Albania’s Currency Exchanges Tied to Drug Money Laundering
By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania,October 16,2025. Behind brightly lit kiosks advertising euros, dollars and pounds, prosecutors say a hidden financial system is moving millions in illicit cash for some of Albania’s most powerful drug-trafficking groups. Recent investigations by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, or SPAK, reveal that certain licensed currency …
War Veterans’ Protest Sparks Tension Between Kosovo and Albania PMs
A protest planned for Friday in Tirana – against the Hague war crimes court’s trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci – has reignited feuding between Albania’s premier Edi Rama and the biggest party in Kosovo. Original post Here
Albania Emerges as Destination Port for Illicit Oil from Russia and Libya
Low quality, sanctioned oil products originating in Russia and Libya are finding a way through Albanian ports, hidden behind forged cargo declarations or inside the modified hulls of fishing boats. Original post Here
AI ‘Candidate’ Proposed for Albania Mayoral Election
After Albania’s government appointed an AI-generated digital assistant as a ‘minister’, a group of information technology experts have proposed an AI ‘candidate’ for the upcoming Tirana mayoral election. Original post Here
Albania Beats Serbia, Keeps World Cup Dream Alive
By Tirana Times Staff | October 12, 2025 LESKOVAC . Albania stunned Serbia with a 1–0 victory on Saturday night, a result that not only strengthens its bid for a first-ever World Cup but also carries enormous symbolic weight in one of the most politically charged rivalries in European football. …
Week in Review: Leaping into the Unknown
Electoral races, political comebacks and anti-corruption efforts: our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week looks at how current developments are shaping the region’s future. Original post Here
Arab Scientist Among 2025 Nobel Chemistry Laureates for Groundbreaking Molecular Architectures
In an era when Arab nations are investing heavily in science and technology especially under initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Yaghi’s Nobel Prize is seen as both a personal triumph and a symbolic breakthrough for scientific ambition across the Middle East By Tirana Times Staff | October 8, …
‘No One’s Above the Law’: Albania’s Anti-Graft Prosecutor Leaves Formidable Legacy
As head of Albania’s special anti-graft and organised crime prosecution, Altin Dumani proved no one is ‘untouchable’ anymore. Experts say he set a high bar for his successor. Original post Here
Praise for ‘Hero’ Dictator Hoxha Sparks Outrage in Albania
MPs slammed the Albanian parliament’s administration for sending out an official document listing the country’s Communist-era dictator Enver Hoxha as a ‘hero’. Original post Here
NY Mayor’s Visit Puts Spotlight on Rama’s Foreign Links
By Tirana Times StaffTIRANA — October 7, 2025 The visit of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to Tirana this week at the personal invitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama has reignited scrutiny of the Albanian leader’s expanding network of foreign political connections and associates. Adams’ trip, coming just days …
*]: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:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-20″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-20″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-42″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania says the next phase of negotiations with the European Union requires faster reforms and closer coordination between institutions. Officials held the 8th Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union and Albania in Brussels, …
Mirela Kumbaro said that Austria fully supports Albania in its European integration process. She made the remarks during a working visit to Vienna, where she held a series of meetings with Austrian higher education and research institutions. Kumbaro met with Austrian Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, who leads Women’s Affairs and Research, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a regional conference titled “From Property to Progress.” He addressed property reform challenges and Albania’s path toward EU membership. He said digital transformation is a major benefit for Albania. It helps the country move forward faster. It also helps improve how the future is …
Renowned Albanian restorer Jani Zoica has passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in preserving mural art and religious monuments across Albania. The Museum of Medieval Art Korçë announced the news in a social media post, highlighting Zoica’s contribution to fresco and mural restoration for more than three decades. He …
The Bay of Vlora Bay has officially opened the summer tourist season, bringing improvements in organization and maritime transport. Tourist boats with a capacity of more than 12 passengers have begun regular daily operations, offering greater safety, comfort, and more travel options for the growing number of local and international …
*]: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:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-40″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi said that Albania is taking on a growing role in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. He made the remarks during the Security Forum titled “US–Europe Partnership and the Indispensable Role of NATO”, organized by the Albanian …
*]: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:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The Transparency Board, during its next meeting held this Wednesday, revised fuel prices. According to the announcement, the retail selling price of diesel fuel (gasoil) under the SSH EN 590 standard will be no more than 190 lek per liter. …
*]: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:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, reacted following the Eighth Intergovernmental Conference on the European Union membership process, describing Albania’s progress as the result of reforms and merit. In a post on the social media platform X, …
*]: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:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> On May 26, 2026, the 8th Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level between the European Union and Albania took place in Brussels, marking a particularly important moment in the country’s path toward European Union membership. The Albanian delegation was led by …
*]: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=”d55f69e8-673d-4e61-b840-a0f9eb84d695″ data-turn-id-container=”d55f69e8-673d-4e61-b840-a0f9eb84d695″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> After nearly six decades of interruption, the village of Kabash in Pukë witnessed the return of Eid al-Adha prayers at the ruins of the area’s old mosque, in a symbolic ceremony that gathered residents, worshippers, and emigrants who had returned …