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Albania will host Italy’s asylum seekers, Rama and Meloni announce  

TIRANA, Nov. 6, 2023 – In a surprise move at a Monday press conference in Rome, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have announced a bilateral agreement under which non-European asylum seekers that aim to reach the EU through Italy will be shipped to processing …

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Rama’s visit to Italy, hosted by Meloni

Prime Minister Edi Rama is on a visit to Italy. He, along with Minister Taulant Balla, Niko Peleshi and Igli Hasani, were hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome. Meanwhile, it is expected that they will have a joint press …

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Tirana youth arrested on drug charges

A 25-year-old man was arrested for selling narcotics in different areas of Tirana this Monday morning. During the “Qereka” operation, it was possible to seize 3.5 kg of cannabis, which is suspected to have been obtained by young F.B in Krujë. Court of First Instance of Tirana General Jurisdiction has …

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Democrat MP summoned by SPAK after clash with socialist

MP of the Democratic Party (DP), Bledion Nallbati, appeared on Monday morning at the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). Nallbati will give clarifications regarding the clash with the Socialist MP, Vullnet Sinaj. A few days ago, the report of the head of the SP Parliamentary Group arrived at the Special Prosecutor’s …

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Berisha “ignores” the court, does not go to SPAK

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha did not obey the court, as this Monday, at 10:00 a.m., he would have to appear at SPAK, regarding the “Partizani” file.  ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that Berisha did not appear. “Today is actually the first Monday of the month where Mr. Berisha …

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Kamza’ Mayor appears at SPAK on corruption charges

Mayor of Kamza, Rakip Suli, went this Monday to the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK), regarding the accusation of corruption and violation of equality in tenders. In this summoning, Suli thus responds to the second call from SPAK. While entering the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Suli …

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Opposition MPs climbed through windows to enter assembly offices

Opposition MPs that have been excluded from the work of the Assembly for several days, were not allowed to enter the headship building this Monday. This caused tensions with the guard who blocked the door to prevent their entry. Deputy Flamur Noka managed to overcome the railings and enter the …

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Electricians’ salaries to increase as of November

Deputy Prime Minister, at the same time Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, has revealed Monday that as of this month, the new salary system for OSHEE employees comes into force. During her speech, she revealed that this increase will be made according to sectors, starting with electricians, technicians, …

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Scrap metal collection point engulfed by flames

A fire has engulfed a surface of the scrap collection point in the Metalurgjik area in Elbasan this Monday. Abcnews reported that the fire was spotted by the fire brigade. Firefighters are working to extinguish the flames. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post Here

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First in Europe, Albania ranks third globally in tourism growth – UNWTO report

TIRANA, Nov. 6 – The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has revealed that Albania secured the third position globally in terms of tourism sector growth during the first seven months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2019.  The latest data from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer underscored …

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Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

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As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

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Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

News
Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

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We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News
Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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
Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News
Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News
Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News

Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News

As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

News

Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

News

Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

News

We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here