Blog
News

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania organizes the event “International Arabian Leopard Day”

Saudi Embassy Leads Efforts to Protect the Endangered Arabian Leopard The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tirana and the Zoological Garden, took a leading role in raising awareness about the conservation of the Arabian leopard—one of the world’s rarest species. …

Read More
News

Bird-Hunting Tourism Threatens to Wipe Out Balkan Quails

Routine use of illegal ‘lures’ by visiting European hunters who love to shoot migrating birds in the Balkans is pushing some species to the brink – while weak policing allows the crime to continue unchecked, conservationists warn. Original post Here

Read More
News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 10, 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

Read More
News

Balkan Cold Cases #3: Young Men Killed in Crackdown as Albanian Communism Fell

When police attacked the first demonstrations against Albania’s repressive communist regime in April 1991, four students were killed. The officials who were initially convicted were amnestied, and there has never been a proper investigation into what happened. Original post Here

Read More
News

‘Lifeless’: Pollution Threatens the Drin and its Tributaries in Three Balkan States

Without concerted action, pollution threatens to leave the Drin River and its main tributaries “lifeless”, environmentalists in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia warn. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albania’s Marginalised Small Parties Spy Opportunity in 2025 Elections

In a system that favours the two big players, their smaller rivals have traditionally stood no chance – but might things be different in the looming May 2025 elections? Original post Here

Read More
News

Albanian Politician’s Arrest Lays Bare Organised Crime’s Electoral Influence

Corruption charges against a former MP of the ruling Socialist Party represent a case study in the transactional relationship between organised crime and politics in Albania, a relationship with the power to tip the electoral scales, experts say. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albanian Cannabis Gangs Exploit Poverty to Hire Female Day Labourers

Women from impoverished parts of Albania are being lured into work as day labourers on illegal cannabis plantations; if caught, they face paying a high price for what their lawyers say is effectively ‘modern slavery’. Original post Here

Read More
News

Afghan Refugees in Albania Alarmed as Trump Slams US Doors

New US administration’s freeze on foreign aid and crackdown on immigration has left Afghan refugees in Albania in a state of limbo. Original post Here

Read More
News

2025- Tirana the Mediterranean capital of culture and dialogue

On top of celebrations, the city will serve also as a agora of open debate Tirana, the capital of Albania, has started its year as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2025. This title recognizes the city’s cultural growth and its importance in the Mediterranean region. Tirana and …

Read More
News
US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania

TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …

News
Sazan-Karaburun remains a top summer destination

TIRANA, August 4-Albania’s only national marine park, Sazan-Karaburun, continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign tourists this summer. The park’s crystal-clear waters, rich biodiversity, and natural beauty draw hundreds of visitors every day. Many explore the area on tourist boats and other vessels departing from the Port of …

News
Government boosts support for elite athletes with additional 40 million lek fund

TIRANA, August 4-Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja says the Albanian government continues to strengthen its support for sport. He described funding for elite athletes as one of the government’s key priorities. Under the latest normative act, the government has approved an additional 40 million lek fund. The …

News
Clear weather with high temperatures across Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have clear skies throughout the territory. Meanwhile, some temporary clouds may appear over mountainous areas from midday to afternoon. Winds will blow from the southeast to the southwest at …

News
Fire in Hekal village in Mallakastër fully extinguished

TIRANA, August 4 – The fire that broke out in Hekal village, Mallakastër Municipality, has been fully extinguished, the National Civil Protection Agency said. The agency reported that the blaze affected an area covered with bushes and olive groves. Civil emergency teams and local firefighting services joined the operation. Meanwhile, …

News
Voskopoja blends history, nature and hospitality for visitors

TIRANA, August 4 – The mountain village of Voskopoja in Korça continues to attract visitors from around the world. The destination has become a year-round tourist attraction. Once one of the most important cultural, artistic and historical centers in the Balkans, Voskopoja remains a symbol of Balkan and European heritage. …

