Trump Nominates New Ambassadors for Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro
U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated several candidates for ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to a number of Western Balkan countries. Michael Young of Utah has been nominated to serve as the United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Serbia. Ronald Johnson of Massachusetts has been nominated as Ambassador to Bosnia …
Albania Lost 28,500 Residents in 2025 as Average Age Reaches 45
Albania has entered a new phase of its demographic crisis. The latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) show that the country’s population fell to 2.33 million as of January 1, 2026, losing more than 28,000 residents in just one year. Although births continue to outnumber deaths, emigration is …
Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company Fined €110,000 Over Metering Irregularities
Kosovo’s Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation (MINTI) has imposed a €110,000 fine on the Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company (KEDS) following the discovery of irregularities in electricity meters. According to MINTI, inspections were carried out after consumer complaints received during May. Field verifications revealed that 18 electricity meters had …
Canada’s Local Partnerships Drive Change Across Albania
Tirana Times, June 01, 2026 – As Albania continues to strengthen democratic governance, promote inclusive growth, and support sustainable community-driven development, Canada is positioning itself as a constructive and pragmatic partner through one of its most distinctive instruments of international engagement: the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Known as CFLI, the program …
Minister Blendi Gonxhja to present National Culture Strategy 2026–2030
TIRANA, June 2 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja invited citizens to join a public consultation on the National Culture Strategy 2026–2030. He said the process aims to present the vision for cultural development in the coming years. The strategy will be presented on June 3. Meanwhile, …
Travelpack promotes Albania with dedicated brochure, places it among Europe’s hottest destinations – Travel Week report
TIRANA, June 2 – Albania attracts growing attention in the international tourism market. Juliet Dennis reports this in “Travel Week”. Meanwhile, British operator Travelpack launches its first dedicated Albania programme. The move responds to rising demand. The company describes the country as one of Europe’s hottest tourism markets. A 32-page …
Albania-Poland social security deal to protect citizens’ rights, says Manjani
TIRANA, June 3 – Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Olta Manjani said a social security agreement between Albania and Poland will strengthen social protection for citizens who live and work in both countries. Speaking at the Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration, Manjani said the agreement ensures recognition …
Albanian Radio and Television Spring Festival stage design takes shape, Albi Çifligu: Tradition meets modernity
TIRANA, June 2 – Work continues at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet stage. The Spring Festival on Albanian Radio and Television approaches. Preparations move at a fast pace ahead of the two-night event. Stage designer Albi Çifligu leads the visual concept. He focuses on detailed design elements. He …
National team starts training ahead of Israel and Luxembourg friendlies
TIRANA, June 2 – Albania’s national football team started preparations at the “House of Football” for friendly matches against Israel and Luxembourg. The full squad took part in the opening training session, while Naser Aliji trained separately after completing a recovery session following 90 minutes for his club. The group …
30th Edition of “Korça Poetry Nights” Festival Concludes Successfully
The city of Korçë has closed the 30th edition of the International Festival of Poets and Authors “Korça Poetry Nights.” The event brought together poets from Albania, the region, and across Europe. Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo described the festival as a celebration of the beauty of words. He said it …
Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Enkelejd Musabelliu presented a consumer protection bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill aligns Albanian legislation with 15 European Union legal acts, including 14 directives and one regulation. It addresses digitalisation, online trade and demand for sustainable products and services. …
The cruise ship Oosterdam arrived at the Port of Saranda on Monday morning with around 1,900 tourists of various nationalities on board, according to the port authority. During their stay, visitors can explore Saranda and nearby tourist destinations. These include the area’s natural attractions and cultural heritage. The arrival adds …
Prime Minister Edi Rama renewed his call for dialogue with students on Monday, following 13 days of protests in the capital. Rama shared images of the chairs placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office, symbolically reiterating his invitation for dialogue. The protests have continued for 13 days, marked by violent clashes …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj reacted on Monday to the victory of the Albanian coalition in the Preševo Valley, describing the result as a victory for unity, dignity, and political representation. In his message, Begaj emphasized that the election result should serve as an opportunity to advance the rights of Albanians …
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula issued a statement on Monday following the murder of a woman in Vitomirica, Peja, calling for an urgent, thorough and impartial investigation into the case. The president stressed that the investigation should also examine how the victim’s requests were handled and the actions taken by the …
Tirana Police have arrested 10 people, initiated criminal proceedings against two others, and declared 20 individuals wanted as part of investigations into suspected unlawful activities during the protests on October 24 and 25. According to the police statement, those arrested are suspected of resisting and attacking police officers with hard …
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has reacted to Serbia’s elections through a Facebook post, describing the results as a historic achievement for Albanians in the Preševo Valley. Berisha said that after uniting under a single coalition, Albanian parties secured two parliamentary seats, with a third seat still possible. “A historic …
New details have emerged from Monday’s meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, held at the Parliament’s headquarters. The meeting lasted nearly an hour and was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Discussions reportedly focused on the draft 2027 state budget, the law on public assemblies, and MPs’ engagement with …
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has reacted to the results of Serbia’s parliamentary elections, congratulating the Student List on its victory over Aleksandar Vučić. In a statement, Veliaj described the Serbian president as “Machiavellian and populist,” while also delivering a message about student movements, which he said do not represent the …
Former Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko has reacted a day after Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia’s elections, offering an extensive analysis of the end of his rule and his governing model over recent years. In a social media post titled “Vučić’s Departure,” Majko argued that the Serbian president’s departure from …