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 …
Trial on elected Himara’s mayor postponed
Trial for the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Belerin, has been postponed this Monday. The next session will be held on December 14, at 2:00 p.m. Beleri was arrested two days before the May 14 local elections. According to the prosecution, the wiretapping shows that he offered money in exchange …
Begaj’s message on International Day of disabled persons
President Bajram Begaj delivered this Sunday a message for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In a social media statement, the Head of State emphasized the need to fulfill the objectives for sustainable development in support of Persons with Disabilities. Also, He appeals for their protection in the face …
Former heaf of Fushe-Kruja prison arrested on domestic violence charges
Durim Tosku has been arrested this Sunday, after dismissal from the position as director of Fushë-Kruja’s prison. The 52-year-old is suspected of abusing his wife, who was granted a protection order. Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja, on the proposal of the General Director of Prisons, ordered his dismissal. During the …
Former head of Korca’s border police appears before court on drugs charges
Former Head of the Border Sector in the Local Directorate for Border and Migration Korça, Stiljan Pasho, accused of drug trafficking, appeared before the Korça court this Sunday. Pasho was fired from the State Police after his arrest on charges of drug trafficking. Pasho was arrested after, using his duty, …
At least ten accompanied to police after Lezha’s mob-style killing
At least 10 people, including members of the Lekstakaj tribe, were accompanied and interrogated by the police for the murder of 40-year-old Eno Nikulaj on Saturday evening at the entrance to Lezha. According to the field sources, 25 cartridges were found at the scene. Nikulaj was traveling in the direction …
70-year-old who killed neighbour over irrigation dispute left in prison
Tirana Court has set this Sunday the security measure of “prison arrest” for Maliq Marku, who killed his neighbor and injured another in Kamëz. During the hearing, the 70-year-old appeared confused in front of the court and during the interrogation he stated that this is a Serbian-Montenegro conspiracy. Nevertheess, the …
Albania risk losing another 13% of its residents to emigration in the next few years, AIIS report warns
TIRANA, Nov. 30, 2023 – About 13 percent of Albania’s resident working-age population is likely going to leave the country in the next few years unless immediate measures are taken to increase local incomes and lower the cost of living, a report by the Albanian Institute for International Studies warns. …
Interior Minister welcomes Europol’s anti drugs, guns mega operation
Interior Minister Taulant Balla hailed this Friday for the international operation, which took place in 26 European countries, where the focus was on attacking criminal networks in the trafficking of weapons, narcotics and illegal immigrants. During this operation, in Albania, 28 people were arrested and firearms and drugs were seized. …
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here
Balkan countries are continuing to sacrifice their remaining clean river stretches to development and pollution, a new assessment warns. Original post Here
The Bulgarian mystic’s doomy predictions continue to grab headlines in Albania and elsewhere – even though many seem fabricated and sometimes appear to serve Russian geopolitical narratives. Original post Here
Tirana, 21.01.2026 – Research on disability has increasingly moved into the centre of international scientific and policy discussions, reflecting broader debates about inclusion, quality of life and access to public space. Against this wider backdrop, the King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) has opened nominations for the 4th cycle of …
While Albania’s Edi Rama welcomed an invitation to join Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Greece merely confirmed that they had received invitations. Original post Here
When the “Choo Choo” Train Never Came It begins with a scene that now feels almost surreal. In 2022, during a staged media event in Tirana, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku enthusiastically explained to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway would be completed by 2024. …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The United States has once again issued an unusually clear and public warning about the threat posed by Albanian organized crime groups and their links to Latin American drug cartels, framing the issue not only as a criminal challenge but as a direct risk to Albania’s national security and economic …
As the new year gets off to a cold start in the region, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories takes a look at the high expectations and sobering realities of what 2026 holds in store. Original post Here