Balla Meets EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa, Discusses Albania’s Accession Progress
The head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, met on Wednesday with the new Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa. In a Facebook post accompanied by a photo, Balla said that during the meeting, they discussed Albania’s EU accession agenda and …
A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia
Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …
Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges
Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …
NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty
Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …
Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia
On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here
Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy
Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here
“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past
New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …
President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections
President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …
Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected
Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …
American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends
The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …
Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu met Montenegro’s Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Gjeka, in Podgorica to discuss minority rights, representation and access to justice. Their talks also covered legislative changes and efforts to combat discrimination. Gogu stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to justice. He also highlighted …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, inspected construction work on the 21-kilometre Tirana bypass. The project aims to ease traffic and divert vehicles away from the capital. Rama said work was progressing well and highlighted the road’s strategic role in connecting the Blue Corridor …
Albania coach Rolando Maran has announced his squad for the national team’s final two Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus. Albania will face Finland at Air Albania Stadium on 12 November before travelling to Hungary to play Belarus behind closed doors on 15 November. The main surprise is the …
Albania is planning new rules for the administration, maintenance and restoration of museums, cultural monuments and other heritage sites. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has opened public consultation on amendments to the law on cultural heritage and museums. The draft aims to strengthen protection and sustainable management while …
An exhibition titled “Kosovo through Kadare’s Eyes” opened on Friday at the National Library of Kosovo “Pjetër Bogdani” in Pristina, marking the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Albania in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo and …
Albania plans to introduce a new inspection system in 2027 to reduce bureaucracy, simplify procedures and create a more business-friendly environment. Prime Minister Edi Rama has pledged to end unannounced inspections and make the process more transparent. The announcement came during the conference “Invest & Comply in Albania – Inspection …
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, has called for stronger regional cooperation as a key driver of European integration. Hoxha made the remarks at the ministerial meeting of the Central European Initiative (CEI), held in Bucharest, Romania. He stressed that regional cooperation had become more important than …
Albania’s fight against corruption remains a crucial test of its European integration process, Justice Minister Toni Gogu said, stressing the need to align national legislation with European Union standards and strengthen regional cooperation. Gogu made the remarks during the session on the judicial dimension of the fight against corruption at …
Dutch Ambassador to Albania Marleen Monster has said recent protests reflect growing dissatisfaction and tension in Albanian society, while strongly condemning the violence accompanying the demonstrations. Speaking during a visit to Korçë, where she met with law enforcement representatives to discuss media freedom, Monster stressed that citizens have the right …
The Albanian Academy of Sciences and the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities have signed a new cooperation agreement to strengthen institutional ties and expand scientific collaboration between the two countries. The agreement followed a two-day official visit by an Israeli delegation led by Academy President David Harel. The President …