Police director: 273 arrested in ‘Temple’ Mega-Operation
The General Director of the police, Muhamet Rrumbullaku, held a press conference regarding the ‘Temple 2’ operation developed throughout the country, where he gave even more details about the arrests and the checks carried out. From the operation that, according to Rrumbullaku, started in December last year, it is known …
Javelins for Kosovo, Black Hawks for Albania, U.S. reinforces military defense, as experts worry about the future
TIRANA, Jan. 22, 2024 – As tensions in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina continue, and with worries of Russian meddling, there has been an increase of investment in the defense of staunchest U.S. allies in the Western Balkans — both Kosovo and NATO member Albania. Last week, the United States approved a …
Couple of swiss hikers stranded in Korab mountain
A couple of Swiss tourists were stranded near Sorokoli in Mount Korabi, as announced Monday. According to the authorities, the tourists left yesterday afternoon and could not return. In advance, it is suspected that they were trapped by an avalanche. Police of Dibra and the force from Tirana immediately went …
Permet, rock falls on young man while in house
A young man was trapped in his apartment this Monday morning in Permet, after a rock mass slid down the mountain and fell into the 25-year-old’s house. As a result, the 25-year-old man was trapped in the apartment, and part of the rock mass caught his lower limbs and made …
New details on 21 January 2011 protest killings’ investigation
Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has given this Monday new details regarding the ongoing investigations into the case of January 21, where four people were killed, namely, Ziver Veizi, Faik Myrtaj, Hekuran Deda and Aleks Nika. In the official response, it is emphasized that as a function of the conducted investigations, …
PM Rama’s message to Balkan leaders
“We are not the best, but we deserve integration”, said Prime Minister Edi Rama in his speech at the Balkan summit in Skopje. “I would like to thank the US undersecretary, our friends. With this, O’Brien emphasizes the importance that this initiative has, not only for our countries, but for …
Two injured in Tirana by falling scaffold near under-construction building
A serious event has been recorded this Moday on “Gjergj Fishta” Boulevard in Tirana, where the scaffolding of a building under construction collapsed.As a result, two passers-by were injured, namely a 70-year-old and a 45-year-old. At the time being, the two injured are in the hospital, under the care of …
Why Albania sees Kosovo as an Autonomous Province of hers
The article below was first published on Feb. 26, 2020 in the Tirana Observatory. Many of the issues affecting the Albania-Kosovo relationship remain the same since then, albeit new issues have risen to add fuel to previous disagreements. It is part of a book authored by Albert Rakipi, “Albania and …
Op/Ed: The Future of Europe – Assuming Responsibility with Courage
By Karl von Habsburg In mid-December last year, a friend from Ukraine paid a visit to Vienna. Ihor Zhaloba, a historian from Chernivtsi, a university professor, a member of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, co-chairman of the Austrian-Ukrainian Historical Commission, President of the Pan-European Union of Ukraine, and: soldier. Three …
Tirana, two arrested after embezzling EUR 10,000 off employer
Two people were arrested in Tirana in the framework of the police operation coded “All in”, as informed this Saturday. They were put in handcuffs after, in different periods of time, they stole the amount of EUR 10,000 from a company where they were employed, in the “Ali Demi” neighborhood. …
Kosovo and North Macedonia join support for Washington. Tirana Times, February 28, 2026 – Albania threw its support behind U.S. strikes on Iran on Friday, with Prime Minister Edi Rama declaring that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should be officially designated a terrorist organization and saying Tirana would move to …
After months of defending his deputy and Minister of Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, who faces allegations of manipulating public tenders, Edi Rama finally dismissed her on Thursday night. Original post Here
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 26, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama carried out one of the deepest cabinet reshuffles of his fourth term, replacing officials across several of the most powerful ministries in a move that comes as his government faces rising scrutiny, swelling scandal pressure and an intensifying anti-corruption push …
As Milorad Dodik comes in from the cold, Albanians impress on Trump that they have an enemy in common. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 25 2026 – Domestic governance gaps are the primary entry points through which foreign actors can generate corrosive outcomes in strategic sectors. The Bankers Petroleum illustrates how this happens: when fiscal terms are unclear, cost verification is weak and enforcement is irregular, revenue disputes can last for …
Croatian’s premier paid a visit to Kyiv alongside other EU leaders, while most Balkan leaders voiced strong support for Ukraine’s self-defence on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s military assault. Original post Here
As Defence Minister talks defence sector collaboration with Israel, President Milanovic reminds government that last year he ordered an end to all cooperation with the Israeli army, citing its ‘unacceptable behaviour’. Original post Here
Albania’s huge agricultural sector is seeking to expand into European markets to flourish – but issues over old-fashioned methods, low productivity, banned pesticides and corruption stand in the way. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here