Arrests at Bankers Petroleum Spark Questions Over Albania’s Oil Industry and Accountability
By Tirana Times Staff FIER/TIRANA, July 2, 2025 — In a stunning development that has shaken Albania’s oil sector, police arrested the current CEO of Bankers Petroleum, Chinese national Hongping Xiao, and the company’s former director, Leonidha Çobo, during a surprise raid on the company’s headquarters in Fier on Tuesday. …
Massive Fraud Uncovered: Bankers Petroleum Under Fire for Decades of Tax Evasion and Billions in Untaxed Oil Revenues
CEO Arrested, €4 Billion in Oil Sales Revealed, and Zero Profit Tax Paid to the Albanian State FIER/TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) — Albania’s largest oil producer, Bankers Petroleum, is at the center of a sweeping scandal that prosecutors say involves one of the most egregious cases of tax fraud and …
Rama Rebukes Farage: Albanian PM Slams “One-in-50” Prison Claim as Post-Brexit Scapegoating
While Turning UK Migration Debate into Personal Stagecraft TIRANA TIMES — July 2, 2025 — A fiery public exchange between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and British right-wing populist Nigel Farage has brought the issue of Albanian migration into the political spotlight once again — but this time with a …
Skopje Summit Revives EU Enlargement Hopes — But Ignores the Democratic Erosion in the Balkans
The participants of the Growth Plan Summit, 1 July 2025, Skopje; Photo: European Commission By Tirana Times SKOPJE, July 2, 2025 — The European Union’s renewed enthusiasm for enlargement took center stage at this week’s Growth Plan Summit in Skopje, where EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos joined the leaders …
Albania’s ‘Lads of London’ Create Bigger Problems for Their Home Country
A social media row between British right-winger Nigel Farage and Albania’s premier Edi Rama over the level of crime committed by Albanians in the UK misses the main point. Original post Here
The Silent Collapse of the Tower Euphoria
By Klodian Tomorri The history of the global economy is filled with well-documented episodes of collective madness. Often, these episodes have culminated in crises that brought even the greatest empires to their knees—such as the Mississippi Bubble or the South Sea Bubble. In other cases, they have devastated the lives …
Balkan Investigative Reporting Highlights: 20 Stories from 20 Years
As BIRN marks its 20th anniversary, here’s a diverse selection of investigations picked from two decades of in-depth reporting on one of Europe’s most complex and challenging regions. Original post Here
Rama Forces UK’s Farage Onto Backfoot Over Albanian Criminals
British far-right leader fails to land a punch with Albania’s prime minister in fiery row on social media over the number of Albanians held in UK jails. Original post Here
NATO’s Defence Spending Plan Poses Challenge for Balkan States
The Western military alliance’s new national spending benchmark on defence and security may cause problems for smaller and poorer NATO member states in the Balkans who cannot afford 5 per cent of GDP. Original post Here
Rule of Law or Rule by Law? Albania’s EU Path Faces a Crisis of Credibility
Jerina Zaloshnja As Albania accelerates the formal process of European Union accession—opening negotiation chapters at a pace that seems to outstrip democratic reforms—it faces an urgent and unavoidable truth: a country cannot genuinely integrate into the EU without first building a functioning rule-of-law society. No volume of technical chapters opened …
TIRANA, May 20 – Students from the University of Tirana took part in the international sports competition “2nd Lion Explorer in Venice 2026” in Venice. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the participation of Albanian students in the event as an important step for university sports. He said …
TIRANA, May 20 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said Albania continues to support Italy in challenges linked to illegal migration and regional security. During a press conference, Lamallari answered questions about contacts with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and the latter’s visit to Tirana. He confirmed that Albanian and Italian …
TIRANA, May 20 – Slovak cyclist Samuel Fedor has won the second stage of the 83rd Tour of Albania, held from Lezha to Elbasan over 149.9 kilometres. Fedor of Dukla Banska Bystrica secured victory after a strong sprint finish and recorded a time of 3 hours, 6 minutes and 26 …
TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has said the European Union must take a more direct role in diplomacy with Russia. The bloc, he said, made a strategic mistake by relying heavily on the United States for dialogue with Moscow. Rama made the remarks in an interview with …
A new film will be restored under the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative by the Albanian National Film Archive. The director of AQSHF, Eljan Tanini, announced that the next project is the film “Shoku ynë Tili”. He thanked a supporter from Kosovo, Baki Wahsh, for helping make the restoration …
TIRANA, May 20 – Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj took part in the 5th international ministerial conference “No Money for Terror” in Paris, France. French Minister for Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure hosted the event under France’s G7 presidency for 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron …
The National Center of Cinematography of Albania has announced the winners in the “Various Cinematographic Projects” category. A total of 14 projects will receive financial support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of Albania. The aim is to strengthen Albania’s audiovisual industry. It also seeks to support new …
TIRANA, May 20 – On May 20, 1903, Ernest Koliqi was born in the city of Shkodër. He became one of the most influential Albanian writers, scholars, translators, and educators of the 20th century. Koliqi studied at the Saverian College and later graduated in literature from the University of Padua. …
TIRANA, May 20 – Miss Summer World held its 10th edition in Himara, bringing together contestants from 45 countries for the international final at Potam beach. Himara Mayor Vangjel Tavo said the contestants added visibility and appeal to the coastal city, while the municipality supported the organisation of the event. …
TIRANA, May 20 – Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi held a meeting with Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber. The two sides signed the Agreement on the Building Damage Assessment Project. The Institute of Construction implements the project with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation …