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A phone call not every writer wants

By Kristoffer Leandoer Every year he waits in vain by the phone on this very day, and a whole nation waits with him. Every year the Albanian people are equally surprised that Ismail Kadare has been passed over once again. The recently published “A dictator calls” (Counterpoint LLC), makes full use of …

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Op/ed: The end of a policy at the gates of the monastery?

By Veton Surroi When this text is published, there will be a day of mourning in Serbia because of the “tragedy in Banjska”. Thus, an explanation of the acceptability of the action of the paramilitary unit in Banjska, described as a terrorist act by the USA, EU and Great Britain, …

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Weed farm destroyed in Tirana, electrician wanted

Police have cracked down this Thursday on a case of adaptation of premises for the cultivation of narcotic plants, by means of lamps and other devices that were illegally supplied with electricity in Vora. As a result of this operation, the author was declared wanted, his wife was prosecuted for …

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Acting mayor of Himara summoned by SPAK

Acting mayor of Himara Municipality, Jorgo Goro appeared this Thursday at the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Baaed on the available information, there is a complaint against Goron by Fredi Beleri’s staff for violations. Meanwhile, it is expected that in the following hours, …

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Plenary session kicks off with harsh debates between democrat lawmakers

Parliamentary session inthe Assembly started this Thursday with strong debates, not with the opposition-majority, but within the Democrat lawmakers. Initially, the leader of Democratic Party (PD) Lulzim Basha asked the speaker of the parliament Lindita Nikolla to make public the announcement of the PDSH for its representatives in the parliament. …

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Tirana, 3 year old baby dies after being at dentist

The 3-year-old child was sent to a clinic to fill a tooth due to pain. After the doctor took the x-ray, he told the parents that the child needs 13 or 14 teeth for adjustment. Due to the high number of teeth, it was decided to intervene with narcosis. After …

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Explosive attack recorded on Tirana bar, no fatalities

A small amount of explosives exploded in the window of the bar owned by a citizen during the morning hours of this Thursday. As a result of this explosion, the windows of the window were damaged as well as the glass of a vehicle that was parked nearby. Later on, …

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24 delegations meet tomorrow in Tirana, among them Daçiç and Gervalla

As we are just a few steps away from a very important international event that will take place for the first time in history outside the borders of the EU, such as the Berlin Summit Process, the Foreign Ministry announces today that tomorrow in Tirana 24 delegations from the countries …

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US, EU concerned by threats on justice officials in Albania

United States, the European Union and Great Britain expressed their concerns on Wednesday after reports that Albanian justice officials have received death threats. Their reaction comes after reports in the Albanian media that an associate of justice has confessed that one “of the criminal gangs operating in Lushnje has made …

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Assets worth 1 million euros were seized in Cerrik, owned by a drug trafficker

Assets worth about 1 million euros is seized, suspected to have benefited from the criminal activity of a 34-year-old convicted for the production and sale of narcotics in Cerrik. The property was in the name of Eris Skenderi, 34 years old, a resident of Cerrik.  He was convicted by the …

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Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News
Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News
Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News
Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News
Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News
Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News
Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas

Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM

Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here