Albania takes CEI Presidency in 2024
From January 1, Albania will take over the presidency of the Central European Initiative (CEI). In a reaction on the X platform, Foreign Minister Igli Hasani said that while Albania takes the leadership of the CEI, it remains committed to advancing the CEI’s goals for regional cooperation and EU integration. …
Three arrested in Tirana on drug charges
Three people have been put in handcuffs by the police in Vora after being accused of the criminal offense “Production and sale of narcotics”. According to the police, the three young men, 18, 20 and 22 years old, from Dibra were caught red-handed on Limuthi street transporting the suspected narcotic …
Shkodra’s Mayor pays tribute to deceased Zef Deda
Mayor of Shkodra, Benet Beci paid this Saturday his tributes to honor the figure of the master of humor Zef Deda, who passed away on Friday. In his statement for the media, Mayor Beci underlined that the late comedian will be remembered for many roles, but also as the Albanian …
Shooting in Lezha, van driver injured
Driver of a van from Laçi was wounded in a shooting that took place this Saturday morning near the market of Lezha. According to the journalist, Gjergj Figuri, the incident allegedly happened after a momentary conflict with another person. The author has been identified and wanted, but has not been …
Young man dies in Saranda car accident
A serious accident happened at midnight on Saturday in Saranda, where 34-year-old Arlind Qendro, traveling with his vehicle, went off the road, colliding with the curb and then fell down. Based on the information, the serious incident happened at the entrance of the city near the “Panorama” Hotel. As a …
Fire guts 5th floor of building, a 57-year-old man died
A flat is included in Tirana. The incident happened around 02:50 on the fifth floor of a building on “Ferit Xhajko” street, where a 57-year-old man lost his life as a result. The causes of the fire are still unknown, while the investigative group is working to clarify the circumstances …
“January 21, a state crime”, Rama: Investigation is the foundation for the new justice that has started to built
For Prime Minister Edi Rama, the investigation of the January 21 murders on the boulevard is the foundation for the new justice system. In a media conference, Rama said that until now the country’s highest authorities have prevented justice in the most brutal way from reacting and acting in real …
Rama: The agreement with Italy for immigrants does not violate the Constitution, it is positive for Albania
Prime Minister Edi Rama says that the agreement with Italy for immigrants does not violate the Constitution of Albania. In a press conference, Rama said that the agreement is positive for our country. Among other things, Rama underlined that for him it is not a problem if someone turns to …
Elbasan young man’s assets worth EUR 200,000 seized
Two apartments and a service unit worth about 200 thousand euros were seized this Friday in the “Maji” neighborhood in Elbasan, as part of the police operation coded “Property”. According to preliminary information, the assets were seized with the suspicion that they have their source from the criminal activities of …
Dead body found in fishing port of Durres
Dead body of a 42-year-old man from Tirana was found in the Fishing Port in Durrës this Friday morning. Based on the eye witness report, the victim was spotted by fishermen. According to the police, the victim has no signs of violence and is suspected to have accidentally drowned. Police …
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
Brussels has already gone cold on a scheme to allow some aspirant countries like Albania and Serbia second-tier membership – but that doesn’t mean that other creative approaches to European enlargement are off the table. Original post Here
Journalists’ union welcomes ruling that says government-imposed one-year ban on social media platform was a ‘violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press’. Original post Here
Tirana Times, March 10, 2026 – A cyberattack targeting Albania’s Parliament has revived one of the country’s most serious national security concerns, underscoring the return of a threat that Albanian institutions have come to associate with Iran linked retaliation. The breach, confirmed by Parliament on Tuesday, involved unauthorized access to …
The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here
Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …
Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. 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