Dirty Money Fuels Albania’s Construction Boom
Tirana, Albania – July 28, 2025 A sweeping European-led crackdown on a transnational Albanian drug cartel, culminating in the seizure of six tons of cocaine valued at over €400 million, has reignited concerns that Tirana’s high-rise construction boom is being bankrolled by illicit wealth from organized crime and corruption. The …
Opposition Alleges Vote Rigging via Building Permits
TIRANA, July 27, 2025 (Tirana Times) — Albania’s political crisis deepened this week as opposition leader Sali Berisha launched a sweeping series of accusations against Prime Minister Edi Rama, claiming the May 11 local elections were rigged through an elaborate vote-buying scheme involving 450 illegal construction permits awarded to criminal …
Albania’s New Pyramid: Towers, Dirty Money, and an Emptying NationBy Tirana Times
In 1997, Albania collapsed under the weight of fraudulent pyramid schemes that wiped out people’s life savings and nearly brought the state to its knees. Today, a different kind of pyramid is rising — this time, quite literally. All across Tirana and spreading to other cities and coasts, the country …
Italy’s Tirana-Cairo Deportation Flight Sets ‘Dangerous Precedent’
With the direct deportation of five Egyptians from Tirana to Cairo, rights groups and legal experts say Italy’s offshore migration strategy has taken an ominous turn. Original post Here
Week in Review: Opportunities and Setbacks
This week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories reflect the region’s ongoing push-and-pull between hopes of peace and the bitter weight of history. Original post Here
Week in Review: Failures and Flops
From Kosovo’s parliamentary stalemate to Montenegro’s rocky tourism season, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sees several countries across the region failing to meet up to public needs. Original post Here
Airport Ordeal Sheds Light on Plight of Migrant Workers in Albania
Long hours, low pay and confiscated passports. Albania’s treatment of migrant workers bears all the hallmarks of modern slavery, experts say. Original post Here
Tirana Mayor Indicted in Corruption Probe
TIRANA, Albania , Tirana Time, July 23, 2025— Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Office (SPAK) has officially indicted Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana, on multiple corruption charges in a sweeping criminal case that also implicates his wife, a ruling party lawmaker, two businessmen, and a prison official. The announcement, made …
Bankers Petroleum Threatens Arbitration Amid Fraud Probe in Albania
By Tirana Times | July 23, 2025 Albania’s most lucrative oilfield has become the epicenter of what could be the country’s most consequential investor-state confrontation to date, after Bankers Petroleum — its largest oil producer — threatened to sue the Albanian government in international arbitration courts. The company claims its …
Women Journalists in Albania Unprotected in Face of Online Abuse
As Albanian online portals spread falsehoods to discredit women in the media, a culture of silence and weak legal protections leave women journalists increasingly vulnerable. Original post Here
Albanian philosopher and writer Lea Ypi talks to BIRN about exploring the importance of freedom and dignity through the plight of her grandparents, who were persecuted by the communist regime. Original post Here
Albanian boxer Nelson Hysa continues to make history on the international boxing stage. Hysa secured his 25th career victory on Saturday, with 23 of his wins coming by knockout. The Shkodër-born heavyweight successfully defended his WBO title after knocking out Norway’s Thomas Narmo after two rounds. The 41-year-old Albanian remains …
Ibrahimaj: 1,179 applications submitted to Startup Albania, support will continue for all applicants
Albania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, has highlighted the strong interest in Startup Albania 2026, which received 1,179 applications this year. Following the selection process, Ibrahimaj stressed that the programme will continue to support applicants who were not selected as winners. “Every idea deserves an opportunity,” Ibrahimaj said. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared a special photo on social media, saying that the Hasa family from the United States sent it to him. The photo shows a cat with a business card bearing the name “Prime Minister Edi Rama” placed in front of its paws. In addition, Rama …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared a video featuring Israeli professor Yuval Noah Harari discussing the way social media algorithms influence human behaviour. Harari argues that platforms such as Facebook, X and TikTok designed their algorithms to increase user engagement rather than build trust or promote truth. According to the …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha described Albania’s consular service as a success story for citizens at home and abroad. He said the transformation involves technology, but also the quality, speed, and accessibility of services. In a video message posted on social media, Hoxha said authorities administered 1.378 …
On August 30, 1949, Sevasti Qiriazi Dako, a teacher, patriot, and pioneer of education for Albanian girls and women, passed away. Born on February 24, 1871, in Manastir, Qiriazi became one of the earliest pioneers of organized national education for Albanian girls and women. She also played an important role …
Colleagues called him “the patriarch of the Albanian language.” Today, Albania remembers academic, linguist, and scholar Shaban Demiraj on the anniversary of his death on August 30, 2014. Demiraj was born in Vlora on January 1, 1920. He completed his secondary education at the Madrasa in Tirana before studying Albanian …
Albania continues to battle wildfires across several parts of the country. The Ministry of Defense reported 20 wildfires across the country by 20:00. Seven remain active, while authorities continue to monitor three others. A total of 284 operational personnel and 33 firefighting vehicles are supporting the response. The Armed Forces …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has described consular services for Albanians at home and abroad as a success story, linked not only to technological transformation but also to improvements in the way services are delivered, their quality and speed. In a video message published on social media, …