Blog
News

SPAK seizes the company of businessman Ilir Rrapaj

SPAK seizes 40% of the Sani Servis Company owned by businessman Ilir Rrapaj. A company based in Kosovo has also been seized, as well as 13 vehicles owned by Rrapaj. Also two bank accounts in the value of 285,412.48 Euro and another with 113,610.93 ALL were seized. Also, in the …

Read More
News

Begaj meeting with Minister Hasani: We discussed the situation in the region and pensions with Italy

The President of the country, Bajram Begaj, through a post on the social network Facebook, announces that he has held a meeting with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasan. They discussed the situation in the region, the conclusion of the Social Security Agreement with Italy, as well …

Read More
News

Albanian doctor jailed for child trafficking and pornography

The heart surgeon doctor was left in prison by the court. Hasi was accused of trafficking minors and pornography. A day ago, the doctor Dervish Hasi asked for the postponement of the session for today, to familiarize himself with the documents. He also denied that he sexually abused the minor. …

Read More
News

Tirana, two arrested on drug trafficking charges

Two men have been arrested this Wednesday in Tirana for drug trafficking, police confirmed. The arrested are the citizens J.B. 33-year-old and A.N 22-year-old, both residents of Tirana. They were declared wanted after the court set for them the security measure ‘House Arrest’ for drug trafficking. Tirana Prosecution’s Office will …

Read More
News

Gerdeci File, Court orders police to find Secretary of the Former Minister of Justice

SPAK wants to find and call Anjola Agolli, former secretary of the Minister of Justice, who has not been found, although SPAK has made available a new address for her. Meanwhile, the summons was repeated for the other co-defendants, including Luan Hoxha, Dritan Minxolli and Mihal Delijorgji, who have not …

Read More
News

Concerns over access to official stats grow, as INSTAT tries to recover from cyberattack 

TIRANA, Feb. 7, 2024 – Albania’s Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) is grappling with the aftermath of what it says was a sophisticated cyberattack, leaving its official website, instat.gov.al, inaccessible for several days before it went back up with limited access to key databases.   While much of the focus of attention …

Read More
News

Albania signs long-awaited social insurance deal with Italy 

By JERINA ZALOSHJA-RAKIPI ROME, Feb. 7, 2024 – After years of negotiations, Albania and Italy have signed a long-awaited deal on recognizing each other’s social insurance contributions, which will benefit more than 500,000 Albanian residents in Italy and any Italians who have worked in Albania.   “This agreement guarantees at least …

Read More
News

From exile, Albania’s ex deputy PM alleges massive corruption at top of SP leadership

TIRANA, Feb. 6, 2024 – In an lengthy television interview from exile in Switzerland, Albania’s former deputy prime minister, Arben Ahmetaj, has made startling accusations of massive corruption at the top of the country’s ruling Socialist Party, involving misuse of public funds in waste management and other taxpayer-funded projects. The …

Read More
News

Albanian saw quality of life stagnate as rest of region improved, according to EBRD report

TIRANA, Jan. 31, 2024 – A recent report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has highlighted a stark contrast in the perception of quality of life between Albania and other countries in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans.  While most nations in the region have seen significant …

Read More
News

Chief justice denounces unprecedented disregard from Socialist-controlled parliament over key ruling

TIRANA, Feb. 5, 2024 – In a rare press conference, the head of Albania’s Constitutional Court, Chief Justice Holta Zacaj, has rebuked Albania’s Socialist-controlled parliament for its refusal to adhere to a crucial court ruling regarding the mandate of Socialist MP and former foreign minister Olta Xhacka. Zacaj’s remarks came …

Read More
News
Sami Frashëri, intellectual who devoted his life to the national cause

TIRANA, June 18 – Sami Frashëri passed away on June 18, 1904, after dedicating his life to the patriotic cause. Frashëri was an intellectual, journalist, lexicographer, playwright, and one of the leading ideologues of the Albanian National Renaissance. He is widely regarded as one of the most prominent thinkers of …

News
Velipoja opens tourism season with reduced beach equipment fees, public spaces expanded

TIRANA, June 18 – Velipoja opens the summer tourist season. The report comes from the Albanian news agency (ATSH). Marseda Qefalia reports from Velipoja. The municipality introduces reduced tariffs for umbrellas and sunbeds in public beach areas. At the same time, Velipoja stands as the northernmost beach in Albania. It …

News
Kakavija border crossing to Greece increases capacity ahead of summer travel surge

TIRANA, June, 18 – Authorities at the Kakavija border crossing to Greece increased operational capacity to manage higher traffic during the summer season. Border and customs services also intensified their work to facilitate the movement of travellers. The measures include additional active checkpoints during peak hours. Meanwhile, teams reorganised vehicle …

News
NATO Defence ministerial meets in Brussels, Albanian Defence Minister highlights defence investment

TIRANA, June 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. Participants discussed the Alliance’s key priorities for strengthening security and collective defence across the Euro-Atlantic area. Meanwhile, ministers highlighted the importance of maintaining unity among allies. The meeting also focused on increasing operational …

News
Finance and Legal Professionals Fuel Money-Laundering in Western Balkans: Report

A new report warns that weak oversight of lawyers, notaries, accountants and auditors helps facilitate money-laundering across the Western Balkans through real estate fraud and complex financial arrangements. Original post Here

