Blog
News

Koçiu: Protest Rights Remain Untouchable, Violence Will Be Punished

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday that the government would introduce six measures to curb urban violence. The measures aim to protect citizens and public and private property. Koçiu stressed that authorities would uphold the constitutional right to protest but punish anyone who incites violence, exploits minors or …

Read More
News

Rama: Injured Elbasan Youth to Receive Treatment at Italy’s Best Hospital

Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that he had personally arranged medical treatment in Italy for the young man from Elbasan who suffered an eye injury during protests. He also secured an air ambulance to transport the youth to what he described as Italy’s best hospital. Rama warned that …

Read More
News

Foreign Tourists Stop at Prime Minister’s Office Amid Protests

Foreign tourists visiting Tirana have encountered unusual scenes in the capital in recent days. A group of visitors stopped outside the Prime Minister’s Office, where stone chairs and tables now stand following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s invitation to protesters. The tourists sat down and took photos. “Welcome to Tirana, and …

Read More
News

Rama: Violence Cannot Force My Resignation; I Will Defend Albania’s Future

Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Sunday that citizens had every right to demand his resignation and protest against the government, but no one could force him from office through violence. He made the remarks while presenting a new legislative package against urban violence. Rama defended the package, saying it …

Read More
News

Rama Unveils Law on Protest Damage, Sets Fines of Up to 500,000 Lek

Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a new law on Sunday that would require individuals to pay for damage they cause during public gatherings. The law sets fines of up to 500,000 lek for people who remain at violent protests after police warn them to leave. Rama said the law follows …

Read More
News

Hoxha Urges Presheva Valley Albanians to Vote in Large Numbers

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha on Sunday urged Albanians in Serbia’s Presheva Valley to turn out in large numbers for the country’s snap parliamentary elections. Hoxha described voting as a fundamental democratic right and an opportunity for citizens to make their voices heard. He stressed that every …

Read More
News

Skënderbeu Beat Partizani 2-0 as Laçi Edge Vora in Superiore

Skënderbeu defeated Partizani 2-0 in the eighth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore on Friday, deepening the capital club’s crisis. Meanwhile, Laçi secured a narrow 1-0 win over Vora. The Korçë side broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Totre converted a penalty. Dejvid Janaqi sealed the victory in the …

Read More
News

Rama Unveils Package Against Violence and Urban Anarchy: Peaceful Protest Is Protected, Violence Is Punished, and Those Responsible Must Pay for the Damage

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a new legislative package aimed at combating violence and urban anarchy, a day after Saturday’s protest in Tirana, which was marked by clashes, Molotov cocktail attacks on institutions, and damage to public and private property. Rama stressed that the package is based on the …

Read More
News

Rama Explains Measures Against Violence: Fines of Up to 500,000 Lek for Those Who Remain at Violent Gatherings, Parents to Pay for Minors Over 14

Prime Minister Edi Rama, while presenting the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy, outlined the six instruments included in the package, focusing particularly on compensation for affected businesses and financial liability for damage caused during public gatherings. Rama stressed that the main principle of the package is that …

Read More
News

Rama: Those Calling for My Resignation Are Mistaken if They Think They Can Impose It Through Violence

Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that the new legislative package against violence and urban anarchy does not undermine citizens’ freedoms and rights, stressing that protesting and opposing the government are rights that must be guaranteed. Rama said he is willing to listen to citizens who have objections to the …

Read More
News
A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia

Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …

News
Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges

Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …

News
NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty

Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …

News
Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

News
Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

News
“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

News
President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

News
Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

News
American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

News
Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …

News

A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia

Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …

News

Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges

Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …

News

NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty

Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …

News

Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

News

Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

News

“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

News

President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

News

Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

News

American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

News

Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …