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Shooting in Lezha, van driver injured

Driver of a van from Laçi was wounded in a shooting that took place this Saturday morning near the market of Lezha.  According to the journalist, Gjergj Figuri, the incident allegedly happened after a momentary conflict with another person. The author has been identified and wanted, but has not been …

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Young man dies in Saranda car accident

A serious accident happened at midnight on Saturday in Saranda, where 34-year-old Arlind Qendro, traveling with his vehicle, went off the road, colliding with the curb and then fell down. Based on the information, the serious incident happened at the entrance of the city near the “Panorama” Hotel.  As a …

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Fire guts 5th floor of building, a 57-year-old man died

A flat is included in Tirana. The incident happened around 02:50 on the fifth floor of a building on “Ferit Xhajko” street, where a 57-year-old man lost his life as a result. The causes of the fire are still unknown, while the investigative group is working to clarify the circumstances …

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“January 21, a state crime”, Rama: Investigation is the foundation for the new justice that has started to built

For Prime Minister Edi Rama, the investigation of the January 21 murders on the boulevard is the foundation for the new justice system. In a media conference, Rama said that until now the country’s highest authorities have prevented justice in the most brutal way from reacting and acting in real …

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Rama: The agreement with Italy for immigrants does not violate the Constitution, it is positive for Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama says that the agreement with Italy for immigrants does not violate the Constitution of Albania. In a press conference, Rama said that the agreement is positive for our country. Among other things, Rama underlined that for him it is not a problem if someone turns to …

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Elbasan young man’s assets worth EUR 200,000 seized

Two apartments and a service unit worth about 200 thousand euros were seized this Friday in the “Maji” neighborhood in Elbasan, as part of the police operation coded “Property”. According to preliminary information, the assets were seized with the suspicion that they have their source from the criminal activities of …

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Dead body found in fishing port of Durres

Dead body of a 42-year-old man from Tirana was found in the Fishing Port in Durrës this Friday morning. Based on the eye witness report, the victim was spotted by fishermen. According to the police, the victim has no signs of violence and is suspected to have accidentally drowned. Police …

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Shkodra youth arrested for dealing drugs

A 29-year-old man was arrested this Friday in Shkodër during the police mega-operation coded “Tempulli”. Francesk Malaj was selling doses of cannabis in different areas of the city of Shkodra, as he was caught by the police force in the “Dergut” neighborhood. During the inspection in this citizen’s apartment, another …

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SPAK seeks exclusion of judge Olldashi from session on Berisha

Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has submitted to the court the request for the dismissal of Judge Iliriana Olldashi, in the hearing for the termination of security measures for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Local media reports that the hearing on the request to cancel the two security measures for Berisha …

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Opposition proposes to found its federation

Leaders of the opposition parties held this Friday a press conference, where the chairman of the Republican Party (RP), Fatmir Mediu, declared that the opposition must rise to its responsibilities. During his speech, he said that they propose the institutionalization of the opposition federation. On his part, Chairman of the …

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Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

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Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

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Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

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Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News
Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News
Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy

Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here

News
Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell

Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

News

Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

News

Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

News

Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News

Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News

Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy

Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here

News

Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell

Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here