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Work suspended at Greece-Albania border

Greece has suspended work at the border points with Albania, and other neighboring countries since 09:00 this Tuesday. Installation of the new SIS system is being carried out simultaneously at all Greek border points, even at those with European Union states. Regarding the two customs points with Albania, Kakavijë and …

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Much-wanted Ervis Martinaj’s family appeals assets seizure decision

Family members of Ervis Martinaj appealed this Tuesday the decision of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), for the seizure of 34 of his assets, and requests their release. The appeal has been filed in the Appellate Instance of GJKKO, and it is expected that today the …

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Scholz in a conference with Rama: The Summit of Berlin process will be held on October 16 in Tirana

On October 16, Tirana will welcome the next summit of the Berlin Process. The news was given by German Chancellor Scholz in a conference with Prime Minister Rama. “I am happy to welcome Prime Minister Rama, the Western Balkans and its integration are very important to me. The Western Balkans …

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The departure of doctors and nurses in Germany, Rama: We will find a European way

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, while they were at a press conference after their meeting in Berlin, were asked by the journalist of ABC News, Esiona Konomi, about the phenomenon of the departure of doctors and nurses from Albania to Germany. Rama said that they have discussed …

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Stoltenberg with Begaj: NATO’s presence in Kosovo is successful, we support the dialogue

The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, said that the alliance’s presence in Kosovo has been successful. During the joint conference with the president of Albania, Bajram Begaj, he emphasized that the alliance is present in Kosovo, and that they support the path of dialogue for the full normalization of …

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Art in Quarantine: COVID-19 Brought Muses to Balkan Authors

Three years ago, Balkan countries were hit by a pandemic which cost many lives and created social disorders. But while it was a time of isolation for many, authors drew inspiration from the disaster. Original post Here

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Rama in Berlin, meeting with Scholz

The official visit of Prime Minister Rama and Chancellor Scholz to Berlin starts today at 11:00. It starts with a “one-on-one” meeting and will then expand with delegations. Rama is accompanied by the chief negotiator for EU integration, Majlinda Duka, and ministers Mirela Kumbaro and Frida Krifca, ABC News journalist …

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Court Ruling Further Complicates Albania Opposition Leadership Battle

After Friday’s court ruling failed to resolve who leads the biggest opposition party, both rival groups announced they will enter the next elections with their own candidates – deepening the divisions. Original post Here

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A 60-years old man dies in tractor accident

A serious event was recorded this Monday morning in the village of Dumberas in Gramsh. Citizen V.B, about 60 years old, driving the “Zetor” type agricultural vehicle, lost control and as a result overturned. As a result, the 60-year-old man died at the scene. In the meantime, the investigative team …

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Durres, member of criminal gang arrested

Wanted 34-year-old Denis Shahini has been arrested by the Police of Durres this Monday, as he turns out to be a member of a criminal group in this city. Shahini was declared wanted in 2021 for being involved in the field of narcotics, but also a number of other crimes. …

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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 …

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 …