“McGonigal” in Parliament, Rama interpellation with Alibeaj on the case of FBI official
Today, there are expected to be debates in the Assembly, where the main issue is expected to be the file of the former FBI official, Charles McGonigal, and the accusations raised by the opposition against Prime Minister Edi Rama. The head of the DP Group, Enkelejd Alibeaj, has requested an …
1 dead, at least 2 critically injured after car accident in Tirana
A person is dead and at least two others are critically injured after a car accident in Tirana this Thursday morning. Police officers were notified of a reported two car head-on crash in an area commonly known as the entrance of the capital. The accident happened on “Kastriotët” street near …
Tirana taxi drivers prosecuted for concealing income
Authorities have taken legal action this Thursday against three cab drivers, who had concealed their income from transporting people with their vehicles. Following police findings, the Prosecutor’s Office started criminal proceedings against the drivers of these vehicles, specifically for the citizens, Sh. A., R. Ç. and Sh. L., for the …
McGonigal Case, democrat refuses interpellation with Minister Spiropali
Democrat MP Gazment Bardhi refused this Thursday the interpellation with Minister Elisa Spiropali, requesting the presence of Prime Minister Edi Rama for the case of former FBI official, Charles McGonigal. In his speech, Bardhi said that he requested an interview with the head of the government and not with his …
PM attacks opposition after McGonigal issue tensions
Prime Minister Edi Rama has harshly assailed this Thursday the opposition’s MPs, who wanted to hold an interpellation with him in the plenary session regarding the McGonigal scandal. In a social media reaction, the head of government accused them of abusing the freedom of speech, the truth and of committing …
Bucking int’l trend, Albania’s central bank keeps key rate unchanged
TIRANA, Feb. 1, 2023 – Bank of Albania’s Supervisory Council announced Wednesday it would keep the central bank’s key interest rate unchanged at 2.75 percent. It’s the second time in a row the central bank keeps the rate unchanged, bucking the trends of major central banks in Europe and North …
Woman dies 4 days after giving birth to her Baby
A 29-year-old woman died in Tirana, 4 days after giving birth to her baby. The young woman, whose identity is still unknown, gave birth to a child of about 5 kilograms by natural birth and after 24 hours of stay in the hospital she went home. But she started having …
Japan donates firefighting equipment to Tirana
Two new fire engines were added to the new fire station in Kinostudio, as a help from the Embassy of Japan in Tirana. Mayor Erion Veliaj said that the new equipement will greatly serve the Unit 4 Fire Station, as it also covers the suburban and rural areas of the …
Labor force reduction due to emigration harming Albania’s long-term potential, central bank governor says
TIRANA, Jan. 31, 2023 – Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko has joined voices of concern regarding the renewed trend of Albanians leaving the country to work abroad, citing negative long-term potential of having a smaller pool of local labor capital. “It reduces the labor force — especially in its …
New court map enters into force
Implementation of the new judicial map will resume this Wednesday, starting the operation of the Court of Appeal of General Jurisdiction. At the end of December, the High Judicial Council (HJC) met to determine the composition of the single Court of Appeal that will be in Tirana. The council decided …
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 …
Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here
The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here
As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here
Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …