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 …
Blinken: I feel the warm atmosphere, the pyramid was rebuilt by the Albanian-American fund
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, thanked the Albanians during the visit to the Pyramid of Tirana. He said that he feels the warm environment both outside and inside, stressing out that the pyramid was rebuilt by the Albanian-American fund. “Good afternoon to everyone, thank you for a wonderful welcome …
US Embassy welcomes Special Courts’ judges
The American Embassy to Tirana had a meeting this Wednesday with judges from the First Instance and Appellate Special Courts Against Corruption and Organized Crime. At the end of the meeting, the embassy underlined that USA are determined to support them, adding that serving with integrity is essential in the …
General Director of prisons resings
The General Director of Prisons, Admir Abrija, resigns. Journalist Ermal Vija reports that Abrija had requested his resignation for some time due to personal reasons, but only recently, it was accepted by the Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja. Admir Abrija held this post since 2021. “For a while now, he …
Tirana, man arrested after chasing a woman for a year
A man was arrested by the police of Tirana this Wednesday after he chased for nearly a year a woman. The 27-year-old, with the initials R.I. resident of Maqellara, was stopped at ‘Elbasani’ street this morning. He was denounced by a 29-year-old woman for following her everywhere and not giving …
UAE President host Prime Minister of Albania
resident His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance ties, especially in fields that serve development in both countries, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of mutual …
Corruption, abuse of duty and money laundering, SPAK sends to court doctor Edvin Prifti
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has closed the investigations and sent for the cardio-surgeon Edvin Prifti. From the investigations carried out, it has been proven that Edvin Prifti, as Head of the Cardiac Surgery Service at the “Mother Teresa” University Hospital Center, Tirana, during the exercise of his duty, as …
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
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here