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Shadow Networks – How Politics and Organized Crime Appear Intertwined in Albania

TIRANA, Albania  May 26,2025– Recent revelations from an Italian anti-mafia investigation have cast a harsh spotlight on the murky relationship between organized crime and the Albanian political elite, deepening concerns over state complicity in shielding and enabling criminal actors. At the center of the storm is Elvis Doçi, alias “Visi …

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Trump’s Tariffs Hit Albanian Exports Hard, Exposing Weakness in U.S.-Albania Economic Ties

Albanian exports to the United States have plummeted following the imposition of a 10% tariff on goods by President Donald Trump’s administration — part of a broader protectionist trade policy that has unsettled global markets and strained economic relations with several U.S. allies and partners. According to the Albanian Institute …

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After Albania’s Election: Socialists’ Huge Majority Rings Alarm for Democracy

With 83 of parliament’s 140 seats, the ruling Socialists have never been stronger. In the first of a series on Albania’s post-election political landscape, BIRN examines how democratic standards and the struggle against corruption could be affected. Original post Here

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From staunch enemy to strategic partner: Albanian-American relations in transition

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post From staunch enemy to strategic partner: Albanian-American relations in transition appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Behind the Façade: What’s Fueling Albania’s Real Estate Boom?

In recent years, Albania—particularly its capital, Tirana—has witnessed a real estate boom of unprecedented proportions. Tower cranes dominate the skyline, new developments sprout at every corner, and record-breaking building permits have become the norm. At first glance, this might seem like a sign of economic vitality. But beneath the surface …

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A Taste of Friendship: Turkish Diplomat Bridges Two Nations Through the Language of Food

Edibe Sinem Atay’s new cookbook on Turkish and Albanian cuisine is more than a culinary collection — it is a heartfelt celebration of history, identity, and shared heritage. TIRANA, May 24, 2025.When diplomacy meets the warmth of the kitchen, something deeply human and enduring is born. Edibe Sinem Atay, a …

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Tirana Pride Highlights Albania’s LGBT+ Progress Amid EU Hopes

TIRANA, May 25, 2025— Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Albania’s capital on Saturday during the annual Pride Parade, demanding equal rights, legal recognition, and dignity for the LGBT+ community under the motto “Side by Side.” The event, marked by colorful banners and strong calls for inclusion, received …

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Albania’s Vanishing Electorate: Emigration, Not a Boycott, Powered the Socialist Victory

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s ruling Socialist Party secured another sweeping victory in the May 11 parliamentary elections, but analysts say the most significant result wasn’t who won—but who wasn’t there to vote. Official data from the Central Election Commission indicate that at least 200,000 fewer people voted in 2025 compared …

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Fight to Protect Albania’s ‘Wild River’ Isn’t Over, Say Environmental Prize-Winners

Activists Olsi Nika and Besjana Guri tell BIRN they see their prestigious international prize as fresh motivation to continue their campaign to save one of Europe’s last wild rivers from development. Original post Here

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Crime Crackdown Exposes Albania’s Deep State-Organized Crime Links

Joint Italy-Albania Crime Crackdown Exposes Deep Ties Between Organized Crime and State Structures in Albania TIRANA, Albania ,Tirana Times May 21 — A sweeping anti-drug operation conducted jointly by Italian and Albanian authorities has laid bare what critics describe as the entrenched links between organized crime and political power in …

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Budget 2026 – Big on Paper, Poor in Reality

By Nikola Kedhi On paper, Albania enters 2026 as a “success story”: the government speaks of GDP growth around 4%, low inflation, public debt at roughly 53% of GDP, and presents the 2026 Budget as a continuation of stability.In reality, Albania is an economy structurally dependent on construction where extraordinarily large …

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New Chief Chosen for Albania’s Anti-Corruption Prosecution

Albania‘s High Prosecution Council chooses Klodian Braho as new head of the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime – a body with the tough task of tackling high-level graft. Original post Here

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‘The Biggest Fight is With the State,’ Says Albanian Eco-Warrior

Environmentalist Ardian Koci was awarded the 2025 EuroNatur Award for his campaigning conservation work in Albania – but he had already left the country after being fired by the Environment Ministry for speaking his mind. Original post Here

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10KSA in Tirana Saudi Embassy promotes a new culture of health awareness

