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 …
Russian Propaganda in North Macedonia
by Agron Vrangalla Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – Moscow systematically uses information manipulation as an instrument of foreign policy. In North Macedonia, Russian propaganda relies on several recurring narratives that exploit domestic political tensions and social vulnerabilities. The impact of Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans is neither new …
Deputy Prime Minister Resuspended By Court Ruling
Parliament now expected to lift immunity. Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Constitutional Court’s decision to leave in force the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Belinda Balluku has reopened a deep institutional conflict in Albania, sharpening tensions between the executive, the judiciary, and Parliament, while placing …
Week in Review: Saviours, Crypto Fugitives and Unlikely Friendships
A Canadian on the run in Bosnia, an Albanian’s controversial jaunt to Israel and a Brit looking to the Balkans for possible salvation – this week’s selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories has an international flavour. Original post Here
Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions
During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here
Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand
The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here
As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul
The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here
Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight
Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha reacted to the protest of Albanian students in North Macedonia. They demand the right to take exams in Albanian. In a post on X, Hoxha said the use of the mother tongue is a fundamental right. The Constitution and the Law on …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha spoke about the Fourth Diaspora Summit in a TV interview. This year’s summit will focus on economic, social, and cultural issues. It will include discussions on integrating the diaspora into Albania’s development. Hoxha said the three previous summits strengthened ties with the …
After week 30 of the Abissnet Superiore, national youth team coaches picked the best lineup and coach of the week. They used a 1-4-4-2 formation. Goalkeeper: Romeo Harizaj (Vora) kept a clean sheet against Teuta. Defenders: Faton Neziri (Dinamo City), Eljon Sota (Egnatia), Elmando Gjini (Vllaznia), Luciano Vera (Tirana). Midfielders: …
Prime Minister Edi Rama released a new book. It is called At the Moon’s Table. The book collects his speeches from iftar dinners. Moreover, Rama said he wrote it out of love for the Albanian language. “I love my language. Therefore, I write. Printing it in a book preserves it,” …
The Directorate for the Investigation of Cyber Crimes at the State Police has raised the alarm this Monday about the circulation of fraudulent SMS messages, which falsely appear as notifications from postal services regarding package deliveries. According to the official announcement, these messages contain suspicious links and urge citizens to …
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, after a two-hour meeting with the leader of Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, confirmed that there was nothing new from the meeting. However, Kurti remains optimistic that through meetings they can reach an agreement, though not from today’s meeting. “While we no …
Today in Skopje, hundreds of Albanian law students in North Macedonia staged a large protest, demanding the use of their mother tongue in graduation exams—a right that exists in practice only on paper. With chants such as “Albanian language is our right,” “We speak Albanian,” and “There is no state …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, reacted to the protest of Albanian students in North Macedonia, emphasizing that the use of one’s mother tongue is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and the Law on the Use of Languages. In a post on X, Hoxha underlined …
The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, stated this Monday on Euronews Albania, in an interview with Thimi Samraxhiu, that Albania’s EU accession process has not been blocked by any country and, according to him, the process is continuing. The minister also emphasized that the process is demanding …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, gave an exclusive interview to Euronews Albania with moderator Thimi Samarxhiu regarding the country’s EU integration process and its international relations. In the interview, Hoxha also focused on relations with Greece, which, according to him, are currently among the best they …