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Tirana, young man arrested on drug charges

A 28-year-old man has been handcuffed this Tuesday by the police in Tirana in the framework of “Tempulli” operation, bringing the number of those arrested to 97. His arrest was made possible on “Vangjush Furxhi” street after the court ordered “Arrest in prison” for “Production and sale of narcotics”. Previously, …

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Man arrested in Tirana for embezzling money through fraud

A 54-year-old man has been arrested this Tuesday in Tirana, during the police operation coded “Mandati”. Police revealed that this citizen through fraud, by presenting suspected forged documents, has appropriated different sums of money from different businessmen. Documents were seized as material evidence, which the 54-year-old used for the fraud …

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Dead body found in Velipoja shore

A dead body was found Monday morning on the coast of Rrjolli in Velipoja. According to the police, the body belongs to a 70-year-old man from Tirana, who went fishing yesterday with his friends. From the investigations, it is suspected that this citizen died as a result of cardiac arrest. …

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Three arrested in Elbasan anti-drug operation

Elbasan police have arrested three citizens as part of the anti-drug operation “Porosia”, as announced this Monday morning. During the operation, about 22 kg of suspected narcotic substance cannabis sativa, 2 shotguns and military ammunition were seized, which were found during the search in the apartment of the wanted citizen …

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15 minors questioned after Korca child’s injuring

Police interrogated 15 minors between the ages of 13 and 15, regarding the wounding of the 14-year-old yesterday in Korça. Based on the available information, the group of those involved was large, the individual criminal responsibility for none of those involved has not yet been determined. Questioning of the minors …

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Two notorious young thieves arrested in Divjaka

Two young men have been arrested by the police in Divjaka for theft. The two arrested persons, aged 19 and 25, have violently stolen the gold jewelry that she had in the apartment from an elderly woman. The incident took place in the village of Saint Friday and it was …

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Three HJC members to be elected out of five judges

High Judicial Council (HJC) will elect this Monday 3 judges, who will be its members for 5 years. HJC members, whose term ends in December are two in the ranks of the Court of First Instance, Marçela Shehu and Brikena Ukperaj, and Dritan Hallunaj is leaving the ranks of the …

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School security package, Minister Balla appeals to students: No one should have to be crime victim

Interior Minister Taulant Balla visited the secondary school of Mamurras where he saw closely the implementation of the measures for the School Safety Package and the issues. The mayor of Kurbini explained details about the measures taken to implement the security package in schools, as well as other issues related …

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Foreign Ministry’s appeal to Albanians living in Israel after fight

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania (AMFA) has issued this Sunday an important announcement for Albanian citizens living in Israel. In its Ministry states that Ben Gurion International Airport is open and has also made available a phone number and email to contact in case of need. Announcement by the …

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Fier prosecution launched probe into lack of payment for footwar factory employees

Prosecutor’s Office of Fier reacted this Sunday regarding the protest of the employees of a garment factory in this city, which took place on Saturday in front of the building of this institution. They demand that the report they made to the owners of the company for not receiving salaries …

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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News
Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

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Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

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Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

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One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

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“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”

Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …

News
Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe

Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here

News
Forum of Alumni from Saudi Universities in the Balkans

Saudi Ambassador  Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025,  The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …

News

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News

Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News

One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

News

“Wherever I travel, Greece wounds me.”

Ὅπου κι ἂν ταξιδέψω, ἡ Ἑλλάδα μὲ πληγώνει. Jerina Zaloshnja This is what Giorgos Seferis wrote — and thus, before I even truly knew who Seferis was, I began to love Greece. That verse — simple, clear, ablaze with love and pain — was, for me, once a gateway to …

News

Digital Rights Review: AI-Driven Violations Go Unchecked in South-East Europe

Across south-east Europe last month, BIRN’s digital rights monitors documented how AI is being used for protest surveillance, election manipulation, enabling digital sexual abuse and committing fraud, sparking calls for urgent action. Original post Here

News

Forum of Alumni from Saudi Universities in the Balkans

Saudi Ambassador  Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, Highlights Kingdom’s Commitment to Global Educational Ties through Balkan Alumni Gathering Tirana Times Sunday, July 6, 2025,  The Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania Faisal Ghazi  Ismail Hifzi, announced that on Monday, July 7, Tirana will …