INSTAT: Exports Rise 1.6% in August to 20.5 Billion Lek
Goods exports reached 20.5 billion lek in August. They rose 1.6% compared with August 2025, according to INSTAT data. Imports rose 12.6% year-on-year. They reached 75.6 billion lek. Compared with July, exports fell 39%. Imports also fell, by 12.6%. The trade deficit reached 55 billion lek in August. It increased …
Literature as Ukraine’s Memory and Voice: Andrey Kurkov at COD
Ukraine’s voice resonated at the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) through literature, memory and humor. The center hosted Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov, one of the country’s best-known contemporary authors. Kurkov is visiting Albania for the first time. The discussion focused on his novel “Jimmy Hendrix Live in Lviv.” The …
Social care institutions focus on support for vulnerable groups
Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu met with the heads of 28 social care institutions to discuss challenges and needs related to improving social services. According to a social media post by Spahiu, the meeting focused on support for children, older people, young people and people with disabilities. …
Instagram Takedowns and AI Deepfakes Target Albania’s ‘Flamingo’ Protesters
Far from isolated incidents, experts say the targeting of social media accounts linked to anti-government protesters in Albania is part of a ‘coordinated pattern’ of censorship. Original post Here
Foreign trade: €223 million in exports in August, imports also increase
Exports continued to remain in positive territory in August 2026, but at a significantly slower pace than in previous months. The latest data from INSTAT show that sales of Albanian goods abroad reached ALL 20.5 billion, an increase of 1.6% compared with August last year. Albania’s foreign trade saw an …
110th protest in Tirana, demonstrators march towards the Prime Minister’s Office
Protesters gathered this Thursday in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana and began marching towards the Prime Minister’s Office as part of the latest protest against the government. This marks the 110th protest held so far, with demonstrators opposing the government and its policies. Organizers have announced that the protests will continue …
High prices reduce consumption, citizens say: Pensions go towards medicines and food
High prices for basic goods are reducing consumer spending. Although these are essential food items, citizens say they are buying less and are even avoiding fruits or vegetables that are too expensive. “They are very expensive. We can’t afford them. There is high unemployment, and we are barely managing. How …
It’s not just the verdict that is unjust
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – The Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ has convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army leaders of war crimes but acquitted them of crimes against humanity. The sentence for Thaci is 25 years. This is happening while Aleksandar Vucic is resigning from …
How a Sanctioned Russian Oligarch’s Business Interests Reached Albanian Public Contracts
Millions of euros flowed to companies linked to Strabag while Oleg Deripaska remained a major shareholder, exposing gaps in Albania’s ability to identify who ultimately benefits from public money Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – For years, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s economic interests in Albania were largely invisible. They did …
Taulant Xhaka Backs Former KLA Leaders: Always With You
The Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders has drawn reactions from the sports world. Former Albania national team footballer Taulant Xhaka has publicly expressed his support for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Xhaka posted a poster on Instagram featuring the four former KLA …
TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) questioned Socialist Party lawmaker Sara Mila on Wednesday, November 11, in connection with an investigation into suspected electoral corruption during the 2025 parliamentary elections. The investigation comes amid allegations that social assistance was selectively distributed to secure votes for the ruling party …
A row over the salaries of judges and prosecutors in Albania has ramifications for the independence of the judiciary, experts say. Original post Here
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage on social media from an official reception hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Rama attended the event with his wife, Linda Rama, and shared moments from their meeting with Macron and his wife. Earlier, Rama took …
Albania will experience unsettled weather on Wednesday, November 11, with moderate to dense cloud cover and occasional, brief sunny intervals. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts light rain from the early hours of the day in northwestern and southwestern areas. Central areas will also see moderate rainfall, with thunderstorms and lightning. …
Art lovers can now visit the exhibition “I Love Albania More” at the Guri Madhi Art Gallery in Korçë. The exhibition features a selection of paintings and sculptures from the gallery’s collection. The works explore Albania’s history, national identity and cultural heritage. Some pieces are on public display for the …
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has shared footage from the Illyrian Shield 26 military exercise, where Albania’s armed forces are assessing a special operations unit declared to NATO. The assessment covers the Special Operations Land Task Group, a capability of the Albanian Armed Forces. Certified Albanian evaluators from NATO’s Special …
PRISHTINA, Nov 11 /ATA/ – US President Donald Trump has nominated Mikhail Bogachek as the next US ambassador to Kosovo, submitting his name to the Senate for confirmation, the White House announced on November 10. “Mikhail Bogachek, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of …
Arianit Shehu, Executive Director of the American Center for Combating Extremism and Terrorism (ACCET), says the European Commission’s 2026 Progress Report confirms Albania’s progress towards EU membership. In an opinion article, Shehu says European integration must remain above party interests. The report, published on November 4, recognises Albania’s reforms and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama says Albanians remain firmly committed to the European project. Despite political polarisation, internal conflicts and protests, he says EU membership remains the country’s shared goal. Speaking at the discussion “Europe’s Shared Future: Enlargement and the Next Generation”, held during the Paris Peace Forum, Rama linked Albania’s …
Albania plays an important role in European security, Interior Minister Ervin Demo said today. He made the statement while opening the international conference “Regional Security: New Risks, Stronger Cooperation” in Tirana. Regional representatives, EU officials and Italian delegates attended the event. “Albania is not Europe’s backyard. We are part of …