Looking to escape economic rut, Albania pins hopes on yet uncertain oil bonanza
TIRANA, Aug. 30, 2023 – Faced with a GDP per capita falling far behind even the poorest EU members, lackluster foreign investments and a growing budget deficit that has to be financed by an ever-shrinking and aging population, Albania’s government is hoping for a miracle: a winning lottery ticket that …
Michel’s 2030 EU enlargement goal welcomed, but also met with skepticism
TIRANA, Aug. 31. 2023 – European Council President Charles Michel has set a goal for the European Union and aspirant states to be ready for enlargement by 2030. Speaking at a regional forum in Slovenia on Aug. 28, Michel said that it was time for those states that have been …
Premier sees Prekal-Kir road’s construciton as ‘impulse for tourist development’
Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Thursday with some pictures of the works being done on the Prekal-Kir road in Shkodër. In a social media statement, the Head of Government underlined that this road segment will serve as a new impulse for tourist development. “GOOD MORNING, and with the works …
Durres driver arrested after crashing pedestrian to death
A 34-year-old man was arrested by the Durrës police this Thursday for an accident that happened a few days ago. Fatbardh Keci hit pedestrian Jonuz Mani to death, then fled the scene and hid the vehicle in Shijak. Regardless, the vehicle was found and blocked by the police. “Specialists of …
“Metamorphosis” operation, the Appellate Court gives today the decision for the arrested
The Appellate Court will decide on the morning of this Thursday for the arrested during the “Metamorphosis” operation. The session will take place at 10:00 a.m. and it is expected that the decision will be given on the request of the businessman Pellumb Gjoka, the police officer Oltion Bistri and …
Woman involved in Kukes ex-mayor sex scandal seeks lighter security measure
Alma Kaçi appeared this Thursday in the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), where the request for replacing the security measure is expected to be examined. The 40-year-old woman has demanded the replacement of the measure ‘house arrest’ with ‘investigation in free state’. At the end of last …
Tirana, three arrested for cocaine dealing
Three people have been arrested after being accused of supplying cocaine to several distribution networks. In the framework of the operation coded “Three stars”, to attack criminal activity in the field of narcotics, it was possible to arrest three persons, respectively 27, 30 and 24 years old, who, in cooperation …
Youth caught with drugs, gun in Saranda
A 21-year-old has been arrested this Wednesday morning by Saranda Police after being caught with narcotics and firearms in the car. Arrest of the young man was made possible after a police search of the ‘Benz’ type vehicle that was moving on the Sarandë-Ksamil road axis near the bay of …
Undeclared money/ Over 1 million euros seized since the beginning of the year in Durres, 10 arrested
Over 1 million undeclared euros have been seized in the port of Durres since the beginning of the year. Journalist Leonidha Musaj reports that so far 10 operations have been carried out and as a result 10 people have been arrested who tried to smuggle these large sums of money …
Veliaj hosts the delegation of Japanese MPs
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj hosted a delegation with representatives of the Japan-Albania Friendship Group, which is conducting an official visit to Albania. He expressed his happiness that Albania, which with the opening of the Pyramid, will soon return to the digital epicenter for the Balkans, is supported by …
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
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
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
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 …
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
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
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 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
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
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 …