Albania’s two largest parties reach deal on electoral reform, face criticism
TIRANA, July 25, 2024 – Albania’s two largest political parties — the ruling Socialist Party and the main opposition Democratic Party — have reached a deal to make significant changes to the country’s electoral code ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. Key changes include only partially opening candidate lists so …
Cooperation against crime with Montenegro, more than 11 thousand cannabis roots are destroyed
The operation “Bjeshket”, carried out in cooperation with the Albanian police and the police of Montenegro, is finalized. The director of the Shkodra Police, Edmond Sulaj, in a communication to the media, emphasized that hundreds of thousands of cannabis plants were destroyed by this operation. Accordingly, during this action, 11,358 …
Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project
TIRANA, July 24, 2024 – The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) has signed a grant agreement with the Municipality of Tirana to establish Qatar Square, a significant development in the heart of Albania’s capital. The €11 million project, to be built on 23,700 square meters, aims to transform the end …
Accused of bribery of 25,000 to influence the judges, SPAK closes investigations for lawyer Petraq Semani
The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations and submitted the file of lawyer Petraq Semani for trial. The investigation showed that Petraq Semani, as the legal defender of the citizen Llazar Dine, asked the citizens Llazar Dine and Sidorela Dine for the monetary amount of 25,000 Euros, after he …
Money laundering/ General Prosecutor’s Office charges against an Albanian and three foreigners
Illegal money laundering scheme in Spain revealed. The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has completed the investigations and is charging an Albanian citizen and three foreigners. It is about the Albanian citizen Jozefina Gjoni, and the three foreign citizens Saverio Ciampi, Claudio Cuchi and Manrico Erriu. From the investigations carried out …
A 33-year-old man arrested for drug trafficking from Italy
A 33-year-old man declared internationally wanted by Italy was arrested this Thursday morning in Fier. The young man is accused of participating in a structured criminal group for drug trafficking. His arrest was made with the purpose of extradition to Italy. “The services of the Fier Police Station, following the …
Promised Land: Hope and Illusion Characterise Kosovo’s Love Affair with Albania
During the turbulent 20th Century, many Kosovo Albanians looked at Albania as a land of hope and promise. Then they visited. Original post Here
Balkan Countries Eye Potential Medals at Paris Olympics
As Balkan teams descend on Paris for the 2024 summer Olympics, their countries are pinning their highest hopes of success on those sports in which they have traditionally excelled. Original post Here
Ongoing heatwave negatively impacting Albania, region
TIRANA, July 24, 2024 – A scorching heatwave has gripped Albania and southern Europe this month, affecting daily life and businesses across the country. Health concerns for the most vulnerable, a series of wildfires, and slow business in the services sector during the hot daytime hours are some of the …
Two arrested for sexual abuse with a minor
The police of Maliqi have arrested a 41-year-old and a 26-year-old, as they are accused of sexually abusing a minor for several months. It was the girl who accepted this event near the blue uniforms, after her mother filed a complaint at the police station. The two arrested are in …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova’s acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca called on the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague to deliver a judicial decision, not a political one, regarding the upcoming ruling on former Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. The court is scheduled to issue its decision on September 16. …
Albania’s Selenicë Municipal Folklore Group represented the country at the 8th Balkan Festival “Opoja Vallëzon” in Bresanë, Kosovo, during the weekend. The group from Labëria, Vlora, performed on the festival’s opening night and introduced southern Albanian polyphonic singing to the event for the first time. This traditional art form, recognised …
TIRANA, July 28 – Around 432 children with disabilities aged 0–18 in Shkodër have started receiving a doubled monthly benefit. The measure covers all disability categories, including beneficiaries under the bio-psycho-social assessment scheme, blind persons, and people with paraplegic or tetraplegic status. Alma Mehmetaj, Director of the Social Service in …
TIRANA, July 28 – Parliament ratified the loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing program. The agreement opens the way for a $302 million investment to modernize Albania’s Armed Forces. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said the agreement marks an important step for national security. He added …
TIRANA, July 28 – The Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform held a technical roundtable on preventing and addressing the use of administrative resources during election campaigns. Committee Chair Damian Gjiknuri said the panel aims to prepare a legislative package before the end of the year. He noted that lawmakers …
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an old fountain with historical value in Rromës village, Selenicë Municipality. Workers found the structure during the construction of a water storage facility. Local residents informed authorities about the discovery, and specialists from the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Vlora inspected and documented …
TIRANA, July 28 – World War I began on July 28, 1914. The conflict started after the assassination of Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Bosnian Serb Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand network. The assassination ended the era of European empires and opened a bloody chapter in history. …
TIRANA, July 28 – Albania and Moldova are strengthening cooperation to modernize customs systems, align procedures with European Union standards, and facilitate trade. General Director of Customs Besmir Beja met with General Director of Moldova’s Customs Service Radu Vrabie during the first high-level Albania–Moldova meeting. The meeting received support from …
TIRANA, July 28 – Holta Canyon in Gramsh is one of Albania’s most visited tourist attractions. The destination offers visitors a journey through a landscape shaped by rock formations and thermal waters. Its caves and natural features make it an attractive site for exploration. PM Rama shared images of Holta …
TIRANA, July – Albania’s economy grew by 3.7% in the first quarter of 2026, exceeding the average growth rate of Western Balkan countries and the European Union. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the latest economic indicators and said the Finance Ministry expects growth to reach 4% by the end of …