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War in Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 7 Albanians return to their homeland, among them a minor

Through a flight from Tel Aviv to Skopje coordinated by the Republic of North Macedonia, 7 Albanian citizens have arrived, among them a minor. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that after arriving in Skopje, they headed towards Albania to the cities where they live and reside. “The Ministry for …

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The Berlin Process in Tirana, 1,604 officers deployed for the security of the summit

The General Director of the State Police, Sokol Bizhga, has presented the plan of measures undertaken for the smooth running of security for the Berlin summit, which will be held on Monday in Tirana. He emphasized that some roads will be blocked while nearby businesses will also remain closed. Bizhga …

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SPAK aeizes assets of Albanian drug trafficker

The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has decided to seize the assets of Erjet Strefi, who is accused of being part of a criminal group based in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Six are the seized assets, which include a two-story villa in …

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Foreign Minister discusses Israel conflict with Saudi Arabia counterpart

Foreign Minister Igli Hasani had a phone call with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, where they reportedly discussed the latest developments in Israel and the war. During the phone call, the two sides talked about international efforts related to this issue, to ensure the lives of …

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Kosovo youths injured in Thumana car crash

A serious accident was reported on Friday morning on the Fushë Krujë-Thumana road segment.  a  vehicle driven by a Kosovo Albanian collided with the Thumana roundabout barriers. As a result, the driver and the passenger, also a Kosovar Albanian, were injured.  The two injured have been sent for medical help …

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PM thanks national team’s players for victory in Albania-Czechia match

Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Friday with a congratulatory statement for the national team’s triumph during the match with the Czech Republic, where the Albanian team achieved a 3-0 score. In a social media post, the head of the government has also published a photo of Albania’s ranking in …

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General Prosecutor: Obstacles can only be overcome by standing together

Prosecutor General, Olsian Çela delivered this Friday his speech at the High Prosecutorial Council (HPC), where the 3 new members will be elected this Friday, noting that Albania needs magistrates who are independent from anyone. In his statement at the HPC, Çela said that the prosecutors are going through a …

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Soreca: Western Balkan’s european integration on top of Tirana’s Berlin Process Summit

Ambassador of the European Union in Albania, Luigi Soreca declared Friday that the integration of the Western Balkans in the bloc will be at the top of the political agenda at the summit of the Berlin Process, which will take place on October 16 in Tirana. During a conference regarding …

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Tabaku notes ‘parliaments must have key role in integration process

Chairwoman of the Commission for European Affairs, Jorida Tabaku, emphasized Friday that parliaments should have a key role in the integration process. In her speech at the conference on “The Role of Parliament in the Berlin Process”, Tabaku added that this process should move beyond paper and be more practical …

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Operation against migrant smuggling, 19 arrest warrants issued

An extensive operation in many cities has recently been carried out by the State Police, where sources for ABC confirm that there are about 19 arrest warrants issued by the Prosecutor’s Office. The operation in question is related to the strike in the field of illegal trafficking of immigrants who …

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Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

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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

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 …

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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

Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. 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 …