By Tirana Times Tirana Times, December 10,2025. 10KSA arrived in Tirana through a special awareness-raising event organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the first introduction in Albania of one of the world’s most recognized global initiatives for preventive health and community empowerment. Deputy Ambassador Ahmed …

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New Charges: Deputy PM Balluku Between SPAK and the Constitutional Court

SPAK could move toward a harsher measure against the suspended deputy prime minister, including a request for house arrest or detention. Tirana Times – December 9, 2025 The suspension from office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku has pushed Albania into one of the …

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Albanian Judges Accuse PM of Pressuring Court Over Suspended Minister

Judges Association claims that Edi Rama’s attacks on court decision to suspend Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over legal allegations are designed to undermine faith in the Albanian judiciary. Original post Here

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The Value of the Words of a Few Officials vs. the Actions of many Citizens

By Genc Pollo On the Commissioner’s satisfaction  The statement by Mrs. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, that the general elections in Albania this May were free and fair, but we welcome suggestions for their improvement” rightly caused surprise, irritation and was condemned by the opposition. Fortunately, on Monday the …

News
10KSA – Together for Health

Saudi Arabia and the Rise of a New Human-Centered Diplomacy When National Transformation Becomes a Global Movement for Life There are moments when an initiative that begins as a simple community project transforms into a global movement. Moments when awareness campaigns cross the boundaries of public messaging and become part …

News
Probe Urged of ‘Unjustifiable’ Cost of Italy’s Migrant Camps in Albania

Anti-poverty NGO ActionAid has filed a complaint to the Court of Auditors in Italy over the 133 million euro cost of two migrant detention centres in Albania as part of a controversial asylum offshoring deal between Rome and Tirana. Original post Here

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Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across …

News

Budget 2026 – Big on Paper, Poor in Reality

By Nikola Kedhi On paper, Albania enters 2026 as a “success story”: the government speaks of GDP growth around 4%, low inflation, public debt at roughly 53% of GDP, and presents the 2026 Budget as a continuation of stability.In reality, Albania is an economy structurally dependent on construction where extraordinarily large …

News

New Chief Chosen for Albania’s Anti-Corruption Prosecution

Albania‘s High Prosecution Council chooses Klodian Braho as new head of the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime – a body with the tough task of tackling high-level graft. Original post Here

News

‘The Biggest Fight is With the State,’ Says Albanian Eco-Warrior

Environmentalist Ardian Koci was awarded the 2025 EuroNatur Award for his campaigning conservation work in Albania – but he had already left the country after being fired by the Environment Ministry for speaking his mind. Original post Here

News

10KSA in Tirana Saudi Embassy promotes a new culture of health awareness

By Tirana Times Tirana Times, December 10,2025. 10KSA arrived in Tirana through a special awareness-raising event organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking the first introduction in Albania of one of the world’s most recognized global initiatives for preventive health and community empowerment. Deputy Ambassador Ahmed …

News

New Charges: Deputy PM Balluku Between SPAK and the Constitutional Court

SPAK could move toward a harsher measure against the suspended deputy prime minister, including a request for house arrest or detention. Tirana Times – December 9, 2025 The suspension from office of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku has pushed Albania into one of the …

News

Albanian Judges Accuse PM of Pressuring Court Over Suspended Minister

Judges Association claims that Edi Rama’s attacks on court decision to suspend Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over legal allegations are designed to undermine faith in the Albanian judiciary. Original post Here

News

The Value of the Words of a Few Officials vs. the Actions of many Citizens

By Genc Pollo On the Commissioner’s satisfaction  The statement by Mrs. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, that the general elections in Albania this May were free and fair, but we welcome suggestions for their improvement” rightly caused surprise, irritation and was condemned by the opposition. Fortunately, on Monday the …

News

10KSA – Together for Health

Saudi Arabia and the Rise of a New Human-Centered Diplomacy When National Transformation Becomes a Global Movement for Life There are moments when an initiative that begins as a simple community project transforms into a global movement. Moments when awareness campaigns cross the boundaries of public messaging and become part …

News

Probe Urged of ‘Unjustifiable’ Cost of Italy’s Migrant Camps in Albania

Anti-poverty NGO ActionAid has filed a complaint to the Court of Auditors in Italy over the 133 million euro cost of two migrant detention centres in Albania as part of a controversial asylum offshoring deal between Rome and Tirana. Original post Here

News

Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across …