New waste strategy aims to align Albania with European Union standards
TIRANA, July 16 – An inter-institutional working group held its first meeting to review Albania’s National Strategy and Action Plan for Integrated Waste Management, as well as the National Sectoral Waste Plan. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said the revised strategy would align the objectives of the European Union Waste Framework …
Kurti: Kosovo considers using US liquefied natural gas in the future
Kosovo is exploring the possibility of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States in the future, acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Wednesday. Kurti made the statement during the foundation ceremony for a 105-megawatt solar park in Rahovec, southwestern Kosovo. He said Kosovo aims to use coal …
Artificial intelligence in filmmaking sparks debate on regulation and innovation
TIRANA, July 16 – The integration of artificial intelligence into the film industry and the need for a legal framework for its use topped the agenda at a roundtable organised by Albania’s National Center of Cinematography during the International AI Film Festival. Film professionals, including director Fatmir Koçi, Professor Shpend …
Tirana opens forest access routes to strengthen wildfire response
TIRANA, July 16 – Authorities have started opening forest access routes across Tirana County to improve wildfire response during the summer fire season. The Tirana Prefecture and the Tirana Agency of Parks and Recreation are clearing existing former military tracks to allow fire engines to reach forested areas more quickly. …
Vllaznia exit European campaign after defeat against Kosova’s Malisheva
TIRANA, July 16 – Vllaznia of Shkodër have ended their UEFA Conference League campaign after losing 5-0 to Malisheva in the second leg of the first qualifying round. The match took place at the “Zahir Pajaziti” Stadium in Podujeva. Malisheva overturned the result from the first leg and secured qualification …
Wizz Air opens direct Palermo-Tirana route starting in October
TIRANA, July 16 – Albania will gain a new direct air connection with Italy after Wizz Air announced a year-round route between Tirana and Palermo, according to Italian media outlet Italpress. The airline will launch the first flight on October 27. The route will operate 3 times a week, every …
Albania Achieves 80% Implementation of the EU Growth Plan
Albania has implemented around 80% of the reforms required under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, placing the country among the region’s top performers. The European Commission expects Albania to reach this milestone and ranks it alongside Montenegro as one of the best-performing countries in the Western Balkans. …
Begaj in Kyiv: Albania reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine
President Bajram Begaj attended the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv and the ceremonies marking Ukraine’s Statehood Day, reaffirming Albania’s strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, recovery, and European integration. “Albania has been clear and unwavering in its support for Ukraine. We stand with your independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity …
Nufi: Defense industry to become a new pillar of economic growth and national security
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu inspected the construction site of “Guna Tactical”, a major investment in Albania’s defense industry. The officials reviewed the project’s progress and highlighted its strategic role in creating a modern defense sector that will support economic growth, generate jobs, and strengthen …
Karakaçi presents Albania’s Voluntary National Review on the 2030 Agenda at the UN
Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi presented Albania’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations during the second day of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The report highlights Albania’s progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Karakaçi said Albania presented concrete results, …
Student-led demonstrations turn into violent confrontations, with attacks on state institutions and luxury buildings amid allegations of systemic corruption, police brutality and a deepening political crisis. Tirana Times, October 14, 2026 – Albania’s capital descended into scenes resembling a war zone Wednesday as anti-government protesters attacked state institutions, set fires …
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 …