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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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Three teens injured in Saranda car accident

An accident was recorded late on Tuesday evening in Saranda, where three teenagers were injured.  Vehicle they were traveling in, went off the road and they ended up in the stream and were immediately transported to the Saranda hospital. On its part, the Police blocked the vehicle, which is suspected …

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“Temple” operation, 3 arrested in Tirana

Three people have been arrested following the police anti-drug operation codenamed “Temple”. Bruno Xhaferaj, Agron Mema and Rediol Mekolli, were caught on “Papa John Paul II” street, with 310 doses of cocaine ready for sale. Doses of cocaine were seized together with 5 mobile phones. From the verifications carried out, …

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Albania requests Turkey to extradite Dritan Rexhepi

Albania sent this Wednesday a request to Turkey for the extradition of Dritan Rexhepi, who was arrested a week ago in Istanbul. “The Ministry of Justice informs you that today, on 22.11.2023, it forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be sent to the Ministry of Justice of Turkey, …

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Names of arrested by SPAK order in Tirana operation revealed

The names of 11 persons for whom a security measure was issued by order of SPAK are released. One of the most wanted is the emir of Ervin Mata, who is thought to be outside Albania. He is accused of being a structured criminal group, drug trafficking and carrying out …

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Interior Minister welcomes operation for former police official’s arrest

Interior Minister, Taulant Balla has reacted this Tuesday regarding the action carried out on Monday by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK), where arrest warrants were issued for the former director of Tirana Police and 10 other people, while the son has been declared wanted. Through a post on …

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TNT blast recorded in Tirana’s Lapraka area

A blast was recorded this Tuesday morning in a business in Lapraka around 04.50, on “Dritan Hoxha” street. From the preliminary data, there are suspicions that a quantity of explosive material exploded and as a result of the explosion, the windows of a nearby business were damaged. On its part, …

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Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

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Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

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Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

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Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News
Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News
Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News
Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here