‘Hope Dies Last’: The Bosnian Wartime Sexual Violence Survivor Fighting for Justice
In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here
Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
Week in Review: Surprises and Standoffs
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
How Albanians in America Lobbied for Freedom Back Home
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here
Rebuilt Housing Estate for Albanian Quake Survivors Hosts Just One Family
The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here
Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM
O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …
The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row
The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She …
Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …
Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections
By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …
Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary
New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 24 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu presented citizenship decrees to former U.S. Congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, at a special ceremony. DioGuardi, the first Albanian-American voting member of the U.S. Congress, has been one of the strongest voices in Washington in support …
The Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life”, produced in 1981, will undergo restoration through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. Doctors Rubin and Ilir Topi have joined the initiative led by the Central State Film Archive. They chose to restore the film in memory of their father, doctor …
Albania’s Vlora region continues to attract visitors with its rich natural landscapes, biodiversity and protected areas. From January to July, more than 494,000 people visited protected areas across the region. According to the Vlora Protected Areas Administration, 166,809 visitors were Albanian, while 327,239 were international tourists. Butrint National Park recorded …
In the heart of the Shushica Valley, Brati Bridge is attracting visitors looking for a different kind of summer getaway, away from both the sea and the mountains. From the new Vlora River Road, a scenic route offering views of the villages along the river, visitors can walk for about …
TIRANA, August 24 – Albanian internationals enjoyed another positive week in overseas leagues, with Jasir Asani, Cristian Shpendi and Etnik Brruti scoring, while Ernest Muçi and Stavro Pilo provided assists. In Turkey, Muçi returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. The Albania forward assisted Mohamed Salah for Trabzonspor’s …
TIRANA, August 24 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency has announced its 7th call for proposals for small projects under Specific Objective 4.6 of the Greece–Albania Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. The call offers new funding opportunities for projects focused on development and cross-border cooperation. The total fund amounts to …
TIRANA, August 24 – The first round of Albania’s top-flight football league has ended, with all five matches played over three days. The opening round began on Friday with Vllaznia and Skënderbeu drawing 2-2. On Saturday, Partizani and Teuta played out a 0-0 draw, while Laçi and AF Elbasani finished …
TIRANA, August 24 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania continued to rise in 2025, reaching 32,163 by the end of the year. The figure was 46.6% higher than in 2024, according to the Institute of Statistics. Men accounted for 65% of residence permit holders, while women …
TIRANA, August 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video on social media featuring an exchange with Diella, described as the “AI minister”, shortly before the start of a government cabinet meeting in Pogradec. In the video, Rama asks Diella, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, about Education …
TIRANA, August 24 – Authorities released 2 million Koran fish fry into Lake Ohrid in Pogradec this weekend as part of efforts to replenish aquatic fauna and protect the endemic species. The Koran is important to the lake’s ecosystem and the local economy. The release took place during the Koran …