Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani joined U.S. President Joe Biden at the Ukraine summit in New York, held as part of the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week (#UNGA79). In a social media post, President Osmani expressed her honor at being invited by the White House to participate alongside global leaders in supporting Ukraine. During the summit,… Continue reading President Osmani Meets President Biden at Ukraine Summit in NYC — United Front Against Russia
Two Albanian brothers from Kosovo have filed a lawsuit against one of Manhattan’s most famous Italian restaurants, Patsy’s, claiming shocking levels of racism and wage theft. The brothers, Kreshnik Hoti and Desiart Ymeraga, have worked at the restaurant for years and now accuse the owners of the iconic spot—once frequented by Frank Sinatra—of extreme anti-Albanian… Continue reading Albanian Brothers Sue Iconic NYC Restaurant for Racism and $1 Million Wage Theft
Albania is planning to create a sovereign Bektashi Muslim state within its capital, Tirana, in a move that has shocked many and sparked widespread debate. The Bektashi Order, a liberal Shiite Sufi sect, would control a 27-acre territory similar to Vatican City. This “state within a state” would have its own administration, borders, and even… Continue reading Albania to Create a Bektashi Muslim State in Tirana
2nd Lt. Valdeta Mehanja, a pilot with the 1-131st Aviation Regiment of the Alabama National Guard, returned to the Balkans in 2021 as part of DEFENDER-Europe 21, an international military exercise. Born in Kosovo, Mehanja fled her home as a refugee during the war, and her return as a U.S. Army pilot marked a significant… Continue reading From War Refugee to U.S. Army Pilot: Valdeta Mehanja’s Inspiring Return to Albania
Ariela Ziu was officially crowned Miss Liberty 2025 at the Miss Manhattan competition held on September 21, 2024. The event brought together talented women from across New York City to compete for several prestigious titles. Ariela earned her crown through a strong display of poise and dedication to her platform. In addition to Ziu’s victory,… Continue reading Ariela Ziu Crowned Miss Liberty 2025 at Miss Manhattan Competition
Blendi Avdolli has made Albania proud by winning a gold medal at the First International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, held as part of the prestigious Global AI Summit. Competing against 90 participants from around the world, Avdolli’s exceptional skills and dedication to AI stood out, securing him the top honor. The Olympiad consisted of both… Continue reading Blendi Avdolli shocks the tech world by winning Albania’s first gold at the AI Olympiad
Albanian-Americans, numbering around 216,431, form the largest ethnic group from the Western Balkans in the United States. Despite their relatively small percentage within the overall U.S. population, Albanian-Americans are highly concentrated in specific regions, with the Northeast holding the majority of the community. The three states with the highest percentage of Albanian-Americans are Connecticut (0.35%),… Continue reading Over 216,000 Albanian-Americans: Where Are They Living in the U.S.?
Over a year ago, on July 11, 2023, Sebastjan Cenaj, an Albanian international music student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, captivated the world when he performed at the prestigious 75th NATO concert in Washington, D.C. Now, in 2024, Cenaj continues to rise in the music world, building on the momentum of his… Continue reading Albanian Music Star Sebastjan Cenaj Still Making Headlines After Wowing World Leaders at NATO Concert
In 2014, Montclair State University in New Jersey made history by launching the first-ever Albanian-Balkan Ensemble in the United States. Founded by Raif Hyseni, a renowned Kosovar musician, and his wife, famed Albanian singer Merita Halili, this ensemble introduced American students to the rich sounds of Albanian folk music. Over the past decade, this groundbreaking… Continue reading 10 Years of Albanian Folk Music Thriving at Montclair State University in the USA
The first Albanian School in Staten Island, part of the “Alba Life” network in New York, opened its doors for the 2024-2025 academic year. This school, which has been operating for 18 years, is part of a broader mission to teach Albanian language, history, and culture to children in the diaspora. The founders, including director… Continue reading First Albanian School in Staten Island Begins 2024-2025 Academic Year
