Incident occurred at Eurovision as the Serbian delegation attempted to remove the Kosovo flag
The grand final of Eurovision was also marked by an incident at the Media Center. During the performance of Albanian singer Alis Kallaci, a member of the Serbian delegation allegedly tried to prevent the waving of the Kosovo flag. Albert Limani, a member of Eurovision Kosova who was present in …
Hita to Subordinates: Drugs Near Schools?! Unacceptable, Take Urgent Measures!
Through an official telegram sent to local police directorates and departments, Police Chief Skënder Hita has ordered increased security measures in schools and stronger action against the distribution of narcotics within the security perimeter of educational institutions. It is learned that Hita’s order came after an analysis of issues during …
Measures for the Tourist Season: Vlora Reintroduces Traffic Lights After Many Years
Vlora is bringing back traffic lights after many years in an effort to ease traffic on the city’s most problematic roads. For the first time in a long period, traffic lights will be installed at several key road intersections as part of measures aimed at improving circulation and preventing heavy …
Kilometer-Long Traffic at Kapshtica Border Crossing, Citizens Wait for Hours to Enter Greece
Heavy traffic at the Kapshtica border crossing point has become a daily reality for Albanians and emigrants wishing to travel from Albania to Greece. According to travelers, they are forced every day to wait for more than two hours in the neutral zone because Greek border police are operating with …
“Tour of Albania 2026” Cycling Race Begins Tomorrow, Roads to Be Blocked in Tirana
The Tirana Municipal Police announced that on May 18, 2026, starting from 12:00 PM, there will be temporary road closures and traffic restrictions on several main roads in the capital due to the “Tour of Albania 2026” cycling event. According to the announcement, several of Tirana’s main streets and boulevards …
Opposition Joined Votes for EU Resolution, Rama: They Understood the Process Is Unstoppable
Prime Minister Edi Rama said he was surprised by the opposition joining the majority in Parliament to vote for the resolution related to the country’s membership in the European Union. In his podcast “Flasim,” Rama stated that by participating in the vote on the resolution, the opposition indirectly acknowledged that …
New Protest in Skopje, Albanian Students Demand Full Implementation of the Albanian Language
Albanian students have announced a new protest on May 18 in Skopje, expanding their cause from the issue of taking the bar exam in the Albanian language to demanding the full implementation and respect of the Albanian language in all state institutions. The organizers say that the first protest began …
“Albanian Is Part of Our Identity,” Bebe Rexha Supports Albanian Students in North Macedonia
World-famous Albanian singer Bebe Rexha has spoken out in support of Albanian students in North Macedonia, who have announced a protest regarding the right to take the Jurisprudence exam in the Albanian language. Through a message shared on social media, the artist emphasized the importance of the Albanian language to …
Bulgaria wins Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Albania ranks 13th with “Nân”
TIRANA, May 17 – Bulgaria won the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 late Saturday night in Vienna, after securing strong support from national juries across Europe. Albania, represented by Alis Kallaçi with the song “Nân”, finished in 13th place in the Grand Final. The Eurovision 2026 final took place at the …
The Times highlights Albania as emerging Mediterranean tourism destination
TIRANA, May 16 – British daily The Times highlights Albania among emerging Mediterranean tourism destinations this summer. The newspaper says travellers increasingly search for more affordable holiday destinations across the Mediterranean region. It adds that demand for holidays in Italy, Spain and Greece has increased this year. However, the report …
More than 34,000 domestic and international tourists visited the protected areas of Kukës during the first half of 2026, exploring alpine landscapes, mountain trails, biodiversity and natural attractions. The protected areas offer visitors a unique experience through forests, lakes, natural springs and cultural heritage sites, combining adventure with nature exploration. …
Agrotourism is becoming an important driver of economic and social development in Albania’s rural areas, creating jobs and strengthening local economies. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the “N’Kanu” agrotourism centre in Perlat, Mirditë, describing it as an example of returning migrants investing in their hometowns and promoting rural …
Seman Beach, located 18 kilometres from Fier, is attracting visitors with its wide coastline, fine therapeutic sand and warm waters. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the popular summer destination on social media, highlighting its appeal among holidaymakers. In recent years, Seman and Darzezë beaches have become increasingly popular …
President Begaj praised the forum as a valuable platform that strengthens interfaith dialogue and promotes peace, mutual understanding, and cooperation across Europe. He said Albania stands as a model of religious harmony, peaceful coexistence, and hospitality. He added that these values define the country’s identity and encouraged the delegates to …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:0c81e9b2-d514-4f1d-a367-bde215b12958-50″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:0c81e9b2-d514-4f1d-a367-bde215b12958-50″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-12″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania ranks first in the Western Balkans in the 2026 Environmental Performance Index, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today. In a video message, Rama said the global index places Albania 46th among 177 countries. He added that the country has achieved …
An artisan workshop in the heart of Tropoja has become a model for preserving cultural heritage and strengthening women’s economic independence. With support from the European Union through the EU4Innovation programme, local women artisans are keeping traditional crafts alive while creating new job opportunities for the community. At the workshop, …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Gjirokastër Castle remains the most popular tourist attraction in southern Albania. More Albanian and international visitors have explored the landmark this summer, highlighting the growing appeal of the UNESCO-listed museum city and its rich cultural heritage. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage reports that about 130,000 people have visited the …
Albania recorded strong growth in foreign trade in June 2026. According to the latest report from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), merchandise exports reached 35.4 billion lek, up 13.6 percent from a year earlier. Exports also increased 8.3 percent from May. Imports climbed to 83.5 billion lek, marking a 9.1 …
Albania’s annual inflation rate reached 3.2 percent in June 2026, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices tracks retail prices and aligns with European Union standards. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation, adding 1.02 percentage …