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Greek protests, 4 border crossing points from Albania to Greece closed until April 4

A protest called by the Greek trade unions has blocked traffic at all border points from Albania to Greece. As a result of a protest that will be held by Greek customs officers, the passage of vehicles will not be allowed from today until April 4 at the border crossing …

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Expensive brand watches and gold jewelry seized, three arrested in Durres

The Durrës police seized 18 expensive brand watches, various gold and silver jewelry, 25 2 euro coins, 1 wave blocker, 6 cell phones and 1 vehicle. As a result, as part of the “Accessories” operation, three people ended up in police custody: Eduart Selimi, the driver of the vehicle where …

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Anti-Disinformation Commission/ Çuçi: It is not a control, but if there is a violation of the law

The chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Bledi Çuçi, has stated that the commission against disinformation is not a control, but to see if there is a violation of the law. Asked by journalists, he said that all other Western countries and the European Parliament have set …

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Deadly crash near Albanian-Greek border puts spotlight on Balkan irregular migration route 

TIRANA, April 2, 2024 – Eight people died in the early hours of Tuesday in southern Albania, near the Greek border, as an Albanian driver speed up and fell into a ravine trying to avoid a police checkpoint because he was carrying seven non-European irregular migrants across Albania on their …

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Tragic accident, the car with immigrants falls on the side of Vjosa, 8 victims

8 people lost their lives, the Shkodran driver of the ‘Benz’ vehicle and 7 clandestine people, as a result of a serious accident on the Këlcyre-Përmet road axis. Sokol Ismeti, the driver of the Benz, tried to escape from the police and lost control, falling on the side of the …

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Today, 15 years since NATO membership

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, delivered today a message for the 15th anniversary of Albania’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We recall that on April 1, 2009, Albania became a full member of NATO. The full message of the President of the Republic: “April 1, 2009 …

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The murder of an 18-year old boy, 4 detained by the police

Four people have been detained in connection with the serious incident that took place in Tirana, where 18-year-old Aurelio Dervishi was the victim. The four arrested persons are suspected of being perpetrators involved in the incident. According to police information, among those arrested is the perpetrator who allegedly stabbed the …

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Arrested for drug trafficking, SPAK seizes property of relatives Gezim Cela

SPAK seizes 17 assets on behalf of Gezim Çela’s family members. Apartments worth over 400,000 euros, bank accounts and several cars were seized. Gezim Çela, also known as the drug lord, was arrested during an operation in Kosovo. Property of the type “Commercial Unit”, with an area of ​​237 m2, …

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SPAK sent to trial former Minister Beqaj and 8 others

The Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) closed investigations over sterilization concession. This prosecution sent to trial this Saturday former minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj and eight others accused for abuze. Beqaj is accused for duty abuse done in collaboration. While vice minister Klodian Rrjepaj and the businessman are accused for …

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A 19 year old arrested for smuggling emigrants

A 19-year-old resident of Podgorica was arrested by the Shkodra police after trying to cross five illegal immigrants to the border. According to the police, Tajson Boneshta was caught red-handed in the city of Shkodra while he was transporting immigrants from third countries with the “Volkswagen Polo” type vehicle. The …

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

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Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

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NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

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Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

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Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

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Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News
Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

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Korça Revives Historic Ties with France Through Culture and Vision

By Tirana Times  As the cobblestone streets of Korça echo with French music, scent of Alpine cuisine, and the laughter of children discovering animated French classics, the southeastern Albanian city reaffirms a timeless connection with France—one rooted in history, education, and enduring cultural admiration. From June 14 to 24, Korça …

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Albania’s Demographic Time Bomb: A Silent National Emergency

By Lutfi Dervishi For decades, the most pressing keywords in Albania’s political lexicon were democracy, corruption, and justice. Today, however, the most dangerous threat to the country’s future may lie elsewhere—hidden in plain sight and dangerously underdiscussed: demography. According to the most recent official census, Albania’s population stands at approximately …

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Korça Revives Historic Ties with France Through Culture and Vision

By Tirana Times  As the cobblestone streets of Korça echo with French music, scent of Alpine cuisine, and the laughter of children discovering animated French classics, the southeastern Albanian city reaffirms a timeless connection with France—one rooted in history, education, and enduring cultural admiration. From June 14 to 24, Korça …

News

Albania’s Demographic Time Bomb: A Silent National Emergency

By Lutfi Dervishi For decades, the most pressing keywords in Albania’s political lexicon were democracy, corruption, and justice. Today, however, the most dangerous threat to the country’s future may lie elsewhere—hidden in plain sight and dangerously underdiscussed: demography. According to the most recent official census, Albania’s population stands at approximately …