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Speaker of Parliament Condemns Violence Following Protest

Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi has condemned the violence that occurred during Thursday’s protest outside Parliament, saying attacks against Albanian State Police officers, MPs and public institutions are unacceptable. Peleshi stressed that the right to protest must be exercised peacefully, expressing solidarity with police officers injured while on duty and calling for respect for …

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HPC Opens Competition for Albania’s Next Prosecutor General

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:9cfb2850-4d0c-44d8-95a6-4db4afd2a16c-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9cfb2850-4d0c-44d8-95a6-4db4afd2a16c-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s High Prosecutorial Council (HPC) has launched the administrative procedure for selecting candidates for the country’s next Prosecutor General, issuing a public call for applications during its plenary session on Thursday. Under Albanian law, the Prosecutor General is elected by Parliament …

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Albanian Journalists’ Union Condemns Attacks on Reporters During Parliament Protest

The Albanian Journalists’ Union (UGSH) has condemned attacks against journalists during Thursday’s protest outside Parliament, describing acts of violence against media workers carrying out their reporting duties as criminal acts that cannot be tolerated. In a statement, the Union said that amid clashes between protesters and police, journalists, camera operators …

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EU Urged to Increase Support for Albania’s Energy Sector, Minister Says

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:9cfb2850-4d0c-44d8-95a6-4db4afd2a16c-10″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9cfb2850-4d0c-44d8-95a6-4db4afd2a16c-10″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-22″ data-turn=”assistant”> The European Union should allocate more funding to energy infrastructure in Albania and across the Western Balkans, Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said during the Energy Community Ministerial Council meeting held in Pristina. Karakaçi stressed the need for faster action to expand …

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Citizens Begin March Toward the Prime Minister’s Office

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:9cfb2850-4d0c-44d8-95a6-4db4afd2a16c-5″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9cfb2850-4d0c-44d8-95a6-4db4afd2a16c-5″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> Citizens have begun marching toward the Prime Minister’s Office as Thursday marks the 33rd consecutive day of protests. Demonstrators, carrying banners and Albanian flags, continued their march despite the high temperatures. During the march, protesters chanted slogans calling for the resignation …

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U.S. Embassy Urges Americans to Avoid Demonstration in Central Tirana

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”4fda2bb3-21c6-4b25-874c-3a6a9023d2f9″ data-turn-id-container=”4fda2bb3-21c6-4b25-874c-3a6a9023d2f9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-turn=”user”> The Embassy of the United States, Tirana on Thursday warned that nightly protests are continuing in the Albanian capital outside the Prime Minister’s Office, located on Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard, between Skanderbeg Squareand Mother Teresa Square. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” …

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Rama: No One Can Lecture Me on Beauty, Resignation Is Not an Option

Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended his government’s handling of the controversial luxury tourism developments linked to Jared Kushner, insisting that his resignation “has never been, is not and will never be an option.” Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle, Rama rejected claims that public trust in Albania’s democratic institutions has been broken, …

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In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

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Will Washington Derail NATO’s Tirana Summit?

Tirana Times, July 2, 2026 — Albania’s ambition to host a NATO summit in 2027 has suddenly become more than a diplomatic milestone. It has become a test of whether Tirana can keep pace with the alliance’s new defense spending politics, whether Washington under President Donald Trump is willing to …

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Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 6, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Second phase of soft loan scheme opens, applications due by July 31, official says

TIRANA, July 6 – The second phase of the municipal soft loan scheme opened on July 1 after the completion of the first stage, a city official said. He said 2,500 applicants were approved in the first phase out of 4,909 applications. However, he added that several applicants were excluded …

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Turkey at the centre of global diplomacy as Ankara hosts NATO Summit on 7 July, agenda revealed

TIRANA, July 6 – Turkey will host the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara on 7 July. The meeting takes place amid global uncertainty. Ankara last hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. Meanwhile, the summit will gather 32 heads of state and government. …

News
Preza Castle: Where History and Nature Meet in a Peaceful Landscape

Just a few kilometers from Tirana, Preza Castle rises on a green hill, and it stands as one of the most distinctive historical and panoramic sites in the area. First, visitors reach the castle through a rural landscape, and they pass traditional houses and green hills that create a calm …

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RTSH Governing Council head outlines reforms for RTSH Parliament channel, archives and auditing

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Governing Council Chairman Fatjon Hoxhalli said the public broadcaster is strengthening the structure of the RTSH Parliament channel as part of a broader effort to modernize its operations. Speaking at the parliamentary Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight, Hoxhalli said the channel has …

