Trade & FX: Albania’s trade gap widened in May as imports rose 4.1% while exports grew 2.8%, with textiles/footwear still sliding and a stronger lek squeezing euro-paid exporters; fuel imports also rose amid Middle East pressure. Property tax relief: Albania says about €84m has been saved since the Feb property revaluation process cut the tax rate to 5%, with 9,532 applications filed by late April and the deadline set for Dec 31, 2026. Currency pressure: The euro hit a new record low at 94.89 lek on June 15, with agents citing higher summer FX supply and real-estate-linked investment flows. Crime crackdown: SPAK moved against an alleged international cocaine network, ordering arrests of 10 suspects and seizing about €150m in assets tied to laundering via businesses and real estate. Protests & tourism politics: Anti-government demonstrations in Tirana for the 17th day target a Kushner-linked luxury resort near Zvërnec/Sazan, with Rama denying any “deal” and saying exploratory work was paused only due to pressure; protesters say tourism plans are harming protected wetlands and livelihoods. EU outlook: The European Parliament adopted annual reports on Western Balkan countries, backing membership prospects for Albania while urging reform and alignment. Business & investment ties: Uzbekistan’s Tashkent International Investment Forum highlighted a first Albania-Uzbek summit and talks on using Durrës Port for logistics to Southern Europe. Air connectivity: Wizz Air announced new Sofia–Tirana flights from July 4 and a year-round Sofia–Berlin route from Sept 20.