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Ministers visit tourism measures in Saranda

TIRANA, August 13 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja, and Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi visited tourism measures in Saranda. Lamallari said rising tourist numbers bring greater responsibility for the State Police. He stressed the need to protect residents and visitors. He also called for …

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Egnatia face Shamrock Rovers in bid for historic comeback

TIRANA, August 13 – Albanian champions Egnatia face Shamrock Rovers tonight in the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round. The match starts at 21:00 and RTSH will broadcast it live. Egnatia lost the first leg 3-1. The Rrogozhina side need a victory by at least 2 goals …

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Dobërdol Mountains attract growing interest from nature lovers

TIRANA, August 13 – Mountain tourism is attracting more domestic and foreign visitors to areas that once received little attention. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the Dobërdol Mountains in Tropoja on social media. The area is attracting growing interest from nature enthusiasts each year. The Dobërdol Mountains lie …

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Temporary traffic restrictions on Tirana-Durrës highway on August 14-15

TIRANA, August 13 – Temporary traffic restrictions will affect the Tirana-Durrës highway on August 14 and 15. The Albanian Road Authority will carry out work on the new Kashar overpass. The work will take place from 23:00 to 05:00. Crews will install the overpass’s metal beams. Authorities will close 2 …

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Dinamo seek another European comeback against Auda

TIRANA, August 13 – Dinamo face Latvian side Auda tonight in the second leg of the Conference League third qualifying round. The match starts at 21:00 at Elbasan Arena. Dinamo lost the first leg in Latvia 1-0. The capital club need a win by at least 1 goal to force …

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PM Rama: Freedom is not a matter of exchange

TIRANA, August 13 – Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on reactions in Tirana and Prishtina to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement in Belgrade. Zelensky said Ukraine had not changed its position and would not recognise Kosova. Rama said freedom is not a matter of exchange. He stressed that supporting Ukraine …

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Albania Gambles on Re-Legalising ‘Dangerous’ Online Sports Betting

The government is preparing to bring back online sports betting, seven years after a widespread gambling clampdown. But mental health experts warn that Albania is ill-equipped to deal with a rise in gambling addiction. Original post Here

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Fire situation improves in Priska, Tirana

TIRANA, August 13 – The fire situation in Priska has improved after firefighters and 2 helicopters worked to contain 3 fires that started on Wednesday evening. The fires emerged in Daias village, between Lundra and Priska. Ground and aerial operations helped stop the flames from spreading. Authorities continue to monitor …

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President Begaj urges caution over fires, thanks firefighters

TIRANA, August 13 – President Bajram Begaj urged citizens to remain cautious as high temperatures increase the risk of fires. He also expressed solidarity with firefighters and others fighting the flames. Begaj said firefighters, Armed Forces personnel and others fighting fires deserve public gratitude. He praised their courage and sacrifice …

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Hot weather continues with light rain

TIRANA, August 13 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Thursday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will remain mostly clear, with moderate cloud cover at times. Clouds will become denser over mountainous areas around midday and during the afternoon, mainly in the east and southeast. …

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Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games: Albania sends record 72-athlete delegation

TIRANA, August 21 – The Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games open today in Italy, with Albania represented by 72 athletes. The delegation is the largest in Albania’s history at the Mediterranean Games. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja congratulated the Albanian athletes as the competition began. The delegation includes …

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Medicinal and aromatic plants offer growing potential for Albanian agriculture

TIRANA, August 21 – The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is becoming an increasingly important sector for Albanian agriculture. It provides income for farmers and contributes to the country’s exports. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from fields in Devoll, where farmers have turned to medicinal plant cultivation in …

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Return of emigrants increases border traffic, over 10,000 cross Kakavija border crossing with Greece in 24 hours

TIRANA, August 21 – Border traffic has increased at Kakavija border crossing with Greece as Albanian emigrants return, with more than 10,000 people and 3,000 vehicles processed over the past 24 hours. Border services processed 10,581 people at the Kakavija crossing. A total of 4,294 entered Albania, while 6,287 left …

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Over 824,000 visitors to cultural heritage sites, Gjirokastër Castle leads

TIRANA, August 21 – Albania’s cultural heritage institutions and sites recorded a significant rise in visitors during the first 7 months of 2026. A total of 824,340 domestic and foreign visitors visited the sites from January to July, marking an 80% increase from the same period in 2023. According to …

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10 active wildfires, 2 under monitoring as operations continue

TIRANA, August 21 – The Ministry of Defence reported 16 wildfires by 14:00. Ten remained active and two were under monitoring. The ministry said 240 military personnel, 3 firefighting vehicles, 4 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft supported the operations. In Gojan–Gjegjan, Puka, the situation remains calm and authorities report …

