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Woman involved in ex-Kukes mayor’s sex scandal left in house arrest

Special Court against Corruption (GJKKO) has rejected this Wednesday the request for a milder security measure against Alma Kaçi. The 40-year-old woman who was involved in the sexual scandal with the former mayor of Kukes, Safet Gjici, was requesting a change in measure from “house arrest” to mandatory appearance, but …

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Çuçi: Parliament has an important role in Albania’s negotiations with the EU

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Bledi Çuçi, this Wednesday in a press conference gave details about the priorities they have in the new parliamentary session. In his speech, Çuçi stated that Integration remains the main priority of the Socialist Party this parliamentary session, where he …

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The average salary increases, unemployment decreases

Despite the problems, the labor market has continued to show positive progress. INSTAT statistics show that salaries have followed the upward trend, influenced especially by the government’s decision to change the level of salaries in the administration. Compared to the same quarter last year, the average gross salary for the …

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The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana eased the charges against Rraja

The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana changed the charge against members of the Rraja tribe in relation to the violence against the cousins ​​Bilbil and Jashar Maja because the medical-legal expertise determined that the injuries sustained are classified as light and without consequences for life. The serious event took place at …

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Singer denies intention to distribute after getting caught with drug

Famous singer Ruenca Haxhiaj, known by the stage name Enca, has been arrested by the police for cultivating narcotic plants. Following arrest, the singer said that she is a user and has it for personal use. On the porch of her apartment on the outskirts of the capital, 5 pots …

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Rama inaugurate the new road that connects Fushe Kruje-Kamez

Prime Minister Edi Rama this Tuesday morning announced the opening of the national road that connects Fushë Kruje – Kamez with Rinas. Rama, through a post on the social network Facebook, writes that this road will give another access to the movement of vehicles in the direction of “Mother Teresa” …

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The new ministers are sworn in before the president

This Tuesday, the new government ministers were sworn in before the president of the republic, Bajram Begaj, after voting the day before in the parliament, and will head to their offices for the start of their new duties. All the ministers who were voted by the Assembly the day before …

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Young man arrested in Tirana 13 years after committing murder

A 36-year-old man was arrested this Tuesday in Kamez area of Tirana after moving around with a firearm. Erind Mrruku, previously convicted of murder and possession of weapons without a permit, was detained for inspection, but a pistol with cartridges ready for firing, a comb and combat ammunition were found …

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Young woman arrested, her mother prosecuted for violating elderly

A 27-year-old woman was arrested by the Durres police and her mother was prosecuted this Tuesday after being accused of violating their elderly neighbor. According to the police, the incident took place in neighborhood No. 1, where the mother and daughter, for weak motives, hit their 78-year-old neighbor with a …

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The candidates for the Supreme Judicial Council are announced

The Supreme Court announces the candidacies for the vacant seats in the Supreme Judicial Council. Full Notice: After verifying the fulfillment of the legal conditions of the candidates who have expressed interest in being elected members of the High Judicial Council, according to the provisions of Article 7, points 2 …

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Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News
Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News
NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News
Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News
Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News
Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News
Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

NATO Summit in The Hague Reaffirms Alliance Unity

Tirana announced as host city for 2027 NATO Summit The Hague, June 25, 2025 — NATO leaders convened today in The Hague for a pivotal summit that reaffirmed the Alliance’s unity amid intensifying global security threats and adopted a transformative new commitment to defense investment, resilience, and innovation. In a …

News

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania. Original post Here

News

Albania Aligns Firmly with U.S. in Iran Standoff, Reflecting Decades-Long Strategic Alliance

June 23, 2025 – Tirana Albania has expressed unequivocal support for the United States following its militar.y strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran, marking a rare moment of bipartisan consensus among the ruling Socialist majority and the opposition Democratic Party. Prime Minister Edi Rama and former Prime Minister …

News

Iran Hacks Tirana Municipality in Retaliation Over MEK

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania  20 June, 2025— A sophisticated Iranian cyber group has claimed responsibility for a major attack on the official website of Tirana Municipality, disabling online services and disrupting the city’s public registration system for kindergartens and nurseries, authorities confirmed Friday. The hacking group “Homeland Justice,” believed …

News

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

The Israel – Iran conflict in our perspective

by Genc Pollo President of the Pan-Europe Albania   Former Minister and MP 18 June 2025 In the Albanian public debate on the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, a prevailing notion has been the contrast between Israel, a democracy where state power is under constitutional constraints and accountable to …