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Tensions in Democratic Party leadership/ Basha: I distance myself from violence

Lulzim Basha, in a statement for the media, spoke about the tensions between the MPs and his supporters after the Democratic Party leadership meeting. Asked by journalists about the tensions, Basha said that there was no violence while adding that threats or fighting against different opinions are not his model. …

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Rama: I handed over to Macron and Scholz the confidential document for association

Prime Minister Edi Rama has considered the situation in North of Kosovo to be an alarming situation. At the press conference, Rama revealed that he has handed over to President Macron and Chancellor Scholz the document for the formation of the association, considering it as the Gordian knot between Kosovo …

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“The proposal for the Association”/ Rama: Contribution to continue the dialogue

Prime Minister Edi Rama says that his proposal for the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority in Kosovo is a contribution to continue the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. In a press conference from the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama stated that Kosovo and Serbia are not agreeing on the …

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Yuri Kim meets with the Director of the State Intelligence Service

The American ambassador, Yuri Kim, congratulated Vlora Hysen for the position as director of the Albanian Information Service. In a meeting they held today, the American diplomat and Hyseni talked about the importance of cooperation between Albania and the USA in national security. 1/2 @USAmbAlbania Yuri Kim today visited Vlora Hyseni, …

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Vangjush Dako denies all accusations for abuse of duty

The former mayor of Durres, Vangjush Dako, has denied the accusations of SPAK. Regarding the building that the prosecution says was granted permission in violation of the law, Dako told the court that he has no knowledge, and he doesn’t even know how many floors it has. Furthermore, he also …

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Op/Ed: Who are the parties for?

A series of concerts, celebrations and parties are springing up in Albania now that the local elections have wrapped up and the party in majority has clearly won them. In a process of expressing gratitude to the voters the Socialist Party is organizing a series of celebratory parties in addition …

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Violence outside the Democratic Party meeting, reacts Basha

The former leader of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, reacted after the debates and violence that happened the night before at the leadership meeting. Through a post on social networks, Basha writes that it was a constructive debate, where he emphasizes that it is a clear sign of a deep …

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Arrest of Dako, Ngjela: The legal issue is complicated

Lawyer Spartak Ngjela this Wednesday in an interview to “Tirana Live” commented on the arrest of the former mayor of Durrës, Vangjush Dako. In his speech, Ngjela stated that the issue of the arrest of the former mayor is complicated, since according to him, it should be examined in detail …

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Pretense for Mediu on June 22, court: Family members part of the process

The hearing session on the claim of the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, who is accused of abuse of office in the Gerdec explosion, has been postponed for the third time. According to the court’s decision, the next hearing for the former Minister of Defense will take place on …

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Tabaku resign as DP Deputy chair’s position

Jorida Tabaku resigned this Wednesday as vice president of the Democratic Party (DP), after refusing to take the command of this political entity. This decision came after the meeting of the leadership of the party, which was accompanied by debates, where it was decided that the elections for the new …

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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

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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

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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 …

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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

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …