Albanian Opposition Rallies for Premier’s Resignation Over Indicted Deputy PM
Supporters of the opposition Democratic Party demonstrated in Tirana against Edi Rama’s government after anti-corruption prosecutors indicted his deputy prime minister and raided officials at the National Information Agency. Original post Here
Security Beyond Soldiers: NATO’s Role in Strengthening Western Balkans Stability
Security in the Western Balkans is no longer defined only by borders and armies, but by the strength of institutions, public trust and the ability to withstand modern pressure. In an interview with the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS), Arjan Starova, former Albanian foreign minister and President of the …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: December 22, 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
A Structured Criminal Group Inside a National Security Institution: The AKSHI Case
Tirana, Tirana Times, 20 December 2025 – The investigation launched by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution has revealed the existence of a structured criminal group operating within the leadership of the National Agency for Information Society, AKSHI. At the center of the case stand the agency’s director and deputy director, accused …
Tirana Marks International Arabic Language Day with a Festive Ceremony
Tirana, Tirana Times, 19 December 2025 – International Arabic Language Day was commemorated in Tirana through a festive ceremony organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Albania, bringing together a broad representation of Albanian state institutions, the diplomatic corps, universities, the academic community, cultural …
Albanian MPs Clash in Parliament Amid Tensions Over Corruption Cases
Opposition MPs hurled bottles and clashed with guards as the new ruling party-backed Ombudsman took his oath amid heightened tensions sparked by high-level graft cases. Original post Here
Visiting Thaci in Hague Jail, Albania PM Slates ’Shameful’ War Court
Albania’s Edi Rama lashed out at the Hague-based Specialist Chambers war crimes court following a visit to Kosovo’s ex-President Hashim Thaci in detention, calling it a ‘theatre of shame’. Original post Here
Stability Has a Schedule: What NATO’s Hague Pledge Means for the Western Balkans
In late August 2022, Montenegro’s government digital infrastructure was hit by what officials called an “unprecedented” cyberattack. The disruption was serious enough that parts of the public sector had to fall back on manual workarounds while authorities tried to isolate affected systems. In a region where state capacity is often …
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. …
TIRANA, September 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will alternate between clear spells and occasional moderate cloud cover, mainly over hilly and mountainous areas. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average speed of …
TIRANA, September 4 – Ksamil has been named Europe’s best coastal destination by US travel media outlet “Travel Off Path”. Journalist Trevor Kucheran ranked it first among five European coastal destinations recommended by travel experts. The article highlights Ksamil’s exceptionally clear waters and white-pebble beaches. It also points to the …
TIRANA, September 4 – Tirana International Airport handled 6 million passengers in the first six months of 2026. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the figure puts the airport ahead of others in the region. According to Rama, passenger traffic increased by 17% compared with the same period in 2025. He …
One of the most acclaimed Albanian-language films in European cinema this year, and an Oscar contender, will meet Albanian audiences with a powerful story about dignity, poverty, family and the human cost of survival. The Tirana International Film Festival, taking place from September 21 to 27, will screen “Shame and …
TIRANA, September 4 – Grila, on the shores of Lake Shkodra in Malesia e Madhe, has become a popular destination for visitors seeking nature, tranquillity and scenic landscapes. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos showing visitors enjoying picnics and outdoor sports by the lake. They are also spending their holidays …
A World War II hospital ship that sank off the Albanian coast in 1941 has transformed into a rich underwater ecosystem decades later, according to British outlet “BBC Wildlife.” Researchers have identified 151 species living on and around the wreck. The discovery also includes a Mediterranean monk seal, one of …
TIRANA, September 4 – The risk of wildfires will be high across most of Albania this afternoon and tomorrow, according to the Geosciences Institute. The institute forecasts high risk in Shkodër, Dibër, Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Vlora and Gjirokastër regions. Meanwhile, Kukës and Korca will face moderate overall …
TIRANA, September 4 – Prime Minister Edi Rama is attending the 52nd “Intelligence on the World, Europe and Italy” Forum in Cernobbio, Italy. The forum brings together political, institutional and business leaders from Europe and beyond. Rama is due to speak on the “Agenda for Europe” panel during a session …
TIRANA, September 4 – The end of August has not brought the tourist season to a close in Shëngjin. The coastal resort continues to attract visitors, many of them from Kosova. Holidaymakers say they are enjoying their stay and value the quieter atmosphere, the beach and the services still available …
Taranto has officially handed over the Mediterranean Games flag to Prishtina, which will host the 2030 edition. The 20th Mediterranean Games ended in Taranto with a celebration featuring Mediterranean music, a tarantella performance, spectacular lights and fireworks. During the closing ceremony, representatives from all 26 participating countries paraded at the …