Albania

The year-long ban on social network TikTok has been lifted upon government decision; reports say new filters have been introduced to implement the desired grade of security for children, though details haven't been disclosed yet

For many families in Tirana buying an apartment, a realistic goal up to a short time ago, is now unaffordable: wages haven't risen at pace with apartment prices surging up to 5.500 euros sq/m in a market that experts say is distorted by speculation

Despite political tensions sparked by corruption cases involving high profile personalities, the new chief of anti-graft prosecution in Albania announces a tough approach to guarantee that “no one is above the law”

Judges could raise their retirement age to 75 to help reduce the backlog of court cases; the proposal has been discussed by the parliament commission working on a series of technical amendments to justice reform laws, in the absence of opposition

A 51-tons shipment of maize for animal feeding imported from Serbia has been blocked as Albania'National Food Authority found traces of aflatoxin B1 in two test on different batches

Alert has increased over money laundering and more focus is given to the phenomenon in the 2026-2030 guidelines as cross-border transactions have increased

Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with the help of Muslim neighbours; the Church of Transfiguration is a symbol of peaceful cohabitation between believers of different religions

Ed Rama was decreed as PM of Albania for the fourth time; President Begaj has added to his duties the responsibilities for the establishment and functioning of the 'Diella', the Virtual Minister of Artificial Intelligence

MEK, Mujahedin-e-Khalq, or People’s Mujahedin of Iran,an exiled Iranian opposition group with around 2.500 members hosted in Albania is under investigation on suspicion of cybercrime and inciting war, though committed to refrain from political activities

Draft of a new Penal Code has sparked critics among politicians, legal community, civil society, international observers; critics say it contains authoritarian-style restrictions on free speech while reducing sentences for corruption for senior officials

Bankers Petroleum, Albania’s largest oil producer, threatened to sue government in international arbitration courts, claiming its rights as foreign investor were violated; prosecutors allege it stole billions of euros in a massive corporate fraud