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Film Explores Myth of Albanian Women’s Freedom Under Communism

A new documentary explores how Albania’s Communist dictatorship made false claims that it was granting women rights in education and employment and used them for propaganda purposes. Original post Here

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Anniversary of the war, Rama message from Hiroshima

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is on an official visit to Japan for several days now, has started the day with a status on his Facebook social network for the anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Rama from Hiroshima says that the Ukrainian people have shown an unparalleled resistance. “The …

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Extension of detention time demanded for russian Spy

Svetlana Timofeeva has appeared this Friday in front of the court, this time at the request of the Prosecution, which requests the extension of detention’s term. Her defense has objected, as Timofeeva has passed the terms of detention and should have been released from prison. However, the Court of Elbasan …

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Tirana’s mayor invites citizens to demostrate in support of Ukraine

Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj has invited citizens this Friday to take part in the demonstration in support of the resistance of Ukrainian people on the first anniversary of the beginning of the Russian aggression. In a social networks statement, Veliaj declared that Tirana stands in solidarity with the right …

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NATO “lands” in Durres/ 4 warships anchor in the Port for detecting landmines

4 ships of the NATO forces have landed at the Port of Durres, as part of joint exercises. Turkish, Dutch and Italian military ships will assist in the search for military mines in the Gulf of Durres. They will stay for a few days, exchanging experience with our Navy and …

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March for Ukraine: One year since Russian aggression, Mayor Veliaj present

As part of the anniversary of the war in Ukraine, a march is being held in Tirana. Many citizens have left the Boulevard towards Tirana City Hall. Mayor Veliaj, the Ukrainian ambassador, ambassador Kim, minister Spiropali and other well-known figures are present at the march. Citizens are standing in front …

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Berisha closes the “revolution”, warns another protest on March 3

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha spoke to the media at the entrance of the “Blue Headquarters” after closing the protest in front of the parliament. He calls the scandal involving Prime Minister Rama a monstrous and anti-constitutional crime. “Crime against the prime minister or crime-minister, Edi Rama, has committed a …

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Car burned to bare metal at night in Korca

Mercedez-Benz” type vehicle owned by citizen Mateo Dersnik was engulfed in flames in the city of Korça on the first hours of this Thursday morning. The vehicle was parked near the house, while it is suspected the burning was intentional. On his part, the owner of the vehicle stated that …

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Democrat MPs seek annulment of parliament exclusion decision

MPs of the Democratic Party (PD) have demanded this Thursday the suspension of exemptions from plenary sessions, a decision taken by the Ethics Commission, after the last plenary session, where there were tensions and noise. Through a letter addressed to Speaker Nikolla, they have requested a meeting of the Bureau …

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“Albanian day in Tokyo”, Rama: A beautiful moment of the visit

Prime Minister Edi Rama continues his official visit to Japan. This morning he published photos from the meeting with the Albanian community in Japan, as well as with representatives of the state, entrepreneurship, culture and sports of this amazing and hospitable country. “Albanian Day in Tokyo was a beautiful moment …

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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 …

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 …