Major cruise ship AROYA to stop in Saranda in 2027
TIRANA, August 26 – AROYA, a major cruise ship operated by Saudi Arabia-based AROYA Cruises, is scheduled to make a stop in Saranda on July 20, 2027, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said. Gonxhja announced the planned stop after meeting Albanian cruise-industry executive Altin Alija in Taranto, Italy. …
Wikoff: KFOR has no mandate to decide on opening of Ibër Bridge in Mitrovica
TIRANA, August 26 – KFOR has no mandate to decide whether the Ibër Bridge in Mitrovica, Kosova should reopen to vehicle traffic, Admiral George Wikoff, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples, said. He said the decision rests with the European Union and the relevant institutions in Kosova. Wikoff …
Antonino Mullisi Wins European Youth Title and Sets Two Continental Records
Albanian weightlifter Antonino Mullisi has won the European Youth Championship title in 2026 and set two European records at the competition in Kosovo. Mullisi dominated the snatch with a 135-kilogram lift, setting a new European record. He then lifted 156 kilograms in the clean and jerk, finishing with 291 kilograms …
Albania Reports 24 Wildfires as Crews Battle Blazes Across the Country
Albania reported 24 wildfires across the country by Tuesday evening, with six fires still active and five under surveillance. A total of 126 emergency personnel and 18 firefighting vehicles took part in operations. The Armed Forces also deployed 20 personnel, one helicopter and two Air Tractor aircraft. Mount Dajti remains …
Rama: AI Will Put Government Services in Citizens’ Hands in Real Time
Prime Minister Edi Rama said artificial intelligence will help make government services more transparent and responsive, allowing citizens to track their requests in real time. Speaking after the government’s expanded meeting in Pogradec, Rama said a new digital system will allow citizens to submit requests, follow their progress and see …
Hoxha: EU Membership Remains Albania’s Top Foreign Policy Priority
Albania’s EU membership remains the country’s main foreign policy priority, Foreign Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said following the government’s seminar in Pogradec. Hoxha said Albania will accelerate its diplomatic efforts and maintain a clear focus on the EU accession process. He also highlighted stronger regional cooperation …
Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …
Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley
TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …
Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June
TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …
Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits
TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …
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Defence Minister Ermal Nufi says the country is developing its military industry and domestic production capacity. The state-owned company KAYO has established 6 commercial partnerships, while local assembly of armoured vehicles has begun. This progress builds on work launched in 2024 to establish the legal and industrial foundations for domestic …
Elbasani came from behind to beat Laçi 2-1, while Skënderbeu and Vllaznia played out a 1-1 draw in Sunday’s two other fixtures of Week 10 of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore. In Korçë, Skënderbeu and Vllaznia shared the points after an evenly contested encounter. The hosts dominated the first half and created …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj says artificial intelligence will extend across all levels of public administration. The goal is to make Albania a leader and a reference point for public-sector use of the technology by 2030. In a video message on social media, the minister said work on integration …
Born far from Albania, in the Egyptian city of Faiyum, Tefta Tashko-Koço would become one of the most celebrated voices in the country’s musical history. Her remarkable soprano brought together the refinement of European classical music and the emotional depth of Albanian urban folk songs, creating an artistic legacy that …
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla visited the Orikum pumping station following the completion of its reconstruction. The investment aims to improve flood protection for agricultural land. The station had lost drainage capacity because of ageing infrastructure. The project replaced 4 old electric pumps with modern submersible pumps. It …
Prime Minister Edi Rama says pensioners can now use 19 services on the e-Albania platform through voice commands with the help of virtual assistant Diella. Users can also access the platform through Face ID or fingerprint recognition after activation. In a video shared on social media, Rama demonstrated how Diella …
Albania has showcased its rich archaeological heritage at the Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism (BMTA) in Paestum, Italy, for the second consecutive year. The delegation promoted the country’s archaeological sites and cultural tourism potential. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and sustainable site management. Deputy Ministers of Tourism, …
The electricity distribution operator has completed equipment replacement works at the Rubik and Shutri substations in Mat and Mirdita. The upgrades aim to improve supply reliability for around 4,000 customers. The work covered the 35-kilovolt network and is intended to strengthen the security and quality of electricity supply in both …
Berat welcomed more than one million tourists between January and October 2026, marking a 15% increase compared with the same period last year. The city’s cobbled streets, historic houses and autumn-coloured vineyards attract visitors throughout the year. Mild temperatures also make autumn ideal for exploring Berat Castle and its historic …