Week in Review: Alignment, Collision and Scandal
From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here
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
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
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
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
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 …
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
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
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
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 …
TIRANA, September 5 – The US Embassy and EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa have paid tribute to Mother Teresa, highlighting her humanitarian legacy and message of service, solidarity and inclusion. Moreira de Sousa recalled one of Mother Teresa’s best-known messages, saying that people may not all do …
TIRANA, September 5 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha received new European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa for their first meeting. The two officials discussed Albania’s progress towards European Union membership. During the meeting, Hoxha stressed the importance of maintaining the pace and momentum …
The Association of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) has reacted following the blocking of access to Euronews Albania’s official Instagram page, expressing concern over the situation and calling for immediate clarification. In its statement,UGSH emphasized that the inability to access the media outlet’s account on one of the main platforms used to …
The Union of Albanian Journalists (UGSH) has reacted to the problems affecting access to Euronews Albania’s official Instagram page, describing the situation as an alarm for freedom of communication and access to information. In a public statement, UGSH said that the inability to access the media outlet’s Instagram page constitutes …
The Association of European Journalists, Albanian Section (AEJ), has condemned Meta’s closure of Euronews Albania’s Instagram page, describing the decision as unprecedented and unacceptable. In a statement, the AEJ said the page had been shut down without any official explanation from Meta. “The Association of European Journalists, Albanian Section, strongly …
TIRANA, September 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania does not necessarily need veto power to take part in European processes and discussions. He spoke about Albania’s European Union perspective and the rise of nationalist trends in several European countries. Speaking at the “Intelligence on the World, Europe and …
Euronews Albania’s Instagram page is no longer accessible, raising further alarm over what has been happening to Albanian accounts on social media in recent days. Without any prior notice or warning, Euronews Albania woke up today to find its Instagram page displaying the message: “User not found.” Just last night, …
Just hours after MEP Sandro Gozi spoke in the Euronews Albania studio about the shutdown of Albanian Instagram accounts and called for transparency from Meta, Euronews Albania’s own page is no longer accessible on the platform. Last night, appearing as a guest on the program “Review,” Gozi addressed the wave …
The European Democrats have reacted to the suspension of Euronews Albania’s Instagram account, expressing solidarity and calling on Meta to intervene immediately. In a statement posted on X, they described the timing of the suspension as “deeply concerning”, as it came just hours after the programme “Review”, hosted by journalist …
TIRANA, September 5 – The wildfire situation in Levan, Fier, was much calmer on Friday evening, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said after visiting the area. Nufi said teams were monitoring two fire hotspots. They are checking the areas again on Saturday morning from the ground and, most likely, from the …