Money Laundering Causes Poverty, Income Disparity in Balkans, Says BIRN Film
A new BIRN documentary shows how money laundering has been increasing poverty, prices and income inequality in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Original post Here
Diaspora Vote Might Shake Up Albanian Politics, But Big Parties Likely to Prevail
For the first time, Albanians abroad will be able to vote by post in the country’s May parliamentary election; some hope the change will help end the domination of the two big parties, but experts are not so sure. Original post Here
Jailed Albanian Mayor Hires US Law Firm That Worked for Trump
While behind bars and under investigation for graft and money laundering, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj and his businessman brother have engaged hard-hitting New York law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres to assist his case. Original post Here
Albanian Rights Organisations Take TikTok Ban to Court
BIRN Albania, along with a civil rights group and a journalists’ association, have urged the country’s top court to declare a controversial law banning TikTok in Albania for a year unconstitutional. Original post Here
Italy to Albania, and Back: A Migrant’s Journey Through Italy’s Asylum Experiment
Italy’s right-wing government called it a magic wand for the migrants arriving on its shores, but a deal with Albania to outsource and accelerate asylum processing has run afoul of Italian courts. Critics say it flies in the face of international humanitarian law. Original post Here
Albanian Orthodox Church Gets First Ethnic Albanian Leader in Generations
The new Primate will need to be savvy, navigating between conflicting pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian currents in the small but opinionated Albanian Orthodox Church. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Albania’s Controversial TikTok Ban Still Not Fully Working
A government order to ban TikTok to protect children from violent material came into force more than a week ago, but the mobile phone app for the video-sharing platform is still partially working in Albania. Original post Here
Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Sign Defense Agreement: A New Military Alliance in the Balkans?
By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania, March 19th— Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo have signed a joint declaration aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation, marking a significant geopolitical development in the Western Balkans. The agreement, announced this week in Tirana, signals an increased level of military collaboration but stops short of …
News Analysis: A Geopolitical Shift in the Western Balkans?
The Trilateral Defense Agreement Between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo The recent signing of a trilateral defense cooperation agreement between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo marks a significant geopolitical development in the Western Balkans. This move, underscores growing security collaboration in a historically fragile region. While the agreement does not constitute a …
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 …