Albania Court Detains Finance Ministry Officials for Abuse of Office
Three top Albanian Finance Ministry officials face bribery and abuse of office charges for the double compensation of the same private property. Original post Here
Albania in 2023: Local Elections and the Fate of the Opposition
As Albania confronts the tough task of accession talks with the European Union, there are concerns about how the state of the opposition Democrats is affecting the state of Albanian democracy. Original post Here
Albania Police Probe Illegal CCTVs Erected in Northern City
Police are trying to work out who put up illegal surveillance cameras in the northern city of Shkoder, with the finger of suspicion pointing towards local crime gangs Original post Here
UK Minister’s Outburst on Albanian Migrants Outrages Tirana
The British ambassador in Albania on Monday was handed a protest note from the Albanian Foreign Ministry over the statement a British Minister made recently about illegal Albanian migrants in the UK. Original post Here
PM’s Order to Sing National Anthem in Schools Divides Albanians
PM Edi Rama’s decision that the national anthem be sung in all state schools at least once a week has not been universally welcomed, with some calling it a nationalist stunt. Original post Here
Floods in Western Balkans Cause Huge Damage, Drownings
States of emergency have been declared in some Western Balkan cities as floods block roads and cut off power while two people in Montenegro and Serbia reportedly drowned. Original post Here
Drug Traffickers’ Exploitation of Balkan Ports Requires Regional Response
Criminal networks are the primary illegal users of ports in the Balkans for the trafficking of cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin. Tackling them requires greater international police cooperation. Original post Here
US Probes FBI Ex-Agent’s Ties with Balkan Officials
A US federal grand jury is probing whether former senior FBI agent Charles McGonigal received payments or gifts from government officials in Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Kosovo. Original post Here
Albanians Mull Options as Data Security Takes New Hit
Albanians are seeking action after hackers behind a wave of cyber-attacks in 2022 opened a new front by hacking a private bank and leaking client data. Original post Here
Concerns Grow About Albanian Children Missing in UK
British admission that hundreds of Albanian minor asylum seekers have gone missing from placements in hotels has drawn criticism from experts demanding more responsibility on the issue. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 10 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita thanked around 300 police officers, firefighters and Armed Forces personnel involved in the Kruja wildfire operation. Lamallari praised their work in evacuating residents and managing the fire, which strong winds intensified. He said special forces, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his gratitude and respect for Air Force pilots, firefighters, army special forces and police officers who protected residents during the wildfires in Kruja. In a social media post, Rama said the teams had overcome a difficult challenge. He said they had …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania will experience mostly clear and hot weather on Monday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clouds will appear occasionally around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas in the south. Southeastern areas may see brief periods of denser clouds. The sky will clear …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s Defence Ministry reported 8 wildfires across the counties of Tirana, Fier, Durrës and Lezha. Six remain active, while authorities have brought 2 under control or placed them under monitoring. A total of 227 personnel are working on the ground. Authorities have also requested 50 additional …
TIRANA, August 10 – Albin Kurti of the Self-Determination Movement (LVV) asked for more time for political talks on August 8. He did not nominate a candidate for parliament speaker. As a result, the constitutive session did not continue. Tensions rose after Time Kadriaj, an MP from the Alliance for …
TIRANA, August 10 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) has launched a national information and promotion campaign for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). AIDA is working with 10 municipalities and the Albanian Investment Corporation (AIC) on the campaign. The initiative will provide businesses with information on financing opportunities, exports, …
TIRANA, August 10 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Farka Air Base today and met Air Force pilots involved in wildfire operations. The pilots have carried out aerial missions in several areas affected by fires in recent days. Nufi thanked the pilots for their work and commitment. He also …
TIRANA, August 10 – Gjirokastër continues to attract visitors from around the world with its history, architecture, landscape and cuisine. Tourists from the United States, France, Spain and Italy shared their impressions during visits to Gjirokastër Castle. An American tourist praised the castle’s rich history and age. She said the …
TIRANA, August 10 – Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko has called President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement on Kosova’s independence a diplomatic mistake. Goncharenko, who initiated a draft law on recognising Kosova in the Ukrainian parliament, reacted to Zelensky’s remarks in Belgrade. Zelensky said Ukraine had no plans to change its position on …
Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here