Week in Review: To Be Or Not To Be
Amid fresh starts and problems old and new, our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggests that many countries in the region are at a crossroads. Which way will they go? Original post Here
Heavy rain floods Theth in northern Albania, leaving tourist area without power
Heavy rainfall and rising water levels have caused flooding in Theth, a tourist destination in northern Albania. Overflowing streams have sent water towards several tourist businesses, reaching areas around guesthouses and disrupting their activities. Meanwhile, the area has been without electricity for around 24 hours due to the conditions. Continuous …
Kosova assembly set to revote on law governing the Specialist Chambers
Kosova’s Assembly is expected to vote again on the law governing the Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The vote concerns the same text approved on October 6 and returned for reconsideration by President Justina Shiroka Pula on October 22. If at least 61 lawmakers vote in favour, the assembly will …
Polish writer Małgorzata Rejmer visits Albania’s National Library for European Authors Day
Albania’s National Library hosted Polish writer Malgorzata Rejmer on Thursday as part of “READ FOR REAL – European Authors Day 2026”. The European literary initiative promotes authors, reading and cultural dialogue between countries. This marks Albania’s first participation in the initiative, joining the European network of countries hosting literary events. …
Artificial intelligence takes centre stage at scientific conference
The Academy of Sciences of Albania has organised the two-day international scientific conference “AI Horizon – A New Space for Creativity and Innovation”. The conference focuses on developments in artificial intelligence and the opportunities it offers across different fields. It began on November 12. The Academy’s Section of Technical and …
Butrint to launch emergency conservation of seven monuments
The Butrint Management Foundation is preparing to launch an emergency conservation project covering seven monuments at Butrint National Park. Experts identified the sites as priorities after documenting and assessing their condition. The project will focus on the Western Gate, the fresco near the Western Gate, the Northern Gate, the Lake …
Draft law aims to strengthen cryptoasset market regulation
Albania is preparing a more comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptoasset markets to support new digital financial services, clarify operators’ responsibilities and strengthen consumer protection. Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Martin Kajo presented the draft law to the Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development. He said technological advances …
NATO summit in Tirana remains confirmed, Agency for Media and Information says
The Agency for Media and Information (MIA) said the decision to host the next NATO summit in Tirana remains unchanged. In a social media post, MIA clarified that Prime Minister Edi Rama’s statement a day earlier concerned only the summit’s timing, not the cancellation or reversal of the decision to …
PM Rama celebrates Albania’s 2–0 win over Finland at dinner with European leaders
Albania’s 2–0 win over Finland caught the attention of Prime Minister Edi Rama, who shared a story from a dinner he attended during the European Political Community summit. Rama said he was seated at the same table as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the prime minister of Finland, the …
PM Kurti meets Council of Europe Secretary General to discuss Kosovo’s membership
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on the sidelines of the European Political Community (EPC) summit. Kurti announced the meeting in a Facebook post, saying the talks focused on Kosovo’s accession to the Council of Europe. The prime minister said membership would …
Prime Minister Edi Rama took to Facebook after a meeting of the Socialist Party’s National Assembly, saying the meeting focused on preparations for Albania’s accession to the European Union, which are set to begin in 2027. Citing the recommendation in the EU Enlargement Report, Rama said no “barrage of stones, …
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague will deliver its judgment at 10 a.m. on 17 November in the case against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and four co-defendants over alleged offences against the administration of justice. The other defendants are Bashkim Smakaj, former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency …
Tirana police arrested three people and initiated criminal proceedings against 18 others as part of an investigation into acts of violence during Saturday’s protest in the capital. Police said they arrested a 33-year-old identified by the initials E.K. on suspicion of damaging road dividers and smashing advertising stands on Muhamet …
Luiza Gega won the women’s 42-kilometre race at the 10th edition of the Tirana Marathon. The Albanian athlete crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 35 seconds, taking first place and a €5,000 prize. This year’s marathon drew around 5,800 participants. Organisers introduced a 5-kilometre race to …
Loris Qose, a student from Cërrik, has added another international medal to his record, winning gold in the History and Geography category at ASEF 2026. It is his 12th medal to date. Qose received the Gold Award for his research project, “The Harmony of the Cosmos: The Spatial Architecture and …
TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The feature-length documentary “I, Vjosa” will be screened tomorrow at 13:15 as part of the activities surrounding the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), at the Albania Pavilion in Antalya, Türkiye. Through an artistic narrative, the documentary explores the history, natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the …
TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The 2027 budget includes new measures to support young couples in purchasing their first home by improving access to financing through subsidised loans and rent assistance for those not yet able to buy a property. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the new social housing package would …
TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama today published a video from the village of Gosnisht, in Përmet, where the Jashari family has established a business dedicated to grape cultivation and the production of alcoholic beverages. Through footage shared on social media, Rama showcases the Jashari family’s business, located …
TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The Tirana Marathon is holding its tenth edition today. In connection with the event, which will take place along the city’s main streets, Tirana Municipality, in cooperation with the State Police, has drawn up a traffic management plan involving road closures and diversions. Restrictions on vehicle …
TIRANA, Nov 15 /ATA/ The situation in Shkodër is gradually returning to normal after heavy rainfall, with the Theth–Ndëlysaj road passable for 4×4 and heavy vehicles as debris clearance continues. In Malësi e Madhe Municipality, water levels in the Përroi i Thatë stream near Kamicë village, in the Qendër Administrative …