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
Gjirokastër Castle welcomed visitors from many countries, mainly across Europe, throughout September 2026. Polish, Spanish, Italian, German and French tourists topped the visitor list, while Albanian visitors ranked sixth. The strong international interest highlights the castle’s historical, cultural and tourism value. The cultural heritage site offers visitors both insights into …
Kosova presidential deadline expires as Democratic Party conditions votes on Specialist Chambers law
The constitutional deadline for electing Kosova’s president expires today. Political parties have failed to reach consensus. As a result, the country faces the possibility of new parliamentary elections. Democratic Party of Kosova (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza met Prime Minister and Self-Determination Movement (LVV) leader Albin Kurti late Monday. The meeting …
Electronic payments could generate annual savings of up to ALL 38.7 billion in Albania, according to a joint study by the World Bank and Bank of Albania. The findings were presented at the 10th Conference of Mediterranean Central Banks in Tarragona, Spain. Bank of Albania First Deputy Governor Holta Zaçaj …
Albania is expected to experience unstable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will remain mostly clear, with long periods of sunshine. Meanwhile, light to moderate passing clouds will develop over hilly and mountainous areas around midday and in the afternoon. Winds will mainly blow …
The State Police has prepared a security plan for tonight’s Albania-San Marino match at Air Albania Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45. From 17:00 until the end of the match, the State Police and Tirana Municipal Police will restrict vehicle traffic on several roads near the stadium. The measures aim …
French media outlet Ulysse.com highlights Albania as a growing tourist destination attracting millions of visitors. Reporter Luc Rongier describes the country’s beaches, mountains and historic cities in a feature on Albania’s tourism growth. According to Ulysse.com, Albania welcomed 11.9 million tourists in 2025. The figure marked a 3.3% increase from …
“The Lion King” will soon take the stage at the Puppet Theatre in a unique production. The show will mark the first production of its kind in Albania. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports announced the upcoming performance. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the production will …
Five joint scientific research projects between Albanian and Turkish universities have been selected for funding under the 2026–2028 Albania–Türkiye Bilateral Call. The projects will give new impetus to cooperation in scientific research and innovation. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (AKKSHI) and …
Academy of Sciences marks 135th anniversary of Osman Myderrizi’s birth with scholarly memorial event
The Academy of Sciences of Albania held a scholarly memorial event to mark the 135th anniversary of the birth of Osman Myderrizi. The event focused on his life, work and contributions to linguistics, literature, history and Albanian national culture. The Academy’s Permanent Commission on Linguistics and Literature organized the event. …
Defence ministers from six Adriatic and Ionian countries met in Venice to discuss stronger regional cooperation in defence and security. The participating countries were Albania, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia. The ministers focused on the increasingly complex strategic environment. They also discussed ways to strengthen regional coordination and joint …