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15 arrested, over 50 drivers’ licenses suspended in Tirana for breaking traffic rules

State Police have conducted checks in Tirana, where last week they arrested and prosecuted 15 people for driving while drunk or without a license. Based on the released data, 56 licenses were suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol, for speeding beyond the permitted rates and for other violations …

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Himara, young men busted with 1500 cannabis doses

Two young men have been put in handcuffs Monday by the police of Himara, after being caught with drugs. Detainees are citizens with initials O. B., 33 years old and L. H., 32 years old, both residents of Tirana. During the physical check and the check in the camper that …

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Kadilli: This opposition cannot be an alternative for Albanians

The former candidate for president of the Democratic Party, Fatbardh Kadilli, declared that today’s opposition is not an alternative for Albanians. In an interview with ABC News, Kadilli said that the opposition has become a refuge of despair and not of hope. “This opposition can no longer be an alternative …

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Amid renewed migration spike, Albanians lead EU’s deportation and refusal of entry lists, according Eurostat

TIRANA, May 8, 2023 – Citizens of Albania led the list of people who were found to have broken EU member states’ migration rules and were consequently deported in 2022 as well as ranked second among those denied entry into the EU, according to the latest data published by the …

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Albanian PM’s Local Arbitration Plan Pointless, say Experts

Edi Rama says arbitration in future will be a matter for a local Albanian court, but experts say there is no escaping the role of international settlement bodies if the country wants to attract foreign investors. Original post Here

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A man arrested for murder after nearly 30 years on the run

A 45-year-old man was arrested by the police this Monday in the port of Vlora, after being convicted and wanted for murder. Citizen Edmond Panaori stabbed to death citizen G. S. in the village of Mbers in Fier in 1996. Panaori was declared wanted after the Prosecution at the Fier …

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Opens the new public market of Farka, Krifca: Guarantees the best prices for the consumer

The new public market of Farka is opened. The Minister of Agriculture, Frida Krifca, said during her speech that the new market is another safe step towards the development of agriculture. The minister added that the market offers high food safety standards as well as provides cheaper prices for the …

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Puka’s mayor claims socialist supporters were threatened with gunshots ahead of polls

Gunshots were heard in the early hours of this Saturday morning in Puka, claims the Mayor of this Municipality, Gjon Gjonaj.  In a social media statement, Gjonaj stated that unidentified persons have threatened supporters of the Socialist Party (SP) and while leaving, they have fired firearms in the air. Furthermore, …

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Coronation of the King, ABC News in London: Citizens are divided for and against Charles III

This Saturday, the coronation ceremony of King Charles III was held in the United Kingdom. The journalist of ABC News, Isida Muço, reported from London that the atmosphere does not feel the same as there are places where the citizens have continued normally with their plans, putting interest in the …

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Begaj meets King Charles III and Prince William

As part of the participation in the reception given by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III and Queen Camilla for the Heads of States who are participating in the ceremonies of their coronation on the Royal Throne. President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, met and talked with King …

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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

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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 …