Hague Court Sets September Dates for Closing Arguments in Obstruction of Justice Case Against Thaçi and Four Others
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague announced on Thursday that September 10, 11, and 14 have been scheduled for the presentation of closing arguments in the obstruction of justice case against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Kuçi. The five defendants are …
Begaj at the Ulcinj Book Fair: Books Should Be Treated as a National Priority
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> President Bajram Begaj attended the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary edition of the Ulcinj Book Fair. The fair is regarded as one of the region’s most important cultural events, bringing together authors, publishers, writers, and book enthusiasts from Montenegro, Albania, …
Defense Ministry Defends Procurement Process for Three Firefighting Aircraft
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”70e2f248-5867-4c1f-8cac-5495e6e2f2fb” data-turn-id-container=”70e2f248-5867-4c1f-8cac-5495e6e2f2fb” data-testid=”conversation-turn-15″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Ministry of Defense has responded to recent claims made by the Democratic Party regarding the procurement process for the purchase of three firefighting aircraft. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> In its statement, the ministry said that …
Elbasan Begins Public Consultations on New Territorial Reform Following Protests
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> Following protests in several municipalities across Elbasan County against the proposed Administrative-Territorial Reform, local authorities have officially launched the public consultation process. Opposition to the proposed territorial map first emerged in Prrenjas, where hundreds of residents protested against plans to merge …
Lamallari Inspects Security Measures in Himarë, Says Safety Remains Top Priority During Tourist Season
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”9de6290b-9798-49d9-a732-6c80566e0f98″ data-turn-id-container=”9de6290b-9798-49d9-a732-6c80566e0f98″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-turn=”user”> Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari, together with State Police Director General Skënder Hita, inspected security measures in Himarë to assess preparations for the summer tourist season. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> During a meeting with Himarë Mayor Vangjel …
Albania Introduces Eye Injections to Prevent Blindness in Premature Babies
Albania has introduced, for the first time, eye injections designed to prevent blindness in premature babies. Ophthalmologists say that not every premature infant requires the treatment, and that close cooperation between maternity hospitals and the Ophthalmology Department at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” (QSUT) is essential for accurately identifying …
Kosovo Indicts 20 People, Including Radoičić, for War Crimes in Gjakovë
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-8″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2879f987-ca36-40cf-8eae-63afa084fefc-8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-18″ data-turn=”assistant”> Kosovo’s Special Prosecution Office has filed war crimes charges against 20 individuals over crimes allegedly committed in Gjakovë during the 1998–1999 Kosovo war. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, one of the defendants is Milan Radoičić. The group is accused of …
Bank of Albania keeps key interest rate unchanged at 2.5%
TIRANA, August 6 – The Supervisory Council of the Bank of Albania kept the key interest rate unchanged at 2.5% on Wednesday. The council said the current monetary policy stance supports price stability and economic growth. The decision followed the approval of the Quarterly Monetary Policy Report. Governor Gent Sejko …
Clear weather, temperatures remain high
TIRANA, August 6 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience stable and hot weather conditions on Thursday. The weather will remain clear across the country. Meanwhile, light passing clouds may appear over mountainous areas from midday to afternoon. Winds will blow from the southeast to southwest at an …
“Washington Post” explores Albania’s authentic travel experience beyond social media fame
TIRANA, August 6 – The “Washington Post” has published a travel feature by reporter Natalie Compton, highlighting Albania’s growing popularity while exploring the country beyond its image on social media. The article follows a journey through northern and southern Albania, from the quiet landscapes of the Shkodër region to the …
Student-led protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes with police, drawing international attention and raising fresh questions about government accountability, corruption and the future of young people. The demonstrations began with demands for better university conditions, lower education costs and greater financial support for students. However, they soon expanded …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi condemned attacks on Parliament and public institutions during a violent protest in Tirana. He described the acts of vandalism and destruction as unacceptable. In a social media statement, Peleshi stressed that violence serves no cause and harms the public interest and society. He also rejected attempts …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro urged students to reject violence as protests entered their second day. She expressed deep concern over attacks on the Education Ministry and other public institutions. “Physical clashes and property destruction must never replace words, arguments and dialogue,” Kumbaro said. The minister defended students’ right to protest …
The US Embassy in Tirana issued a security alert on Tuesday, warning American citizens that violent protests could spread near government buildings. The embassy said a demonstration on Durrës Street, near Skanderbeg Square, turned violent after protesters threw stones. It warned that unrest could spread to nearby areas and government …
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Albania (KISH) condemned the removal of the Vatican flag during a protest in Tirana on Tuesday, calling the act unacceptable. In a public statement, the conference said protesters had targeted the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Tirana. Several demonstrators removed the Vatican flag …
The German Embassy has shared the position of the European Union Delegation to Albania regarding the ongoing student protests in Tirana. The German Embassy has expressed the same position as the EU Delegation, which voiced concern over escalating tensions between law enforcement officers and young protesters and called on all …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced during a government meeting that a proposal to establish a working group tasked with drafting, coordinating and harmonising a state strategy regarding appeal proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague had been approved. Kurti stated that the first-instance verdict against the four …
The British Embassy in Tirana has reacted following clashes on the second day of protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a statement published on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the embassy stressed that the right to protest does not justify the use of violence or damage to public and …
Former Defence Minister Piro Vengu has reacted following acts of violence reported for the second consecutive day during protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a social media post, Vengu stated that students have the right to protest and express their concerns, but stressed that violence and vandalism serve no …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has reacted to the incidents that occurred today during protests that have escalated significantly. In an official statement, Begaj called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further. Begaj stressed that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but violence must not …