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Former director of Fushe Kruja left in prison for domestic violence

Former director of the Fushë Kruja prison, Durim Tosku, will remain in prison, as the Court of Korça decided this Tuesday, leaving the “Arrest in prison” security measure in effect. He is accused of the criminal offenses “Domestic violence and possession of weapons without a permit. Tosku has denied the …

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Teen busted for possession of cannabis seeds by Shkodra police

An 18-year-old was handcuffed this Tuesday in the Selcë village of Malësi e Madhe, in the framework of police mega-operation coded “Tempulli”. During the physical check carried out by the police services, a bag with 156 cannabis seeds was found on the young man, which he was going to sell. …

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Today the next hearing session for Fredi Beleri

This Tuesday at 15:00 the trial for the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, will take place. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that the last session was accompanied by debates. The witness Abdyl Rama, the brother of the associate of justice Arsen Rama did not appear at the session. …

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Renown Albanian Actor dies at 75

Famous Albanian actor, Mirush Kabashi has passed away at the age of 75, as announced this Tuesday. This news was made known by his family members through an announcement, saying that he died after midnight. However, cause of the known actor’s passing is not yet known. “Dear Friends, Colleagues and …

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Lezha prison inmate chocked to death by food

Inmate Gëzim Petriti, convicted for the criminal offense of “Attempted murder”, died this MOnday in Lezha prison, after his breathing was blocked while eating. Following the incident, Petriti was immediately given first aid by the doctor on duty, who found signs of life. Immediately, you were sent by ambulance to …

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Lot for JAC’s 2024 members casted, results unveiled

Lot was cast this Monday for the election of new members of the Judicial Appointments Council (JAC) for 2024. Lot was cast in the premises of the Presidency, from where Sokol Ngresi was chosen as the winner, while Dariel Sina will be the substitute. So far, Elsa Toska has been …

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Begaj’s message on 111th Anniversary of Armed Forces’ creation

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj congratulated this Monday the Armed Forces of Albania on the 111th anniversary of its establishment. In a special message on social networks, President Begaj states that the Armed Forces are a national pride that have successfully managed to hold up the flag and the …

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One injured as bus collides with car in Fier

An accident happened on Monday morning at the exit of the city of Fier, where a bus of the Fier-Marinze line collided with a “Benz” and ended up in the yard of an apartment. As a result of the collision, there were material damages, while as a result of the …

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Former PM didn’t appear at SPAK for third time

Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha violated the court’s decision for the third time this Monday, as he would have to appear this Monday in front of the SPAK for the security measure ‘obligation to appear’ and prohibition to go abroad as part of the investigations into the issue of Partizani …

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Opposition MPs throw smoke, burn papers in parliament hall

The opposition MPs who support Sali Berisha have again created tensions in the Assembly, with “smoke and flames” in the Assembly. Despite the controls by the Guard of the Republic, they have managed to introduce flares into the plenary session. Flamur Noka was expelled from the session, but he lit …

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Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

News
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

News
Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

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Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

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Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

News
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

News
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

News
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 …

News
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

News

Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

News

Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

News

Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

News

Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption

Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …

News

Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania

Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here

News

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

News

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

News

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 …

News

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