Drug dealer arrested in Golem
An 18-year-old man was arrested after selling narcotics cocaine and cannabis in Golem beach bars. According to the data, the arrested person is Marsel Rusi, from the city of Korça. During the action, a quantity of these narcotics was seized, divided into doses ready for sale, as well as a …
As Western Balkans seek more financial assurances, EU Commission requests 2 billion euros in additional funds
TIRANA, June 30, 2023 – The European Commission, EU’s executive arm, has requested additional funds for the Western Balkan region during the review of the medium-term financial framework, looking for 2 billion euros more to supplement its already hefty financial contribution to a region that is slowly moving toward EU …
Woman stabbed by husband dies in hospital
Marjola Myrtollari, who was injured on June 4 of this year in Korça, by her husband Aleko Myrtollari, has passed away. The perpetrator Aleko Myrtollari stabbed his wife and then left the scene. He surrendered after two days. It is now expected that the prosecution will also change the charge …
Battle for Balkan Cybersecurity: Threats and Implications of Biometrics and Digital Identity
A surge in cyberattacks, particularly phishing and ransomware, has left Balkan countries to improve their defences against cybercrime, BIRN research shows. Original post Here
Two injured in Lezhë-Milot triple car crash
A triple accident happened this Friday morning on the Lezhë-Milot highway. Due to the crash, two people were injured, who were sent to Lezha hospital for check-up. As a result of the accident, traffic was created on this road axis. On its part, the investigative group is at the scene …
Youth dies due to heart attack
A 20-year-old man died in the Korça Hospital this Friday morning. According to the information, the young man had felt bad in a bar in Bilisht and was rushed to Korça Hospital, where he died. Meanwhile, forensic expertise is awaited to determine the cause of the 20-year-old’s death. Police sources …
Shkodra house engulfed by flames
A house was engulfed in flames this Friday morning in Shkoder. According to the information, it is learned that the incident took place on the fourth floor of a building in the Parruca neighborhood. Meanwhile, it is known that the house was rented by a family with four members who …
Bribery for the tender to the Ministry of Health, GJKKO leaves in prison the engineer
The Court of Special Appeals, this Friday, has upheld the security measure of prison arrest for Silvi Shehu, the engineer of Vladimir Topi’s company, who was arrested on suspicion of corrupting the secretary of the Ministry of Health, Joana Duro. Three days after the arrest, the court released its owner, …
Double murder in Dukagjin, causes still a mystery
A tragedy happen yesterday in Dukagjin, where father and son were executed with firearms in their native village. Journalist Simon Shkreli reports for ABC News that the police are on the scene and are working to collect information related to the clues regarding the murder of the father and son, …
Court session on man who punched ex-PM postponed
Hearing in the Court of Tirana for Gerti Shehu, who punched former Prime Minister Sali Berisha on December 6 of last year, the day the EU Summit was held in Tirana, has been postponed to July 20. Reason for the postponement was the absence in the session of the victim …
The new head of RTSH, Eni Vasili, admits to BIRN that the company is facing a dire financial situation – after several contributors revealed they had not been paid for months. Original post Here
Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here
The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here
Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here
Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here
Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here
On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …
When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here
Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …