Heavy rain in Shkodra, flooding and power outage in some areas
The high-intensity rainfall during 24 hours in the region of Shkodra has caused some problems. The Mosel-Reç and Muçaj-Reç axes in the Shkrel administrative unit of the Great Highlands are blocked and impassable for vehicles, making it impossible to transport students to school In the Kastrat unit, roads are blocked …
Durres/ A 29 year old arrested for trying to rob a bank
A 29-year-old man was arrested in Durres as part of the police operation codenamed “Exchange”. Florenc Deda tried to forcefully take a sum of money from the cash register of a second level bank but he could not. During his departure, he forcibly took 500,000 ALL in an exchange. From …
Hasani: Albania, committed to the fight against extremism
In the side meeting co-organized by Albania, on the situation in northeastern Syria, within the framework of the UN General Assembly’s High Level Week, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, emphasized that the Albanian institutions have adopted and implemented successfully a model for identifying and combating violent …
Albanians Pay Price of Waste Management Fiasco
An emerging tourist hotspot, Vlora in southern Albania was promised a new landfill by 2021. Instead, it has clouds of black smoke from burning waste. Original post Here
Meta-Berisha coalition? Head of Freedom Party meets with Flamur Noka to discuss election in 2025
The head of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, went to the headquarters of the Democratic Party, for a meeting with, Flamur Noka. ABC News journalist Erneta Shevroja reports that Meta did not make a specific request to be part of the Democratic Party lists. “History has shown that Democratic Party …
Rama’s ‘Bektashi State’ proposal raises major concerns, faces negative backlash
TIRANA, Sept 24, 2024 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has ignited a major debate in Albania over his proposal to transform the global Bektashi Order’s headquarters in Tirana into a Vatican-style sovereign state. The Albanian public debate has been almost universally against the idea and there is anger at the …
Critics Pour Scorn on Albanian PM’s ‘Microstate’ Plan for Bektashi Muslims
Behind Edi Rama’s announcement of a Vatican-type ‘microstate’ for the Bektashi movement in Tirana, some critics of his rule see a bid to distract attention from domestic scandals and win more favourable foreign media coverage. Original post Here
Joint exercise with British troops, Vengu: Response to the reality of security in the region
The Minister of Defense, Pirro Vengu, participated in the DVDay (Distinguished Visitors Day) of the joint exercise between the Albanian and British troops “Austere wolf – 24”. During his speech, he said that this exercise is a response to the reality of security in the Western Balkans region. “Commitment to …
Accused for prostitution, Tirana police has arrested two foreign citizens
Two citizens, Russian and Ukrainian, have been arrested in Tirana. These two citizens were caught red-handed on “Naim Frasheri” street, taking sums of money from foreign citizens, which they allegedly used for prostitution. During the verifications carried out, it was found that these citizens collected the sums of money obtained …
A Rising Tide Lifts Empty Boats
Interpreting an Improved Economy in the Face of Depopulation Mark Crawford In 2024 Albania faces a paradox of statistics. After a couple of years of strong GDP growth, Albania is projected to have a stable, if not solid next couple of years. Tourism in 2023 boomed and investment in …
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here