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Unfair Dismissal Cases Raise Concerns About Albanian Broadcaster’s Governance

Unusually large number of sackings at RTSH since a ruling party loyalist was appointed the new director last June prompts calls for a parliamentary investigation into the Albanian public broadcaster’s compliance with labour laws. Original post Here

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Rama in the NATO Summit in Washington with Minister Hasani

Prime Minister Edi Rama will be present at the NATO Summit in Washington, which will take place on July 9 and 10. Also participating in the NATO Summit, as a member of the delegation headed by Prime Minister Rama, will be the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani. …

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Vangjel Tavo, SP candidate in Himara

The Socialist Party has formalized its candidacy for the August 4 partial elections in Himare. The candidate for the pink seat will be Vangjel Tavo. A few days ago, the country’s president, Bajram Begaj, set August 4 for holding elections in Himara. Citizens in Himara will turn to the ballot …

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Eight arrested in Tirana for violence

Eight people have been arrested by the Tirana police for various criminal offences. A 43-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly punched his subordinate because of his duty. Another was arrested after he allegedly assaulted his wife and threatened her. A 25-year-old man was arrested after violating the “House Arrest” …

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A lecturer of Faculty of Economics is arrested for punching a colleague

The teacher of the Faculty of Economics, Mirdaim Axhami, was arrested by the Tirana police. It was the pedagogue Liljana Billa who filed a police report the day before against her colleague Mirdaim Axhami. During the report, she announced that they had a conflict inside the faculty’s premises, where Axxami …

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Albania Election Commission Scraps Himara Mayor-Elect Beleri’s Mandate

Albania’s Central Elections Commission on Friday declared the mandate of the convicted mayor-elect of Himara, Fredi Beleri, invalid – a decision that he may appeal within 30 days. Original post Here

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Himara towards the elections/ CEC: Fredi Beleri’s term is invalid!

Alfred Beleri loses his mandate as mayor of Himara. At this Friday’s meeting, the CEC decided to declare the mandate invalid The Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime found the elected mayor of Himara Municipality, Fredi Beleri, guilty of active corruption in the elections and sentenced him to 2 …

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Opening of Llogora tunnel on friday

Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared views from the Acrisa tunnel, which will be opened this Friday. In a Facebook post, the head of government says it’s a historic feat that will forever change the journey to the south. “Good morning and with the Llogara tunnel, one of the historical …

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The hearing session for former minister Ilir Beqaj is postponed

24 hours were not enough for the legal defenders of Ilir Beqaj to familiarize themselves with the file of the special prosecution for his arrest. In the session that started at 09:00, they asked for time to familiarize themselves with the file in question, which led to the postponement of …

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Beleri: “I know that the mandate as mayor is expired”

While the CEC is discussing Fredi Beleri’s mandate, he said that it is clear that his mandate as mayor of Himara has ended, but he does not want the elections to be held in August. He emphasized that as he came to the meeting of the CEC, he could now …

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Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …

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Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here

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Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …

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‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished

In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here

News
Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade

The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here

News
Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence

A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here

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Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here

News
Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial

TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …

News
UN Report Spotlights Mistreatment During Childbirth in Western Balkans

Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here

News
Albanian Parliament Votes Against Lifting Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here

News

Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …

News

Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here

News

Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …

News

‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished

In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here

News

Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade

The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here

News

Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence

A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here

News

Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial

TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …

News

UN Report Spotlights Mistreatment During Childbirth in Western Balkans

Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here

News

Albanian Parliament Votes Against Lifting Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here