Slovenia Celebrates Euro 2024 Progress, Other Balkan Teams Rue Strife-Marred Misfortunes
Albania, Croatia and Serbia are out of Euro 2024, but Slovenia reached the knockout stages of a major football tournament for the first time since independence – while their impeccably behaved fans set an example to their misbehaving Balkan neighbours. Original post Here
1.1 kilograms of cocaine seized, three arrested
Tirana’s Antidrug has arrested 3 people during an action against drug trafficking in Tirana. It is learned that 3 young people were caught near the “Myslym Shyri” street in an attempt to sell a significant amount of cocaine. Journalist Ervin Leka told “ABC News” that after the search, the police …
Right to information/ Rama: We have transformed the legal basis
The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, present at the Sixth National Conference on the “Right to Information” said that the country has made great progress in the field of legislation. “Many of the things that appear to us and are pointed out to us either by the public or …
Veliaj welcomes the former head of the CIA, Robert Gorelick
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has received in a meeting Robert Gorelick, the former head of the CIA in Italy and other countries of the world, who has visited the Albanian capital for the first time. In a post on the X platform, Veliaj expresses his happiness about the …
Albanian Businessman ‘Bankrolling Fugitive Ex-Deputy PM’, Prosecutors Claim
Albanian prosecutors believe businessman Ilir Dedja could be financing the comfortable life in Swiss exile of fugitive former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj, who is wanted on corruption charges. Original post Here
Albania Upholds Ethnic Greek Mayor-Elect’s Vote-Buying Conviction
An appeals court confirmed the conviction for vote-buying of Fredi Beleri, mayor-elect of Himara, whose case has caused a diplomatic row between Tirana and Athens – potentially barring him from Albanian domestic political life for two decades. Original post Here
With court recognition of Berisha-led DP, main opposition party shows signs of unity
TIRANA, June 25, 2024 – Ending years of turmoil, a court has placed Albania’s main opposition Democratic Party officially under the control of the faction that has the most support among voters. The decision means the state-recognized seal and funding will now shift from the minority faction led by Lulzim …
Eight doctors accused for abuse of power, the court gives the decisions
The Court of Tirana has set the security measure of “house arrest” and “compulsion to appear” for some doctors and employees of the Oncology Department at the University Hospital Center in Tirana for abuse of duty. According to the investigations, these people, who were employed at the state hospital “Mother …
A Turkish citizen arrested in Kapshtica, is expected his extradition to Instanbul
A 50-year-old man from Turkey, sentenced to over ten years in prison for the production and sale of narcotics, was arrested at the border crossing point in Kapshtica. He was arrested at the entrance to Albania and arrested by the Narcotics Investigation Section of DVP Korçë, with the aim of …
SPAK has requested two years in prison for the elected mayor of Himara
The Court of Special Appeal will give the decision on Tuesday at 13:00 for the elected mayor of the Municipality of Himara, Fredi Beleri. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the Appeal will be heard in connection with the announcement of the decision. Fredi Beleri and Pandeli Kokaveshi plead …
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here