VIDEO/ A car in Elbasan engulfed in flames during the night
A car was engulfed in flames in the city of Elbasan. The event happened shortly after midnight last night at around 12.45 in the post office roundabout. The driver managed to get away and escape without damage, while the vehicle was completely destroyed. Firefighters immediately arrived at the scene and …
Ammunition and cocaine, police arrested a 31 year old
A 31-year-old man ended up in police custody this Wednesday in Tirana. According to the police report, quantities of cocaine and military ammunition were found and seized from the young man. “Specialists of the Narcotics Investigation Sector arrested the 31-year-old citizen, a resident of Tirana, after during the physical check, …
Bayraktar” drones will soon be ready 24/7 even for emergencies
After the successful test for night missions, the “Bayraktar” drones will soon switch to monitoring function 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as an important supporting element alongside the local authorities in the battle against fires. Defense Minister Pirro Vengu, accompanied by Air Force Commander Brigadier General Ferdinand …
Socialists take Himara mayor’s seat amid complaints of election irregularities
TIRANA, Aug. 6, 2024 – Vangjel Tavo, the Socialist Party candidate, won the race for mayor of Himara in by-elections held on Sunday, defeating his rival Petraq Gjikuria of the opposition coalition by about 1,500 votes. According to official data from the Central Election Commission, after counting votes from 36 …
Analysis: Himara by-election raises concerns over 2025 national vote, relations with Greece
TIRANA, Aug. 6, 2024 – Vangjel Tavo, the Socialist Party candidate, won the race for mayor of Himara in by-elections held on Sunday, defeating his rival Petraq Gjikuria of the opposition coalition by about 1,500 votes. The results mark a significant shift in support in the municipality favor of Albania’s …
High flow in the port of Durres, in five days has entered 25 thousand passengers
This week has marked a high flow of passengers entering the border point of the Port of Durres. Over 25,000 passengers arriving on the Durres-Bari ferries have entered through this border point. According to the statistics of the Border Police, in the last five days, 1800 vehicles have entered Albania. …
Crime Couriers: How Albanian Gangs Send Their Illegal Profits Back Home
Police investigations reveal that organised crime groups often use ordinary people and passenger transport agencies to smuggle their illegal profits from EU countries and elsewhere back into Albania. Original post Here
Tragedy in Saranda/ Man kills his wife with an ax
A serious incident happened in the early hours of the morning in the village of Shale, Konispol. According to Saranda police, it is suspected that during a conflict for weak motives in the apartment, 69-year-old Hyso Islami allegedly killed his 66-year-old wife Shano Islami with an ax. According to the …
Murder and selling narcotics, a 30 year old man arrested in Tirana
A 30-year-old man was arrested by the Tirana police, after he was wanted for attempted murder, and also had a criminal record and high social risk. At the time of the arrest, the 30-year-old Gabriele Peqini was moving armed and with forged identification tools and was also in possession of …
In Albania’s Himara, Property Rights More Important Than Greek Diplomatic Row
Last year’s mayoral elections in the southern coastal town led to a diplomatic dispute with Greece. Now, after locals elected a new mayor, they want him to get on with solving their problems with property registration. Original post Here
The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here
Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here
In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here
TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …
President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …
Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …
The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …
Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here
Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …
An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …