Blog
News

Money Troubles: Albania’s Strange Currency Crisis Defies Easy Solutions

As the sustained rise in the value of the lek causes a crisis in exports, action is needed – but will a country that seemingly turns a blind eye to manifest criminality in whole sectors of the economy bite the bullet? Original post Here

Read More
News

President Begaj visit to Azerbaijan

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj has departed this Thursday for the Republic of Azerbaijan, where he is expected to pay a state visit at the invitation of his counterpart, Ilham Aliyev. Albania’s Head of State will be received in a state ceremony by President Aliyev, while the focus of …

Read More
News

Rama signs 13 agreements between Albania-Kosovo, waiting for meeting with Kurti

Kurti asked for a meeting of the governments/ Rama signs the 13 agreements: his worries are over, now I’m waiting for the confirmation of the meeting Albanian government has submitted today to the Foreign Ministry of Kosovo to sign the 13 agreements of the joint meeting between the two governments …

Read More
News

Two Durres men arrested on prostitution exploitation charges

Two people have been put in handcuffs by the Durres police this Thuesday, after being accused of practicing prostitution. According to the Durres police, a 38-year-old man and a young woman who were used for prostitution have been arrested. During the “Flower” operation, the citizen Tajar Vrenozi was arrested, his …

Read More
News

Parliament decides on draft law to prevent doctors from leaving Albania

Parliament of Albania has decided this Thursday that the bill for medical students be discussed with an accelerated procedure. During the  session, it was decided with 64 votes in favor that the discussion will go through an accelerated procedure in the session of July 20, which is also the last …

Read More
News

Special Court decision on incinerators issue expected

Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has held this Thursday a session, where the judges heard the defense of the persons arrested in connection with the construction of the “incinerator of Elbasan”, including former Minister Lefter Koka and former Socialist MP, Alqi Blako. Koka and Bllako were present …

Read More
News

Rama hosted by N. Macedonia’s PM in Skopje

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived this Thursday in Skopje as part of his tour to the Western Balkans. Head of the Albanian government was hosted by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Dimitar Kovacevski, while he was also accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi and Majlinda Dhuka, Albania’s …

Read More
News

Kovacevski: Berlin process is important for the region, Albania has our support

Prime Minister Edi Rama is holding a press conference with his Macedonian counterpart, Dimitar Kovacevski, after the meeting within the regional tour of the head of the Albanian government. Kovacevski emphasized that the Berlin Process is important for the region and that Albania as the chair has its support. “Since …

Read More
News

Rama: EU needs us, as much as we need them 

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a press conference together with his Macedonian counterpart Dimitar Kovacevski, after a meeting between them in Skopje, as part of the Balkan tour of the Prime Minister of Albania. Rama said that it was a very useful meeting and discussion in the conditions when Albania …

Read More
News

Rama: “Open Balkan has done a great service to the region”  

Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a conference with his Macedonian counterpart, Dimitar Kovacesvski in Skope, was asked about Open Balkan process, whether or not it damages Kosovo. Rama said that this initiative has only brought good things to the region and whoever did not participate has made a mistake. “I …

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 …