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Week in Review: Momentous Moves and Dubious Intentions

Big changes are afoot amid the heat of the summer holiday season. Our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories takes a deep dive into the motives and agendas driving these changes. Original post Here

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Inspectorate and Financial Intelligence Agency strengthen anti-money laundering cooperation

TIRANA, August 21 – The General Inspectorate and the Financial Intelligence Agency have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against money laundering and terrorist financing. General Inspector Dashnor Sula and Financial Intelligence Agency Director Ervin Koci signed the agreement. It aims to improve the detection and reporting of suspected illegal …

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Conference League: Dinamo City draw 1-1 with Pafos, qualification remains open

TIRANA, August 21 – Dinamo City drew 1-1 with Pafos at Elbasan Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The result leaves the tie open ahead of the return match. Neither side scored in the first half. Pafos missed a penalty in the 36th minute before …

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National Maritime Museum to highlight Shkodër’s historic link with the lake

TIRANA, August 21 – The National Maritime Museum is taking shape at the entrance to Shkodër. The museum will tell the story of the city’s historic links with the lake, rivers and navigation. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the construction work on social media as the project adds …

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NATO: Any decision on reopening Ibër bridge must address all communities

TIRANA, August 21 – NATO says any decision to reopen the main bridge over the Ibër River to vehicle traffic must address the needs of all local communities. A NATO official told Radio Free Europe that KFOR continues to provide security support for European Union diplomatic efforts. The official said …

News

Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games: Albania sends record 72-athlete delegation

TIRANA, August 21 – The Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games open today in Italy, with Albania represented by 72 athletes. The delegation is the largest in Albania’s history at the Mediterranean Games. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja congratulated the Albanian athletes as the competition began. The delegation includes …

News

Medicinal and aromatic plants offer growing potential for Albanian agriculture

TIRANA, August 21 – The cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants is becoming an increasingly important sector for Albanian agriculture. It provides income for farmers and contributes to the country’s exports. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from fields in Devoll, where farmers have turned to medicinal plant cultivation in …

News

Return of emigrants increases border traffic, over 10,000 cross Kakavija border crossing with Greece in 24 hours

TIRANA, August 21 – Border traffic has increased at Kakavija border crossing with Greece as Albanian emigrants return, with more than 10,000 people and 3,000 vehicles processed over the past 24 hours. Border services processed 10,581 people at the Kakavija crossing. A total of 4,294 entered Albania, while 6,287 left …

News

Over 824,000 visitors to cultural heritage sites, Gjirokastër Castle leads

TIRANA, August 21 – Albania’s cultural heritage institutions and sites recorded a significant rise in visitors during the first 7 months of 2026. A total of 824,340 domestic and foreign visitors visited the sites from January to July, marking an 80% increase from the same period in 2023. According to …

News

10 active wildfires, 2 under monitoring as operations continue

TIRANA, August 21 – The Ministry of Defence reported 16 wildfires by 14:00. Ten remained active and two were under monitoring. The ministry said 240 military personnel, 3 firefighting vehicles, 4 helicopters and 2 Air Tractor aircraft supported the operations. In Gojan–Gjegjan, Puka, the situation remains calm and authorities report …

News

Week in Review: Momentous Moves and Dubious Intentions

Big changes are afoot amid the heat of the summer holiday season. Our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories takes a deep dive into the motives and agendas driving these changes. Original post Here

News

Inspectorate and Financial Intelligence Agency strengthen anti-money laundering cooperation

TIRANA, August 21 – The General Inspectorate and the Financial Intelligence Agency have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation against money laundering and terrorist financing. General Inspector Dashnor Sula and Financial Intelligence Agency Director Ervin Koci signed the agreement. It aims to improve the detection and reporting of suspected illegal …

News

Conference League: Dinamo City draw 1-1 with Pafos, qualification remains open

TIRANA, August 21 – Dinamo City drew 1-1 with Pafos at Elbasan Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The result leaves the tie open ahead of the return match. Neither side scored in the first half. Pafos missed a penalty in the 36th minute before …

News

National Maritime Museum to highlight Shkodër’s historic link with the lake

TIRANA, August 21 – The National Maritime Museum is taking shape at the entrance to Shkodër. The museum will tell the story of the city’s historic links with the lake, rivers and navigation. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the construction work on social media as the project adds …

News

NATO: Any decision on reopening Ibër bridge must address all communities

TIRANA, August 21 – NATO says any decision to reopen the main bridge over the Ibër River to vehicle traffic must address the needs of all local communities. A NATO official told Radio Free Europe that KFOR continues to provide security support for European Union diplomatic efforts. The official said …