News
Market Surveillance Inspectorate ensures consumer protection

TIRANA, August 4 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted the role of the Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate (IQMT) in ensuring the safety of non-food products and protecting consumers. Ibrahimaj said all products that citizens use daily must meet safety requirements and comply with legal standards. She added that …

News
High traffic at Gjirokastër border crossings as tourist flows continue

TIRANA, August 4- Heavy traffic has continued over the past 24 hours at border crossings in Gjirokastër County. Thousands of citizens and vehicles have entered and left Albania. Kakavijë remains the county’s busiest border crossing. Over the past 24 hours, officers processed 9,141 travelers. Of these, 5,209 entered Albania, while …

News
Remains of 4 people found in Jabuka e Vogël in Kosova, suspected war victims

TIRANA, August 4 – The Government Commission for Missing Persons announced that authorities found and exhumed the remains of 4 people during excavations in Jabuka e Vogël village, in Zubin Potok Municipality. Initial assessments indicate that the remains may belong to victims of enforced disappearances during the war. Excavation activities …

News
Conference League, Dinamo City faces Auda in Riga

TIRANA, August 4 – Dinamo City will face Latvian side Auda on Tuesday afternoon in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The match will take place in Riga at 18:00. The return leg will be played one week later at “Elbasan Arena”. Meanwhile, …

News

US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania

TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …

News

Sazan-Karaburun remains a top summer destination

TIRANA, August 4-Albania’s only national marine park, Sazan-Karaburun, continues to attract large numbers of local and foreign tourists this summer. The park’s crystal-clear waters, rich biodiversity, and natural beauty draw hundreds of visitors every day. Many explore the area on tourist boats and other vessels departing from the Port of …

News

Government boosts support for elite athletes with additional 40 million lek fund

TIRANA, August 4-Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja says the Albanian government continues to strengthen its support for sport. He described funding for elite athletes as one of the government’s key priorities. Under the latest normative act, the government has approved an additional 40 million lek fund. The …

News

Clear weather with high temperatures across Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have clear skies throughout the territory. Meanwhile, some temporary clouds may appear over mountainous areas from midday to afternoon. Winds will blow from the southeast to the southwest at …

News

Fire in Hekal village in Mallakastër fully extinguished

TIRANA, August 4 – The fire that broke out in Hekal village, Mallakastër Municipality, has been fully extinguished, the National Civil Protection Agency said. The agency reported that the blaze affected an area covered with bushes and olive groves. Civil emergency teams and local firefighting services joined the operation. Meanwhile, …

News

Voskopoja blends history, nature and hospitality for visitors

TIRANA, August 4 – The mountain village of Voskopoja in Korça continues to attract visitors from around the world. The destination has become a year-round tourist attraction. Once one of the most important cultural, artistic and historical centers in the Balkans, Voskopoja remains a symbol of Balkan and European heritage. …

News

Market Surveillance Inspectorate ensures consumer protection

TIRANA, August 4 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj highlighted the role of the Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate (IQMT) in ensuring the safety of non-food products and protecting consumers. Ibrahimaj said all products that citizens use daily must meet safety requirements and comply with legal standards. She added that …

News

High traffic at Gjirokastër border crossings as tourist flows continue

TIRANA, August 4- Heavy traffic has continued over the past 24 hours at border crossings in Gjirokastër County. Thousands of citizens and vehicles have entered and left Albania. Kakavijë remains the county’s busiest border crossing. Over the past 24 hours, officers processed 9,141 travelers. Of these, 5,209 entered Albania, while …

News

Remains of 4 people found in Jabuka e Vogël in Kosova, suspected war victims

TIRANA, August 4 – The Government Commission for Missing Persons announced that authorities found and exhumed the remains of 4 people during excavations in Jabuka e Vogël village, in Zubin Potok Municipality. Initial assessments indicate that the remains may belong to victims of enforced disappearances during the war. Excavation activities …

News

Conference League, Dinamo City faces Auda in Riga

TIRANA, August 4 – Dinamo City will face Latvian side Auda on Tuesday afternoon in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The match will take place in Riga at 18:00. The return leg will be played one week later at “Elbasan Arena”. Meanwhile, …