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Tirana, eight arrested on illegal gambling charges

Eight people were arrested in Tirana as part of the police operation coded “Last bet”. They were put in handcuffs after exercising the illegal activity of placing sports bets, through mobile devices. Arrested are Oligert Rozani, Fatjon Spahiu, Ergys Shollo, Bledar Mici, Alban Balliu, Nexhmedin Tola, Ilion Mile and Olsi …

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Tirana receives B-40 presidency

Tirana officially received this Tuesday the Presidency of the largest Network of Balkan cities, B-40. At the summit held in the capital, where mayors and delegations from 54 Balkan cities participated, the head of the Municipality of Tirana, Erion Veliaj said that this is the time for cooperation like never …

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Focus on education”/ Rama: The average salary for teachers will be 950 euros

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared that focusing on education is vital for our country. During his speech at the activity “National Program of Professional Development of Teachers”, Rama said that the figure of the teacher should be strengthened and given strength, motivation and ability to face what time brings before …

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TNT blast recorded in Tirana notary office

A small amount of explosives exploded on “Perlat Rexhepi” street, in Tirana and as a result the facade of a notary’s office was damaged. Law enforcement revealed that this event took place at around 4:10 in the morning, while the investigative group is working to clarify the circumstances of the …

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Former deputy , Fatmir Kumbaro, dies at age 76

Fatmir Kumbaro has passed away. Kumbaro closed his eyes forever at the age of 76. Kumbaro was a deputy of the Socialist Party as well as director of the Albanian Radio and Television. Also, Kumbaro held the position of ambassador of Albania in North Macedonia. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original …

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Three injured in Gjirokastra car crash

A car accident was registered evening on the road axis Ura e Kardhiqit-Gjirokastër. Two vehicles were involved in the accident. 2 drivers and a passenger were injured in the collision. The three injured are receiving medical help at the hospital. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post Here

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The agreement for immigrants/ Constitutional Court continues the review after the lawsuit filed by the opposition

The Constitutional Court continues on Monday the next session related to the review of the agreement for immigrants with Italy, which the opposition describes as unconstitutional. Journalist Erneta Shevroja reported that the opposition wants the Constitutional Court to turn to the human rights court for an opinion. “Today’s session is …

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SPAK closes investigations for the 17 defendants for smuggling emigrants toward EU

The Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime in Tirana has completed preliminary investigations for criminal proceedings no. 121 of 2021, for the criminal offenses of “Computer Fraud”, to the detriment of several persons, in cooperation in the form of a structured criminal group, “Creation of the structured criminal …

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Beleri banned from swearing in as Himara’s mayor

Appeal of the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has not given permission to Fredi Beler to be sworn in as mayor of Himara. Request was reviewed this Monday, where the court decided to dismiss his request to be sworn in before the municipal council. A few days …

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Man who kept family locked left for 20 days in prison

Tirana Court has ordered a 20-day prison term for 35-year-old Jetnor Zhaboli, who kept his mother, wife and two minor children locked inside their apartment for months. Prosecutor’s office changed its position, where it initially requested the security measure “arrest in prison” and then requested 30 days. His lawyers asked …

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Albanian Parliament Under Cyberattack Linked to Iran

Tirana Times, March 10, 2026 – A cyberattack targeting Albania’s Parliament has revived one of the country’s most serious national security concerns, underscoring the return of a threat that Albanian institutions have come to associate with Iran linked retaliation. The breach, confirmed by Parliament on Tuesday, involved unauthorized access to …

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Belinda Balluku: Albanian PM’s Loyal Ally at Centre of Political Firestorm

The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here

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Parliament Blocks Arrest Bid for Former Deputy Prime Minister Balluku

Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …

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Albanian Ruling Party Refuses to Support Lifting of Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 9, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Do the Balkans really want EU membership?

By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …

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Marx on the Beach

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …

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Week in Review: Friends, Foes and Chocolate Thieves

From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here

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The Biblical Dog and our chances for full EU membership 

by Genc Pollo Let’s start with the dog. “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly,” says the Old Testament (Proverbs 26:11), offering a blunt metaphor for stupidity and the stubborn repetition of mistakes. That proverbial dog may be the right analogy for Prime Minister Edi …

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Albania Must Not Mirror Serbia’s EU Rejection

By Augustin Palokaj Tirana Times, March 03 2026 – EU enlargement does not lack ideas; it lacks political will. That is why the recent joint opinion piece by Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, published in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, is troubling not so …

News

Albanian Parliament Under Cyberattack Linked to Iran

Tirana Times, March 10, 2026 – A cyberattack targeting Albania’s Parliament has revived one of the country’s most serious national security concerns, underscoring the return of a threat that Albanian institutions have come to associate with Iran linked retaliation. The breach, confirmed by Parliament on Tuesday, involved unauthorized access to …

News

Belinda Balluku: Albanian PM’s Loyal Ally at Centre of Political Firestorm

The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here

News

Parliament Blocks Arrest Bid for Former Deputy Prime Minister Balluku

Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …

News

Albanian Ruling Party Refuses to Support Lifting of Former Deputy PM’s Immunity

Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 9, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Do the Balkans really want EU membership?

By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …

News

Marx on the Beach

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …

News

Week in Review: Friends, Foes and Chocolate Thieves

From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here

News

The Biblical Dog and our chances for full EU membership 

by Genc Pollo Let’s start with the dog. “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly,” says the Old Testament (Proverbs 26:11), offering a blunt metaphor for stupidity and the stubborn repetition of mistakes. That proverbial dog may be the right analogy for Prime Minister Edi …

News

Albania Must Not Mirror Serbia’s EU Rejection

By Augustin Palokaj Tirana Times, March 03 2026 – EU enlargement does not lack ideas; it lacks political will. That is why the recent joint opinion piece by Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, published in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, is troubling not so …