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Rubble 🧱

Second body found under rubble as police arrest man for Elbasan explosion

A powerful explosion in Elbasan has resulted in the discovery of a second victim, a 69-year-old apartment owner, found under the rubble after an extensive search. Police have arrested a 49-year-old suspect, and investigations into the tragedy are underway with the involvement of experts from the Institute of Construction.

In other developments, an independent investigation has been requested from SPAK regarding the accusations within the ongoing conflict between Prime Minister Edi Rama and Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj. Meanwhile, the court session for former chief prosecutor Adriatik Llalla was postponed for an unspecified reason.

The EU has issued an alarm concerning food safety in Albania, citing issues with the Food and Veterinary Authority, pesticides, laboratories, and potential corruption risks in inspections. Additionally, reports indicate a shortage of legal frameworks for Artificial Intelligence in Albania and a proposed 2027 budget that reduces social protection spending while increasing defense expenditures.

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Elbasan Explosion Investigation

A powerful explosion in a building in Elbasan has led to the discovery of a second victim, a 69-year-old owner of the apartment where the fire is believed to have originated. Police have arrested a 49-year-old suspect, and investigations are ongoing with experts from the Institute of Construction. The blast has also damaged the building, prompting the evacuation of families and rendering part of the structure uninhabitable.

EU Concerns Over Albanian Food Safety

The EU has raised an alarm regarding food safety in Albania, with a progress report highlighting significant issues within the Food and Veterinary Authority, problems with pesticides and laboratories, and the risk of corruption in inspections.

Former Chief Prosecutor's Court Session Postponed

The court session against former chief prosecutor Adriatik Llalla has been postponed for an unspecified reason. Llalla previously served as the prosecutor general from 2012 to 2017 and was sentenced to two years in prison in 2021 for failing to declare assets.

Crime and Incidents

Law enforcement in Tirana arrested a 49-year-old man, known as 'the tough guy of Sauk', for allegedly transporting a pistol on a motorcycle, with a bulletproof vest also found at his home. In Shkodër, a cannabis cultivation operation was uncovered, leading to the arrest of a 57-year-old. Separately, a 70-year-old pedestrian was critically injured after being hit by a car in Levan-Vlorë.

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