Balkan States Give Divided Reactions to US Strike on Venezuela
Albania and Kosovo applauded the Trump administration’s military operation against Venezuela’s regime and the ousting of Nicolas Maduro, while other states in the region initially remained silent or called for calm and restraint. Original post Here
Roaming Like at Home and the Western Balkans
By Genc Pollo Tirana, 02 January 2026 – Today’s decision by the European Union to grant “roaming like at home” to Ukraine and Moldova deserves praise. It is a practical citizen-centered step that immediately lowers costs improves connectivity and makes Europe tangible in everyday life. Yet the non inclusion of …
Albania in the EU Fast Lane – Accelerating Without Democratising?
Tirana’s EU accession process is running in top gear – but worryingly, there’s no sign this is being matched with a democratic deepening at home. Original post Here
Albania 2026: Power Under Investigation
As Albania enters 2026, the country stands at a political and institutional crossroads shaped decisively by the shocks of 2025. What initially appeared to be a year of electoral routine and managed stability evolved instead into the most serious confrontation between executive power and the justice system since the launch …
Saudi Arabia’s Yemen Action: Between Deterrence, Diplomacy, and Regional Responsibility
The latest Saudi action in Yemen should be understood not as escalation for its own sake, but as part of a broader strategic approach that combines deterrence with diplomacy, aimed at safeguarding regional stability and preserving internationally recognized state authority. Riyadh’s move comes in response to concrete security concerns arising …
Exposing Scams, Probing the Powerful: A Year of BIRN Investigations
As 2026 begins, we look back on some of the most important investigations published by BIRN in its 20th anniversary year – from brutal migrant-smuggling gangs and arms deals with Israel to state surveillance of protesters and online frauds. Original post Here
Letter From Washington: The US Just Blasted Balkan Authoritarians – Or Did It?
The recently-passed Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act shows that some US lawmakers still care about the region. But it doesn’t mean that Donald Trump is going to tell Aleksandar Vucic to be nicer to student protesters. Original post Here
PM Kurti claims victory in Kosovo vote, no clear majority
Tirana Times PRISTINA, Kosovo December 29, 2025. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti secured another clear electoral victory in Kosovo’s repeat parliamentary election on Sunday, with his left wing Vetëvendosje movement significantly expanding its lead over rivals but once again failing to secure the parliamentary majority needed to govern alone, according …
Deputy PM Balluku Arrest Bid Shakes Albania’s Rule of Law
Will Parliament Lift the Deputy Prime Minister’s Immunity? Tirana Times, December 28 th , 2025. Albania has entered one of the most serious institutional confrontations since the launch of its justice reform, as the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) formally requested parliamentary authorization to arrest Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of …
The Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) announced that it will soon open a premiere exhibition of one of the most extraordinary artists of global Surrealism, Salvador Dalí. The exhibition “Salvador Dalí” will open on April 9. It forms part of the “Argillet Collection,” curated by collector Christine Argillet. The …
Prime Minister Edi Rama called on mayors to draft plans to convert old houses into museums. He urged them to identify buildings with strong heritage value and save them from decay. Speaking at a meeting with mayors, Rama said the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports has launched a process …
The reconstruction of the “Shefqet Doda” Cultural Palace in Mat has brought new life to the city’s cultural and artistic scene. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, Minister Blendi Gonxhja, Mayor Altin Bojnini, and MP Agron Malaj visited the upgraded facilities. Koçiu said the project restores one of Mat’s key symbols. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, also leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, met the party assembly in Unit 3 in Tirana. Rama praised the results in the unit. He said the unit shows growth. He thanked party members for their work. He said 10 out of 12 regions show growth, …
Easter is approaching. If you want to enjoy the holiday with family or friends, here are four perfect films to watch together, reports hynerd.it. Who Framed Roger Rabbit In an alternate Hollywood where animated characters and humans coexist, detective Eddie Valiant investigates a case involving the cartoon star Roger Rabbit, …
Today, 42 Americans took the oath to serve as Peace Corps volunteers in Albania for two years. The U.S. Embassy announced that Nancy VanHorn and Mirela Kumbaro attended the ceremony. VanHorn said the Peace Corps reflects the spirit of ordinary citizens stepping forward to serve. She called it “America at …
The government of Kosovo, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, approved on Friday draft laws on price caps and mandatory health insurance, which are to be submitted to the Assembly of Kosovo for approval before becoming law. This marks a renewed effort by Kurti to strengthen these two laws, after …
The Albanian government has undertaken a new fiscal measure to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices in international markets. Through a recently approved normative act, a 20% reduction in excise taxes on diesel and gasoline has been introduced, to be applied under specific conditions. According to the decision, the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Friday with socialist mayors, where he emphasized that a key priority is the strengthening of emergency services. He noted that special focus is being placed on firefighting units, which face difficulties during the peak summer season due to frequent wildfires. Rama announced …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, during a meeting with mayors, stated that the next steps related to a project aimed at supporting local government are a primary focus. Rama also underlined that a key element of the work plan is maximum engagement in the legalization process. He said that, in cooperation …