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Share Your Experience: Menstrual Poverty in the Balkans and France

Are you a woman saving up on menstrual products? Trying to make them last longer than prescribed, or using reusable products? Tell us your story. Original post Here

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Albania’s Small Parties Defy Odds to Challenge Electoral Duopoly

Despite an electoral system designed to keep them down, small parties won almost 10 per cent of the votes and a few seats in the parliamentary elections – taking on the big parties’ stranglehold on Albanian politics. Original post Here

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Albanian Opposition Rejects Election Results as Socialists Score Major Victory

After Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party won a record fourth term in office with a big majority, opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said he would refuse to accept the results and announced a street protest. Original post Here

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Free and Fair? Albania’s Flawed Election Reflects Worrying Global Trend

In a world where interest-driven foreign policies take precedence over democratic standards, the abuses documented during Albania’s parliamentary election are unlikely to meet much criticism – allowing the ruling Socialist Party to consolidate power. Original post Here

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International Observers Condemn ‘Abusive Practices’ in Albania’s Elections

International observers criticised ‘widespread intimidation and abuse of public resources’ in Sunday’s election – which Edi Rama’s ruling Socialist Party looks set to win by a landslide. Original post Here

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Edi Rama’s Socialist Party Leads in Albanian Parliamentary Elections

With vote-counting continuing from Sunday’s election, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s party appears to be on track to win an unprecedented fourth term in office, although Sali Berisha’s opposition Democratic Party is showing gains. Original post Here

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Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness. Original post Here

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May 11 Elections: Albania at a Democratic and European Crossroads

Tirana Times,  May 8,– On May 11, 2025, Albania will hold its tenth parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1991 – a moment expected to be decisive not only for the political fate of the main parties but also for the democratic future and European orientation of the …

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Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

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Albanian exports grow as export structure shows signs of change

Albania’s exports continue to grow. Their structure is also showing signs of change, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said today. Exports reached 33.6 billion lekë in July 2026. This marked a 10.6% increase from the same month last year. Exports also grew by 6.7% during the first seven months …

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Nufi welcomes Belgian counterpart Theo Francken to Vlora

Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi welcomed his Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, in Vlora on Tuesday. The two ministers held a warm and informal meeting during Francken’s holiday in Albania with his family. Nufi said the meeting offered an opportunity to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Francken chose …

News
1.3 km embankment rehabilitated, protecting 2,000 hectares of farmland in Vrina, Saranda

TIRANA, August 18 – Around 2,000 hectares of farmland in Vrina, Saranda are gaining better protection from flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion. The work covers the rehabilitation of the K-17 canal embankment and the irrigation and drainage system. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla visited the investment site in …

News
Kosova acting President Haxhiu: No agreement on president could lead to new elections

TIRANA, August 18 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu said the country could face new elections. She linked this possibility to the lack of an agreement on the next president. Haxhiu said political leaders should discuss specific names for a consensus candidate. She added that acting Prime Minister Albin …

News
“The Sun”: Albania sees 293% surge in tourist bookings

TIRANA, August 18 – British newspaper The Sun has highlighted Albania as one of Europe’s fastest-growing holiday destinations. The article cites Thomas Cook data showing a 293% increase in bookings for Albania compared with a year earlier. The Sun points to Albania’s beaches, affordable summer holidays and capital Tirana. It …

News
Heavy passenger traffic at port, PM Rama highlights Italian tourist influx in Vlora

TIRANA, August 18 – Italian tourists continue to arrive at the Port of Vlora in large numbers in late August. Many others are returning home after spending their holidays on Albania’s beaches and in its cities. Albanians living abroad are also arriving for their holidays. As a result, Vlora continues …

News
Foreign Tourists in Vlora: Good Food and Friendly People

Albania continues to attract foreign tourists. Visitors particularly praise its hospitality, cuisine and coastline. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared today the views of several foreign tourists who chose Vlora for their holidays. “For the first time in Vlora, and certainly not the last, new friends of Albania are coming …

News
Heritage treasures attract more visitors, Berat Museum Center welcomes over 61,000

