Refusing to sign letter on EU talks, Greece escalates standoff with Albania over Beleri case
TIRANA, Nov. 11, 2023 – In a notable diplomatic move, Greece has opted not to sign a joint letter from the 27 European Union member-states urging the start of negotiations for the initial phase of accession chapters with Albania. The decision underscores a substantial escalation of tensions driven by the …
Albanian executed inside vehicle in Ecuador
Arjani Rizaj is an Albanian who was executed on the evening of Thursday, November 9 in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Rizaj was shot while inside his vehicle, which was parked near the emergency room of the Luis Vernaza hospital, in the center of the city of Guyaquil in Ecuador, local media reported. …
Online gambling, four arrested in Fier
Four people have fallen into the hands of the Fier police, two others have been criminally prosecuted, while another has been declared wanted for illegal organization of gambling. A 24-year-old man and a 45-year-old man were arrested after the latter organized gambling games in his bar in the “15 Tetori” …
Migration deal, Rama says Albania will refuse requests from other countries
Edi Rama, the head of the Albanian government, has given another interview to the Italian media regarding the agreement for the construction in Albania of two centers for housing migrants rescued at sea by Italian ships. For the prestigious “Corriere della Sera”, Edi Rama said that the agreement with the …
Police vetting process to begin in November
The Police Surveillance Agency will conduct the police vetting process throughout the month of November. It is reported that the sessions will be open to the media and the public. According to AMP, the first two lots have been cast on the division of assessment bodies, the appointment of the …
Rama: There will be a significant salary increase for 30,000 teachers
Over 30,000 teachers will benefit from a salary increase with your budget for the next year. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the news on Friday morning through a post on social networks. “Good morning and with the good news that with the new budget for next year there will be …
About 25,000 undeclared euro seized in Kakavija border
A 26-year-old man was criminally prosecuted this Friday at the Kakavija Border Point, after he tried to enter Greece with 24,800 euros, which he did not declare. Following the procedural actions for this case, the amount of money was seized and the materials were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, where …
Albanian ‘King of Cocaine’ arrested in Istanbul
New details have been learned for the arrest of Dritan Rexhepi, described as the head of the drug cartel. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that Rexhepi entered Turkey from Istanbul airport with a Colombian passport, registered under the name Benjamin Omar Perez Garcia. The Minister of Internal Affairs of …
Democrat MPs clashed at European Integration committee
Parliamentary commissions would take place online this Friday, excluding the one for European Integration, but this changed due to tensions in the Assembly’s headquarters. During the proceedings, there was a clash between two democratic MPs, Dashnor Sula from Sali Berisha’s group and Kreshnik Çollak from the official Democratic Party (DP). …
Woman involved in ex-mayor’s sex scandal appears at SPAK
Woman who was involved in a video with Safet Gjici having sexual intercourse in the latter’s office, while holding the position of the mayor of Kukës, Alma Kaçi arrived this Friday at the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). Special Prosecution will officially communicate the accusation of active corruption …
BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here
As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here
Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here
Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …
Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here
The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here