Elections and Reporting on Missing Girl Spur Digital Rights Violations Across Region
Romanian politicians mull social media restrictions; Turkey, Croatia, and other countries face surges in digital rights violations ahead of elections, while the rest of the region is shaken by misinformation on a missing girl in Serbia and phishing attempts. Original post Here
Greece’s Ruling Party Fields Man Jailed in Albania as MEP Candidate
Fredi Beleri won a mayoral election in Albania in May last year but was put on trial for vote-buying, souring relations between Tirana and Athens. Original post Here
Shell Dashes Albanians’ Hopes of Major Oil Find
The government of Edi Rama has been talking up the potential of a major oil discovery beneath Mount Shpirag, but the discovery has yet to materialise. Original post Here
Plans to Allow Surrogacy in Albania Criticised by Opposition
A government proposal to extend the abortion time limit by two weeks and allow surrogacy was criticised by an opposition MP who called the practice a form of modern slavery for poor women. Original post Here
Human Rights Regressing in Many Balkan Countries – Amnesty Report
As a number of Western Balkan countries join the global trend toward authoritarianism, human rights are suffering, the latest Amnesty International report warns. Original post Here
Albania Parliament’s Disinformation Committee: Welcome Vigilance – or Threat to Free Expression?
While addressing disinformation is a crucial task, the concern is that Albania’s new parliamentary committee could be just another tool to silence critical voices. Original post Here
Albania Sees Rise in Killings, Crime Starting from Toxic Online Content
Experts say legislation is needed to address toxic social media content that too often turns into offline violence in Albania, but there are fears authorities will seek again to exploit the issue for political gain. Original post Here
Boys Preferred: Sex-Selective Abortion Still Happening in the Balkans
In some parts of the Balkans, particularly among Albanians, a practice of selective abortion continues to cause a disbalance in the ratio of boys to girls born each year. Original post Here
Balkan States Fall in Press Freedom Rankings
Four Balkan states slipped down the latest press freedom rankings compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Original post Here
Parts of Albania’s Opposition Spurns Call to Join Anti-Corruption Commission
Several opposition groups have rejected PM Edi Rama’s invitation for them back a parliamentary commission tasked with undertaking a more systemic fight against corruption, saying Rama has no crerdibility in this field Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here
Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here
On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …
When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here
Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …
Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here
The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here
As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here
Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …