PM Rama unveils details from SP steering committe’s meet
Prime Minister Edi Rama has spoken this Thursday about the work that the Socialist Party (SP) is doing ahead of the May 14 local elections, stressing that during the Steering Committee’s meeting, the focus was on the names of candidates and councilors and the election campaign, according to different areas. …
SP MP appears in SPAK
The deputy of the Socialist Party, Bardhyl Kollçaku, former general of the Army, appears today in SPAK. The news is confirmed by the journalist of ABC News, Ermal Vija. He has arrived at the prosecutor’s office to provide clarifications regarding a report made by Artur Meçollari, former commander of the …
Question Marks over Efficacy of Albania’s Special Prosecution
Some of the most politically sensitive cases being handled by Albania’s special anti-graft prosecution have failed to move beyond the ‘preliminary investigation’ phase. Original post Here
Southeast Europe Marches for Women’s Rights
Women’s rights organizations in countries all over Southeast Europe staged Women’s Day marches and rallies, demanding equal rights and better protection against domestic violence. Original post Here
PM presents Albania’s tourism potentials to german tourist operators
Prime Minister Rama held a meeting in Berlin with representatives of well-known tourist operators and agencies in Germany, as well as publishers and managers of prestigious tourism magazines, in a discussion on Albania’s perspective, in the framework of regional tourism development. At the start of the meeting, the host of …
US Ambassador meets SP’s secretary general
US Ambassador to Tirana, Yuri Kim is conducting this Wednesday a visit to the headquarters of the Socialist Party (SP). Ambassador Kim is holding a meeting with the general secretary of the SP, Damian Gjiknuri. However, the US Ambassador arrived around 10:40 at the pink headquarters, while the political situation …
TNT explosion on Kamza shop owned by Ex-president of Football Club
A quantity of explosives has been planted in a market in Kamza, where fortunately there was only material damage. According to sources, the market is owned by the family of Naim Qarri, the former president of the Kamza club, while it is suspected that the cause of the blast is …
New UK Law Targets Small Boat Crossings, Often by Albanians
More than 11,000 Albanians arrived in the UK by small boat between May and September last year; a new bill seeks to make it easier to send them back. Original post Here
Work suspended at Greece-Albania border
Greece has suspended work at the border points with Albania, and other neighboring countries since 09:00 this Tuesday. Installation of the new SIS system is being carried out simultaneously at all Greek border points, even at those with European Union states. Regarding the two customs points with Albania, Kakavijë and …
Much-wanted Ervis Martinaj’s family appeals assets seizure decision
Family members of Ervis Martinaj appealed this Tuesday the decision of the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), for the seizure of 34 of his assets, and requests their release. The appeal has been filed in the Appellate Instance of GJKKO, and it is expected that today the …
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