Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth
From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …
Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë
Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …
Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games
Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …
Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”
The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …
Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation
Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …
Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration
Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …
Delina Ibrahimaj said investment and cooperation in agro-processing are key for exports and EU integration
She spoke during a visit to an olive oil processing business. Edi Rama and other cabinet members were present. First, she stressed higher standards in production. She said agriculture and agro-processing must improve to enter the EU market. Then, she highlighted a new model of cooperation. Over 70 olive oil …
Blendi Gonxhja said traditional crochet art is a candidate for UNESCO recognition
Blendi Gonxhja said traditional crochet art is a UNESCO candidate. He announced the nomination of “ojnat.” He submitted it in a joint file with Romania and Turkey. First, he highlighted its cultural value. He said Albanian women passed it down through generations. Then, he explained the technique. Artisans use fine …
Orthodox Believers Mark Good Friday with Holy Procession in Tirana
Joani of Tirana, Durres and All Albania led the Holy Epitaph procession in Tirana. Orthodox believers marked Good Friday. They gathered at the Cathedral “Resurrection of Christ.” First, they lit candles. They prayed together. They remembered the Passion of Christ. Then, the procession moved through the streets of Tirana. Clergy …
Karakaçi Meets Lorkowski to Review Albania’s Energy Progress
Karakaçi meets Lorkowski to review Albania’s energy progress. Officials discuss Albania’s energy sector performance. The Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Enea Karakaçi, hosts Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, in Tirana. Both sides review Albania’s progress report in the energy sector. They exchange views on expectations for 2026. …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said Albania continues to deliver strong economic results. As a result, the country ranks among the region’s best performers in both economic growth and inflation control. According to the latest statistics, Albania recorded an inflation rate of 2.8% in April 2026. This figure was lower …
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said Albania has assured the European Commission that the €1.4 billion tourism project linked to Jared Kushner will fully comply with EU environmental standards. The Albanian government pledged to carry out a full environmental impact assessment. It also committed to following all EU rules on …
Albania’s Customs Administration is advancing the implementation of the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), a major step toward integration with the European Union’s Common Transit Convention. To support the process, customs authorities are conducting dedicated training sessions for system users. In these activities, representatives of the company developing the platform, …
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said Albania’s new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening mechanism will strengthen economic security and increase investor confidence. She made the remarks during the event “Albania’s Foreign Direct Investment Screening Framework,” organized by AmCham Albania in cooperation with Center for International Private Enterprise. The …
Montenegro’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed as unfounded allegations that Podgorica is conducting a hybrid war against Serbia, stating that such claims reflect the unwillingness of certain political structures in Belgrade to accept Montenegro as a sovereign state. The reaction came after Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić claimed that Montenegro …
Albania’s Prosecutor General, Olsian Çela, reported to the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs on Monday regarding the institution’s annual activity and the state of crime in 2025. During his presentation, Çela provided data showing an increase in workload and in the number of cases handled by the general jurisdiction prosecution …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”4910866e-baec-481b-b0ba-d7c458e23242″ data-turn-id-container=”4910866e-baec-481b-b0ba-d7c458e23242″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-3″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted on Monday to the debates surrounding the protest against the project planned in the Narta area, sharing on social media a comment written by a young woman from Vlora. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-1″ …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Tirana, Nancy VanHorn, participated on Monday in the American Chamber of Commerce’s presentation on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). During her remarks, VanHorn stated that Albania is open for business, but in a way that protects …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> For many years, mathematics has been regarded as a field where boys tend to have a greater aptitude and achieve better results. However, the latest data suggest that this perception is gradually fading, at least in Albania. An analysis published …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e0d73d65-af79-4afc-9170-4d52382bb8c4-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Young Albanians are increasingly choosing to pursue higher education abroad, making Albania one of the countries with the highest rates of student mobility in the region. A report by the UNESCO highlights that this trend is being driven by several …