Judiciary Pay Clash: Albania’s Supreme Court has ordered the Finance Ministry to immediately unblock judges’ and prosecutors’ salaries after a Constitutional Court ruling, saying delays can’t be justified and citing a new reference salary from Aug. 1. EU Diplomacy: Sofia Moreira de Sousa officially took up her post as the EU ambassador to Albania, with President Begaj stressing justice reform and EU membership by 2030. Health Minister Resignation: PM Rama thanked Evis Sala after her resignation as health minister, saying she will continue contributing through new international commitments. Digital ID Rollout: Albania’s new law on electronic identification supports digital identity wallets, aligning with EU eIDAS rules and expanding trust services. Transport & Aviation: Albania approved fiscal agreements to avoid double taxation with Germany and Lithuania; separately, Air Albania moved to settle an about EUR 1.2m debt with Eurocontrol. Security in Schools: Smart cameras are being expanded to 20 schools in Tirana under the Smart City project, with footage linked to monitoring and police. Public Safety: Albania reported suspected water contamination in northern areas after about 120 people fell ill, with tests ongoing. Tech & Connectivity: 4iG and SpaceX signed deals to bring Starlink Mobile to Hungary and Albania first, with further expansion planned across the Western Balkans. Energy & Economy: Fuel imports hit a July record, while diesel and gasoline consumption stayed resilient despite higher prices. EU Foreign Policy Push: 11 EU countries urged a shift from unanimity to faster decision-making in foreign policy to avoid repeated veto paralysis.