Abandoned Beaches? Albanians Trade Blame Over ‘Failing’ Tourist Season
Images of empty sun loungers on the Albanian riviera are prompting a round of finger-pointing, with the PM blaming ‘absurd’ prices – and others citing competition from neighbouring countries and lack of a strategy. Original post Here
Olympics Marred by Online Hate Speech Targeting LGBTQ+ People
The Paris Olympics was a thrilling sporting spectacle – but the opening ceremony and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif became the focus for abuse on social media that also targeted the LGBTQ+ community. Original post Here
Tirana/ A 24-year-old woman was hit with a glass bottle in a bar, two wanted
A fight happened in the premises of a bar in Tirana a day ago. Three young girls have conflicted with each other. According to the Tirana police, it is suspected that after the fight, two 28-year-old citizens hit the 24-year-old in the face with a glass bottle. The two 28-year-old …
The murder of the elderly, the two asylum nurses are arrested
The Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana has arrested the head nurse and the nurse of the private nursing home for the elderly “Ruaje olda”, who were at work when the crime was recorded in the early hours of this morning. The identity of the nurses is still unknown, as it is …
Tirana, a 78-year-old in asylum beats to death his roommate with a cane
A 78-year-old man was arrested this Thursday in Tirana. According to preliminary information, the elderly man, Zyhdi Shehu, who lived in a private asylum for the elderly, hit his 82-year-old roommate several times with a cane. As a result, the 82-year-old citizen Virgjil Veshi passed away. The 78-year-old is accused …
A 31 year old arrested for attempted murder
A 31-year-old man has been arrested by the police after being accused of the criminal offenses of “Deliberate murder”, carried out in cooperation, remaining in the attempt, and “Unauthorized production and possession of weapons, explosive weapons and ammunition”. The police of Dibra clarifies that the 31-year-old was wanted because it …
AIIS discusses Albania-Germany relations with Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann
TIRANA, Aug. 7, 2024 – Representatives of the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) participated in a meeting where Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann discussed key issues with Albanian civil society representatives and other actors. Accompanied by a delegation, the interior minister of Germany’s wealthiest and largest-by-area federative state had …
Organized criminal group/ SPAK closes the investigations, 11 accused
The Special Prosecutor’s Office has closed the investigations and sent the criminal group with at least 11 people for trial. Among whom is Erzen Breçani and former crime boss Dedan Gjoni. In the official announcement SPAK clarifies that this criminal group is involved in international narcotics trafficking, where each member …
VIDEO/ A car in Elbasan engulfed in flames during the night
A car was engulfed in flames in the city of Elbasan. The event happened shortly after midnight last night at around 12.45 in the post office roundabout. The driver managed to get away and escape without damage, while the vehicle was completely destroyed. Firefighters immediately arrived at the scene and …
Ammunition and cocaine, police arrested a 31 year old
A 31-year-old man ended up in police custody this Wednesday in Tirana. According to the police report, quantities of cocaine and military ammunition were found and seized from the young man. “Specialists of the Narcotics Investigation Sector arrested the 31-year-old citizen, a resident of Tirana, after during the physical check, …
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here