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Albanian Parties in North Macedonia Clash Over Language Issues, VLEN Accuses DUI of Promoting Serbian

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”e206bc77-d1a5-4488-afc4-a4bc039ad7e7″ data-turn-id-container=”e206bc77-d1a5-4488-afc4-a4bc039ad7e7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The VLEN coalition has accused the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI/BDI) of having formalized the Serbian language in the Municipality of Kumanovo, where Serbs make up approximately 6.5% of the population. Representatives of the coalition published a document which they …

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11th Day of Protests: Albanians from Abroad Expected to Join Demonstrations in Tirana

Citizens are continuing their protests this Wednesday, marking the 11th consecutive day of demonstrations, with their main demand being the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. As in previous days, protesters gathered at 6:00 p.m. in Skanderbeg Square before marching toward the government headquarters. Speeches by organizers, activists, and citizens …

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Parliament to Convene Tomorrow, Interpellations Dominate the Agenda

The Albanian Parliament will convene on Thursday for its next plenary session, with the agenda expected to be dominated by six interpellations requested by opposition lawmakers with members of the government cabinet, including Prime Minister Edi Rama. MP Agron Shehaj has requested an interpellation with the Prime Minister regarding the …

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Western Balkans Youth Need More Skills to Recognise Online Fakes: BIRN Report

New report concludes that young people in the Western Balkan need enhanced practical skills to detect fake news on the internet and social media, but also improvements in online platforms’ standards and transparency to make false information easier to recognise. Original post Here

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Albania at advanced stage in EU negotiations on goods movement and external relations chapters

TIRANA, June 10 – Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Enkelejd Musabelliu reported to the Foreign Policy Committee on Albania’s progress in European Union accession negotiations for Chapter 1 “Free Movement of Goods” and Chapter 30 “External Relations”. He said Chapter 1 focuses on technical standards and regulatory alignment for …

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Conservation Works to Begin Soon at Bylis Archaeological Park

TIRANA, June 1 – Conservation works will start within days at the Bylis Archaeological Park and the Klos site. The project will also upgrade tourism infrastructure and build a multifunctional center. It aims to strengthen visitor services and local economic activity. Representatives from the European Union Delegation in Albania, the …

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Albania and New Jersey National Guard expand cooperation from military education to cyber defence

TIRANA, June 10 – Minister of Defence Ermal Nufi and Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Arben Kingji met US Air Force Brigadier General Yvonne L. Mays in the United States. Mays also serves as Adjutant General of the State of New Jersey and Commissioner for Military Affairs. The meeting …

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PM Rama: Milot–Balldren road to boost tourism and economy in northern Albania

TIRANA, June 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the start of works on the Milot–Balldren road segment marks an important step for Shkodër, Lezha, and northern Albania. He made the remarks in a post on social media. Rama said the project will improve mobility and road safety. He added …

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Film “Take Me to Qafë e Botës to See Chameria”: A Human and Historical Story of Homesickness

A large audience in Tirana attended the premiere of the film “Më çoni në Qafë të Botës të shoh Çamërinë” (“Take Me to Qafë e Botës to See Chameria”). The film is a production by the Çamëria Foundation “Hasan Tahsini” and Alket Veliu. It is written by Luan Rama and …

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Speaker Peleshi meets Greek Parliament Deputy Speaker and European Affairs Chair Plakiotakis in Athens on EU integration

TIRANA, June 10 – Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi met Ioannis Plakiotakis in Athens. Plakiotakis serves as Chair of the European Affairs Committee and First Deputy Speaker of the Greek Parliament. The talks focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation between Albania and Greece and supporting Albania’s European Union integration process. Both …

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Albania Could Face Costly Arbitration Battle After Scrapping Vlora Airport Plans

Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here

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Zelenskyy’s Kosovo Stance Puts Solidarity With Ukraine to the Test

Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …

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Mecca Defense Pact Signals Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Shape a New Security Order

The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …

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Albanian Court Puts Turkish Activist in Custody After Extradition Demand

Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here

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“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat

TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …

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Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project

TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …

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Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …

News
Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …

News
Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …

News
SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …

News

Albania Could Face Costly Arbitration Battle After Scrapping Vlora Airport Plans

Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here

News

Zelenskyy’s Kosovo Stance Puts Solidarity With Ukraine to the Test

Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …

News

Mecca Defense Pact Signals Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Shape a New Security Order

The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …

News

Albanian Court Puts Turkish Activist in Custody After Extradition Demand

Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here

News

“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat

TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …

News

Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project

TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …

News

Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …

News

Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …

News

Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …

News

SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …