Balla Meets EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa, Discusses Albania’s Accession Progress
The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, met on Wednesday with the new Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa. In a Facebook post accompanied by a photo, Balla said that during the meeting, they discussed Albania’s EU accession agenda and …
A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia
Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …
Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges
Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …
NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty
Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …
Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia
On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here
Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy
Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here
“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past
New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …
President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections
President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …
Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected
Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …
American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends
The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …
The world marks the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage today, highlighting the importance of preserving films, recordings and other audiovisual materials for future generations. The annual observance recognises the work of specialists who protect materials at risk of being lost. It also raises awareness of the urgent need to preserve …
Deputy Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enkelejda Muça presented a draft law today to the Assembly’s Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill concerns amendments adopted on May 30, 2025, to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, originally signed in 1982. The amendments aim to bring national …
Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Martin Kajo presented a draft law on cryptoasset markets to the Assembly’s Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill aims to align national legislation with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, known as MiCA, and strengthen investor and consumer protection. Although Albania adopted …
Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj presented amendments to the Bank of Albania law to the Assembly’s Law Committee today. He said price stability remains the law’s fundamental principle and the Bank of Albania’s primary objective. Yzeiraj described the legislation as a cornerstone of the country’s monetary and financial system. He …
Albania’s under-21 team will face Spain in a friendly on November 17 at 19:00 at Air Albania Stadium, the Albanian Football Association has confirmed. The match follows another friendly against Luxembourg on November 13. Together, the two fixtures will help coach Alban Bushi prepare the team for the 2027 European …
Tirana has a new museum dedicated to the country’s documentary heritage. The Archival Museum opened at the General Directorate of Archives to bring history closer to the public, particularly younger generations. Unlike a traditional museum, it tells Albania’s story through written records, photographs, maps, publications, manuscripts and materials documenting society …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change in the way the road tax is collected, stating that it will be removed from the price of diesel and shifted to vehicles. “We will remove the road tax from the price of diesel, automatically reducing the price at the pump by …
Prime Minister Edi Rama also addressed the boycott of classes by students and lecturers during a press conference. Rama described the boycott as an unacceptable act that infringes on the freedom of those who wish to study. The prime minister warned that amendments would be made to the relevant legislation, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the student protests and acts of violence recorded during demonstrations in Tirana, focusing on the damage caused. He described these acts as a form of “inhumanity” that, according to him, imposes the will of protesters on the majority of citizens who wish to live …
Rama Condemns Protest Violence, Announces New Economic Measures and Calls for Dialogue with Students
Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the student protests and the violence reported during the demonstrations at a press conference, emphasizing the damage caused by protesters. Rama went on to describe the acts of violence as a form of “inhumanity” and an attempt to impose the will of a minority on …