High flow in the port of Durres, in five days has entered 25 thousand passengers
This week has marked a high flow of passengers entering the border point of the Port of Durres. Over 25,000 passengers arriving on the Durres-Bari ferries have entered through this border point. According to the statistics of the Border Police, in the last five days, 1800 vehicles have entered Albania. …
Crime Couriers: How Albanian Gangs Send Their Illegal Profits Back Home
Police investigations reveal that organised crime groups often use ordinary people and passenger transport agencies to smuggle their illegal profits from EU countries and elsewhere back into Albania. Original post Here
Tragedy in Saranda/ Man kills his wife with an ax
A serious incident happened in the early hours of the morning in the village of Shale, Konispol. According to Saranda police, it is suspected that during a conflict for weak motives in the apartment, 69-year-old Hyso Islami allegedly killed his 66-year-old wife Shano Islami with an ax. According to the …
Murder and selling narcotics, a 30 year old man arrested in Tirana
A 30-year-old man was arrested by the Tirana police, after he was wanted for attempted murder, and also had a criminal record and high social risk. At the time of the arrest, the 30-year-old Gabriele Peqini was moving armed and with forged identification tools and was also in possession of …
In Albania’s Himara, Property Rights More Important Than Greek Diplomatic Row
Last year’s mayoral elections in the southern coastal town led to a diplomatic dispute with Greece. Now, after locals elected a new mayor, they want him to get on with solving their problems with property registration. Original post Here
Albania Ruling Party Candidate Wins Himara Local Elections
Candidate of PM Edi Rama’s ruling Socialists wins mayoral election in town whose former mayor-elect’s jailing has caused diplomatic tension betwen Albania and Greece. Original post Here
The elections in Himara, Vangjel Tavo is declared the winner
Central Election Commission has reacted after the completion of the counting of votes for the partial elections for Mayor of Himar Municipality. CEC underlines that the vote counting process was smooth and that everything was monitored by the CEC technical staff. Preliminary results for the 36 voting centers: The candidate …
Leonard Duka left in prison by GJKKO
GJKKO left in prison Leonard Duka. Known as one of the characters of the underworld, Leonard Duka was extradited from Belgium to Albania on Friday. It is learned that in the session held behind closed doors, the Duke refused to give any explanation. The head of the clan is accused …
Begaj welcomes the new US chargé d’affaires in Tirana
Not even a week has passed since David Wisner’s departure from the mission in Tirana, the next US envoy arrives in the capital, who will be charged with work at the US embassy. She is Nancy Van Horn, a career diplomat who joined the US Foreign Service in 2007. This …
Albanian Electoral ‘Reform’ Deal Reinforces Main Political Party Chiefs’ Dominance
A deal backed by the ruling party and its main opposition rival to change the electoral code will bolster the two main party leaders’ decades-long stranglehold over Albanian politics, experts warn. Original post Here
The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
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