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
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 …
Narco-Politics and the Erosion of Democracy in Albania
In a country where democratic institutions are already fragile, a sprawling Italian anti-mafia investigation has thrown Albania’s political establishment into turmoil. At its heart lies the so-called Troplini Group, a narco-network accused of trafficking heroin and cocaine from Latin America through the Port of Durrës, laundering profits via the country’s …
Italy-Albania Police Operation Nets 40 Suspected Drug Traffickers
Joint police investigation results in arrest of 40 members of three gangs allegedly involved in cocaine and heroin trafficking and money laundering, including one gang based in Durres, Albania. Original post Here
Thwarting Opposition Hopes, Albania’s Socialists Win Big Abroad
Albania’s well-organised ruling party worked hard to mobilise voters abroad for an election that for the first time featured postal ballots. It paid off. Original post Here
Tirana Emerges as Strategic Hub at FII PRIORITY Europe Summit
TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times , May 20, — For the first time, Albania hosted the prestigious Future Investment Initiative (FII) Europe Summit, drawing a constellation of global leaders, tech innovators, and major investors to its capital. Coinciding with the 6th European Political Community (EPC) meeting, the summit positioned Tirana as …
European Political Community Summit in Tirana – Substance, Symbolism, and Domestic Contradictions
Tirana, 17 May 2025 The Sixth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), held in Tirana on 16 May 2025, convened 47 European leaders in a highly symbolic gathering that showcased continental unity in the face of geopolitical volatility. Under the banner “New Europe in a New World: Unity – …
Albania’s 2025 Elections: Triumph of the Socialists or the Fall of Democracy?
The May 11 parliamentary elections delivered a further consolidationof the Socialist government under Edi Rama’s leadership, while simultaneously revealing adeterioration in democratic standards across the country: unequal representation, abuse ofstate resources, media capture, and pressure on the opposition. The near-absolute majoritythat the Socialist Party has effectively secured in these elections …
Lawyers and Journalists Need Protection, Urges Council of Europe Chief
The secretary-general of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, tells BIRN why the European rights body recently adopted the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting lawyers from harassment and threats. Original post Here
Young Voters Must Stop Albania Stagnating and Lead the Way to the EU
The low youth turnout at Albania’s parliamentary election was an alarm call. Without young voices demanding reform, the country cannot tackle corruption and democratic backsliding, end the brain drain and move towards EU membership. Original post Here
The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) has responded to recent claims about Diella, the artificial intelligence system operating on Albania’s e-Albania portal. AKSHI said the webpage users see is only the system’s interface. It is not the system itself. When citizens ask Diella for a document, the request is …
TIRANA, August 19 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts mainly clear skies with periods of moderate and locally dense cloud cover over hilly and mountainous areas. Clouds will remain present until the afternoon. Later, they will gradually clear and mostly sunny …
TIRANA, August 19 – International business and economics publication Quartz has highlighted Tirana as one of Europe’s most affordable capitals to visit in 2026. The article estimates the cost of a full day in the city at around 60 euros, about one quarter of the cost of a comparable day …
The crystal-clear waters of the Ionian Sea continue to attract visitors seeking more than a traditional beach holiday. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared social media footage showing tourists enjoying the coast and canoeing in the Ionian waters. The footage shows visitors exploring the sea by canoe. The blue waters and …
TIRANA, August 19 – Lin, a picturesque village on the shores of Lake Ohrid, continues to attract thousands of local and foreign visitors throughout the year. Located around 22 kilometres from Pogradec, the village combines natural scenery with local heritage and traditions. Perched on a hillside, Lin features traditional houses, …
TIRANA, August 19 – The European Commission expects effective coordination over the opening of the main bridge on the Ibër River. It also calls for meaningful consultations between the affected municipalities and Kosova’s central institutions. The bridge connects South Mitrovica, where Albanians form the majority, with North Mitrovica, where Serbs …
Albania’s U-21 national football team is entering the final stage of preparations for another major international event. Head coach Alban Bushi has announced the squad for the “Taranto 2026” Mediterranean Games in Italy. The squad includes players from the Albanian league and young talents developing their careers abroad. They represent …
TIRANA, August 19 – The Morina border crossing with Kosova continues to record heavy traffic during the week. More than 25,000 people cross the border each day on average. The figure almost doubles at weekends. Many citizens from Kosova appear to be using the remaining weeks of the summer season …
UEFA has appointed two Albanian refereeing teams for matches in the UEFA Conference League play-off round. Twente will face Qarabağ on Thursday, August 20, at 20:00 in Enschede, Netherlands. Juxhin Xhaja will referee the match. Rejdi Avdo and Mario Shazivari will serve as assistant referees. Emanuela Rusta will act as …
TIRANA, August 19 – Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League of Kosova leader Lumir Abdixhiku have discussed the profile of the country’s next president. After their 2-hour meeting at the Assembly, both leaders said they wanted to reach agreement on a candidate. Kurti said they had discussed the criteria …