Five wildfires remain active after 28 reported in 24 hours
TIRANA, August 6 – Albania reported 28 wildfires in the past 24 hours, with 5 fires still active, according to the Ministry of Defence. The National Civil Protection Agency, local authorities and the Armed Forces are coordinating firefighting operations across the country. A total of 64 firefighting vehicles, 631 operational …
US Senate confirms Eric Wendt as US ambassador to Albania
TIRANA, August 6 – The US Senate has confirmed Eric Wendt as the new US ambassador to Albania. Wendt received 50 votes in favour and 44 against. Wendt becomes the first US ambassador to Albania since Yuri Kim left the post in June 2023. President Donald Trump nominated him for …
Blue Eye in Saranda attracts visitors with its natural beauty
TIRANA, August 6 – The Blue Eye natural monument is attracting a growing number of domestic and foreign visitors during the summer season. Tourists choose the destination for its crystal-clear waters, untouched nature and unique landscapes. Visitors describe the spring as a rare natural phenomenon emerging from deep underground. They …
Central Bank Governor: Instant payment system to cut costs and boost savings
TIRANA, August 6 – Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko said the TIPS Clone instant payment system will reduce transfer costs and bring major benefits to citizens, businesses and the Albanian economy. The Bank of Albania plans to launch the system in November. It developed the project with the Bank …
No queues at Kakavija border crossing with Greece despite peak summer traffic
TIRANA, August 5 – The Kakavija border crossing with Greece continues to operate smoothly despite the peak summer travel season. Border Police report normal traffic flow, with no queues or long waiting times for travellers or vehicles. Meanwhile, officers processed 7,448 travellers during the past 24 hours. Authorities recorded 4,359 …
Fincantieri Albania established to develop Albania’s naval industry
TIRANA, August 5 – Albania and Italy have established Fincantieri Albania, marking a new step in their strategic partnership and the development of Albania’s maritime industry. Officials signed the company’s founding act and statute at the Naval Vessels Division of Italy’s Fincantieri in Genoa. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said …
Roadworks on Tirana–Durrës Highway at Kashar Overpass on August 6–7, ASRA Announces Traffic Restrictions and Diversions
*]: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:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Albanian Road Authority (ASRA) has announced that on August 6 and 7, 2026, traffic will be restricted on two lanes of the main Tirana–Durrës highway near the new Kashar overpass from 00:00 to 04:30. According to the authority, the restrictions …
Traffic at Korçë Border Crossings Continues to Rise as Thousands of Travelers Cross
*]: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:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Border crossing points in Korçë County continue to experience an increasing flow of travelers entering and leaving Albania. Over the past 24 hours, 5,252 Albanian and foreign nationals entered the country through the Kapshticë Border Crossing Point, while 4,658 people crossed …
Fire Destroys Dozens of Vehicles at Auto Salvage Yard in Selenicë
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”1a058c7f-d397-4086-bfe5-d644c7da2d09″ data-turn-id-container=”1a058c7f-d397-4086-bfe5-d644c7da2d09″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> A fire that broke out around midday on Wednesday in the village of Penkovë, in the Municipality of Selenicë, spread to an auto salvage yard used for storing vehicles for spare parts. The blaze destroyed dozens of vehicles, causing significant material …
More Than 5,000 Residents Left Without Public Bus Service as Urban Transport Has Been Absent for Five Years in Vlorë
*]: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:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4132cbd0-2ebf-43d0-8a04-f3b52f422443-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Several neighborhoods in Vlorë continue to lack access to public transportation, including the Transballkanike area, where more than 5,000 residents live and around 1,000 businesses operate. Despite its large population, no urban bus service has operated along this route for more …
President Bajram Begaj voiced concern about escalating tensions as students who gathered for a second day of rallies against the government clashed with law enforcement officers again. Original post Here
Franciscan priest Shtjefën Gjeçovi, a prominent figure in Albanian history, passed away on October 14, 1929. He devoted his life to the Albanian cause. According to documents held by the General Directorate of Archives, two men speaking Serbian ambushed Gjeçovi as he returned from Prizren and shot him. Born Hilë …
The government of Kosova has established a working group to coordinate a state strategy for the appeal proceedings involving four former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. Prime Minister Albin Kurti described their convictions by the Specialist Chambers as legally and morally unjust. …
Representatives of six Western Balkan countries discussed digital cooperation and alignment with the European Union’s digital agenda at the 8th Regional Digital Summit. Albania has moved most public services online and continues to expand access for citizens living abroad. Deputy Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enkelejda Muçaj said electronic documents with …
Assembly of Albania Speaker Niko Peleshi said the right to protest is a constitutional right that citizens must exercise peacefully and in accordance with the law. He made the remarks as tensions continued for a second day outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana. Peleshi said violence and vandalism undermine …
The European Union Delegation to Albania expressed concern over escalating violence during protests in Tirana. It called for priority investigations into allegations that police used excessive force against protesters and journalists. In a statement on X, the delegation stressed that freedom of gathering and expression are fundamental rights and core …
The Council of Ministers has approved standard rules for ceremonies awarding orders and medals of the Republic of Albania. The rules follow international best practices and established protocol. The decision aims to ensure consistency and solemnity in decoration ceremonies. It also seeks to uphold the dignity and prestige of state …
The British Embassy in Tirana called on all parties to respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. It stressed that violence cannot be justified and police must avoid disproportionate action. In a statement, the embassy noted that Albania’s Constitution protects peaceful protest and freedom of expression. However, …
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy’s short-term priority is to strongly support Albania and Montenegro’s progress towards European Union membership. She made the remarks in an address to the Senate ahead of the European Council meeting. Meloni said enlargement and the Union’s internal reforms would feature in a strategic …
The moralistic reaction to leaked tapes of women filmed secretly in intimate acts shows Albania is still struggling to accept women as sexual beings – while also failing legally to protect victims of non-consensual exposure. Original post Here