Cooperation in tourism with Israel/ Kumbaro: Tourism is a bridge between countries,
The 70th meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization brought to Tirana the Minister of Tourism of Israel, Haim Katz. He had a one-on-one meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro, following which a joint statement was signed to increase support and cooperation …
Case of Gerdec, the next session will be held on April 24
The Special Court decided this Tuesday to administer the record of the testimony of the former chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Luan Hoxha in the trial for Gerdec where Mediu was taken as a defendant. Mediu himself objected, asking for a video testimony with him. Outside …
Double murder in Lushnja / The Office of the Special Prosecutor requests life imprisonment for Laert Haxhiu
The Special Prosecutor’s Office requests a “life imprisonment” sentence for Laert Haxhiu, who is accused of the double murder in Lushnja. Haxhiu is being tried in absentia for what is known as the Lushnja Massacre that happened in September 2017. Jurgen Hoxha and Zamir Latifi lost their lives in that …
President Begaj decrees criminal amnesty with 110 votes in favor
The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has signed the decree for the granting of criminal amnesty. The decree signed by the head of state comes a few days after the criminal amnesty was approved in the Parliament of Albania, with 110 votes in favor. This broad parliamentary vote will …
Anti-drug raids in 3 countries, trafficked from Germany to Italy
Other details have been revealed regarding the international police operation codenamed “Sammogia”, which spread to Albania, Italy and Germany. Three Albanians were arrested in Vlora, at the expense of the Italian state. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that the criminal organization was run by some Albanians. They received the …
Tourism Investment Conference/ Kumbaro: 4.2 billion euros in revenue in 2023
It started today, on the second day of the meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, the “Conference on Investments in Tourism and the Economic Development of Europe and Albania” with a focus on the promotion of investments and the case of success stories and future …
“Albania was isolated before”, Rama: Let’s leave the history to future generations
During the speech at the 70th meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that Albania was previously isolated and tourists should go to the barber earlier to remove their beards and long hair, in order to were allowed in our country. …
SPAK closes the investigations for 3 former officials of the Municipality of Tropoja
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has closed the investigations for 3 former officials of the Municipality of Tropoja for violation of equality in tenders. Zenel Çela, Ramiz Bardhi and Rexhep Ismailsufaj have pleaded guilty in connection with a tender of nearly 500 thousand euros for the reconstruction of a school …
Vangjush Dako remains under house arrest, Appeal rejects SPAK’s request
The Special Appeal leaves the measure of house arrest for Vangjush Dako unchanged. SPAK demanded the return of the former mayor of Durrës to his cell, while the court released him after the detention period ended. He was arrested last June on charges of abuse of office. Dako was released …
Unprecedented corruption arrests sweep shakes up Tirana mayor’s leadership
TIRANA, April 8, 2024 – When Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj returned to work last week after a short stay in hospital for a surgical procedure, he faced a nasty surprise: Most of his top management team at city hall had been arrested on corruption-related charges. On the orders of the …
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
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 …
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
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
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, …
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 …
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
— 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 …
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
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here