Berat’s rich historical and cultural heritage continues to attract more visitors. The city of a thousand windows remains one of Albania’s leading cultural tourism destinations. Data from the first seven months of 2026 show growing interest in the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Miklor Pasku, director of the …

News
European Union Civil Protection Mechanism deploys firefighting teams and helicopters in Albania

TIRANA, August 18 – Large wildfires have affected Albania and several other European countries. The fires have claimed lives and damaged homes, ecosystems, farmland, infrastructure, cultural heritage and local economies. The European Union Delegation in Tirana said Europe remains united in response to the fires. It stressed that no country …

News
Ajden Nora brings monophonic singing to life as Gjirokastër’s tradition passes through generations

Gjirokastër continues to inspire young generations with its distinctive houses, architecture and rich cultural heritage. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared a video featuring young artist Ajden Nora. He highlighted how young people are keeping Albania’s cultural heritage alive through music and art. “When tradition finds the …

News

Albanian exports grow as export structure shows signs of change

Albania’s exports continue to grow. Their structure is also showing signs of change, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said today. Exports reached 33.6 billion lekë in July 2026. This marked a 10.6% increase from the same month last year. Exports also grew by 6.7% during the first seven months …

News

Nufi welcomes Belgian counterpart Theo Francken to Vlora

Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi welcomed his Belgian counterpart, Theo Francken, in Vlora on Tuesday. The two ministers held a warm and informal meeting during Francken’s holiday in Albania with his family. Nufi said the meeting offered an opportunity to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Francken chose …

News

1.3 km embankment rehabilitated, protecting 2,000 hectares of farmland in Vrina, Saranda

TIRANA, August 18 – Around 2,000 hectares of farmland in Vrina, Saranda are gaining better protection from flooding, erosion and saltwater intrusion. The work covers the rehabilitation of the K-17 canal embankment and the irrigation and drainage system. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla visited the investment site in …

News

Kosova acting President Haxhiu: No agreement on president could lead to new elections

TIRANA, August 18 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu said the country could face new elections. She linked this possibility to the lack of an agreement on the next president. Haxhiu said political leaders should discuss specific names for a consensus candidate. She added that acting Prime Minister Albin …

News

“The Sun”: Albania sees 293% surge in tourist bookings

TIRANA, August 18 – British newspaper The Sun has highlighted Albania as one of Europe’s fastest-growing holiday destinations. The article cites Thomas Cook data showing a 293% increase in bookings for Albania compared with a year earlier. The Sun points to Albania’s beaches, affordable summer holidays and capital Tirana. It …

News

Heavy passenger traffic at port, PM Rama highlights Italian tourist influx in Vlora

TIRANA, August 18 – Italian tourists continue to arrive at the Port of Vlora in large numbers in late August. Many others are returning home after spending their holidays on Albania’s beaches and in its cities. Albanians living abroad are also arriving for their holidays. As a result, Vlora continues …

News

Foreign Tourists in Vlora: Good Food and Friendly People

Albania continues to attract foreign tourists. Visitors particularly praise its hospitality, cuisine and coastline. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared today the views of several foreign tourists who chose Vlora for their holidays. “For the first time in Vlora, and certainly not the last, new friends of Albania are coming …

News

Heritage treasures attract more visitors, Berat Museum Center welcomes over 61,000

Berat’s rich historical and cultural heritage continues to attract more visitors. The city of a thousand windows remains one of Albania’s leading cultural tourism destinations. Data from the first seven months of 2026 show growing interest in the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Miklor Pasku, director of the …

News

European Union Civil Protection Mechanism deploys firefighting teams and helicopters in Albania

TIRANA, August 18 – Large wildfires have affected Albania and several other European countries. The fires have claimed lives and damaged homes, ecosystems, farmland, infrastructure, cultural heritage and local economies. The European Union Delegation in Tirana said Europe remains united in response to the fires. It stressed that no country …

News

Ajden Nora brings monophonic singing to life as Gjirokastër’s tradition passes through generations

Gjirokastër continues to inspire young generations with its distinctive houses, architecture and rich cultural heritage. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja shared a video featuring young artist Ajden Nora. He highlighted how young people are keeping Albania’s cultural heritage alive through music and art. “When tradition finds the …