Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …
News24 TV’s Shutdown in Albania Sends a Worrying Signal
The Albanian police’s action – forcing the country’s largest news broadcaster off air without a court order – sets an alarming precedent. Original post Here
Alarm in Albania at Proposed Criminal Code Changes; Govt Denies Involvement
Albania wants to align its Criminal Code with EU law, but critics, including media associations, say a proposed draft falls far short – and could limit press freedom. Original post Here
Media Unions Criticise Albanian Police Operation Targeting TV Station
Media organisations say Albanian police action, surrounding the News 24 TV station building and seizing journalists’ computers amid a property dispute with a government ministry, is ‘heavy-handed’ and lacks a clear legal basis. Original post Here
News 24 Raid and Blackout: Press Freedom or Property Dispute?
Tirana Times, 11 August, 2025 The forcible shutdown of Albania’s leading all-news television channel, News 24, and the blockade of the Focus Media Group headquarters by police and later military forces on August 9 has ignited national and international debate about press freedom, political retaliation, and the limits of state …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 11, 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
European Raids Hit Albanian Cartel, Millions Laundered in Resorts
Tirana Times,August 08,2025 — A massive Albanian-run cocaine trafficking syndicate, accused of moving 28 tons of the drug from Latin America to European ports and laundering its profits in luxury resorts and real estate in Albania, has been dismantled in a multinational operation. The breakthrough, announced Friday by Albania’s Special …
Anti-Mafia Law Is Only on Paper?
The dismantling of a 28-ton cocaine trafficking network, led by Albanian nationals and operating on a global scale, should have been a triumph for Albania’s justice system. Yet the uncomfortable truth is that this success was imported. It was European law enforcement — from Belgium to Italy — armed with …
Week in Review: Trials, Tricksters and Controversial Legacies
Amid the summer heat, political developments in the region are also simmering, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Economist Slams Albanian PM’s ‘Liberation’ of City Pavements as Counter-Productive
In an interview with BIRN, economist Arben Malaj said the Albanian government’s high-profile crackdown on unregulated small businesses will backfire on the Albanian economy. Original post Here
After being on the run for several months, businessman Ergys Agasi was arrested over his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal surrounding tenders for the national agency overseeing the development of state information systems. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 27 – The State Police said several institutions in cities across Albania had received threatening emails this morning claiming that bombs had been placed inside the buildings. Police said officers had immediately begun checks at the institutions named in the threats. So far, they had found no bombs …
TIRANA, August 27 – A total of 387 new recruits officially joined Albania’s State Police after completing the General Patrol training course. The certification ceremony took place at the Security Academy, where Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita stressed the need to strengthen crime prevention …
TIRANA, August 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of Theth on social media and described the mountain area as one of the most visited destinations by domestic and foreign tourists during the summer season. Theth lies about 70 kilometres from Shkodër. In recent years, the area has become …
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi today shared footage from the construction site of Guna Tactical. The company is developing one of the most important public-private investments in Albania’s defense industry. According to Nufi, Guna Tactical will produce military clothing not only for Albania but also for the region and other countries. …
TIRANA, August 27 – Albania’s Under-21 national team ended its campaign at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games after finishing third in Group B with 4 points. The team, coached by Alban Bushi, lost 2-0 to Algeria in its third group match. The first half ended goalless. Algeria then scored twice …
TIRANA, August 27 – The Vjosa River National Park, one of Albania’s most important natural assets, has faced several threats identified through monitoring and management of the area. Waste dumping has remained among the main concerns. It has damaged the landscape and polluted the environment, while also threatening the river …
TIRANA, August 27 – Brazilian magazine Estado de Minas has highlighted Lake Neuron, an underground thermal lake located in the Vjosa Valley in southern Albania. According to the magazine, the lake lies beneath the mountains and contains about 8.3 million litres of water. Its unusual underground setting makes it a …
TIRANA, August 27 – Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4% in the second quarter of 2026, while exports rose sharply and imports declined, according to data released by INSTAT. Net domestic production reached 2,361 GWh, up from 1,757 GWh in the same quarter of 2025. Hydropower plants accounted for most …
TIRANA, August 27 – The number of foreign nationals holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, up 46.6% from a year earlier. Men accounted for 65% of the total, while women made up 35%. Employment remained the main reason for residence, accounting for 55.1% of …