The Mayor of Zveçan does not go to the Municipality, chooses another place to work
The Mayor of the Municipality of Zveçan, Ilir Peci, has confirmed for REL that he is working from the Office for Communities in the village of Lipa of this municipality, and not in the building in front of which Serbian citizens are protesting . “We started work here today. Now …
Contract killer confesses details from two murders with 4 victims
The defendant Henrik Hoxhaj has testified this Tuesday in front of the Special Court (GJKO), giving clarifications about the 2 assassinations with 4 victims that happened in Durrës, namely Dorjan Shkoza and Anxhelo Avdiaj and the brothers Viktor and Besmir Haxhia. For 1 hour and 30 minutes, he answered the …
Employees of Fier incinerator, 6 months without salary
The employees of the Fier incinerator are protesting, blocking the municipal vehicles that transport urban waste and blocking the entrance to the incinerator. ABC News journalist Valbona Davidhi reports that the employees have not taken their salaries for about 6 months and that the protest will continue until there is …
Passion for Sea Lives on Among Descendants of Emigrants from Montenegro
At the start of the 20th century, dozens of families from Ulcinj in Montenegro emigrated to Durres, where their seafaring traditions helped develop Albania’s commercial fleets. Original post Here
Situation in North Kosovo/ Protests are expected to continue today
Protests against the Albanian mayors of the Serbian-majority municipalities Zveçan, Zubin Poyok and Leposavič were also warned for today. Yesterday, KFOR soldiers clashed with Serbian protesters who refused to obey the call of the peacekeeping mission to leave the area near the municipality of Zveçan. 25 KFOR soldiers and dozens …
Fredi Beleri in hospital due to health problems
The elected mayor of the Municipality of Himara, Fredi Beleri has reported health problems. Journalist Ermal Vija reports for ABC News that Beleri has been in the hospital of the prison for 4 days, while his colleague Pandeli Kokaveshi is in the hospital of QSUT. Meanwhile, Beleri was arrested just …
Fier incinerator/ Court has taken the decision for ex MP’s Koka and 15 other defendants
This Monday, the Special Court has decided to accept the request for summary judgment for the defendants of the Fier incinerator. Journalist Ermal Vija reports for ABC News that the request for a summary trial has been accepted for former minister Lefter Koka, former deputy Alqi Blako, former official of …
Albania PM Accused of Plotting ‘Takeover’ of Illustrious Academy
Reported plan to place Albania’s Academy of Albanological Studies under the control of the Academy of Science – which is led by a pro-government politician – has drawn angry protests. Original post Here
Man arrested for smuggling emigrants
A 35-year-old man was arrested in Korça for smuggling emigrats against payment. According to the police, the arrested person is Leksi Veshollari. The authorities say that the young man had put 23 immigrants from third countries into the van, while taking a sum of money from them, which varied from …
Three injured in Fier gas cylinder blast
A serious incident happened around 09:15 in Patos of Fier. It is learned that in the “Griza” neighborhood, a house was engulfed in flames, which was caused by a gas leak from a cylinder. Meanwhile, three members of the family, Fatmir Saliaj, Ylvie Saliaj and Daniela Shperdheja, were injured and …
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
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 Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …