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In Ancient Warrior’s Footsteps: Albanian Villagers Help Reenact Hero Skanderbeg’s Wedding

Actors and locals in the Zadrima region in northern Albania reenacted the marriage of Albania’s medieval hero, George Kastriot ‘Scanderbeg’, in the grounds of an ancient church, drawing on the colourful traditions of the area. Original post Here

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More than 213,000 Albanians gained EU citizenship in past five years, EU data shows 

TIRANA, July 21, 2024 – People born in Albania are seeking and acquiring citizenships in EU member states at a level that is higher than any other country in the continent, and ranking third globally, data from a series of EU agencies shows.  In 2022 alone, about 50,000 Albanian citizens …

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EU agriculture funds for Albania suspended indefinitely following misuse investigation, ministry tells parliament 

TIRANA, July 21, 2024 – About 112 millions of euros aimed at helping Albanian farmers prepare for being part of the European Union have been suspended indefinitely due to prior misuse of the similar funds by Albanian government agencies, parliament learned this week.   The release of European funds under the …

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Arben Kaçorri, Ervis Martinaj’s brother-in-law arrested in Portugal

Arben Kaçorri, the brother-in-law of Ervis Martinaj, who was missing, is arrested in Lisbon. Portuguese media reports that he had been living for 11 years in a luxury mansion in Lisbon. Sentenced in Italy to almost 22 years in prison for murder, Kaçorri went unnoticed, never stopping his criminal activity. …

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A 45 year old, involved in the microcredit scandal kills himself

A serious event happen this Saturday morning in Tirana, where a 45-year-old man killed himself by jumping from the height of a building under construction. The victim is Olsi Ibro, who was involved in the microcredit scandal. Ibro has owned for a long period of time the company MCDA, which …

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The agreement for the immigrant-voting was reached

The dialogue group meeting for the diaspora vote ends. The representative of Reestablishment, Oerd Bylykbashi, has said that an agreement has been reached regarding the vote of immigrants, as only a few technical details remain. He emphasized that anyone from the Albanian emigrants living outside Albania has the right to …

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Accused for abuse of duty, Court accepts Vangjush Dako request for summary trial

The Special Court has accepted the request for summary judgment for the former mayor of Durres, Vangjush Dako, as well as for Fiqiri Farruk, Fatmir Ejupi and Adrian Bulku. While for Ferzilet Hajderi, Adnand Toccila, Diana Dedja, Bashkim Salillari and Hanza Reka, the request for ordinary trial and for the …

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Rama: Next year, the summit of the European Political Community will be held in Albania

Next year, Albania will host the Summit of the European Political Community. This is announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama, as he shared some images from the meeting that was held on Thursday in Great Britain. According to the head of the government, this shows the new position that the …

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Elderly found drowned at Koman lake

A lifeless body of an elderly man was found this Friday in Koman lake. The victim was later identified by police as the citizen K.GJ. 77-year-old who is suspected that drowned. The body was found by the residents of the area at 08:40 am. Although the reason of the death …

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Thumane, man arrested for drugs cultivation

A man 42-year-old was arrested this Friday morning in Thumana for drugs cultivations.  Police discovered near his house 248 cannabis plants. The arrested is the citizen A.M., who was immediately charged on accuse of drugs cultivation. The case was sent to Tirana Prosecution for following investigations. /abcnews.al […] Read More… …

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Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

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We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

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Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

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Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News
Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

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Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

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Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

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Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’

Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here

News

Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

News

We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News

Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

News

Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

News

Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’

Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here