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Rama: Albania, advanced European legislation for minorities

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking about the new population and housing census, said that he is proud of the fact that our country has integrated minorities. He emphasized that Albania has the most advanced European legislation regarding minorities and that no one can lecture him on this matter. “I am very …

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Soreca considers Albania’s census as ‘important to EU path’

Chargé d’affaires of the diplomatic corps of the EU in Albania, former ambassador Luigi Soreca, declared this Wednesday to the media that he feels privileged to have returned to the country. During the conference together with the head of the government, about the census and registration of housing, Soreca said …

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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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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 …

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 …