Arrested for abuse of duty, the Court doesn’t change the security measure for former mayor of Durres
The Court of Special Appeal has approved the decision of the first instance, leaving in force the measure of prison arrest against the former mayor of the municipality of Durres, Vangjush Dako, ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports. He will continue to stay in prison, where he is accused of …
Arson suspected as three cars get burned in Vlora at night
Three cars were engulfed in flames in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Vlora, two of which were completely burned while another partially. Cause of the fire is suspected to have been arson. Police revealed that the incident happened around 04:55, when the fire service received a report of …
Two arrested for Belgium-Albania goods’ smuggling
Two people have been arrested while another has been put under investigation for smuggling goods this Tuesday. Based on police information, the arrested are a 58-year-old man from Tirana, who transported smuggled goods from Belgium to Albania, and a 45-year-old man, also from the capital, who stored the goods in …
Tirana’s Mayor introduces ‘Open Bus’ initiative
Tourists can now visit Tirana with an open bus tour, as the Albanian capital is buzzing with tourists, almost every month of the calendar year. Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj has shared some of the photos of the new initiative that allows many tourists to take a tour of the …
Wings of Change: Why Armed Drones Are Proliferating in Western Balkans
Armed drones are becoming a favoured means for Balkan countries to boost their military muscle and regional clout – but even though they are unlikely to trigger a war, their unchecked spread brings substantial risks. Original post Here
Italy Still Views Albania Through a Colonial Lens
Italy once conquered Albania, claiming it was bringing civilisation to a barbarous people; judging from the language of its current diplomats, its mindset hasn’t changed. Original post Here
Tirana Mayor Slated by Watchdogs for Calling BIRN Journalist ‘Contract Killer’
Media watchdog tells Tirana Mayor to ‘stop denigrating journalists’ for doing their work – after calling Ola Xama ‘a contract killer’ for writing an article in BIRN about probes into disputed waste concession contracts. Original post Here
Taulant Balla to swear in as Interior minister
This Saturday at 10:00 in the Presidency, the swearing-in ceremony of Taulant Balla as the Minister of the Interior will be held. The Parliament approved on July 13, with 75 votes in favour, 16 against, 1 abstention, the appointment of Balla, who will replace Bledi Çuçi after his dismissal. The …
Elderly dies at Vlora beach, police gives details
An elderly, about 80 years old, lost his life at the “Old Beach” of Vlora. From the preliminary information, it is suspected that he suffered a “cardiac arrest”. “Today at around 08:10, in the neighborhood ‘1 Maji’, Vlorë, in the place called ‘Old Beach’, an 80-year-old citizen, a resident of …
Taulant Balla sworn in as Interior minister
Taulant Balla was sworn in as Interior minister this Saturday at 11:00. Earlier, the Assembly approved on July 13, with 75 votes in favor, 16 against, 1 abstention, the appointment of Balla, who will replace Bledi Çuçi after his dismissal. Çuçi was fired by Prime Minister Edi Rama after the …
SASPAC has launched a new online platform. The website is now accessible to the public. The platform brings together all foreign assistance data in Albania. It presents transparent and structured information. Users can find details on EU IPA programmes and funding. The site also lists donors, partners and implementing institutions. …
TIRANA, April 28 – Albanian composer Aleksandër Lalo (1949–2017), born on 27 April 1949, remains a key figure in the country’s film music tradition. He would have turned 77 years old. His work shaped Albanian cinema across several decades. He developed a distinctive musical language that combined emotional depth with …
Rustem Gjata, former head of the Constitutional Court, has died. His son, lawyer Çlirim Gjata, shared the news on social media. Rustem Gjata won a seat as a Democratic Party MP in the first pluralist elections in 1992. He helped draft the law on the Constitutional Court as a member …
President Bajram Begaj attended the 11th Three Seas Initiative summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He called for tangible results to speed up regional economic development and EU integration. He said the Western Balkans is now a strategic front for Europe. Begaj described the initiative as a success story. He said it …
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka met German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. They discussed Albania’s progress in EU negotiations. Talks focused on Chapter 27 – Environment and Climate Change. The German minister expressed full support for Albania’s EU path. He confirmed strong partnership in advancing reforms and …
Andreas Schieder praised Albania’s progress in EU integration. He said negotiations could close by 2027–2028. He highlighted major reforms, especially in justice. He described them as among the deepest in the Western Balkans. Schieder said Albania has changed dramatically for the better. He stressed the need to present this progress …
Speaker Niko Peleshi met Irish MP Barry Ward in Dublin. They discussed Albania’s achievements and challenges in the EU accession process. Talks also focused on Ireland’s continued support. The meeting addressed Ireland’s upcoming EU Council Presidency from July to December 2026. Peleshi said Albania’s visible progress strengthens confidence in EU …
Silvio Gonzato highlights EU–Albania cultural partnership in Durrës museum reopening Silvio Gonzato said the EU and Albania strengthened their partnership through the reopening of the Archaeological Museum of Durrës. He stated that the EU4Culture programme restored the museum. He added that the project supports cultural revival and post-2019 earthquake recovery. …
Edi Rama said the Archaeological Museum of Durrës reopens after major restoration under the EU4Culture programme. He stated that the European Union has supported the restoration of 23 cultural heritage sites in Albania. Moreover, he highlighted the strong cooperation between Albania and the EU after the 2019 earthquake. He said …
Speaking at the joint meeting of the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council, Minister of Justice Toni Gogu warned that the justice system will be measured by the results it delivers for citizens, highlighting one of the main issues—delays of up to three years in providing reasoned court decisions. “There …