The Sound of Freedom: Why MTV was Beloved in the Balkans
MTV is shutting down its European music video channels, which were once symbols of freedom for many young people in the Balkans and the former Eastern Bloc. Lida Hujic had a front-row seat when the channel was at its peak. Original post Here
Fatos Nano, Albania’s Reformist Prime Minister, Dies at 73
Tirana, October 31, 2025 Former Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, the reformist leader who transformed the country’s Communist Party into a modern European-style Socialist Party and who steered Albania through several of its most turbulent post-communist years, has died at the age of 73. Nano a figure at once admired, …
Constitutional Court Overturns Dismissal: Veliaj Formally Reinstated as Tirana Mayor
Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him from office and invalidating President Bajram Begaj’s decree for early elections in Tirana. With a 5–3 vote, the Court decided that Veliaj who has been in pre-trial detention for nine …
Albania Constitutional Court Overturns Decision Sacking Tirana Mayor
Country’s top court rules in favour of ousted Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj regarding his dismissal – also cancelling fresh elections for a replacement for Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges. Original post Here
Commemorating the Restoration of China’s Legitimate Seat at the United Nations, Preserving and Advancing the Traditional China–Albania Friendship
— Article by the Chinese Ambassador to Albania, Pang Chunxue On 25 October 1971, at the 26th Session of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 2758 was adopted by an overwhelming majority, restoring all the lawful rights of the People’s Republic of China in the United Nations and recognizing the representatives …
US Academic Challenges National Narratives with Study of Race in Albania
In her new book based on her travels in Albania, Black American academic Chelsi West Ohueri looks at how people in the country see race and ethnicity – and the racial divides between Albanians and the marginalised Roma minority. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 3, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Albania’s Former Prime Minister Fatos Nano Dies at 73
Albania’s president praised the legacy of the three-times prime minister, an important figure in the country’s post-communist politics, who died on Friday. Original post Here
Albania’s Deputy PM Investigated for Violating Public Procurement Rules
Anti-corruption prosecutors said they are investigating deputy premier and infrastructure minister Belinda Balluku for violating tender rules, linked to the construction of a road in 2020. Original post Here
Albania, China and the Case for a Balanced Foreign Policy
By Ambassador Fatmir Çela Diplomacy has always been the lifeline of small nations, and Albania is no exception. From Fan Noli’s influence in Washington to the decisive interventions of diplomats in 1913, Albania’s survival and recognition have often depended less on force and more on skillful negotiation and credibility. For …
Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …
How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here
MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …
Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …
Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here
As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here