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RTSH targets digital transformation, Director Vasili: Public media must be present wherever the audience is

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Director General Eni Vasili highlighted digital transformation as the public broadcaster’s main strategic priority during a parliamentary committee session reviewing RTSH’s 2025 performance. She said public media must reach audiences wherever they consume content. According to Vasili, the future of public broadcasting depends on a …

News
Ministry of Defence reports 16 wildfire hotspots across Albania, five active but under control

TIRANA, July 6 – The Ministry of Defence said 16 wildfire hotspots were recorded across Albania during the day under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency. Meanwhile, the ministry said five active hotspots remain under control. It added that operational structures continue work to fully extinguish them. Operations …

News
Velipojë: Well-Managed Public Beaches Offer Clean and Organized Conditions for Visitors

Velipojë beach, with a coastline stretching over 14 kilometers, remains one of the most visited destinations by both domestic and foreign tourists this summer season. First, authorities have expanded public beach areas and improved coastal management, which has significantly increased the number of visitors. Next, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared …

News
Parliament committee approves resolution on RTSH activity for 2025

TIRANA, July 6 – The Parliamentary Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight approved on Sunday the draft resolution assessing the activity of Albanian Radio Television (RTSH) for 2025. Earlier in the session, RTSH Director General Eni Vasili said digital transformation remains a core institutional priority in cooperation with …

News
Today marks final deadline for National Agriculture Support Scheme applications

TIRANA, July 6 – Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) said today is the final day to apply for the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development extended the deadline. The agency said it will accept applications for all support measures until …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 6, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Second phase of soft loan scheme opens, applications due by July 31, official says

TIRANA, July 6 – The second phase of the municipal soft loan scheme opened on July 1 after the completion of the first stage, a city official said. He said 2,500 applicants were approved in the first phase out of 4,909 applications. However, he added that several applicants were excluded …

News

Turkey at the centre of global diplomacy as Ankara hosts NATO Summit on 7 July, agenda revealed

TIRANA, July 6 – Turkey will host the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government in Ankara on 7 July. The meeting takes place amid global uncertainty. Ankara last hosted a NATO summit in Istanbul in 2004. Meanwhile, the summit will gather 32 heads of state and government. …

News

Preza Castle: Where History and Nature Meet in a Peaceful Landscape

Just a few kilometers from Tirana, Preza Castle rises on a green hill, and it stands as one of the most distinctive historical and panoramic sites in the area. First, visitors reach the castle through a rural landscape, and they pass traditional houses and green hills that create a calm …

News

RTSH Governing Council head outlines reforms for RTSH Parliament channel, archives and auditing

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Governing Council Chairman Fatjon Hoxhalli said the public broadcaster is strengthening the structure of the RTSH Parliament channel as part of a broader effort to modernize its operations. Speaking at the parliamentary Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight, Hoxhalli said the channel has …

News

RTSH targets digital transformation, Director Vasili: Public media must be present wherever the audience is

TIRANA, July 6 – RTSH Director General Eni Vasili highlighted digital transformation as the public broadcaster’s main strategic priority during a parliamentary committee session reviewing RTSH’s 2025 performance. She said public media must reach audiences wherever they consume content. According to Vasili, the future of public broadcasting depends on a …

News

Ministry of Defence reports 16 wildfire hotspots across Albania, five active but under control

TIRANA, July 6 – The Ministry of Defence said 16 wildfire hotspots were recorded across Albania during the day under the coordination of the National Civil Protection Agency. Meanwhile, the ministry said five active hotspots remain under control. It added that operational structures continue work to fully extinguish them. Operations …

News

Velipojë: Well-Managed Public Beaches Offer Clean and Organized Conditions for Visitors

Velipojë beach, with a coastline stretching over 14 kilometers, remains one of the most visited destinations by both domestic and foreign tourists this summer season. First, authorities have expanded public beach areas and improved coastal management, which has significantly increased the number of visitors. Next, Prime Minister Edi Rama shared …

News

Parliament committee approves resolution on RTSH activity for 2025

TIRANA, July 6 – The Parliamentary Committee on Civic Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight approved on Sunday the draft resolution assessing the activity of Albanian Radio Television (RTSH) for 2025. Earlier in the session, RTSH Director General Eni Vasili said digital transformation remains a core institutional priority in cooperation with …

News

Today marks final deadline for National Agriculture Support Scheme applications

TIRANA, July 6 – Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) said today is the final day to apply for the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development extended the deadline. The agency said it will accept applications for all support measures until …