Blog
News

Over 7 milion foreigners visited Albania in jan-aug 2023

Albania is experiencing its best tourist year in post-transition history. From north to south, on the beaches, in the mountains, in the historical cities, in bars and restaurants, everywhere, you meet tourists from different nations. INSTAT data show that the arrivals of foreign citizens for the first 8 months of …

Read More
News

President Begaj to participate in Giorgio Napolitano’s funeral in Italy

President Bajram Begaj will participate in the state funeral of the former President of Italy, Senator for Life, Giorgio Napolitano. Important figures of Italian and European politics will be present at the ceremony that will take place at the Italian Parliament in Rome. Napolitano has been a permanent supporter of …

Read More
News

Halilaj: We are beside our brothers in Kosovo, we will celebrate in another day

The socialist candidate, Albert Halilaj, made the first reaction after the deep victory in Kukes. Through a post on Facebook, Halilaj announces that the Socialist Party will postpone the victory celebration for another day, respecting the national mourning in Kosovo after the killing of the police officer in the north …

Read More
News

Socialist candidate leading results for new mayor of Kukes

Kukes in conducting the process of counting votes in the race for the mayor  even this Monday morning.  According to official Central Elections Commission (CEC) data, until now the socialist candidate Albert Halilaj is leading the results. In 45 ballot boxes counted out of 74 in total, Halilaj has received …

Read More
News

PM Rama commemorates policeman that got killed in Northern Kosovo

Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Monday by commemorating the Kosovo police officer, Afrim Bunjaku, who was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning after a gun attack by an armed Serb group in the north of the country. This reaction of Albania’s Head of Government came after Kosovo …

Read More
News

Kosovo police puts Bansjka monastery under control

Kosovo Police announced this Monday that three attackers have been killed, while six others have been arrested by a group of about 30 armed people, who in the early hours of Sunday attacked the Kosovo Police in the north, where tragically one policeman was killed. while another was injured. Armed …

Read More
News

Driver punished heavily for dangerous maneuvers

A driver has been fined 40,000 ALL by the Tirana Traffic Police, as announced Monday. This citizen had performed dangerous maneuvers while driving. However, the denunciation was made by a citizen, through a video. /abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post Here

Read More
News

Fier Incinerator, Special Court to issue sentence on ex-minister

Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime is expected to deliver this Monday morning the verdict for the defendants, in relation to the Fier incinerator file. Hearing on the case was scheduled to be held at 10:00, but it was postponed by 60 minutes. Special Prosecutor’s Office requested a total …

Read More
News

Fier’s incinerator, Lefter Koka and Alqi Blako are sentenced to prison

The Special Court has sentenced the defendants in the Fieri incinerator case. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the former Minister of the Environment, Lefter Koka, was sentenced to 9.8 years in prison due to a shortened trial. As the former secretary in this ministry, Alqi Blako was sentenced …

Read More
News

Election in Kukes, Albert Halilaj wins with a deep difference from his opponent

The counting of 74 ballot boxes in Kukes has finished, reports journalist Erneta Shevroja. Albert Halilaj of the Socialist Party announces the victory with 13,026 votes against the opposition rival, the candidate of the ‘Together We Win’ coalition, Emri Vata, who received 7,429 votes. The socialist candidate triumphs with 5597 …

Read More
News
Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

News
Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News
As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

News
Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

News
Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

News
We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News
Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News
Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News
Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

News

Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News

As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

News

Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

News

Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

News

We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …