Blog
News

Iran-Linked Hackers Target Albanian Post in Latest Attack

The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here

Read More
News

In Albania, Leveraging Celebrity Exposure to Stay out of Jail

Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here

Read More
News

Albanian Ex-Mayor Convicted in Second Abuse of Office Case

An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here

Read More
News

Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

Read More
News

Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

Read More
News

Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

Read More
News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 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

Read More
News

Albania Opposition Protest Turns Violent

Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …

Read More
News

US Targets Iran Linked Cyber Network as Albania Emerges as Key Victim

Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …

Read More
News
State Minister Dhuka responds to Serbian counterpart: Let us leave the ghosts of “Greater Albania” and “Greater Serbia” behind

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania’s State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka responded today to Serbian European Integration Minister Nemanja Starović over the debate surrounding the Ibër River. In a social media post, Dhuka said that the river flows forward and history does the same. As a lawyer, she said …

News
Foreign Minister Hoxha responds to Serbian counterpart: Region’s future should be built through dialogue

TIRANA, August 11 – Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha responded on Tuesday to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric’s statement on the Ibër River. Hoxha stressed the need for dialogue, trust and practical cooperation in the region. Hoxha welcomed the calmer tone of Duric’s closing message. He …

News
Velipoja Beach draws large numbers of domestic and foreign tourists

TIRANA, August 11 – Velipoja Beach remains one of Albania’s most popular summer destinations. The beach stretches for more than 14 km and attracts large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors this season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the Velipoja coastline on social media today. He highlighted the …

News
Youth Wave Festival in Shkodër brings temporary traffic restrictions

TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër will host the second edition of the Youth Wave Festival on August 12. The event marks International Youth Day and will take place in front of the “Republika” Cinema. Shkodër Municipality said the festival will bring temporary parking and traffic restrictions in the area. Parking …

News
Kosova Chamber of Commerce: Delays in forming institutions are hurting economy

TIRANA, August 11 – The Kosova Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over delays in constituting parliament and forming the government. The chamber warned that the lack of functioning institutions is creating uncertainty and causing further damage to the economy and local businesses. The chamber called on parliamentary …

News
Albania ranks first worldwide in cyber security index, PM Rama hails historic success

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania ranks first worldwide in the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI), with 98.33 points. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the ranking today. He said Albania has moved from being the target of one of the most serious cyber attacks against a NATO member to becoming a …

News
Fire reignites in Mallakastër, 2 Air Tractors deployed

TIRANA, August 11 – A fire has reignited in Drenie, Mallakastër, on Tuesday. The flames have spread in the northern part of the fire zone towards Drenie village. The National Civil Protection Agency said 2 Air Tractor aircraft are fighting the fire from the air. On the ground, 5 firefighting …

News
EU: Statements on possible changes to Ibër River flow should be avoided

TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union has called for restraint over statements about a possible change to the Ibër River’s flow. It also called for actions that do not serve the normalization of relations between Kosova and Serbia to be avoided. A European Commission spokesperson said on August 11 …

News
EU-Albania security partnership targets hybrid and cyber threats

TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union and Albania have deepened cooperation on security and defence through their Security and Defence Partnership. The partnership focuses on common challenges and threats. The EU Delegation in Albania said today’s threats know no borders. It added that security and defence partnerships turn shared …

News
Public beaches increase by 67%, with 1,689 plots available in 2026

TIRANA, August 11 – The number of public beach plots and stations has increased significantly this summer. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said 1,689 public plots are available in 2026. Last year, the figure stood at 1,014. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and …

News

State Minister Dhuka responds to Serbian counterpart: Let us leave the ghosts of “Greater Albania” and “Greater Serbia” behind

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania’s State Minister and Chief Negotiator Majlinda Dhuka responded today to Serbian European Integration Minister Nemanja Starović over the debate surrounding the Ibër River. In a social media post, Dhuka said that the river flows forward and history does the same. As a lawyer, she said …

News

Foreign Minister Hoxha responds to Serbian counterpart: Region’s future should be built through dialogue

TIRANA, August 11 – Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha responded on Tuesday to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric’s statement on the Ibër River. Hoxha stressed the need for dialogue, trust and practical cooperation in the region. Hoxha welcomed the calmer tone of Duric’s closing message. He …

News

Velipoja Beach draws large numbers of domestic and foreign tourists

TIRANA, August 11 – Velipoja Beach remains one of Albania’s most popular summer destinations. The beach stretches for more than 14 km and attracts large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors this season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the Velipoja coastline on social media today. He highlighted the …

News

Youth Wave Festival in Shkodër brings temporary traffic restrictions

TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër will host the second edition of the Youth Wave Festival on August 12. The event marks International Youth Day and will take place in front of the “Republika” Cinema. Shkodër Municipality said the festival will bring temporary parking and traffic restrictions in the area. Parking …

News

Kosova Chamber of Commerce: Delays in forming institutions are hurting economy

TIRANA, August 11 – The Kosova Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over delays in constituting parliament and forming the government. The chamber warned that the lack of functioning institutions is creating uncertainty and causing further damage to the economy and local businesses. The chamber called on parliamentary …

News

Albania ranks first worldwide in cyber security index, PM Rama hails historic success

TIRANA, August 11 – Albania ranks first worldwide in the National Cyber Security Index (NCSI), with 98.33 points. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the ranking today. He said Albania has moved from being the target of one of the most serious cyber attacks against a NATO member to becoming a …

News

Fire reignites in Mallakastër, 2 Air Tractors deployed

TIRANA, August 11 – A fire has reignited in Drenie, Mallakastër, on Tuesday. The flames have spread in the northern part of the fire zone towards Drenie village. The National Civil Protection Agency said 2 Air Tractor aircraft are fighting the fire from the air. On the ground, 5 firefighting …

News

EU: Statements on possible changes to Ibër River flow should be avoided

TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union has called for restraint over statements about a possible change to the Ibër River’s flow. It also called for actions that do not serve the normalization of relations between Kosova and Serbia to be avoided. A European Commission spokesperson said on August 11 …

News

EU-Albania security partnership targets hybrid and cyber threats

TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union and Albania have deepened cooperation on security and defence through their Security and Defence Partnership. The partnership focuses on common challenges and threats. The EU Delegation in Albania said today’s threats know no borders. It added that security and defence partnerships turn shared …

News

Public beaches increase by 67%, with 1,689 plots available in 2026

TIRANA, August 11 – The number of public beach plots and stations has increased significantly this summer. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said 1,689 public plots are available in 2026. Last year, the figure stood at 1,014. According to data from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and …