Kosova: Bone remains of at least 23 individuals identified in Zubin Potok
TIRANA, August 20 – Kosova’s Special Prosecution Office, in cooperation with the Kosova Police and the Institute of Forensic Medicine, identified bone remains believed to belong to at least 23 individuals during excavation work in suspected locations in Zubin Potok. The Institute of Forensic Medicine carried out preliminary examinations at …
Cybersecurity during summer holidays: Tips for safer travel
TIRANA, August 20 – Smartphones play a central role during summer travel. People use them for bookings, tickets, documents, photos, maps, payments and personal or work accounts. The National Cyber Security Authority recommends several measures to protect devices, accounts and data. Before departure, travellers should update operating systems and applications. …
Referendum request on protected areas law: Election Commission approves signature form
TIRANA, August 20 – Albania’s Central Election Commission reviewed a request today for a standard form to collect signatures for a nationwide referendum. The proposed referendum seeks to repeal changes made in 2024 to the law on protected areas. The commission approved the standard form for collecting voters’ signatures. The …
Forbes: Albania presented as a hidden Balkan treasure of history, nature and hospitality
TIRANA, August 20 – “Forbes” has highlighted Albania as a destination rich in history, culture, nature and hospitality. Travel journalist Jeanine Barone describes the country as a once-forgotten “jewelry box” that now attracts international visitors. The article highlights Albania’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic towns and diverse landscapes. Visitors can …
Deputy Prime Minister Koçiu: Support for farmers and businesses to expand processing capacity
TIRANA, August 20 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu highlighted the growth of Albanian agricultural businesses in international markets. She cited Zdrava Group, an Albanian agro-processing company, as an example of a business that has grown alongside farmers and invested in technology. The company has operated in agro-processing for more …
5 active fires and 3 under control, 382 personnel on the ground
TIRANA, August 20 – Albania’s Ministry of Defence reported 35 fires across the country over the past 24 hours. Five remain active, while authorities have placed 3 under control. A total of 382 operational personnel and 40 fire engines are working across the affected areas. The Armed Forces are supporting …
United States renews call for Kosova institutions amid political deadlock
TIRANA, August 20 – The United States has renewed its call for Kosova’s political leaders to cooperate on forming institutions in line with the Constitution and Constitutional Court decisions. A US State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe that political leaders should work together to overcome the institutional deadlock. The …
Wildfires across albania, five blazes remain active
The wildfire situation across the country remains problematic, although improvements have been reported in several affected areas over the past 24 hours. Of the 35 fires reported, five remain active, while three others are being kept under control. A total of 382 operational personnel and 40 fire engines have been …
Referendum on Protected Areas Law: CEC Provides Form for Collecting Signatures
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided to provide the standard form to the initiative group seeking to collect 50,000 signatures for a referendum on repealing Law No. 21/2024 on protected areas. The initiative follows continued opposition from environmental organizations and activists to the law, which they say could facilitate …
Debate at Maliq Municipal Council Meeting Over Draft Law on Merger with Korça
The Maliq Municipal Council meeting was marked by tensions and heated debate on Thursday, as councillors were expected to make a decision on a proposal to dissolve the Municipality of Maliq and merge it with the Municipality of Korça. Opposition councillors called for a unanimous vote against the dissolution of …
Albanian and Turkish naval forces held a joint exercise in the Bay of Vlora and the naval base in it. The activity took place under NATO’s Neptune Strike 26-4 programme. The exercise involved Turkish warships TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep, aircraft and the Albanian Boarding Team. According to the Ministry …
Kosova remains at Tier 2 in the US State Department’s 2025 report on human trafficking. The report notes more funding for victim assistance and more convictions, but highlights gaps in law enforcement, identifying children forced to beg and providing long-term support. Police investigated four trafficking cases in 2025, down from …
Ahmet Prençi, commissioner of the Ombudsman’s National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, presented preliminary findings from monitoring police stations, the Security Block and the University Trauma Hospital on October 19. He said the investigation continued. Police escorted 50 people to stations, including 18 minors. The Security Block held 109 …
Demand for loans from businesses and individuals increased in the third quarter of 2026. Banks expect this trend to continue in the final quarter, according to the Bank of Albania’s lending survey. Businesses increased borrowing across all size categories for investment and liquidity needs. Higher investment needs, inventory financing and …
Assembly of Albania Deputy Speaker Evis Kushi and Secretary General Genci Gjonçaj met a delegation from the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, led by Kevin Casas Zamora. The talks focused on continuing cooperation under the European Union-funded STEP-EU project. The initiative aims to strengthen the Assembly’s legislative, oversight …
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed concern over reports of violence during student and high school protests in Albania. It called for immediate and independent investigations into every reported case of unlawful use of force. In a statement published on X, ODIHR urged all sides …
Irregular border crossings into the European Union fell by almost one-third in the first nine months of 2026, with preliminary data recording just over 91,000 crossings, according to Frontex. The Central Mediterranean route saw the sharpest decline, with detections down 56% year on year. However, the Western Mediterranean route recorded …
As part of NATO’s “Neptune Strike-26” exercise, the Albanian and Turkish Naval Forces conducted a joint military exercise in Vlora Bay and at the Pashaliman Naval Base. The exercise involved the Albanian patrol vessel “Oriku” P-132 and its boarding team, alongside the Turkish naval vessels TCG Anadolu and TCG Gaziantep. …
Albania’s Supreme Court has announced the postponement of court hearings, except for urgent cases, following property damage and damage to judicial files caused by a fire during the protests on October 17. In a public statement issued on October 20, the court said that damage to its premises and infrastructure …
The United Nations Security Council will hold its next meeting on the situation in Kosovo today, with discussions expected to focus on political developments, the security situation, and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. New York time, corresponding to 9:00 p.m. …