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
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 …
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 …
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
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 decline in Freedom of Information requests last year in Albania a result of greater institutional transparency or the increasing pointlessness of the process? Journalists claim it could be a deliberate strategy. Original post Here
Taulant Balla met Socialist Party structures in Golem. He leads the party in Tirana County. The meeting focused on internal organization. It also stressed stronger field engagement. Participants discussed continuing work under the “Jobs of Albania” initiative. Balla highlighted cooperation between local structures. He said teamwork helps meet development goals. …
Tale in Lezhë has long attracted tourists. Each year, more visitors arrive. Therefore, authorities moved to improve access. The government backed a municipal project. It built a new road linking Rrilë and the Tale Hydrovore with the Lezhë–Tirana highway. The road stretches 6.3 km. It follows modern standards. It includes …
Every Tuesday since March 17 has drawn pilgrims to the Church of Saint Anthony in Laç. As a result, the site has become a center of prayer. People travel from cities across the country. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media. He showed the church in Laç. He …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu met EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato in Tirana. They discussed key challenges facing Albania’s justice system. They focused on efficiency. They also discussed improving citizens’ access to justice. In addition, they stressed stronger procedural guarantees. The talks also covered EU support. The European Union will help the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama gathered the Socialist Party parliamentary group. The meeting took place at the Assembly Presidency. It was held without media presence. Rama focused on parliamentary work. He also urged MPs to continue meetings with citizens. These meetings are part of the “Jobs of Albania” tour. He praised …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni met students in Durrës. They visited “Naim Frashëri” High School and “Aleksandër Moisiu” University. The meeting is part of the national tour, “EU and You: Europe Starts Here.” The event aims …
The U.S. Embassy in Tirana announced that the U.S. International Investigative Unit completed a specialized training with Albania’s Border Police. The focus was on detecting illegal documents and assessing risks. The training emphasized practical techniques to spot forgeries. It also strengthened officers’ professional skills in the field. The embassy highlighted …
The Montenegrin film Nderi premieres for the first time in Tirana and Prishtina. The director, Nikola Vukčević, presents it as Montenegro’s official Oscar® candidate (98th Academy Awards). The film has won 20 international awards at 31 festivals. These include the Cairo International Film Festival, IFFI GOA, and Palm Springs International …
The Ombudsman Endrit Shabani, who also serves as President of the Mediterranean Ombudsmen Organization (AOM), is conducting an official visit to the Republic of Kosovo, where he was received in a high-level meeting by the Speaker of Parliament and Acting President, Albulena Haxhiu. The discussions focused on the protection of …