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Earthquake in Turkey, react president Begaj

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has expressed his condolences for the lives lost by the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this Monday. “Deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria this morning. I and the Albanians stand by the people affected and the …

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Albanian Embassy in Ankara: There are currently no Albanians injured!

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Olta Xhaçka, expressed her condolences for the lives lost in Turkey and Syria as a result of the devastating earthquake. She emphasized that the prayers of the Albanians are for the Turkish people and that our country will stand by the …

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Albania sends rescue team to the affected areas after the quake in Turkey

Albania will send a rescue team to the areas affected by the tragic earthquake in Turkey. The news was announced by the head of the government, Edi Rama, through a post on Twitter, where he expresses his condolences for the lives lost by the powerful earthquake in Turkey. Deeply saddened …

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The Siberian cold “grips” the country, temperatures drop to -10°C

The Siberian cold that has gripped the country is expected to mark the turning point at the weekend. In a direct link to ABC News meteorology, Lajda Porja from MeteoAlb said that the country will go through a week of low temperatures, while rains will give way to frosts. Also, …

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Alarm among Villagers, Environmentalists over Hydro Plan in Albania

On a visit to northeastern Albania late last month, Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed complaints about his government’s plan to build a new hydropower plant on the country’s biggest river, the Drin. Original post Here

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6 kg drugs seized in Tirana, 4 people arrested

A criminal group that carried out criminal activity in the field of distribution in quantities and doses of strong drugs heroin and cocaine was hit in Tirana, while 4 people were arrested. As part of the coded police operation “Pandora’s Box”, after a several-week investigation with proactive methods, 6 kg …

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Arrested for abuse of duty, doctors released

The court of Tirana has released the doctor and technician of the imaging service at QSUT (Mother Teresa Hospital), who were taking bribes from patients to do scans. The court has ordered suspension from duty for three months. Nazmi Metaliu and Astrit Mansaku were arrested on charges of corruption and …

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Rama shares images of works in Llogara tunnel

Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Saturday morning with a view from the newly opened Llogara tunnel. He published a video from the tunnel on social networks and wished all the citizens a good weekend. “GOOD MORNING. And with these exclusive footages along the entire length of the newly opened …

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Three Charges against former official, Alda Klosi

The prosecution has filed three charges against Alda Klosi. The police arrested Alda Klosi on the evening of Friday, February 3, after it is suspected that in December, more than 120 thousand euros and 30 thousand dollars were stolen from Rozeta Dobi, who worked as a sanitary worker in Klosi’s …

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Traffic jam at border with N. Macedonia as system Hacked

Long queues of cars are reported at the Qafe Thana border crossing this Saturday since 6:00 am. The cause seems to be the malfunction of the system at the Macedonian Customs, which has caused delays. It is reported that this was a result of the hacking of the system on …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …