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Hospital autonomy, Manastirliu: Doctors can do consultations outside ordinary working hours

The Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu, after the end of the government meeting this Thursday, announced the decisions that were approved by the Council of Ministers. Manastirliu has stated that the reform for hospital autonomy that supports professionals in these hospital systems has been approved. With this decision, doctors have …

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Kosovo declares “Civil Defense” and “Northern Brigade” terrorist organizations

The Government of Kosovo has declared the “Civil Defense” and the “Northern Brigade”, organizations that operate in the northern part of the country, inhabited by a Serbian majority, as terrorist organizations, saying that they are responsible for recent tensions in this area. “Based on the assessments of the security institutions …

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Murder of Pjerin Xhuvani in Elbasan/ The prosecution demands 25 years in prison for Arber Paplekaj

The Prosecutor’s Office requested 25 years in prison for Arber Paplekaj, who was arrested for the murder of Pjerin Xhuvani in Elbasan. The event took place in April 2021 in Elbasan, 4 days before the April 2021 parliamentary elections, where the main accused is former RENEA official, Arber Paplekaj. The …

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European Council supports Rama’s idea for an international conference for Kosovo and Serbia

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, supported the idea of ​​an international conference for Kosovo and Serbia, with the aim of reducing tensions between them. Michel made the comments on the eve of an EU summit, which takes place today and tomorrow in Brussels. “I want to say …

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Nearly 5500 cannabis plants destroyed in Lezha

20th phase of the “Imazhi” anti-cannabis mega-operation has seen conducted this Wednesday in Lezha, thanks to whichit became possible to seize 5490 cannabis sativa narcotic plants. Police revealed that these narcotic plants were found cultivated on the ground, in 4 different villages of the Lezhë and Kurbin district, while 1,200 …

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Drug charges, Albanian declared innocent after 15 years in italian prison

An Albanian has been declared innocent after being arrested for drug trafficking in Italy 15 years ago. Italian media reported that the 41-year-old Albanian was arrested in September 2008 by the Guardia di Finanza, accused of involvement in drug trafficking, along with three other Albanians. According to the theory of …

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Rama wished to all muslim believers Happy Eid al-Adha

Prime Minister Rama has started this Wednesday with a greeting to all Muslim believers in Albania and everywhere in the world, who celebrate one of their most important holidays. This congratulatory message by the Head of Government came after thousands of believers in Tirana and other cities of the country …

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Man arrested for Tirana exchange shop’s robbery

Enio Mecaj, a 35-year-old resident of Fier, has been arrested by the Tirana police and another person is wanted who is suspected of being the author of the robbery of an exchange point in Tirana. According to the police, it has been learned that a person has been handcuffed because …

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Beleri letter to Himara from cell: I was prevented from taking the duty. I still believe in the power of truth

Fredi Beleri addressed a letter from the cell to Himara, while today the Municipal Council is constituted, resulting from the May 14 elections. We remind you that a day ago the Special Court rejected the request of Fredi Beleri, who asked to go this Tuesday before the Municipal Council and …

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SPAK issues 20 arrest warrants, 14 arrested

By order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, 14 people were arrested, accused of drug trafficking.  The operation is still ongoing and it is learned that 20 orders have been issued. It is learned that the operation was carried out in cooperation with Italian authorities, in several cities such as Tirana, …

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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 …