Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Albanian dies saving Israeli tourists in local lake
Captain Arben Anamali, 51, died in northern Albania’s Shkodra Lake after jumping into the water to rescue two Israeli tourists who ignored his warnings and were caught in strong currents, local media reported Friday. Anamali was operating a...

Albania emerges as new frontrunner in EU accession process
Albania has emerged as a new EU accession frontrunner among Western Balkan states, Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Albania, said on July 9. This is a significant turnaround for a country that previously lagged behind...

Albania PM urges stronger local governance in EU push
TIRANA, July 11 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday pressed local officials to improve governance and urban management as part of the country’s broader effort to join the European Union by 2030. Speaking at a national meeting with mayors...

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear
The warning in parliament sounded stark. “Events have shown that Albania has become a constant target of foreign interference and disinformation, so there is a need for preventive measures, with the help of our European partners,” MP Erjon Brace...

Albanian captain dies while rescuing two Israelis at risk of drowning

Albanian jailed as undercover cops thwart 'drugs on demand' organised crime group in Inverness
An Albanian criminal has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for his role in a sophisticated County Lines drug dealing operation in Scottish cities including Inverness. Imer Quashi (43) was the sixth member of the 'drugs on demand' organised...

Albania begins nationwide sweep of occupied public spaces
TIRANA, July 10 – Albanian authorities launched a coordinated operation Thursday to clear illegally occupied public spaces across major cities, including the capital Tirana, in a push to restore pedestrian access and urban order. Inspection teams...

Albania's Rama joins Ukraine recovery summit in Rome
ROME, July 10 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Rome on Thursday to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference, one of the year's key global forums focused on rebuilding Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Rama was welcomed by...

Albanian Parliament Speaker: European Integration Is Not Bureaucratic Process, but Internal Transformation
European integration is not a bureaucratic process from Brussels, but a profound internal transformation, said the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, who took part in a forum organized by PanEuropa-Bulgaria at the Central...

Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali Lays Wreath at Monument to Unknown Soldier in Sofia
Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali Thursday laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in central Sofia. The ceremony is part of her two-day visit at the invitation of National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova. The two...

Albania Deeply Committed to Regional Security, Says Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali
Albania is deeply committed to regional security issues, said Thursday Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali at meeting with National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova, part of her official visit to Bulgaria. "In this context, we have entered...

Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali: The project “Serbian World” is dangerous for the region
“Regarding the “Serbian World” initiative of President Aleksandar Vučić, I would like to state that any step that looks back, relies on rhetoric from the past that could be worrying and sounds worrying for both Kosovo and Albania”. This was stated...

Albania wants cooperation for peace with Bulgaria, Kosovo and Croatia, Elisa Spiropali says
Elisa Spiropali and Natalia Kiselova Photo: BTA Albania is extremely committed to security and peace in the region, said the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, who is on an official visit to Sofia. After a meeting with her...

Albania fires police officials over illegal construction
TIRANA, July 10 – Albania’s national police chief dismissed multiple senior officers Wednesday over failures to prevent illegal construction in a protected mountainous area, escalating a scandal that has drawn national scrutiny. The director of...

Albania sees 12% population jump in May driven by tourism
TIRANA, July 10 - Albania’s population surged in May as nearly one million foreign visitors arrived, pushing the number of people in the country well above usual levels. According to national statistics (INSTAT), 987,077 foreign tourists crossed...

Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali to Meet with National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova and President Rumen Radev
Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali will meet with National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova and President Rumen Radev. Spiropali is on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of her counterpart Kiselova, the press centre of the...

Albania raises its tourism game with new influx of Chinese travelers
02:56 Once dubbed Europe's best-kept secret, Albania is quickly stepping into the spotlight – and not just for its pristine beaches and ancient ruins. With a record-breaking rise in tourism and a bold new visa-free agreement with China, this...

9 things Nigel Farage could get up to in Albania
It only escalated from there. Rama, in a series of X posts, called Farage’s figures “bonkers” and questioned how many were convicted due to the U.K.’s “outdated immigration and visa system,” yet decided to kill Farage with kindness and invite him...

Albanian Parliament Speaker Arrives on Two-Day Official Visit to Bulgaria
Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali arrived on a two-day official visit to Bulgaria on Wednesday at the invitation of National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova, the legislature in Sofia reported in a press release. Spiropali was welcomed...

Albanian-led drug ring hit in major EU raid
TIRANA, July 9 - An Albanian logistics cell at the heart of a major drug trafficking network has been dismantled in a Europe-wide operation led by Italian authorities with Europol support. The July 8 raids across Italy, Spain, and Albania resulted...