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
Security expert Arjan Dyrmishi tells BIRN the “whole system of governance” has been brought into question by the arrest of the head of Albania’s State Intelligence Service. Original post Here
Preza Castle rises on a rocky hill overlooking the Tirana plain. Its position gave the fortress a strategic view of the important economic and military routes that once crossed the area. The castle follows a rectangular plan, measuring about 80 by 50 meters. Four circular towers strengthen its corners, while …
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says institutional stability is essential for Kosova. She made the remarks after meetings with Kosova’s state leaders. Von der Leyen says institutional stability provides the main foundation for further progress. She highlights reforms, growth and progress on the European path as key priorities. …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met France’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Rene Troccaz in Przno, Montenegro. The meeting focused on Albania’s European Union membership process. The two officials also discussed developments in the Western Balkans. Regional cooperation, connectivity and security were also on the agenda. …
Clear weather is expected across Albania on Friday, with temperatures reaching up to 28 degrees Celsius. The Military Meteorological Service says stable atmospheric conditions will affect the country. Sunny periods will last throughout the day across Albania. Meanwhile, winds will blow from northwest to southeast at an average speed of …
British newspaper ‘Metro’ highlights Albania among three destinations worth exploring in October. The article points to milder temperatures, lower prices and fewer tourists during the autumn season. It highlights the Albanian Riviera, Berat, Tirana and the Albanian Alps. Metro also cites the British travel association ABTA, which has recorded growing …
Prime Minister Edi Rama says the ‘Faithful Presence’ (Prania besnike) meetings will continue across Albania every Friday at 5 p.m. Rama says the initiative forms part of a system designed to make listening to citizens a condition for public representatives to respond. Citizens should know in advance where and when …
Assembly of Albania Speaker Niko Peleshi received United States Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt at the Assembly’s headquarters. Peleshi welcomed Wendt and wished him success in his new post. He highlighted the special friendship and strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. Meanwhile, Peleshi stressed the role of the …
Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi met electricity producers, members of the Assembly of Albania’s Natural Resources Committee and energy sector officials. The meeting focused on new developments and challenges linked to the rapid growth of renewable energy capacity. Karakaçi said Albania’s new energy law brings the country closer to …
Electronic music, contemporary art, exhibitions, German traditions and cuisine will become part of Tirana’s cultural life during the five-day German Cultural Week 2026. The events will run from Oct. 2 to 6. They will offer the Albanian public a diverse program and create opportunities to discover and experience German culture …