Albania
Explosion at Albanian Football Federation head’s home after voting scandal
FShF head Armand Duka is in a very public conflict with Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj, who has made accusations of corruption and pledged to "control football" in a secret recording.
Kosovo defends tough COVID-19 rules that sparked complaints from neighbours
Officials from Albania and North Macedonia say Pristina’s new rules requiring booster jab or PCR test for entry to the country hinder freedom of movement in the region.
Illegal crypto farm busted as government urges Albanians to save power
Police estimated that the group had spent around €1mn to set up two crypto labs, where they seized hundreds of devices.
OUTLOOK: 2022 Albania
Construction and tourism support robust recovery from coronacrisis.
Omicron brings COVID-19 infections to new peaks across SEE
New records announced daily in several countries, but most governments are reluctant to introduce new restrictions.
Albania’s foreign trade revived in 2021
Exports rose 38.2% in December, led by a strong increase in minerals, fuels and electricity exports.
Migrants meet smugglers in Serbia: Is the Balkan route really closed?
The Balkan route used during the 2015 European migrant crisis might officially be closed, but the migrant movement never ceased.
Albania hires Jones International to boost cybersecurity after data leak
Personal and salary data for over one-fifth of the country’s population was leaked online at the end of December.
Heavy EU spending failed to improve rule of law in Western Balkans
Over €700mn spent to little effect in candidate and prospective candidate countries, finds European Court of Auditors.
Albanian police use tear gas to disperse protest at opposition Democrats’ HQ
Supporters of Democrats’ former leader Sali Berisha forced their way into building as power struggle with current leadership turns violent.
Spread of Omicron pushes coronavirus infections to all-time highs in parts of Southeast Europe
Albania and Croatia reported record numbers of COVID-19 infections while other countries are close to records set in previous waves of the pandemic.
New COVID-19 wave looms in under-vaccinated Southeast Europe
Soon after Southeast Europe emerged from the autumn wave of the pandemic, cases are already rising again as the Omicron variant spreads in the region.
Albania investigates leak of 637,138 citizens’ personal data
Leaked data including names, ID card numbers, salaries and employment details shared in an Excel document over WhatsApp.
CEE banking: As good as it gets in (post-) crisis times and the challenging geopolitical environment
Western European banks have made double-digit increases in the growth of their credit exposures to the CE/SEE region in the past 12-18 months.
Share of Albanian population buying online increased in 2021
21.4% of the population aged 16-74 say they made an online purchase in the last year as the pandemic closed bricks and mortar stores.
Back to rail at the start of the Western Balkans’ green transition
The Western Balkans states are looking anew at long-neglected rail networks as they embark on the green transition. The EIB’s Matteo Rivellini outlines efforts to develop rail in the region.
Albania’s opposition Democrats in disarray as delegates vote to dismiss party leader at unauthorised assembly
Current party leader Lulzim Basha says he won't quit despite vote at unauthorised assembly hosted by his predecessor Sali Berisha.
BOOK REVIEW: Growing up amid political upheaval in Albania
The theme of freedom and what it means to be free runs through Free: Coming of Age at the End of History, Lea Ypi’s powerful memoir of the collapse of communism in Albania.
Albanians and Montenegrins the least likely to shop online in Europe
Internet use and e-commerce are increasing in the Western Balkans but residents of the region are still less likely than their counterparts in the EU to make online purchases.
Bulgaria confirms veto on start of EU membership talks with North Macedonia
Bulgarian decision blocks opening of EU accession talks with both North Macedonia and Albania.
