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Special appellate reviews imprisoned ex-chief of op police’s release request

Appellate of Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime is reviewing this Tuesday the appeal against the arrest measures for the six arrested in the “Metamorfoza” operation. This session started at 10:00 a.m., as the arrested persons requested a lighter security measure than that of prison arrest. It is about …

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Rama: Albania to make 30,000 tons of sea products by 2024

30.000 tons of sea products are expected to be achieved within a year from aquaculture, Prime Minister Edi Rama declared Monday. In his social media statement, PM Rama underlined that marine products with floating baskets continue to grow, adding that the aim is to export from Europe to Japan. “Aquaculture …

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Bled Forum in Slovenia, Rama: I do not believe that in 2030 we will be part of the EU

This Monday, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, is part of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, where he gave his message regarding the future of the Western Balkans and our country in this regard. In his speech, Rama expressed that in 2030 he does not believe that they …

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Tourists flux, interior minister meets borders police officers

The Minister of the Interior, Taulant Balla, held a meeting with the structures of the State Police at the Hani i Hotit Border Crossing Point in Shkoder. In his speech, Balla congratulated the blue uniforms for the work done for the smooth running of the tourist season and the influx …

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Tirana man arrested for guns, drugs possession

A 40-year-old man has been arrested this Monday by Tirana Police on the charges of dealing narcotics and carrying weapons without a permit. According to the police, within the coded operation “Brryli”, it was possible to arrest the 40-year-old man, whose hard drugs, firearms, cold weapons and illegal items were …

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Durres, teen arrested after crashing pedestrian to death

A 19-year-old man has been arrested this Monday by Durres police for the criminal offense “Violation of traffic rules”, resulting in the death of a person. According to the police, the young man accidentally killed a 50-year-old pedestrian while he was walking with a ‘Benz’ type vehicle in neighborhood no. …

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SP convenes the National Assembly on September 4

The Assembly of the Socialist Party will meet next Monday, September 4. The high forum of the SP will decide on the reorganization of the party in this political season, but the reformation of the government by Prime Minister Rama is also expected to be announced there. According to the …

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Wanted Shkodra man arrested for drugs cultivation

A 33-year-old man who was declared wanted on the charges of drugs cultivation has been arrested by the Police of Shkodra this Monday. Investigations have found that 33-year-old Lazer Curri, previously convicted of cultivating narcotic plants, is the author of cultivating 245 cannabis plants, destroyed on August 9. Narcotic plants …

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Two italian tourists injured in Gjirokaster-Sarande road accident

An accident has been recorded this Monday on the Gjirokastra-Saranda road segment near the “Bistrica 2” power plant. A vehicle collided with a motorbike, as a result of which two tourists were injured. The “Volkswagen” vehicle, driven by 22-year-old Orest Zhgabi, collided with the “Dayang” type engine, driven by Italian …

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Editorial: Latest Tirana-Athens spat is bad for both Albania and Greece

TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL A wave of political commentary and debate has recently erupted in Albania, especially coming from sources that are always ready to declare Greece an enemy of Albania. Unfortunately, these pseudo-patriotic and pseudo-nationalist commentators often dominate the public opinion space.  Always ready to make conspiracy theory links, some …

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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

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 …