As Kosovo crisis continues, Prishtina’s growing rift with Tirana causes concern
TIRANA, June 19, 2023 – Growing concern is being expressed in Albania over an increasing rift with Kosovo, as the Tirana government has adopted a critical approach toward the government in Prishtina, at a time of escalating tensions with Serbia over northern Kosovo. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has taken …
Declared international wanted, a 39-year old is arrested by police in Shengjin
A 39-year-old Albanian wanted for drug trafficking was arrested in Shengjin, with the intention of extradition to Italy. As part of the operation by Albania and DVP Lezhë, in cooperation with Interpol Tirana and the Italian Interforce office in Albania, it has become possible to locate the Albanian in Shengjin. …
Basha “dismisses” Bardhi/ He has no competence as General Secretary of Democratic Party
Gazment Bardhi, once the closest person to Lulzim Basha and his battles against Sali Berisha, seems today to be an opponent for the former democratic leader, on his way to the head of the Democratic Party. Gazment Bardhi has lost the battles he has fought so far. The last one …
Over 7 thousand recruitments for census of population and housing/ The process starts in September, the result in 2024
Census of population and housing in Albania will start on September 18. The director of INSTAT, Elsa Dhuli, explains that about 7 thousand people will be employed for this process, while the total cost is expected to be 16.9 million euros. “Currently we are in the phase of recruiting people …
Begaj: NATO member countries should not allow provocations that destabilize Kosovo
The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, as part of his participation in the Prespa Forum for Dialogue, has held a series of meetings with the heads of state of the region. Begaj met with the President of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic, and the …
Albania drafts law to legalise cannabis for medical, industrial use
Cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes is expected to be carried out under some strong criteria. The details are defined in the draft which has been revealed recently. The National Agency for the Control of Cannabis will be in control of the entire process from the licensing of …
Albania Mayor Resigns Over Sex Tape Scandal
Mayor of northern Albanian town resigns after video of him having sex in his office circulated online. Original post Here
Albania Drafts Law to Legalise Cannabis for Medical, Industrial Use
Following a public opinion survey whose results some have questioned, the cabinet has backed a draft law that would legalize the use of cannabis for medical and industrial reasons. Original post Here
Kidnapped police officers of Kosovo interrogated by Serbian forces
3 police officers are being interrogated at the High Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kraleve. According to the authorities in Belgrade, they were arrested on the territory of Serbia on June 14. The news was confirmed for Radio Free Europe by the Prosecutor’s Office of this city in the south of …
Rama: Kosovo policemen should return home
Prime Minister Edi Rama, has reacted again for the arrested policemen of Kosovo. According to him, they should to return home immediate. In the conference with the Hungarian counterpart, Rama said that he is focused their release possible as soon as possible. “There is an immediate need for returning home …
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 …