Albania in 2025: Socialists Win Big, Graft Probes Continue
Prime Minister Edi Rama secured a historic fourth term in office and consolidated his rule against a background of ongoing corruption investigations into several politicians from the governing Socialist Party. Original post Here
Kremlin Echoes in Balkan Clickbait: How Fake Baba Vanga Prophecies Spread Across Albanian Media
TIRANA, Tirana Times, December 16, 2025. Each December, apocalyptic headlines resurface across Albanian media warning of global collapse, Europe’s disappearance or the rise of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a world ruler, all attributed to the supposed prophecies of Baba Vanga, a blind Bulgarian mystic who died nearly three decades ago. …
Serbia Loses Kushner Investment, Vučić Points to Albania
Albania’s Sazan Island project backed by Trump’s son-in-law draws scrutiny over transparency and political motives BELGRADE, Serbia, Tirana Times – Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said Serbia has suffered a major economic setback after a company owned by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, withdrew from a planned Trump-branded …
Bringing Albania into History: Bernd J. Fischer and World War II
By Ilir Ikonomi One of the most important modern works ever written about Albania’s experience in the Second World War—Bernd Jürgen Fischer’s Albania at War, 1939–1945. This is not just a history book. It is an act of historical rescue. Fischer lifts Albania from the shadows of European historiography and places …
AKSHI Director Arrested in Major Corruption Probe
Case Involving Critical State Infrastructure Adds to Albania’s Growing High Level Corruption Crisis Tirana Times – December 16, 2025 Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure, SPAK, in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation, BKH, has carried out a large-scale operation targeting an alleged criminal network operating at the highest levels of the …
Albanian Prosecution Urges Parliament to Allow Deputy PM’s Arrest
Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime asks parliament to lift the immunity from arrest of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku. Original post Here
Eight Accused in Albania of Rigging Information Agency Tenders
Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organised Crime raids a suspected crime group based at the National Information Agency, accused of running scheme to manipulate tenders. Original post Here
Deputy PM Balluku Arrest Bid Shakes Albania’s Rule of Law
Will Parliament Lift the Deputy Prime Minister’s Immunity? Tirana Times, December 16th , 2025.Albania has entered one of the most serious institutional confrontations since the launch of its justice reform, as the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) formally requested parliamentary authorization to arrest Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and …
Endrit Shabani Elected as Albania’s Ombudsman in Contested Process
New Ombudsman elected solely with the votes of the ruling majority – a break in tradition – after opposition MPS refused to participate in the vote. Original post Here
Albania‘s Constitutional Court Temporarily Reinstates Deputy PM Balluku
Court temporarily restores Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku to her duties, after the government disputed a court order that had suspended her. Original post Here
TIRANA, September 1 – Economic confidence in Albania improved in August, led by construction, while trade and services also recorded gains, according to the Bank of Albania. The Economic Sentiment Indicator rose by 1.8 points and stood 7.4 points above its historical average. Construction recorded the strongest increase, with confidence …
TIRANA, September 1 – The number of public beach areas increased by 67% across Albania this tourist season. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the increase in a social media post. The total area of public beach stations also grew by more than 10%. Gonxhja said the expansion …
TIRANA, September 1 – British newspaper Metro highlights the Albanian Alps as a rare mountain destination with dramatic landscapes, quiet trails and low costs. Reporter Sadie Whitelocks describes the region as an alternative to the crowded Dolomites. The article follows a 7-day hiking challenge across the mountains of Albania, Kosova …
TIRANA, September 1 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in the European Forum Alpbach in Austria at the invitation of Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. He joined a panel focused on Europe’s ability to act in a rapidly changing world. Hoxha said Albania’s present and future are closely linked …
TIRANA, September 1 – Tourist boat trips on Kukës Lake have drawn strong interest during the summer season, the first year of the service. Visitors have used the tours to explore the lake and the area’s natural attractions. According to boat operator Edmond Bytyçi, requests came from visitors from several …
TIRANA, September 1 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha took part in a panel on “Enlargement as Europe’s Future Geopolitical Tool” at the Bled Strategic Forum, alongside European Commissioner Marta Kos. Hoxha said enlargement should remain a merit-based process and stressed the importance of credibility and maintaining the pace of negotiations. …
TIRANA, September 1 – The Ministry of Defence reported 27 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Four fires remain active, while authorities are monitoring 4 others. Firefighters deployed 432 operational personnel and 43 vehicles, with support from 70 military personnel and 3 Air Force helicopters. Today, authorities plan …
TIRANA, September 1 – Albanian referee Emanuela Rusta will officiate another major European fixture. She will referee the second leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Frankfurt. The match will take place on September 2 at 18:30 at the PSG Campus …
Albania’s history of protecting Jewish people during World War II took center stage at a documentary exhibition held today at the General Directorate of Archives. The exhibition highlighted how Albanian families sheltered Jewish people fleeing Nazi persecution and antisemitic terror. A group of history teachers from Albania and Kosovo attended …
TIRANA, September 1 – The US Embassy in Tirana praised Albania for repatriating 5 Albanian citizens from Syria. The group included 2 women and 3 children. The embassy described the operation as an important step for the families and for global security. It said the returnees would receive support for …