and its surrounding areas are emerging as an increasingly attractive tourist destination in Gjirokastër Municipality. Local tourism officials report a steady rise in visitor numbers each year. Foreign tourists have visited sites including the Adrianople amphitheatre in Sofratika, the Church of Lower Peshkëpi and Sotir …

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New tourist information office to promote Shkodër destinations and local offers

TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër Municipality is setting up a new tourist information office in the city centre. The facility will guide visitors and provide information about local destinations, activities and tourism services. The office will have dedicated staff and digital services. Visitors will receive free information throughout the day. …

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FM Hoxha responds to Serbian counterpart over Ibër: Using water as punishment poisons peaceful coexistence

TIRANA, August 11 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has responded to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over the dispute surrounding the Ibër River. Duric said Albania had no hydrological basis to comment on Serbia’s management of its water resources. Hoxha said Albania would react if someone threatened Serbia’s water supply. …

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Albania’s Justice minister Gogu: Justice is not certified by one ruling, but proven every day

TIRANA, August 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the balance between judicial independence and executive responsibility. He said the minister must not interfere in specific court cases. “Where judges and prosecutors act, the executive stays silent,” Gogu wrote in the first of 3 notes he plans to publish …

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218 more births than deaths in Albania in second quarter, Tirana records highest natural increase

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania recorded a positive natural population increase in the second quarter of 2026. The country registered 218 more births than deaths, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Statistics. Between April and June, authorities recorded 5,083 births, down 3% from the same period in 2025. …

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Customs revenue reaches ALL 23.5 billion in July

TIRANA, August 11 – Customs revenue reached ALL 23.5 billion in July 2026. The figure increased by around ALL 223 million from the same month in 2025. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, several major revenue items drove the increase. Value-added tax provided the largest contribution, with …

News
Civil emergency budget rises more than 13-fold in seven years

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania has increased funding for civil emergencies more than 13-fold over the past seven years. The budget rose from ALL 430 million in 2020 to ALL 5.79 billion in 2026, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said on Monday. Malaj said the higher funding will strengthen capacity to …

News

PM Rama responds to Belgrade over Ibër: Rivers follow geography, not diplomatic points

TIRANA, August 11 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the dispute between Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over Serbia’s intention to change the course of the Ibër River. Rama described the exchange as an interesting summer debate. He said Albania has no …

News

Hot weather to push temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clear skies will prevail across the country. Passing clouds will develop over mountainous areas from midday through the afternoon. Local rain may accompany the clouds in the high mountains of southern Albania. …

News

25 wildfires reported in 24 hours, 5 remain active

TIRANA, August 11 – Authorities reported 25 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Firefighters have extinguished most of the blazes. Five remain active and 1 area remains under monitoring. The Ministry of Defence said 37 firefighting vehicles and 365 operational personnel joined the response. The Armed Forces provided …

News

Tourism grows in Dropull as natural beauty and cultural heritage attract visitors

TIRANA, August 11 – Dropull and its surrounding areas are emerging as an increasingly attractive tourist destination in Gjirokastër Municipality. Local tourism officials report a steady rise in visitor numbers each year. Foreign tourists have visited sites including the Adrianople amphitheatre in Sofratika, the Church of Lower Peshkëpi and Sotir …

News

New tourist information office to promote Shkodër destinations and local offers

TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër Municipality is setting up a new tourist information office in the city centre. The facility will guide visitors and provide information about local destinations, activities and tourism services. The office will have dedicated staff and digital services. Visitors will receive free information throughout the day. …

News

FM Hoxha responds to Serbian counterpart over Ibër: Using water as punishment poisons peaceful coexistence

TIRANA, August 11 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has responded to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over the dispute surrounding the Ibër River. Duric said Albania had no hydrological basis to comment on Serbia’s management of its water resources. Hoxha said Albania would react if someone threatened Serbia’s water supply. …

News

Albania’s Justice minister Gogu: Justice is not certified by one ruling, but proven every day

TIRANA, August 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the balance between judicial independence and executive responsibility. He said the minister must not interfere in specific court cases. “Where judges and prosecutors act, the executive stays silent,” Gogu wrote in the first of 3 notes he plans to publish …

News

218 more births than deaths in Albania in second quarter, Tirana records highest natural increase

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania recorded a positive natural population increase in the second quarter of 2026. The country registered 218 more births than deaths, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Statistics. Between April and June, authorities recorded 5,083 births, down 3% from the same period in 2025. …

News

Customs revenue reaches ALL 23.5 billion in July

TIRANA, August 11 – Customs revenue reached ALL 23.5 billion in July 2026. The figure increased by around ALL 223 million from the same month in 2025. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, several major revenue items drove the increase. Value-added tax provided the largest contribution, with …

News

Civil emergency budget rises more than 13-fold in seven years

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania has increased funding for civil emergencies more than 13-fold over the past seven years. The budget rose from ALL 430 million in 2020 to ALL 5.79 billion in 2026, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said on Monday. Malaj said the higher funding will strengthen capacity to …