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Backlog reduction tool / Wisner to the court: Your work is fantastic, you need to take tougher steps

The US embassy’s chargé d’affaires, David Wisner, praised the work done with the justice reform but added that it is necessary to take more difficult steps. As the new national strategy for backlog cases in the courts is being presented, Winser said that more cooperation between the government and institutions …

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New national strategy/Backlog cases in courts, Manja: KLJ, government of independent justice

The Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja, says that the new strategy presented by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (HCJ) for the backlogged cases in the courts, is a strategy that brings institutions together in order to judge pending cases for citizens. During his speech at the activity organized by …

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SPAK sends for trial the former mayor of the Municipality of Patos, Rajmonda Balili and 6 other officials

The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has sent for trial the former mayor of Patos and 6 other officials, accused of violating equality in tenders. From SPAK’s investigations, it turns out that the former mayor and the members of the bid evaluation committee in cooperation between them have favored contrary to …

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Illegal migration, Foreign UK Secretary Cameron, to visit Albania

Lord David Cameron will visit Tirana on May 22. The British Foreign Secretary will hold meetings with Prime Minister Rama, President Begaj and Foreign Minister Hasani, to discuss cooperation relations between the two countries. The focus will again be on stopping illegal immigration, almost two years after reaching the agreement …

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Mayor Veliaj meets the Albanian community in Japan

The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, concluded his visit to Japan with a meeting with the Albanian community in Tokyo. While publishing photos from the meeting, Mayor Veliaj underlines the key role played by the Albanian community there in strengthening the connection between the two countries. “At the end of …

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Seven criminal groups attacked by SPAK, 12 murders discovered

Seven criminal groups were part of the Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) in Albania. During the investigation, SPAK informed that was destroyed the criminal activity in some cities of the country. Before the court are 12 people arrested within the SPAK operation. The lawyers have asked for time to familiarize …

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Operation by SPAK, a businessman arrested in Shkodra

Abc News learns that the businessman from Velipoja, Mir Bruli, was arrested during the SPAK operation. Initially, there are suspicions that the Shkodran businessman is involved in various criminal activities. Mir Bruli is the owner of several hotel businesses in the Velipoja area. He is known as a relative of …

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Durrës/ Aleks Marku is sentenced to prison for holding two children hostage

40-year-old Aleks Marku was sentenced to prison. Aleks Marku is charged with three criminal offences, possession of weapons without a permit, disruption of public peace and destruction of property. The 40-year-old was arrested after the intervention of the RENEA forces, after holding two minor children hostage in an apartment in …

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Rapid Intervention Force, RENEA and Police action in several cities, control at the house of Vis Martinaj’s rivals

The forces RENEA, FNSH and Operationalja during the early hours of Friday morning are carrying out a massive action, which is spread in Tirana, Vlora, Lezhë, Durrës, Fushë Krujë, Nikël and Kurbin. ABC News reporter, Ervin Leka, reports that checks were also made at the residence of the father of …

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SPAK issues over 40 arrest warrants

ABC News learns new details about the massive national action taken by the State Police, FNSH, RENEA and the Operational Forces. ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that over 40 arrest warrants have been issued by SPAK in several cities of the country, including Tirana, Lezha, Vlora and Durrës. It …

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EU Enlargement Report Criticises Serbia, Hails Montenegro’s Progress

Tough European Commission report takes Serbian democratic backsliding to task – while saying Montenegro will probably be the first among the current candidate countries to join the EU. Original post Here

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Oligarchy, Governance, and Justice in the Eyes of Citizens’ Expectations

By Zef Preçi The recent decision of Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption (SPAK) to formally indict Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku on charges related to abuse of office and corruption has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Balluku widely regarded as the government’s second-in-command and …

News
Drug Shortages, Delays and Debts: Breast Cancer Treatment in Albania

Delays and drug shortages in the public healthcare system force hundreds of Albanian women every year to seek expensive, private treatment for breast cancer. Original post Here

