Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here
Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …
Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International
As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here
BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital
Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here
EU Presses Parliament Over Deputy PM Immunity
Albania’s choice now will signal whether it is converging with that standard or drifting toward a system where, as Orwell warned, all are equal, but some remain more equal than others. Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The European Union has publicly urged the Albanian Parliament to address without delay …
Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?
By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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
How “Diella” Was Used by the Russian Pravda Network to Spread Disinformation
By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …
The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania
Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …
Russian Propaganda in North Macedonia
by Agron Vrangalla Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – Moscow systematically uses information manipulation as an instrument of foreign policy. In North Macedonia, Russian propaganda relies on several recurring narratives that exploit domestic political tensions and social vulnerabilities. The impact of Russian propaganda in the Western Balkans is neither new …
The SafeJournalists Network expresses concern over a growing number of unexplained restrictions and account-access problems affecting media, activists and other public-interest voices on Meta platforms in Albania. On 5 September, the official Instagram account of Euronews Albania, a private main television and digital news outlet, became inaccessible. Later the same …
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 …