Call to Arms for the ‘Next Generation’
Albania is in a precarious situation at the moment. We are faced with a prevailing cultural acceptance of complacency and corruption. This reality had periodically made itself known to me during my summer trips back to Albania. Truthfully, however, this had no bearing on my life back then. I was …
Is AI worsening the mental health crisis in journalism?
Mental health remains a relatively under-discussed issue for those working in journalism, a profession that is often precarious for many. AI has now been added to this situation. Instability and precariousness, low salaries, the “obligation to stay connected” and the pressure to keep up the pace: these are the factors …
Newsanalysis: Kosovo Parliament Fails Again to Elect Speaker, Highlighting Deepening Partisan Divides and Institutional Fragility
Tirana, Tirana Times, April 27 — Kosovo’s political deadlock deepened further on Sunday as the Parliament failed once again to elect a Speaker and officially constitute the Assembly, despite seven attempts. The candidate proposed by the winning party, Vetëvendosje (VV), acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, did not secure enough votes, …
Elmar Brok: Berisha calls for liberation – Rama’s power crumbles
A new chapter is dawning in Albania. For the first time in years, Edi Rama’s iron-fisted ruleis beginning to totter. The country is facing a historic decision: Freedom or downfall. And inthe midst of this moment, an old fighter rises up – Sali Berisha, the symbol of Albania’s firstliberation, is …
Farewell, Pope Francis
By Jerina Zaloshnja Rakipi — Reporting from Vatican City Tirana Times, April 26, 2025 In 1967, a Catholic priest in Tirana—whose name I never managed to learn—quietly came to our home to baptize me. I was only two years old, born to a Bektashi father and a Muslim mother, who, …
Digital Divide: The Albanians Left Behind by Move to Online Public Services
Albania has moved almost all of its public administration online, yet the elderly, those with disabilities, and others who lack the necessary digital skills risk being locked out if authorities do not step up support. Original post Here
Challenging Justice: Albanian Parties Field Candidates Facing Corruption Charges
Promises to clean up politics – and not run candidates with suspected or proven crime links – seem to have been dumped by both main parties contesting next month’s parliamentary election. Original post Here
Balkan Leaders Express Sorrow After Death of Pope Francis
Balkan leaders and Catholic believers across the region voiced their condolences after the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after a period of ill-health. Original post Here
Albanians Remember ‘Extraordinary Woman’ Who Endured Torture for Her Faith
A Catholic nun who was persecuted as an enemy of the Communist regime in her short lifetime, Marie Tuci is today widely honoured in Albania as both a saint and a symbol of courage. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: April 14, 2025
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, August 19 – Albania’s Under-21 national football team will compete at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, which RTSH will broadcast. Albania Under-21 head coach Alban Bushi has announced the squad for the tournament. He said the team wants to show the character, personality and mentality of Albanian football. Albania …
TIRANA, August 19 – Cultural and religious heritage sites have attracted strong interest from domestic and foreign tourists in Gjirokastër County this year. Churches, mosques, cultural monuments and historical sites have featured prominently in tourist itineraries. As a result, cultural and religious tourism has become one of the area’s main …
Durrës remains one of Albania’s most popular destinations for both domestic and international tourists during the summer season. The coastal city combines beaches, history, culture and Albanian hospitality, offering visitors a diverse holiday experience. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the city’s busy streets, filled with tourists during the …
Drashovica lies at the entrance to the hills and mountains of the Shushicë River valley. For centuries, its location has earned it the name “Gateway to Labëria.” The village has a history of at least 585 years and is believed to have been founded in 1431. It has played an …
TIRANA, August 19 – Opportunities to strengthen relations between Albania and Kazakhstan were discussed at a meeting at the Kazakh Embassy in Tirana. The talks focused on air links, economic and investment cooperation, tourism and contacts between regions. Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Albania, Iskander Aisariyev, met Albanian media representatives, experts, a …
TIRANA, August 19 – Wildfires remain active in the forests of Mount Tërbuni and the Gjegjan-Gojan area in Puka Municipality, Shkodër County. The county authorities said the situation on Mount Tërbuni is under control. However, firefighters continue to battle the flames in Gjegjan-Gojan, where high temperatures and strong winds have …
TIRANA, August 19 – The high number of tourists visiting Lezhë and surrounding areas has increased traffic on local roads. As a result, the Road Police has increased its presence to manage traffic and prevent long queues at the most congested points. Officers are monitoring traffic continuously and intervening where …
TIRANA, August 19 – A draft bill on the Chamber of Commerce proposes replacing the current Chamber of Commerce and Industry with a new National Economic Chamber. The Ministry of Economy and Innovation has opened the draft for public consultation. The proposal aims to establish a new model for business …
The National Agency of Information Society (AKSHI) has responded to recent claims about Diella, the artificial intelligence system operating on Albania’s e-Albania portal. AKSHI said the webpage users see is only the system’s interface. It is not the system itself. When citizens ask Diella for a document, the request is …
TIRANA, August 19 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts mainly clear skies with periods of moderate and locally dense cloud cover over hilly and mountainous areas. Clouds will remain present until the afternoon. Later, they will gradually clear and mostly sunny …