Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending
As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here
Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here
Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …
Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International
As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here
BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital
Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here
EU Presses Parliament Over Deputy PM Immunity
Albania’s choice now will signal whether it is converging with that standard or drifting toward a system where, as Orwell warned, all are equal, but some remain more equal than others. Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The European Union has publicly urged the Albanian Parliament to address without delay …
Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?
By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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
How “Diella” Was Used by the Russian Pravda Network to Spread Disinformation
By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …
The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania
Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-20″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-20″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-42″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania says the next phase of negotiations with the European Union requires faster reforms and closer coordination between institutions. Officials held the 8th Intergovernmental Conference between the European Union and Albania in Brussels, …
Mirela Kumbaro said that Austria fully supports Albania in its European integration process. She made the remarks during a working visit to Vienna, where she held a series of meetings with Austrian higher education and research institutions. Kumbaro met with Austrian Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, who leads Women’s Affairs and Research, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke at a regional conference titled “From Property to Progress.” He addressed property reform challenges and Albania’s path toward EU membership. He said digital transformation is a major benefit for Albania. It helps the country move forward faster. It also helps improve how the future is …
Renowned Albanian restorer Jani Zoica has passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in preserving mural art and religious monuments across Albania. The Museum of Medieval Art Korçë announced the news in a social media post, highlighting Zoica’s contribution to fresco and mural restoration for more than three decades. He …
The Bay of Vlora Bay has officially opened the summer tourist season, bringing improvements in organization and maritime transport. Tourist boats with a capacity of more than 12 passengers have begun regular daily operations, offering greater safety, comfort, and more travel options for the growing number of local and international …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:ff0eaaec-9d7c-4391-8477-ac5d7aae2b86-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-40″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi said that Albania is taking on a growing role in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. He made the remarks during the Security Forum titled “US–Europe Partnership and the Indispensable Role of NATO”, organized by the Albanian …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The Transparency Board, during its next meeting held this Wednesday, revised fuel prices. According to the announcement, the retail selling price of diesel fuel (gasoil) under the SSH EN 590 standard will be no more than 190 lek per liter. …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, reacted following the Eighth Intergovernmental Conference on the European Union membership process, describing Albania’s progress as the result of reforms and merit. In a post on the social media platform X, …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:323213f4-d293-4f37-a320-4bf0168b8973-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> On May 26, 2026, the 8th Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level between the European Union and Albania took place in Brussels, marking a particularly important moment in the country’s path toward European Union membership. The Albanian delegation was led by …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”d55f69e8-673d-4e61-b840-a0f9eb84d695″ data-turn-id-container=”d55f69e8-673d-4e61-b840-a0f9eb84d695″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> After nearly six decades of interruption, the village of Kabash in Pukë witnessed the return of Eid al-Adha prayers at the ruins of the area’s old mosque, in a symbolic ceremony that gathered residents, worshippers, and emigrants who had returned …