Over 824,000 Visitors Explore Albania’s Cultural Heritage Sites
Albania’s cultural heritage sites recorded a strong increase in visitors during the first seven months of 2026. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja released the figures for January–July 2026. A total of 824,340 local and foreign visitors explored these destinations. The figure marks an 80% increase compared with …
Nufi in Puka’s Gojan i Madh: Wildfires Under Control
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited Gojan i Madh in Puka on Friday evening. He inspected the situation after wildfires affected the area. Nufi said the situation had been difficult during the day. However, firefighting teams brought the fires under control after several hours of work. He praised the local forces …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Enkelejd Musabelliu presented a consumer protection bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs. The bill aligns Albanian legislation with 15 European Union legal acts, including 14 directives and one regulation. It addresses digitalisation, online trade and demand for sustainable products and services. …
The cruise ship Oosterdam arrived at the Port of Saranda on Monday morning with around 1,900 tourists of various nationalities on board, according to the port authority. During their stay, visitors can explore Saranda and nearby tourist destinations. These include the area’s natural attractions and cultural heritage. The arrival adds …
Prime Minister Edi Rama renewed his call for dialogue with students on Monday, following 13 days of protests in the capital. Rama shared images of the chairs placed outside the Prime Minister’s Office, symbolically reiterating his invitation for dialogue. The protests have continued for 13 days, marked by violent clashes …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj reacted on Monday to the victory of the Albanian coalition in the Preševo Valley, describing the result as a victory for unity, dignity, and political representation. In his message, Begaj emphasized that the election result should serve as an opportunity to advance the rights of Albanians …
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula issued a statement on Monday following the murder of a woman in Vitomirica, Peja, calling for an urgent, thorough and impartial investigation into the case. The president stressed that the investigation should also examine how the victim’s requests were handled and the actions taken by the …
Tirana Police have arrested 10 people, initiated criminal proceedings against two others, and declared 20 individuals wanted as part of investigations into suspected unlawful activities during the protests on October 24 and 25. According to the police statement, those arrested are suspected of resisting and attacking police officers with hard …
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has reacted to Serbia’s elections through a Facebook post, describing the results as a historic achievement for Albanians in the Preševo Valley. Berisha said that after uniting under a single coalition, Albanian parties secured two parliamentary seats, with a third seat still possible. “A historic …
New details have emerged from Monday’s meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, held at the Parliament’s headquarters. The meeting lasted nearly an hour and was attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Discussions reportedly focused on the draft 2027 state budget, the law on public assemblies, and MPs’ engagement with …
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has reacted to the results of Serbia’s parliamentary elections, congratulating the Student List on its victory over Aleksandar Vučić. In a statement, Veliaj described the Serbian president as “Machiavellian and populist,” while also delivering a message about student movements, which he said do not represent the …
Former Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko has reacted a day after Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia’s elections, offering an extensive analysis of the end of his rule and his governing model over recent years. In a social media post titled “Vučić’s Departure,” Majko argued that the Serbian president’s departure from …