News
Albania attends NATO ministerial in Brussels as alliance focuses on military capability growth

TIRANA, June 18 – The NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting takes place in Brussels at NATO headquarters. Albania takes part in the ministerial. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attends the meeting. At the same time, the agenda focuses on security and strategic developments within the Alliance. It also addresses strengthening military capabilities. …

News
Private producers surpass Albanian Power Corporation in electricity generation during first four months of 2026

TIRANA, June 18 – Private producers and concessionaires generated more than half of Albania’s electricity output during the first four months of 2026, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE). The figures show that private operators surpassed the Albanian Power Corporation for the first time. Meanwhile, net domestic …

News
More than 500 Gjirokastër farmers apply for national agriculture support scheme

TIRANA, June 18 – More than 500 farmers in Gjirokastër Municipality have applied for support under the National Agriculture Support Scheme. Applications were submitted through the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development. Meanwhile, Agriculture Specialist Balil Bineri said most applications focus on four support measures. Farmers have shown the strongest …

News
Hita meets Italian police officials as cooperation targets organized crime and trafficking

TIRANA, June 18 – State Police Director General Skënder Hita met Italian police officials in Tirana. The delegation included Lorenzo Bucossi, Director of the International Police Cooperation Service, and Marco Cali, Director of the Central Operational Service of the Italian State Police. During the meeting, both sides praised the high …

News
Academician Luan Omari receives Golden Star of the Veteran award

TIRANA, June 18 – Academician Luan Omari received the Golden Star of the Veteran award on the occasion of his 101st birthday. The Academy of Sciences hosted a ceremony in his honour. The event opened with a song dedicated to Omari by “Thesaret labe” [Labëria Treasuries]. Academics, jurists, veterans, and …

News

Sami Frashëri, intellectual who devoted his life to the national cause

TIRANA, June 18 – Sami Frashëri passed away on June 18, 1904, after dedicating his life to the patriotic cause. Frashëri was an intellectual, journalist, lexicographer, playwright, and one of the leading ideologues of the Albanian National Renaissance. He is widely regarded as one of the most prominent thinkers of …

News

Velipoja opens tourism season with reduced beach equipment fees, public spaces expanded

TIRANA, June 18 – Velipoja opens the summer tourist season. The report comes from the Albanian news agency (ATSH). Marseda Qefalia reports from Velipoja. The municipality introduces reduced tariffs for umbrellas and sunbeds in public beach areas. At the same time, Velipoja stands as the northernmost beach in Albania. It …

News

Kakavija border crossing to Greece increases capacity ahead of summer travel surge

TIRANA, June, 18 – Authorities at the Kakavija border crossing to Greece increased operational capacity to manage higher traffic during the summer season. Border and customs services also intensified their work to facilitate the movement of travellers. The measures include additional active checkpoints during peak hours. Meanwhile, teams reorganised vehicle …

News

NATO Defence ministerial meets in Brussels, Albanian Defence Minister highlights defence investment

TIRANA, June 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attended the meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels. Participants discussed the Alliance’s key priorities for strengthening security and collective defence across the Euro-Atlantic area. Meanwhile, ministers highlighted the importance of maintaining unity among allies. The meeting also focused on increasing operational …

News

Finance and Legal Professionals Fuel Money-Laundering in Western Balkans: Report

A new report warns that weak oversight of lawyers, notaries, accountants and auditors helps facilitate money-laundering across the Western Balkans through real estate fraud and complex financial arrangements. Original post Here

News

Albania attends NATO ministerial in Brussels as alliance focuses on military capability growth

TIRANA, June 18 – The NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting takes place in Brussels at NATO headquarters. Albania takes part in the ministerial. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi attends the meeting. At the same time, the agenda focuses on security and strategic developments within the Alliance. It also addresses strengthening military capabilities. …

News

Private producers surpass Albanian Power Corporation in electricity generation during first four months of 2026

TIRANA, June 18 – Private producers and concessionaires generated more than half of Albania’s electricity output during the first four months of 2026, according to data from the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE). The figures show that private operators surpassed the Albanian Power Corporation for the first time. Meanwhile, net domestic …

News

More than 500 Gjirokastër farmers apply for national agriculture support scheme

TIRANA, June 18 – More than 500 farmers in Gjirokastër Municipality have applied for support under the National Agriculture Support Scheme. Applications were submitted through the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development. Meanwhile, Agriculture Specialist Balil Bineri said most applications focus on four support measures. Farmers have shown the strongest …

News

Hita meets Italian police officials as cooperation targets organized crime and trafficking

TIRANA, June 18 – State Police Director General Skënder Hita met Italian police officials in Tirana. The delegation included Lorenzo Bucossi, Director of the International Police Cooperation Service, and Marco Cali, Director of the Central Operational Service of the Italian State Police. During the meeting, both sides praised the high …

News

Academician Luan Omari receives Golden Star of the Veteran award

TIRANA, June 18 – Academician Luan Omari received the Golden Star of the Veteran award on the occasion of his 101st birthday. The Academy of Sciences hosted a ceremony in his honour. The event opened with a song dedicated to Omari by “Thesaret labe” [Labëria Treasuries]. Academics, jurists, veterans, and …