Local rain and brief thunderstorms in northern and eastern mountains, temperatures up to 26 °C
TIRANA, August 18 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience relatively unstable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday. The weather will bring sunny periods and intervals of moderate to locally dense cloud cover from midday through the afternoon. Short spells of light rain may occur over the country’s hilly and …
Wildfires in Albania, Defence Ministry: 7 active fires, 3 under monitoring
TIRANA, August 18 – The Ministry of Defence said authorities recorded 13 wildfires across Albania by 20:00 on August 17. Seven remained active, while authorities monitored 3 others. A total of 424 operational personnel and 14 firefighting vehicles joined the response. The Armed Forces deployed 129 personnel, 2 firefighting vehicles, …
Albania to Compete at Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, Gonxhja: We Increased Support for Elite Athletes
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja attended the flag handover ceremony for Albania’s delegation to the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Gonxhja praised the athletes who will represent Albania at the major international sporting event. He said elite athletes remain one of the country’s greatest sporting assets. Therefore, the government …
World Bank Europe and Central Asia: From emigration to return, tourism revives Albanian cities
TIRANA, August 18 – Tourism is creating new opportunities in southern Albania and encouraging some people who left the country to return, according to the World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia region, known as WorldBankECA. The shift follows years of population decline, particularly among young people, even as the region …
More than half of Albania’s trade with European Union countries, INSTAT data show
TIRANA, August 18 – European Union countries remained Albania’s main trading partner for goods in July 2026, accounting for 53.6% of total trade, according to INSTAT. European markets also received the largest share of Albanian exports during the month. Exports to European Union countries accounted for 68.4% of Albania’s total …
Albania Tourism in Numbers: AIDA Highlights 12.5 Million Foreign Tourists and 22% GDP Contribution
The Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA) has published “FactSheet Tourism”. The guide gives investors key data on Albania’s tourism sector and its investment potential. According to the factsheet, Albania has recorded 12.5 million foreign tourists. Tourism contributes around 22% to the country’s GDP. International hotel brands also operate in Albania. …
Albania’s First Football League championship to start on August 21 with new format
TIRANA, August 17 – Albania’s First Football League championship, the Abissnet Superiore, will start its 2026/27 season on August 21. The new season will introduce reforms aimed at increasing competition, creating more opportunities for young players and improving the organization of the championship. All matches will be broadcast on RTSH. …
Exports rise 10.6% in July to 33.7 billion ALL
TIRANA, August 17 – Albanian exports continued their positive trend in July 2026, reaching 33.7 billion ALL, up 10.6% from the same month a year earlier, according to INSTAT. Compared with June 2026, exports fell 5%. Meanwhile, goods imports reached 86.4 billion ALL, rising 3.6% year-on-year and 3.5% from June. …
New police unit to focus on environmental crimes
TIRANA, August 17 – Albania’s State Police will establish a new unit focused specifically on environmental crimes. Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari announced the move during a meeting with State Police local directors from Albania’s 12 counties. Lamallari called for a more proactive approach to wildfires. He said police should investigate …
Infrastructure Minister Karakaçi visits Tirana-Durrës motorway works, targets early completion
TIRANA, August 17 – Albania’s Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the Tirana-Durrës motorway, where workers are carrying out the third phase of its expansion. After opening the first 6 kilometres, crews now focus on the section from the Rinas overpass towards Limuth. Workers are widening the road, while …
The European Union has welcomed Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula’s decision to return the Law on the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague to Parliament for reconsideration, adding that it expects to be consulted if discussions on the legislation resume. “The EU has consistently expressed deep concern about the initiative …
Protesters mobilized by the Democratic Party (DP) set fire to the seats placed by Prime Minister Edi Rama outside the government building as an invitation for dialogue. Prime Minister Edi Rama responded in a post on his Facebook page, accusing the Democratic Party of “urban terror.” “And here comes the …
Euronews is broadcasting Saturday’s protest in Tirana live, reporting that opposition supporters and students have mobilized in the Albanian capital. According to authorities, 2,500 police officers have been deployed across the streets of Tirana. Protesters took to the streets of the capital on Saturday, as police used water cannons and …
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced that an MP, a police officer, media representatives and several protesters sought medical treatment at the University Hospital Centre of Tirana (QSUT) and the University Trauma Hospital (SUT) during today’s protest. According to preliminary information, all those who received medical attention …
Albania, the Board of Peace, the International Stabilization Force (ISF), and the Gaza Task Force have officially finalized a Participating State Agreement, paving the way for Albania’s involvement in the International Stabilization Force. Albania will provide additional support for security operations and operational planning capabilities for the mission in Gaza. …
1,500 police officers have been deployed to ensure security during the protest announced by the Democratic Party (DP), which is expected to begin at 12:00 p.m. Several water cannon trucks have also been stationed around the Prime Minister’s Office and are expected to be used against protesters if acts of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a statement on social media, reiterated his claim that violence during recent protests in Tirana was caused by ideologically radicalized individuals, religious extremists, and people with criminal backgrounds disguised as students. Rama stressed that protesting is a right that must be guaranteed in every democratic …
Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Ervin Demo held a joint press conference this Saturday regarding the protests in the capital. Rama said that insisting on continuing protests while refusing dialogue was pointless, stressing that protesters were afraid to engage in talks for fear of being labelled traitors. “When …
Albania will host the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) for the first time. The forum aims to strengthen cooperation between local and regional authorities in EU member states and countries across the southern Mediterranean. Over three days, more than 80 representatives of local and regional authorities will discuss shared …
Albania will protect the constitutional right to protest while taking firm, lawful measures to prevent violence and maintain public order, Interior Minister Ervin Demo said on Thursday. Speaking from San Patrignano, Italy, where he is attending an international high-level meeting on addiction prevention and rehabilitation, Demo discussed public safety with …