Kosovo celebrates 16 years of independence
Today, Kosovo celebrates the 16th anniversary of Independence. On February 17, 2008, in an extraordinary meeting attended by 109 deputies, the Assembly declared Kosovo an independent, sovereign and democratic state. The state flag of Kosovo was unfurled on the day of the declaration of independence in the solemn session of …
Peleshi at the meeting of the ministers of NATO countries: Determined to fulfill the obligations to the Alliance
The Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, participated in the two-day meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the NATO countries, which was held in Brussels. During his speech, Peleshi emphasized Albania’s determination to fulfill its obligations towards the Alliance. One of these obligations is the increase in the level of …
New justice institutions to courageously take on impunity
The US Embassy to Tirana unveiled parts of the meeting that the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken had during his visit to Albania with justice leaders. “Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the United States’ enduring commitment to Albania’s justice reform during a meeting with justice leaders yesterday. Though …
A 22 year-old stabbed in Shkodra
A 22-year-old Armandio Gjoka was stabbed with a knife by another person, after a fight for weak motives. It is learned that the injury occurred in the “Skenderbeg” neighborhood. The police have identified the perpetrator, who is been declared wanted. Meanwhile, the young boy is out of danger. /abcnews.al …
Over 1000 police officers on alert during Blinken’s Vvsit to Tirana
The Albanian State Police took security measures ahead of the official visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Tirana on Thursday. Around 1500 police officers will be on terrain during Blinken’s visit. 400 of them will be by the Guards of Republic while the others from the …
Rama: EU more aware of the importance of the Western Balkans
Prime Minister Edi Rama declared from Brussels that the European Union is more aware of the importance of the Western Balkans. In a joint media conference, with Oliver Ropke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Vera Jourova, Delegated Vice-President of the European Commission of Values and Transparency …
The gambling bill is approved with 72 votes in favor
The gambling bill was approved this Thursday in the plenary session in the Assembly with 72 votes in favor and two abstentions. The MPs who abstained were Erion Braçe and Fatmir Xhafaj. Lulzim Basha was also present in the meeting with the group of deputies who support him. /abcnews.al […] …
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, arrives in Tirana
The American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has arrived in Tirana. The plane in which Blinken was traveling landed at the “Mother Teresa” airport at around 11:12. Blinken was hosted at the airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani. As part of this visit, measures have also been …
Ibrahim Lici, wanted for murder arrested in Turkey
Ibrahim Lici, was arrested in Turkey as Albania declared him wanted for ‘Murder’ committed in collaboration. He is accused for the murder of Endri Mustafa, in Shkoder 15 May 2021. According to the investigation of the prosecution, Lici was hiding in Turkey from months, but only now he could be …
Court leaves in Jail Altin Coku, suspected that forced a woman to suicide
Court in Tirana decided to leave in jail, Altin Coku, who is accused for causing the suicide of the 27-year-old woman, Sibela Abedini. The event happened few days ago in Kamza area of Tirana. The 39-year-old is suspected that published photos of the late Abedini, while they were in intimacy …
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. 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
Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …
Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …
Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has become a direct security threat Tirana Times, March 18, 2026 – Albania has taken one of its toughest political steps yet against Iran, with …
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here