Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges
TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested Monday afternoon by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Judicial police officers entered Veliaj’s office at around 2 p.m. and escorted him to a detention facility. An arrest warrant has also …
Vetvendosje wins Kosovo elections, loses comfortable majority
Feb 10, 2025 The Vetvendosje Party led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti has claimed victory in the round of general elections held in Kosovo on February 9. With around 90 percent of the ballots counted, VV has reached about 41 percent whereas the opposition parties achieved lower figures of 22 …
Analysis: Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s arrest on corruption charges likely to have major political implications for ruling party
TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The arrest on Monday of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj on corruption charges has sent shockwaves through Albania’s political landscape, with major potential implications for the ruling Socialist Party just three months ahead of parliamentary elections. Veliaj, long regarded as a close ally of Prime Minister …
Albania Opposition Leader Hires Trump Campaign Manager
Democratic Party says it is ‘honoured’ that Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Donald Trump’s successful campaign for the US presidency, will lead the party’s campaign for the May parliamentary elections. Original post Here
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. …
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
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
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
‘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
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
Intelligence service chief Vlora Hyseni is accused of involvement in a major corruption scandal surrounding tenders for the agency handling development of state information systems. Original post Here
The high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly began on Tuesday, September 22, at the UN headquarters in New York. The General Debate runs from September 22 to 26. It will continue on September 28. Heads of state, heads of government and senior representatives from …
The Transparency Board held its second meeting today and set new prices for fuel products. The Board set the retail price of diesel at no more than 213 ALL per litre. The wholesale price will be no more than 201 ALL per litre. For petrol, the retail price will be …
German newspaper Bild has highlighted Bayern Munich talent Erblin Osmani after his decision to join the Kosova national team. The 17-year-old had previously represented Germany at youth level. In January, he played two friendly matches for Germany Under-17 against Portugal. Kosova coach Franco Foda has now included Osmani in his …
Former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania Mark Crawford said Albania is seeing a boom in home purchases by the diaspora and foreign citizens, particularly in Tirana and coastal areas. Speaking to Klan News, Crawford said many Albanians living and working abroad are investing in property and …
Albania’s Tax Administration collected more than 4.7 billion euros in revenue in 2025, up 11.8% from the previous year. Tax Administration Director General Ilir Binaj presented the figures today to the parliamentary Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. He said the administration’s priorities included higher collection efficiency, risk …
The RTSH Symphony Orchestra has opened its new artistic season with a concert on September 15. Artistic Director Blerta Ristani says the orchestra has returned from its summer break well prepared. The next concert takes place on September 26 and focuses entirely on Spanish music. Opera singers Bela Marian and …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the restoration of the Koshtan Tekke as a major investment that reflects Albania’s commitment to protecting cultural heritage and preserving national identity. Located in Memaliaj, the Koshtan Tekke is a Cultural Monument currently undergoing restoration and conservation works. The site preserves the …
American actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal will take part in the Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF) as a competitor with her short film “Flesh Impact.” Although Gyllenhaal recently served as President of the Jury at the Venice Film Festival, she will appear at TIFF through her work rather than in …
The second edition of Arbëria Digital Fest will take place in the Arbëresh villages of Carfizzi, Pallagorio and San Nicola dell’Alto in southern Italy, aiming to transform Arbëresh cultural heritage into a driver of local development. The festival will be held from October 23 to 25, 2026, under the motto …