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Floods and Landslides Leave 14 Dead in Bosnia

A state of natural disaster has been declared in Bosnia after heavy rainfall overwhelmed homes and roads, leaving many dead, including a baby. Original post Here

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In the Eye of the Storm – Farmers of Albania

What Albania has a lot of is agricultural potential. Fertile lands and excellent weather. We can produce twice, even thrice a year. Yet, productivity is low and financial security for farmers is inexistant. Because of that, cropland abandonment has become a staple, as has urban migration and even emigration. The …

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Lenin’s footsteps in Tirana

By Veto Surroi The debate about beliefs with the “Bektashi Vatican” and the imprisonment of MP Salianji as a punishment for free speech are new and completely unnecessary problems for a state that, with major problems such as organized crime, will begin EU membership negotiations 1. Albania can paraphrase the …

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Albanians Fighting Cancer – AFC USA – Gala Concert with Impromptu Singalongs Elevates Pride Craving More Encores

Rafaela Prifti “The first time I heard the name Albanians Fighting Cancer AFC, it was through a GoFundMe page that someone launched for a relative with a cancer diagnosis,” said Fotini Kokeri of the Kosloski Family Foundation at the Gala Concert Saturday night featuring two remarkable Albanian performers, tenor Rame …

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Before He’s Even Started, Albania’s New Police Chief Has Phone Seized in Probe

Days before he is due to officially start the role, Albania’s police chief-elect, Ilir Proda, has had his mobile phone seized by anti-corruption prosecutors over a suspected leak of information to a notorious organised crime group. Original post Here

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Albanian MPs Reported to Special Prosecution over Parliament Violence

Police have accused 25 opposition lawmakers of destruction of property following violent scenes at parliament. Original post Here

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E-Government in the Balkans Still a Work in Progress: BIRN Report

A new BIRN report says a lack of funds and political will means that e-government services and open data provision in the Balkans remain very limited. Original post Here

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Analysis: Imprisonment of opposition MP for making public accusations sets stage for new political reality in Albania

TIRANA, Oct. 1, 2024 – The recent conviction and imprisonment of Ervin Salianji, a prominent opposition MP in Albania, has ignited intense debates about the independence of the country’s judiciary and its implications for democracy as well as radicalized opposition action in parliament and on the streets. Salianji, a member …

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Albania and North Macedonia’s EU ‘Decoupling’ Causes Dismay in Skopje

Reports that the EU plans to push ahead with Albania’s EU accession talks, independently of North Macedonia, puts renewed scrutiny on Tirana’s true reform readiness, while risking deepening a sense of alienation in Skopje. Original post Here

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Omnipotence for the hour

This is the story of a young man who one day was granted unlimited power for one single hour. How or why this happened is not important. What’s important is that it did happen. Now, this young man happens to live in Albania, or Tirana to be exact. Lucky coincidence, …

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Zelenskyy’s Kosovo Stance Puts Solidarity With Ukraine to the Test

Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …

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Mecca Defense Pact Signals Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Shape a New Security Order

The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …

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Albanian Court Puts Turkish Activist in Custody After Extradition Demand

Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here

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“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat

TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …

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Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project

TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …

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Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …

News
Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …

News
Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …

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SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …

News
Another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII opens, works continue on Elbasan–Qafë Thana road

TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …

News

Zelenskyy’s Kosovo Stance Puts Solidarity With Ukraine to the Test

Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …

News

Mecca Defense Pact Signals Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Shape a New Security Order

The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …

News

Albanian Court Puts Turkish Activist in Custody After Extradition Demand

Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here

News

“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat

TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …

News

Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project

TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …

News

Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …

News

Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …

News

Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …

News

SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …

News

Another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII opens, works continue on Elbasan–Qafë Thana road

TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …