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Tirana, 2 police officers arrested for corruption

Two police officers have been arrested in Tirana for corruption.  The officers were caught while taking 100 euros from a driver, in order to avoid his punishment with a fine for violating the traffic rules. During the control carried out against the two officers, an amount of money was found, …

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Russian symbols on the cars of the Kosovo Police and KFOR

While Serbs continues to gathers in the north of the country, the letter “Z” has been marked on the cars of the Kosovo Police and those of KFOR, Putin’s symbol in the war of conquest in Ukraine. Also, masked people were seen among the Serbian protesters today, for whom the …

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Përparim Kalo talks poetry at event marking publication of ‘Eja’

Perparim Kalo talks poetry at event marking publication of ‘Eja’ The Tirana Times Library has hosted an event to mark the publication of a new book with poetry translated by Përparim Kalo into Albanian, “Eja”.  Mr. Kalo, one of Albania’s top lawyers and a former Constitutional Court judge, has a …

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The ‘Big Brother’ Factor: How Reality TV Winner Aided Albanian Socialists’ Election Victory

The winner of the popular reality show gave ruling Socialist politicians vital visibility just ahead of the country’s local elections. Original post Here

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Fear of tensions in the north/ KFOR and Kosovo police surround the municipality of Zveçan

The situation in the north of Kosovo seems to be more tense than ever before. After a calm yesterday, Serbian citizens are expected to protest again today. ABC News journalist, Linda Karadaku from Zveçani reports that KFOR military police and Kosovo police have surrounded the municipality building. KFOR stands in …

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North Kosovo/ Police: Situation under control

The Kosovo police announced that they are managing the situation created by the Serb protests in the north, while saying that the protesters have shown violence. In a statement addressed to the media, the Police said that in Leposavic, Zubin-Potok and in Zveçan, protests are taking place, until in front …

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Albania sees unprecedented tourism boom ahead of high season  

TIRANA, May 29, 2023 – If you are noticing a far larger number of foreign visitors around Tirana these days, you are not alone: Albania is seeing a record number this spring and is set to have the busiest tourism year ever, according to official state data and hospitality industry …

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Ksamil, speedboat operator punished for lacking documents

The Border Police are following the controls along the coastline in the South of the country. Another craft has been stranded, bringing their number to seven. It is known that the driver of the boat was punished with an administrative measure of 10,000 ALL,  as he did not have the …

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Yuri Kim starts the farewell tour in Tropoja: “When I am with you, I feel I am with my own family”

Ambassador Yuri Kim visited Tropoja to begin the process of bidding farewell as she completes her assignment in Albania. During her visit to Bajram Curri, she met with local citizens, expressing her gratitude and fondness for Tropoja as one of her favorite places in Albania. Noting her family roots in …

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Dibra man arrested for domestic violence, hunting rifle seized

A 46-year-old man in Diber was arrested, after he abused his wife and 17-year-old son. It is known that he threatened couples with a gun that he would kill them. So, it is reported that everything started for reasons of jealousy. As material evidence, the double shotgun with which the …

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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

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 …

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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 …