Under-construction block of flats endangered by fire
A fire broke out this Monday near a block of apartments that is under construction in the “New Boulevard” area of Tirana. According to preliminary information, garbage was being burned near the building that is being constructed. Firefighters went to the scene to put out the flames, which endangered the …
Fier incinerator session at Special Court fails
The first session for the Fieri incinerator, which was expected to be held this Monday, has failed. The reason was the non-notification of one of the accused persons. In today’s session, the former Minister of Environment, Lefter Koka, and the former secretary of this ministry, Alqi Blako, were not present. …
Rama: Albania in 2030 will be the tourism champion in Balkans
Prime Minister Edi Rama declared that in 2030, Albania will be the champion in the Balkan region, as far as tourism is concerned. During a conversation in a private enterprise in the city of Durrës, Rama said that the problem will be the accommodation of tourists, as their demand increases …
Ending seasonal program, Albania reintroduces year-round visas for Russian tourists
TIRANA, April 24, 2023 – Albania has officially ended its tourist season visa waiver for citizens of Russia, following concern the waiver was contrary to the country’s international obligations as part of its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Albania, a NATO member, has joined all EU and other …
Flames engulf Shkodra hospital’s surgery ward
One of the rooms of Surgery Department on the fourth floor of Shkodra Regional Hospital was engulfed by flames this Saturday morning. Fortunately, the police confirmed that there were no injuries from the fire, despite the material damage. Police and fire services immediately went to the scene and were able …
Medical care provided by Shkodra’s hospital despite fire
Shkodra’s Regional Hospital has reacted Saturday after the incident that happened this morning in the Pneumology department, which was engulfed in flames, ensuring that the healthcare service continues without interruption. Immediate measures were taken to restore the room where the incident occurred, while the patients were evacuated in time and …
Murder of a 20-year old in Tirana, the Court leaves in prison the author
Tirana court has ordered the measure of arrest and imprisonment for Axel Hoxhaj, who surrendered two days after the murder of 20-year-old Stivens Toshkëzi. In the court session, Hoxhaj admitted the crime and defended himself through the lawyer Ardian Kalia. A day before, the black squads also imprisoned the peer …
Tirana’s Mayor, deputy PM inspect great ring road construction works ahead of May 14th polls
De puty Prime Minister, at the same time the Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku and Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, inspected this Saturday the progress of the works in the 5th lot of the Great Ring Road. During the up-close visit, Veliaj said that this segment is of vital importance …
Parliament speaker’s congratulatory message for Eid al-Fitr
Speaker of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, wishes the Muslim believers on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. On the social networks, Nikolla wrote that Albania is a big family, regardless of faith. “After the dedication of the sacrifices of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, spiritual growth, prayers, forgiveness, reflections, …
Gjirokaster, man arrested for stealing jewellery in a house
46-year-old, resident of Berat, has been arrested this Friday after stealing valuables off a house in the Dropulli area of Gjirokastra. Police revealed that the arrested is the citizen with initials A.M, previously convicted for the same criminal offense. Nine watches, 13 pendants, 9 bracelets, a significant amount of money …
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. 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
Tirana Times, January 26, 2026 – Albania’s attempted entry into the Peace Board has become a revealing episode, not because of the significance of the initiative itself, but because of the way Albania’s leadership chose to stage and communicate it domestically. The Peace Board represents a new and ambitious international …
Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania has joined the Peace Board, a newly established international mechanism initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at overseeing peace agreements and post-conflict stabilization efforts, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip. The Peace Board was formally launched during the World Economic …
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …
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