We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers
Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here
Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec
Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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
Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government
The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here
Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files
Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …
Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos
Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here
Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance
Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here
Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions
Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …
Albania’s EU Progress ‘Says More About Brussels Than Tirana’
Albania has opened every negotiation ‘cluster’ as it races along the road to EU accession, but who should get the credit – Edi Rama’s government? Anti-graft prosecutors? Or even Vladimir Putin? Original post Here
How a Balkan Wind Farm Aids US National Security
Energy suppliers in southeastern Europe are heavily politicized and sometimes nefarious. The US can aid democratic stability through energy engagement. By David J. Kostelancik When Congress passed the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it sent a clear signal: energy security in Southeastern …
TIRANA, April 12 – Tirana will host the fourth edition of the Diaspora Summit on April 13, bringing together Albanians from across the world for a two-day program focused on cooperation and development. Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his weekly podcast that the summit will open with a welcome …
TIRANA, April 12 – The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs unveiled the detailed agenda of the Fourth Diaspora Summit, set to take place in Tirana from April 13 to 15. The ministry said the event aims to strengthen ties with Albanians abroad and translate diaspora potential into concrete development …
At the Kakavija border crossing, heavy movement has continued throughout the day on both sides of the border due to the Orthodox Easter celebrations. According to the Border Police, during the last 24 hours, a total of 7,649 citizens were processed at Kakavija in both entry and exit directions — …
The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, extended Easter wishes to Orthodox believers, describing it as the holy day of Christ’s resurrection and a moment for reflection on moral values. In his message, Berisha expressed hope that next Easter will be celebrated without the great hardship that has affected …
Prime Minister Edi Rama stated in his podcast “Flasim” that in the coming days Albania will receive a report from the European Union on public procurement, prepared by professional EU instruments. According to the head of government, the EU report is a reliable and high-quality instrument that has analyzed the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama continued today with the next episode of his podcast “Flasim.” During the podcast, he addressed the first topic, speaking about the 4th Diaspora Summit. Rama emphasized that the summit will begin tomorrow with the welcoming ceremony and, as he noted, it will once again bring together …
Sports activities organized during weekends in Gjirokastër are attracting increasing interest from children and young people. Championships in various sports are held at the city’s Sports Palace and are followed with enthusiasm. Training sessions in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton are eagerly attended by children and youth as …
A bar in Pogradec has decided not to serve customers today and, instead of musicians, has had three women perform as a form of irony toward the government rule that will continue this year regarding live music being allowed only until midnight and a noise limit of 85 decibels. The …
On the 27th anniversary of the battle that would go down in history, in Koshare, former commander of the “Topi Unit” Battalion, Feriz Trezhnjeva, still vividly remembers his last meeting with the hero Agim Ramadani. Even after so many years, with strong emotions, he recounts the moment when Commander Katana …
The first quarter of 2026 has brought a noticeable increase in the number of visitors to some of the most important historical monuments in Durrës. According to data from the Museum Center, during this period, the Venetian Tower of Durrës was visited by around 900 people, while the Durrës Amphitheatre …