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Law Commission approves the “criminal amnesty”, it will be voted on in the Assembly on Thursday

The Laws Commission, after discussions, decided to approve the amnesty and forwarded it to the plenary session of this Thursday for a vote. Enkelejd Alibeaj left the meeting claiming that the proposals of the Democratic Party were not accepted. The SP invited Alibeaj, on Thursday in the plenary session, to …

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In Albania visit, Blinken says bond between two countries strong as security int’l challenges grow 

TIRANA, Feb. 15, 2024 – In an eight-hour visit to Tirana, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reaffirmed the strength of the United States’ relations with Albania, which he said is a key partner for stability in the Western Balkans and a firm ally at the international level — …

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Prime Minister Rama travels to Turkey

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Ankara, Turkey, where he will be hosted by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prime Minister Rama’s first stop will be at Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish …

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Blinken thanks Albania for giving refuge of those in need

The US State Secretary, Antony Blinken, commented this Tuesday his first official visit to Albania. In a comment to ‘Instagram’, Blinken said that, last week he did his first trip as Secretary to Albania, a longstanding U.S. partner and NATO ally. “In Albania, I discussed our support for its path …

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McGonigal sentenced to 28 months in prison for concealing contacts with Albanian officials

TIRANA, Feb. 17, 2024 – The federal court in Washington has sentenced former FBI official Charles McGonigal to 28 months in prison for “serious breach of public trust” regarding the $225,000 he received from Albanian-American Agron Neza and failure to disclose contacts with officials in Albania, including Prime Minister Edi …

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Explosion at the gate of a house in Vora

An explosion happen in the early hours of this Monday morning. According to the police, the incident happened in Marikaj, Vore. A small amount of explosives exploded at the gate of a citizien’s yard. As a resul, material damage is reported. So the investigative group is working to clarify the …

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Attempted murder, hostage-taking and being part of criminal gangs, 5 criminal are extradited

Intensive and parallel cooperation with European counterparts finalized the extradition procedures for 5 citizens accused by the authorities in Albania and Italy. Among those extradited is Arjan Shehu, sentenced by the GjKKO, to 5 years and 4 months in prison, for the criminal offense of “Aiding illegal border crossing”, committed …

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Online violence and blackmail, Balla hosts a meeting with the director of “Tik Tok”

Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with TikTok’s Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Central and Eastern Europe, Jakub Olek. After this meeting, Balla underlined that it is urgent to pay more attention to the control of posts in the Albanian language. He also emphasizes that the Ministry of …

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“Rama-Meloni Agreement and Criminal Amnesty” on Thursday for voting

The Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party met today. During this meeting, the agenda for the new week in the Assembly was discussed. In the speech addressed to the deputies of the majority, Çuçi said that in the session of Thursday, two agreements and two draft laws will be voted …

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Hasani wishes Kosovo’s independence

Happy Independence Day, Kosovo! Today, we celebrate the freedom and sovereignty of Kosovo, but we also humble ourselves for the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of our brothers and sisters for a democratic, safe and prosperous Kosovo. Albania has been, is and will always be by Kosovo’s side and support and …

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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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

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

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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 …

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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 …