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Parliament speaker’s congratulatory message for Eid al-Fitr

Speaker of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, wishes the Muslim believers on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.  On the social networks, Nikolla wrote that Albania is a big family, regardless of faith. “After the dedication of the sacrifices of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, spiritual growth, prayers, forgiveness, reflections, …

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Gjirokaster, man arrested for stealing jewellery in a house

46-year-old, resident of Berat, has been arrested this Friday after stealing valuables off a house in the Dropulli area of Gjirokastra. Police revealed that the arrested is the citizen with initials A.M, previously convicted for the same criminal offense. Nine watches, 13 pendants, 9 bracelets, a significant amount of money …

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Ramazan Rraja to remain in prison

The Special Court has left in prison Ramazan Rraja, who was arrested for the assassination of former prosecutor Arjan Ndoja and his friend, Aleksandër Laho. The session took place behind closed doors, while ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that Rraja has denied any connection to the event. Today, five …

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Tirana Mayor’s appeal on Eid al-Fitr day

Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj has called Friday for unity and love as he wished all Muslim believers a happy Eid al-Fitr. On the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, Veliaj said that today Tirana is more united than ever, while expressing the desire that the spirit of cooperation …

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Wanted Elbasan man caught on drugs, weapons charges

A 30-year-old wanted for narcotics and military ammunition was handcuffed by the Elbasan police this Friday. According to the police, the 30-year-old with the initials D.B. was declared wanted two years ago after the court of Elbasan had given the security measure “Arrest in prison, for the criminal offenses “Production …

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Albania Moves to Establish Local Arbitration Court to Replace ICSID

Despite warnings that it could deter investment, Albania is pushing ahead with plans to establish a local commercial court to replace the World Bank-funded international arbitration body. Original post Here

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PM’s congratulatory message on last day of Ramadan Month

Prime Minister Rama started this Thursday morning with a greeting for all Muslim believers, accompanying it with images of last night’s Iftar. Head of Government released this congratulatory message as today is the last day of the blessed month of Ramadan, which also means the last day that Muslim believers …

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Ibrahimaj: We approved several draft decisions on salary increases

Albanian government has approved the salary increase for some sectors, specifically in health, education and in the field of security. The Minister of Economy, Delina Ibrahimaj, said that the government made the decision to increase the salaries of support employees of the public administration. “We approved an important draft law, …

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Justice minister seeks solving of Lezha businessman’s assassination

Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja has underlined Thursday that the murder that happened on Wednesday in Lezha, where businessman Ardian Nikulaj was shot to death must be solved and the killer must be put to justice. After the government meeting regarding the salary increase, he was asked about the accusations …

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Tirana businessman kidnapped by brothers

Two brothers are accused of having taken hostage and violated businessman Gjergji Fela, 47 years old, on Wednesday evening in Tirana. Police announced this Thursday that 35-year-old Alban Bejo has been arrested and his 28-year-old brother Fatmir Bejo hasbeen declared wanted. Everything took place in Kombinat area of the capital, …

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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 …

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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 …

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 …