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Arrested RENEA officer involved in heroin trafficking

New details have come to light this Wednesday regarding the arrest of RENEA operative Altin Morina, who yesterday was caught in his car with 113,000 EUR, 290,000 new ALL and 80 GBP. Morina is suspected of being involved in the trafficking of heroin and cocaine, with criminal groups in Tirana, …

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Albania’s ‘Wild River’ Vjosa Declared a National Park

After years of campaigning by environmentalists, Albania’s Culture Minister Mirela Kumbaro declared that the free-flowing River Vjosa and the land around it are now a national park and protected by law. Original post Here

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Manastirliu at the UN: Albania advances in digital services and towards improving the status of women in society

The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu, is participating in the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women that is conducting its work at the United Nations Organization in New York. During her speech at the UN, Minister Manastirliu emphasized the progress that Albania has …

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President’s message for summer day

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj has congratulated this Tuesday the Albanian citizens on Summer Day. Through the social networks, Begaj wished that the season, with its colors and warmth, will be a source of renewal for every Albanian! “Happy summer day! I wish that the season, with its colors …

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PM Rama congratulates Albanians for Summer Day

Prime Minister Edi Rama has congratulated all Albanian citizens this Tuesday on the occasion of Summer Day. Through a post on social networks, the head of the government wrote: “Good morning and with the pleasure that the leaves are finally blooming, I wish you a March 14 with good feet …

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Rama goes to Elbasan for Summer Day delebrations

Prime Minister Edi Rama has chosen to go to Elbasan this Tuesday, on the occasion of the Summer Day holiday. During his visit there, PM Rama saw some of the activities organized in the city center and met with many citizens. The head of the government, accompanied by the Minister …

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Tirana, man arrested for stabbing two citizens

Two young men have been stabbed, while a 28-year-old has been remanded into custody this Tuesday in Tirana. Official sources from the police informed that the 28-year-old citizen with the initials R.H. has been put behind bars, while the proceedings have been launched against the 42-year-old with the initials B.S. …

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Russian Blogger Arrested for Spying Seeks Asylum in Albania

Svetlana Timofeeva, the Russian blogger arrested in Albania in 2022 for spying, has requested asylum in the country – saying she fears persecution if she is extradited to Russia, where she faces similar charges. Original post Here

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Rama: We must continue with the constant increase of wages

Prime Minister Edi Rama has attended this Monday the presentation of the strategy for the municipality of Tirana, saying that the time has come for greater cooperation between the government and private businesses regarding this matter. In his speech, Rama stated that the government has done everything possible to increase …

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The government declares Vjosa a National Park, Kumbaro: The water and coastal surface of the river is protected

The last wild river in Europe, the Vjosa has been officially declared a National Park. The decision taken today during the meeting of the Council of Ministers was announced by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mirela Kumbaro, who emphasized that the total area declared National Park is 12,727 hectares. …

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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 …

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

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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 …

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 …