Rama’s congratulatory message on ‘Europe Day’
Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated May 9, Europe Day. In a post on social networks, he has published a table in which it is written: “Europe is here. Albania is Europe”. Europe Day is the date when were taken the first step towards the creation of what is now known …
Many mayor candidates undergoing in-depth probe ahead of May 14 polls; CEC’s head
Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Ilirjan Celibashi, has underlined this Tuesday that 10 candidates for mayor and 28 for council members have been sent for more in-depth investigation ahead of the May 14 local elections. In his speech, Celibashi informed that candidates who have been put under scrutiny …
Elections Albanian Style: In Remote Town, Govt Flexes Muscles for Chosen Candidate
Dibra Municipality, in Albania’s impoverished north, has a history of manipulated elections. The polls due on May 14 are no different, as the government throws everything behind its candidate. Original post Here
Four arrested for different crimes in Tirana
Four people have been arrested this Tuesday by the Tirana police for various criminal offences. Police revealed that the detainees were arrested for dealing cocaine and cannabis, stealing and domestic violence. “Narcotics Investigation Specialists arrested citizens: – A. C., 38 years old, resident in Tirana, after during the physical check …
Tirana, 20-year-old goes missing
A 37-year-old woman asked this Tuesday for the help of the police to find her son, who has left his home. Concerned mother filed a report on her son’s disappearance to the police, which announced that efforts are being made to find him. Meanwhile, the materials were passed to the …
The murder of Albanian businessman, Albania without an extradition agreement with Morocco
Yesterday, Portuguese citizen, Ruben Saraiva, who was the executioner for the murder of businessman Ardian Nikulaj in the bar owned by him in Shengjin, was arrested in Morocco, after he had traveled to this country from Greece. But regarding the extradition agreement with Morocco, the relevant authorities have in the …
Child Pornography, Hate Speech and Cybercrime Surge in Balkans
Romania and Croatia saw a rise in child pornography cases, hate speech and discrimination were reported elsewhere in the Balkans, cybercrime and other online violations increased. Original post Here
Veliaj filed a lawsuit against Berisha, today’s session at Special Court
The head of the Municipality of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, appeared today in the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), where he will participate in the first session of the trial against Sali Berisha. The mayor has sued Berisha for defamation for the statements he has …
15 arrested, over 50 drivers’ licenses suspended in Tirana for breaking traffic rules
State Police have conducted checks in Tirana, where last week they arrested and prosecuted 15 people for driving while drunk or without a license. Based on the released data, 56 licenses were suspended for driving under the influence of alcohol, for speeding beyond the permitted rates and for other violations …
Himara, young men busted with 1500 cannabis doses
Two young men have been put in handcuffs Monday by the police of Himara, after being caught with drugs. Detainees are citizens with initials O. B., 33 years old and L. H., 32 years old, both residents of Tirana. During the physical check and the check in the camper that …
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
New changes to the Albanian criminal code that only partially abolish defamation as an offence have been criticised by media freedom organisations, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Tirana Times, January 26, 2026 – Albania’s attempted entry into the Peace Board has become a revealing episode, not because of the significance of the initiative itself, but because of the way Albania’s leadership chose to stage and communicate it domestically. The Peace Board represents a new and ambitious international …
Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania has joined the Peace Board, a newly established international mechanism initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at overseeing peace agreements and post-conflict stabilization efforts, with an initial focus on the Gaza Strip. The Peace Board was formally launched during the World Economic …
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here
Balkan countries are continuing to sacrifice their remaining clean river stretches to development and pollution, a new assessment warns. Original post Here
The Bulgarian mystic’s doomy predictions continue to grab headlines in Albania and elsewhere – even though many seem fabricated and sometimes appear to serve Russian geopolitical narratives. Original post Here