News
The Sound of Freedom: Why MTV was Beloved in the Balkans

MTV is shutting down its European music video channels, which were once symbols of freedom for many young people in the Balkans and the former Eastern Bloc. Lida Hujic had a front-row seat when the channel was at its peak. Original post Here

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Fatos Nano, Albania’s Reformist Prime Minister, Dies at 73

Tirana, October 31, 2025  Former Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the reformist leader who transformed the country’s Communist Party into a modern European-style Socialist Party and who steered Albania through several of its most turbulent post-communist years, has died at the age of 73. Nano  a figure at once admired, …

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Constitutional Court Overturns Dismissal: Veliaj Formally Reinstated as Tirana Mayor

Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him from office and invalidating President Bajram Begaj’s decree for early elections in Tirana. With a 5–3 vote, the Court decided that Veliaj  who has been in pre-trial detention for nine …

News
Albania Constitutional Court Overturns Decision Sacking Tirana Mayor

Country’s top court rules in favour of ousted Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj regarding his dismissal – also cancelling fresh elections for a replacement for Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges. Original post Here

News
Commemorating the Restoration of China’s Legitimate Seat at the United Nations, Preserving and Advancing the Traditional China–Albania Friendship

— Article by the Chinese Ambassador to Albania, Pang Chunxue On 25 October 1971, at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognizing the representatives …

News
US Academic Challenges National Narratives with Study of Race in Albania

In her new book based on her travels in Albania, Black American academic Chelsi West Ohueri looks at how people in the country see race and ethnicity – and the racial divides between Albanians and the marginalised Roma minority. Original post Here

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 3, 2025

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

EU Enlargement Report Criticises Serbia, Hails Montenegro’s Progress

Tough European Commission report takes Serbian democratic backsliding to task – while saying Montenegro will probably be the first among the current candidate countries to join the EU. Original post Here

News

Oligarchy, Governance, and Justice in the Eyes of Citizens’ Expectations

By Zef Preçi The recent decision of Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption (SPAK) to formally indict Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku on charges related to abuse of office and corruption has sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Balluku widely regarded as the government’s second-in-command and …

News

Drug Shortages, Delays and Debts: Breast Cancer Treatment in Albania

Delays and drug shortages in the public healthcare system force hundreds of Albanian women every year to seek expensive, private treatment for breast cancer. Original post Here

News

The Sound of Freedom: Why MTV was Beloved in the Balkans

MTV is shutting down its European music video channels, which were once symbols of freedom for many young people in the Balkans and the former Eastern Bloc. Lida Hujic had a front-row seat when the channel was at its peak. Original post Here

News

Fatos Nano, Albania’s Reformist Prime Minister, Dies at 73

Tirana, October 31, 2025  Former Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the reformist leader who transformed the country’s Communist Party into a modern European-style Socialist Party and who steered Albania through several of its most turbulent post-communist years, has died at the age of 73. Nano  a figure at once admired, …

News

Constitutional Court Overturns Dismissal: Veliaj Formally Reinstated as Tirana Mayor

Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him from office and invalidating President Bajram Begaj’s decree for early elections in Tirana. With a 5–3 vote, the Court decided that Veliaj  who has been in pre-trial detention for nine …

News

Albania Constitutional Court Overturns Decision Sacking Tirana Mayor

Country’s top court rules in favour of ousted Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj regarding his dismissal – also cancelling fresh elections for a replacement for Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges. Original post Here

News

Commemorating the Restoration of China’s Legitimate Seat at the United Nations, Preserving and Advancing the Traditional China–Albania Friendship

— Article by the Chinese Ambassador to Albania, Pang Chunxue On 25 October 1971, at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognizing the representatives …

News

US Academic Challenges National Narratives with Study of Race in Albania

In her new book based on her travels in Albania, Black American academic Chelsi West Ohueri looks at how people in the country see race and ethnicity – and the racial divides between Albanians and the marginalised Roma minority. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 3, 2025

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