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The master of humour, Zef Deda, passed away at the age of 73

Zef Deda passed away at the age of 73 years old. Deda, has stood out with his roles in theater and cinematography, passed away this Friday in Shkoder, after a serious illness, from which he had been suffering for a long time. Zef Deda was born in Shkodër on July …

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Rama: Albania owes Diaspora a lot

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared Thursday that no country owes the Diaspora as much as Albania. During his speech at the Third Summit of the Diaspora in Tirana, Rama said that the effort and belief that with the Diaspora, we can raise Albania and the Albanians, where they have never …

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Seven prosecuted for jewelery smuggling in Tirana

Seven people were prosecuted this Thursday morning in Tirana as part of the police operation coded “Second Hand”. These persons were prosecuted, because jewelry such as pendants, bracelets, rings, with the inscription “Pandora”, which they did not justify with customs and tax invoices, and suspected smuggling, were found in their …

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Head of Saranda’s INUV arrested for abuse of duty

Director of Local Urban Construction Inspectorate (INUV) in the Municipality of Saranda, Nasip Hoxha was arrested this Thursday. According to the local media, Hoxha has been put in handcuffs, after being accused of abuse of office. His arrest was carried out by order of the prosecutor Besjana Sadikaj. Hoxha took …

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SPAK operation, Erzen Brecani appears today before court

The Special Court has postponed by one hour the hearing for the confirmation of the security measure for the four arrested within the SPAK operation related to some interceptions on the Sky application. Journalist Ervin Leka said that the session has been postponed so that the lawyers can familiarize themselves …

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Begaj calls for ensuring Albanian Diaspora’s votes

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj declared this Thursday that the diaspora is an extension of culture and identity of the Albanian state. During his speech at the Third Diaspora Summit, Begaj said that Albanian citizens living abroad should have the right to vote from where they live. “Albania is …

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Hasani: Diaspora, irreplaceable role in advancing the national cause

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, stated that the Diaspora has an irreplaceable role in the advancement of the national cause. Hasani gave the statement during his speech at the Third Diaspora Summit in Tirana. According to him, the summit takes place at a moment when we Albanians, more …

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Critics say majority has shut opposition out of parliamentary oversight

TIRANA, Nov. 23, 2023 – Albania’s Parliament, controlled by the ruling Socialist Party, approved the 2023 state budget this week in less than two minutes and without any discussion amid chaotic scenes that saw opposition MPs lit up stadium flares and overthrow chairs in an attempt to disrupt the proceedings.   …

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Rama to NATO: To co-finance the naval base in Porto Romano

Prime Minister Edi Rama delivered his speech during the joint press conference in Skopje, with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, the President of Croatia, the Prime Minister of Montenegro and the Prime Minister of Slovenia. Rama said that Albania’s request for co-financing …

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Fredi Beleri’s trial has been postponed again

Fredi Beleri’s trial has been postponed. Journalist Ermal Vija told for ABC that the witness Abdyl Rama, brother of Arsen Rama, associate of justice, has not been found. Meanwhile, the next session will be held on December 5 at 15:00. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post Here

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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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 …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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 …