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US Embassy’s message on democratic parliament group’s head clashes

US Embassy to Tirana has underlined this Thursday that they believe that functional democratic institutions, including an opposition, are vital for any healthy democracy, when it comes to the clashes in the Democratic Party about the head of the DP parliamentary group. In a reaction for the local media, the …

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Elbasan incinerator case, Special Court to make decision on october

Special Court held this Thursday the next session regardig the two defendants in the Elbasan incinerator, where it decided to postpone the decision to October 5. According to the information, a defense session was held in court this Thursday for two companies which are represented by two lawyers who performed …

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Verbal “war” with Russia/ Frrok Çupi: What Rama testified in his speech

Albania for the first time led a high-level meeting of the UN Security Council, which focused on Russian aggression in Ukraine. At the beginning of the session, the Russian ambassador responded to the leader of the meeting, the prime minister of Albania, Edi Rama, asking not to give the right …

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Residents evacuated as flames engulf Durres residential building

Tenth floor of a building in the city of Durres was engulfed in flames late on Wednesday evening.  Authorities reacted in time, making it possible to immediately evacuate the residents, who fortunately were not injured by the fire. However, the event happened in district no. 4, near the train station. …

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‘Temple’ operation, young man arrested on drugs charges in Tirana

A 29-year-old man was arrested this Thursday after being declared wanted on drugs charges as part of the “Temple” operation, taking the number of detainees in the capital to 94. During this operation, 10 kilograms of cannabis, 3.7 kg of cocaine, 150 doses of heroin, 1 firearm and 12 vehicles …

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Albania launches 2023 Census following delays, challenges

TIRANA, Sept. 18, 2023 – Albania has officially commenced its 2023 Population and Housing Census, organized by the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT).  The data collection process in the field will employ direct interviews and electronic tablets and is set to last six weeks, with preliminary results expected in June …

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The chairmanship of the Security Council from Albania also helps Kosovo

According to the former ambassador of Albania to the UN, Xenofon Krisafi, who was invited to “Tirana Live”, the presence of Albania, a member and leader of the Security Council, undoubtedly serves the image of Albania, but also all Albanians everywhere. According to him, it is the duty of the …

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SPAK submits the claim for the Dimal municipality file

The special prosecution requests a total of 13 years in prison for 3 former municipal officials and 2 representatives of a private firm. They are accused of corruption, abuse of duty and exercise of illegal influence. Specifically: Arben Guraj 4 years in prison/ 2 years and 8 months in prison, …

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Elections chief: Parliament constitutionally obligated to grant diaspora distance-voting rights by year’s end

TIRANA, Sept. 20, 2023 – Ilirjan Celibashi, the  head of Albania’s Central Election Commission (CEC), says the country’s parliament must provide a solution to the issue of Albanian citizens being able to vote from abroad by December as per the recent decision of Albania’s highest court.  In a press conference …

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Albania’s exports hit hard by currency strength

TIRANA, Sept. 20, 2023 – Albania’s exports saw a sharp decline of almost 22 percent year-on-year, according to the latest official data, with exporters blaming the local currency’s strength making Albanian products more expensive in the EU market.  In August 2023, the value of exported goods reached 27 billion leks …

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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

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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 …

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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

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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 …