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Albania Seizes Liberia-Registered Ship Carrying Suspected Russian Oil

Albanian police on Monday seized a Liberian-registered ship carrying some 22,500 tons of petroleum near Durres and arrested the crew, suspecting the oil is from Russia. Original post Here

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Chaos in the Assembly, is requested the expulsion of 6 DP deputies

Seven deputies of the Socialist Party have requested the exclusion from the plenary sessions and committee work for a group of deputies from the ranks of the Democratic Party. It is about deputies Elda Hoti, Sorina Koti, Oerd Bylykbashi, Lindita Metaliaj, Gerta Bardeli and Edmond Spahon. They ask the speaker …

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The government will make their own passports, EU for ABC News: Apply strong security standards, key to the visa-free regime

As the government prepares to produce Albanian passports itself, a reaction comes from the EU delegation in Tirana. In response to ABC News’ interest in this matter, the EU delegation says it expects to be informed by the Albanian authorities about the security standards that will be applied to the …

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Over 20,000 tons of russian diesel busted in Durres port

A ship with a Liberian flag, which was transporting 22,500 tons of diesel with forged documentation, which was going to be smuggled in Albania, has been blocked this Monday in Durres Port. From the first investigative actions, it is suspected that this oil shipment was taken from countries with an …

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The Constitutional Court is expected to choose its president today

After the failure of two rounds, the Constitutional Court is expected to hold the third round of voting today to elect its head. In the competition are Fiona Papajorgji, Marjana Semini and Holta Zaçaj. None of the candidates in the first two rounds received the majority of legal votes, out …

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New head of constitutional court elected

Holta Zacaj has been elected this Monday morning as new president of the Constitutional Court. For this position expressed interest 3 judges: Fiona Papajorgji; Marjana Semini; Holta Zacaj. After the failure of two previous election rounds, Zacaj was elected with 5 votes in favor. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post …

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Ex-official Klosi to remain in prison on money laundering charges

Former official Alda Klosi, will continue to stay in prison, as in this Monday’s hearing, the Court of Appeal of the General Jurisdiction, it was decided to leave in force the measure of “arrest in prison”, in absenta. Alda Klosi asked for a milder security measure than prison, on the …

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Rama will pay an official visit to Japan

Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, will pay an official visit to Tokyo, Japan, from February 21 to 25, within the framework of the 42nd anniversary of the official establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Albania and Japan. During his official visit to Tokyo, Prime Minister Rama will hold a series …

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New details over domestic murder in Maliq

The serious incident that happened yesterday afternoon in the village of Zvezdë in Maliqi has been clarified. It is known that Shefki Bylykbashi has been arrested, as the suspected author of the murder of his son, Hamdi Bylykbashi. According to the police, initially his family members stated that the victim, …

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Manastirliu: We are proud of the medical staff and the investments made in the hospital of Korca

The Minister of Health, Ogerta Manastirliu together with the mayor of Korça, Sotiraq Filo, visited today the Regional Hospital of Korça, where they saw the latest investments. She has announced that these years they have invested in increasing technology and equipment in the hospital of Korça, more specifically in imaging …

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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 …

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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 …