Albania

Erion Veliaj suffers major legal setback as High Court rules that he should stay in pre-trial detention on corruption and money-laundering charges – even though he is still Tirana's acting mayor.

Thousands of hectares burned in wildfires this summer in Albania, demonstrating the state’s lack of readiness and coordination to confront the challenge, experts say. With climate change, the risks are growing.

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows.

Thousands of protesters are flooding the streets of Tirana in the biggest unrest Albania has seen since the collapse of communism. It began as the “flamingo revolution”, sparked by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s plans for a luxury mega-resort on a public nature reserve island.But the protests have since grown into a wider challenge to Prime Minister […]

While all eyes are on the damage caused by tourism construction on Albania’s coast, the government has passed a law designed to boost investment in the mountains too, much to the concern of environmentalists.

Ukraine welcomes Albania’s ‘demonstration of solidarity’ in blocking the ‘Hanuman’ tanker, whose operator, it believes, is linked to Kremlin allies.

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

As anti-government demonstrations in Tirana reach the 100-day mark, four experts discuss how significant the impact on Albanian politics and society will be.

Countries across the Balkan region have increasingly been doing arms deals with Israel and purchasing its military technology – while strengthening political ties too.

A predominance of young trees and limited water resources are compounding the effects of climate change at Tirana Zoo.

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

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.

From Turkey’s search for peace to Serbia’s creeping elections, our selection of Premium stories takes a look at the hopes and dilemmas bubbling away in the background of these developments.

After being on the run for several months, businessman Ergys Agasi was arrested over his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal surrounding tenders for the national agency overseeing the development of state information systems.

The countries of the Balkans are coming to understand just how much Donald Trump enjoys transactional displays of admiration.

Albanian protesters’ campaign to halt a Trump-connected luxury development echoes discontent across the Balkans about outside investors’ mega-projects - with increasingly vocal demands for more public input and transparency.

Big changes are afoot amid the heat of the summer holiday season. Our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories takes a deep dive into the motives and agendas driving these changes.

Many males are returned even if they have been trafficked but Home Office must now consider new legal guidanceThe Home Office could be blocked from deporting many young male trafficking victims to Albania after a major court ruling.Thousands of Albanian males have been identified as potential trafficking victims in the UK in recent years. Many are sent back […]

BIRN dissects the accusations against 12 individuals standing trial for allegedly siphoning millions of euros in public money supposed to be spent on solving Tirana’s long-standing garbage problem.

As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations.

Amnesty International said in a new report that the Italian-Albanian deal for the offshore detention of asylum seekers and migrants is “jeopardising people’s safety, liberty and human rights”.

The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for.

Albania’s government plans to cut the number of municipalities from 61 to 46, but critics fear it will only further isolate rural communities from public services and undermine environmental protections.

A new clinical guideline approving gender-affirming hormone therapy in Albania sparked an online backlash about subsidies for transgender people – although official documents show that no reimbursement for medication will be provided.

Papers highlight Albania’s transformation since 1990s – with population growth limited to a few urban centres and most municipalities having shrinking, elderly communities.

Exclusive: Uran Ferizi says arrivals fell sharply after short-lived influx, but country continues to be stigmatisedThe number of Albanians who travelled to Britain in small boats four years ago remains the focus of “unhinged” and “hysterical” criticisms from rightwing politicians and the media, according to the country’s UK ambassador.Uran Ferizi […]

Nearly a year after Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced an AI chatbot as a ‘virtual minister’ in his cabinet to tackle corruption, has the technology been a success?

People gathered at vantage points all across the Balkans to enjoy the unique experience of watching the solar eclipse on Wednesday evening.

The government is preparing to bring back online sports betting, seven years after a widespread gambling clampdown. But mental health experts warn that Albania is ill-equipped to deal with a rise in gambling addiction.