Igli Hasani meets with Pope Francis at Vatican
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani was hosted at the Holy See in a private audience by Pope Francis. Hasani, on behalf of the Albanian government and state, praised the efforts of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church to maintain peace, stability and harmony between religious …
Two remote control mines and C4 explosives are seized, a 24-year-old man is arrested
A 24-year-old from Fushë-Kruja, who was caught with two remote-controlled mines while transporting them towards Lezha, will remain in prison indefinitely. Arkil Selimi was introduced to the security measure at the Court of Lezha and in the session with closed doors, it is learned that he did not give any …
In Himara’s lucrative coastline, land deals lead to acting mayor’s arrest and political limbo
TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – Himara Municipality, which has one of the most commercially lucrative tourist coastlines in Albania, saw its acting mayor arrested over the weekend, as Jorgo Goro, a representative of the ruling Socialist Party, faces charges of allowing the irregular registration of two coastal properties through forged …
Albania ranks least happy in Europe, again, UN report finds
TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – Albania might be experiencing a tourism boom – but its residents remain Europe’s most unhappy people, according to an annual UN report published last week. Despite a slight improvement in its ranking compared to the previous year, with Albania climbing from 91st to 87th place …
SPAK seizes the apartment and vehicle of the former judge of Elbasan
An apartment and a vehicle owned by the former judge of Elbasan, Ilir Pashaj, have been seized. The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) immediately started the property investigation after the arrest of Pashaj, who was involved in a corrupt affair with judge Zamira Vyshka. Pashaj practiced the profession of lawyer at …
Director of University Hospital Center, Albana Fico discharged
The University Hospital Center in Albania, informed for the removal of the director, Albana Fico this Monday morning. No reasons were made public, but Fico will no longer be on the top of this institution. She was appointed three years ago, replacing in this post former director Enkelejd Joti. She …
Former P.M Berisha don’t want to lose the mandate of the deputy
Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha requests permission to participate in the sessions in the Assembly. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the Appeal judge, Ilirjana Olldashi, will announce the decision at 3:30 p.m. “The Court of Appeal did not take the decision immediately, but will announce it at 15:30. …
Investigative Commission on Health, the first meeting started with debates
The meeting of the Investigative Committee on sterilization and health check-up started this Monday with debates between the majority and the opposition, even though it was a constitutive meeting. Journalist Erneta Shevroja made a summary of the whole situation, emphasizing that both parties discussed whether this meeting should be held …
Explosion in the yard of an house in Shkodra
TNT explosion in a private residence in Shkoder. The police announce that the explosive device was placed at the gate of the courtyard of the apartment owned by 62-year-old Frida Sala in the “Tom Kola” neighborhood. As a result, only material damage was caused. The incident happened around 03:40. The …
War in Kosovo, 25 years since the start of NATO attacks against Serbian military targets
This Sunday marks 25 years since the start of NATO airstrikes against military and police targets in Serbia and Montenegro. The attacks had begun at 19:45, when NATO planes dropped the first bombs against strategic positions of the army of the former Yugoslavia, as the two republics of the former …
Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …
TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …
TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …
While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …
TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …