Blerina Bala is elected the head of Himara Municipality
Blerina Bala is in charge of Himara Municipality. Bala was elected with the approval of the Municipal Council, after the arrest of Jorgo Goro, who resigned from the position of acting mayor. In addition to the councilors of the SP, the councilors of the “Together we win” coalition, of Berisha …
Special Appeal Court for corruption and organized crime orders SPAK to investigate former mayor of Kavaja, Elvis Roshi
The Special Court ordered the Special Prosecutor’s Office to withdraw the file against Elvis Roshi, the former mayor of Kavaja, and to continue investigations for abuse of duty, reports journalist Ermal Vija. In 2017, Rroshi was accused by KLSH of two abusive tenders worth 33 million ALL, but the Durres …
A 38 year old arrested for cultivating cannabis
One person has been put in handcuffs and another has been declared wanted in Shkodër, as part of the coded police operation “Luarza 1”. The arrested Naser Lohja and Pllumb Lohja, wanted, in the village of Liarzë, had planted cannabis sativa narcotic seeds and saplings in cubes, with the aim …
Dialogue group for ‘reforms’ meeting, criminal amnesty is discussed
After the agreement reached between the SP and Reestablishment, the dialogue group for ‘Reforms’ will meet for the first time this Monday. ABC News reporter Esiona Konomi reports that the dialogue group has 3 members from the majority and 3 from the opposition. Meanwhile, DP of Basha has refused to …
Allowed illegal constructions, 12 officials, police officers and owners condemned
Twelve people have been sentenced for allowing construction without a permit in Lushnje. ABC News reporter Valbona Davidhi reports that among those convicted are two chief inspectors and two inspectors of IKMT. Gjergji Mwhilli, Isa Buzi, Kudret Sulo and Xhezmi Zlali were sentenced to 4 months in prison. “We are …
Former mayor Fran Tuci, is released from prison
The former mayor of Fushe Arrezi Fran Tuci, convicted of abuse of duty, together with his two associates Durim Margjekaj and Ndoc Marku, is released from prison. Tuci has served the sentence of 1 year and 6 months with the time spent in custody. GJKKO accepted the request of the …
AIIS brings ‘A Concise History of Greece’ in Albanian, Tirana event launches book with author and Greek Embassy
TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – A launch event for the Albanian language edition of “A Concise History of Greece” has generated wide interest in the book, which brings a detailed overview of modern Greece’s political, economic and social developments to local readers. The latest edition of the book by renowned …
Reflecting renewed emigration wave, remittances to Albania reached record high in 2023
TIRANA, March 28, 2024 – Money sent home by Albanians working abroad saw a significant increase in 2023, reaching the highest historical level since 2008, according to the latest data reported by Albania’s central bank. Remittances were almost 930 million euros in 2023, with an 11.3 percent increase compared to …
Albania’s sovereign credit rating upgraded by major int’l agency
TIRANA, March 26, 2024 – The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) credit rating agency, one of the three largest in the world, has upgraded Albania’s long-term sovereign credit rating by one notch, pushing it for the first time into ‘BB-‘ from ‘B+’. “The rating strengthens Albania’s external positions and brings tangible …
“Gerderc” case, one of the witnesses refuses to testify
In the next hearing against the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu for the “Gërdeci” case, Mihal Delijorgji appeared to testify. ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that Delijorgji refused to give explanations, taking advantage of the right not to do something like that, because he was convicted in the …
Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here
Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here
On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …
When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here
Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …
Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here
The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here
As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here
Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …