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Rama wishes the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. In a post on Facebook, next to a photo with the image of Ibrahim Rugova in the background, Rama writes: “Happy Independence Kosovo”. Earlier, President Begaj and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani conveyed messages on this important day for Albanians. …

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Ruben Saraiva denies the murder of Nikulaj: I was a tourist in Albania

Journalist Gjergj Figuri has given more details about what Ruben Saraiva testified before Portuguese prosecutors, arrested for the murder of businessman Ardian Nikulaj in Shengjin in April of last year. He refused to cooperate with justice and denied being involved in the incident. “We expected the decision of Sarajevo because …

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Kosovo celebrates 16 years of independence

Today, Kosovo celebrates the 16th anniversary of Independence. On February 17, 2008, in an extraordinary meeting attended by 109 deputies, the Assembly declared Kosovo an independent, sovereign and democratic state. The state flag of Kosovo was unfurled on the day of the declaration of independence in the solemn session of …

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Peleshi at the meeting of the ministers of NATO countries: Determined to fulfill the obligations to the Alliance

The Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, participated in the two-day meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the NATO countries, which was held in Brussels. During his speech, Peleshi emphasized Albania’s determination to fulfill its obligations towards the Alliance. One of these obligations is the increase in the level of …

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New justice institutions to courageously take on impunity

The US Embassy to Tirana unveiled parts of the meeting that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken had during his visit to Albania with justice leaders. “Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the United States’ enduring commitment to Albania’s justice reform during a meeting with justice leaders yesterday. Though …

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A 22 year-old stabbed in Shkodra

A 22-year-old Armandio Gjoka was stabbed with a knife by another person, after a fight for weak motives. It is learned that the injury occurred in the “Skenderbeg” neighborhood. The police have identified the perpetrator, who is been declared wanted. Meanwhile, the young boy is out of danger. /abcnews.al   …

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Over 1000 police officers on alert during Blinken’s Vvsit to Tirana

The Albanian State Police took security measures ahead of the official visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Tirana on Thursday. Around 1500 police officers will be on terrain during Blinken’s visit. 400 of them will be by the Guards of Republic while the others from the …

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Rama: EU more aware of the importance of the Western Balkans

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared from Brussels that the European Union is more aware of the importance of the Western Balkans. In a joint media conference, with Oliver Ropke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Vera Jourova, Delegated Vice-President of the European Commission of Values ​​and Transparency …

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The gambling bill is approved with 72 votes in favor

The gambling bill was approved this Thursday in the plenary session in the Assembly with 72 votes in favor and two abstentions. The MPs who abstained were Erion Braçe and Fatmir Xhafaj. Lulzim Basha was also present in the meeting with the group of deputies who support him. /abcnews.al […] …

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US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, arrives in Tirana

The American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has arrived in Tirana. The plane in which Blinken was traveling landed at the “Mother Teresa” airport at around 11:12. Blinken was hosted at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani. As part of this visit, measures have also been …

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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 …

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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 …

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 …