Albania Could Face Costly Arbitration Battle After Scrapping Vlora Airport Plans
Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here
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 …
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 …
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
“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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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%. …
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, …
Ten people have faced criminal proceedings and 5,444 administrative fines have been issued by the Tirana Traffic Police over the past 48 hours as part of intensified checks on the capital’s roads. According to Police, the 10 individuals were prosecuted mainly for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or driving …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has reacted following reports in the Montenegrin media claiming that Serbia and Albania are the two countries referred to by Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić when he warned of possible attempts to destabilize the country through hybrid activities. Hoxha wrote that the …
Seven wildfires remain active across Albania, while two others are under surveillance. According to the Ministry of Defense, a total of 10 wildfires had been reported by 2:00 p.m. on August 28, one of which has been completely extinguished. The active fires are concentrated in Tirana, Dibër, Vlorë, Gjirokastër and …
Prosecutor Avni Namani has called for the conviction of acting Minister Xhelal Sveçla in his closing arguments in the trial over the use of tear gas in the Kosovo Assembly in 2018. Prosecutor Namani said that, based on expert reports, a tear gas canister is considered a weapon. He announced …
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said during a visit to Osečina that he does not trust the justice system in The Hague and that Serbia has still not received official information from The Hague regarding the death of Ratko Mladić. Vučić stressed that, in his view, Western countries want to create …
Former Albanian Prime Minister and Socialist Party MP Pandeli Majko has reacted following a report by Montenegrin media outlet “Vijesti,” according to which Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajić was referring to Albania and Serbia when speaking about coordinated hybrid activities aimed at destabilizing the country. In his response, Majko called …
A technical malfunction caused air traffic control systems to shut down at 5:30 p.m. today, creating an emergency situation in Albanian airspace, Albcontrol announced to the media on Friday. According to the statement, immediately after the incident, Albcontrol experts took all necessary measures in accordance with established protocols to ensure …
Authorities in Kosovo said that at least ten bone samples recovered from three mass graves in Zubin Potok have been sent to The Hague for DNA identification. Acting Minister for Labor, Family and Liberation War Values Andin Hoti, during a visit to Kalludër, one of the locations where human remains …
Was a Key National Security Institution Penetrated by Organized Crime? Tirana Times, August 28, 2026 – The arrest of businessman Ergys Agasi has put a new focus on allegations reaching beyond corruption in public procurement, raising broader questions about possible links between political power, business interests and organized crime — and …
Tirana Times, August 28, 2026 – An extraordinary political and diplomatic controversy has emerged between Montenegro and Albania after Montenegrin media reported that Prime Minister Milojko Spajić was referring to Albania and Serbia when he warned of a coordinated hybrid operation aimed at destabilizing Montenegro and obstructing its progress toward …