Opposition Protests as Corruption Case Deepens Political Crisis
The crisis deepens as the government shields Deputy PM Balluku and a criminal network emerges in AKSHI Tirana Times, January 25, 2026 – Albania’s main opposition party returned to the streets on Saturday with a second national protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama, challenging the legitimacy of his fourth term …
Environmentalists Urge Suspension of Kushner Island Resort Project in Albania
Forty-one environmental organisations from 28 countries have called for a halt to the planned development by Jared Kushner of Albania’s Sazan island as a luxury resort, saying it threatens the valuable biodiversity of the area. Original post Here
Kosovo, Bulgaria, Turkey Join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’
Kosovo, Bulgaria and Turkey have signed the Board of Peace Charter, under Donald Trump’s auspices, but several other Balkan countries are still pondering whether to join the initiative. Original post Here
‘Worrying’ Loss of Pristine Rivers in Balkans Highlighted by Study
Balkan countries are continuing to sacrifice their remaining clean river stretches to development and pollution, a new assessment warns. Original post Here
‘Balkan Nostradamus’: Baba Vanga’s Visions Still Flood Albania’s Media Landscape
The Bulgarian mystic’s doomy predictions continue to grab headlines in Albania and elsewhere – even though many seem fabricated and sometimes appear to serve Russian geopolitical narratives. Original post Here
King Salman Center Launches Fourth Cycle of International Disability Research Prize
Tirana, 21.01.2026 – Research on disability has increasingly moved into the centre of international scientific and policy discussions, reflecting broader debates about inclusion, quality of life and access to public space. Against this wider backdrop, the King Salman Center for Disability Research (KSCDR) has opened nominations for the 4th cycle of …
Albania to Join Trump Peace Board, Other Balkan Countries Silent
While Albania’s Edi Rama welcomed an invitation to join Donald Trump’s proposed Board of Peace, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Greece merely confirmed that they had received invitations. Original post Here
Brussels Freezes Albania’s Digital Funds?
When the “Choo Choo” Train Never Came It begins with a scene that now feels almost surreal. In 2022, during a staged media event in Tirana, Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku enthusiastically explained to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that the Tirana–Durrës–Rinas railway would be completed by 2024. …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 19, 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
America’s Warning on Drug Cartels: Why Europe’s Silence in Albania Matters
The United States has once again issued an unusually clear and public warning about the threat posed by Albanian organized crime groups and their links to Latin American drug cartels, framing the issue not only as a criminal challenge but as a direct risk to Albania’s national security and economic …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited citizens to take part in a running event in Tirana on October 24-25. He shared a video on Facebook encouraging people to put on their running shoes and challenge themselves. Meanwhile, Rama said the capital’s streets will become a major running track for the …
Hybrid threats and cyberattacks against Albania were the focus of a workshop organised by the National Cyber Security Authority with the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. National Cyber Security Authority head Bledar Kazia said authorities had detected external attacks on systems during the latest protest. He stressed …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo and State Police Director General Skënder Hita met with local State Police leaders in Shkodër on Monday. According to media reports, the meeting focused on public order and security issues in the region. The participants also discussed efforts to combat crime, particularly the cultivation and distribution …
Tirana hosted the third edition of “Tirana Grand Prix” for three days. The event is the largest automotive event in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared moments from the event on social media today. The three-day programme celebrated automotive history, elegance and passion. It brought together collectors and enthusiasts from …
A new photo exhibition is bringing 20th-century Italian cinema to Tirana. The exhibition, “L’Italia che sognavamo”, opened today and will remain on display until October 23. Visitors can see the exhibition in the area in front of the Central State Film Archive. It features photographs from Italian cinema throughout the …
Albania’s Under-21 team drew 2-2 with Ukraine in a friendly match in Eger, Hungary, on Monday. The match took place at Szentmarjay Tibor Varosi Stadion. Albania produced a strong performance and controlled much of the game. Albania took the lead in the 18th minute through Kevin Dodaj. The team created …
Albania striker Rey Manaj said the team must start strongly against San Marino and seek an early goal in their UEFA Nations League match. Further, Manaj said Albania should focus on scoring regardless of how the goals come. He recalled the recent match against Andorra, when Albania scored late. The …
For the first time, an Albanian university has entered the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, one of the world’s best-known university rankings. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro thanked the academic staff, researchers, students and wider community of Tirana State University for their work to strengthen academic quality, research and internationalisation. …
Climate change is affecting biodiversity and reshaping the Mediterranean ecosystem. In Albania, researchers increasingly see the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in coastal waters and on beaches where the species sometimes nests. Albania has not traditionally ranked among the species’ main nesting areas. Warmer sea and sand temperatures now create …
The General Directorate of Archives has opened the Archive Museum, a new space dedicated to Albania’s documentary heritage. The museum aims to bring visitors, especially young people, closer to the country’s history through archival documents. General Archives Director Auron Rrokaj said the museum differs from traditional museums because it focuses …