Teen busted for possession of cannabis seeds by Shkodra police
An 18-year-old was handcuffed this Tuesday in the Selcë village of Malësi e Madhe, in the framework of police mega-operation coded “Tempulli”. During the physical check carried out by the police services, a bag with 156 cannabis seeds was found on the young man, which he was going to sell. …
Today the next hearing session for Fredi Beleri
This Tuesday at 15:00 the trial for the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, will take place. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the last session was accompanied by debates. The witness Abdyl Rama, the brother of the associate of justice Arsen Rama did not appear at the session. …
Renown Albanian Actor dies at 75
Famous Albanian actor, Mirush Kabashi has passed away at the age of 75, as announced this Tuesday. This news was made known by his family members through an announcement, saying that he died after midnight. However, cause of the known actor’s passing is not yet known. “Dear Friends, Colleagues and …
Lezha prison inmate chocked to death by food
Inmate Gëzim Petriti, convicted for the criminal offense of “Attempted murder”, died this MOnday in Lezha prison, after his breathing was blocked while eating. Following the incident, Petriti was immediately given first aid by the doctor on duty, who found signs of life. Immediately, you were sent by ambulance to …
Lot for JAC’s 2024 members casted, results unveiled
Lot was cast this Monday for the election of new members of the Judicial Appointments Council (JAC) for 2024. Lot was cast in the premises of the Presidency, from where Sokol Ngresi was chosen as the winner, while Dariel Sina will be the substitute. So far, Elsa Toska has been …
Begaj’s message on 111th Anniversary of Armed Forces’ creation
President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj congratulated this Monday the Armed Forces of Albania on the 111th anniversary of its establishment. In a special message on social networks, President Begaj states that the Armed Forces are a national pride that have successfully managed to hold up the flag and the …
One injured as bus collides with car in Fier
An accident happened on Monday morning at the exit of the city of Fier, where a bus of the Fier-Marinze line collided with a “Benz” and ended up in the yard of an apartment. As a result of the collision, there were material damages, while as a result of the …
Former PM didn’t appear at SPAK for third time
Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha violated the court’s decision for the third time this Monday, as he would have to appear this Monday in front of the SPAK for the security measure ‘obligation to appear’ and prohibition to go abroad as part of the investigations into the issue of Partizani …
Opposition MPs throw smoke, burn papers in parliament hall
The opposition MPs who support Sali Berisha have again created tensions in the Assembly, with “smoke and flames” in the Assembly. Despite the controls by the Guard of the Republic, they have managed to introduce flares into the plenary session. Flamur Noka was expelled from the session, but he lit …
Rama congratulates armed forces on 111th Anniversary
Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated the Armed Forces of Albania on the 111th anniversary of its establishment this Monday. On the social networks, he has posted a photo, in which a member of the Armed Forces appears with the Albanian flag. Meanwhile, PM Rama has considered Albanian soldiers as the …
Tirana Times, January 15, 2026 – Albania’s banking sector enters 2026 with growing caution, as banks operating in the country anticipate an increase in non performing loans despite strong demand for credit. According to the latest CESEE Banking Lending Survey conducted by the European Investment Bank for the second half …
After the US paused visa processing for 75 countries, including Albania, the opposition in Tirana has accused the government of getting the country put on Trump’s “blacklist”. Original post Here
Saudi Arabia welcomes Washington’s decision and reaffirms joint stance against extremism Tirana Times, January, 14, 2026 – The United States has officially designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach toward political Islamist movements. The announcement immediately drew …
Albania included among weak or failing states despite being a NATO member Tirana, Tirana Times, 14 January 2026 – Washington’s decision to suspend U.S. visa processing for Albania, effective January 21 and for an indefinite period, marks one of the strongest diplomatic signals sent to Tirana in years. Albania has …
In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent awareness that stability can erode when trust is thin. Security, in this context, is not discussed only in strategic documents or institutional language, but reasoned through …
Albania’s government is poised to waive business tax debts more than a decade old, as part of what it says is a reset in relations between the tax authorities and businesses. Critics say it is unfair on those who have played by the rules. 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
On a locked down November afternoon in 2020, as Europe grappled with Covid 19 restrictions, two Albanian men based in Belgium exchanged a handful of encrypted messages. Deciphered years later from the Sky ECC platform, their words captured a watershed moment in Europe’s cocaine trade. A shipment measured not in …
BIRN reporters trace the rise of Albanian crime gangs to the top of the European cocaine trafficking ladder, from remote parts of Paraguay to European Union ports. Original post Here
Political polarisation and government pressure on the judiciary – sparked by investigations of top politicians – could hinder Albania’s rapid progress towards European Union membership. Original post Here