Kosova officials visit suspected mass grave site in Zubin Potok
TIRANA, July 29 – Kosova Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla, Kosova Intelligence Agency (KIA) Director Petrit Ajeti and Minister of Local Government Administration Elbert Krasniqi visited Kalludër e Vogël village in Zubin Potok on Tuesday. The officials inspected the site where authorities continue excavations after locating a suspected mass grave. Investigators …
Gonxhja: Territorial Reform Should Strengthen Municipalities
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja called for stronger municipalities and improved local governance, stressing that effective local administration is essential for tourism development. In a television interview, Gonxhja said tourism depends heavily on how well municipalities manage public services and local infrastructure. “Tourism is directly affected by the …
Vengu: US Loan Agreement Secures $302 Million for a Stronger Albanian Defence
Former Defence Minister and Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu said the loan agreement with the United States marks the largest defence financing package in Albania’s history. The agreement will finance the purchase of US-made military systems, equipment and weapons. Speaking in a television interview, Vengu said the agreement provides $302 …
Italy’s EUSAIR Presidency Focuses on Western Balkans’ EU Integration
Italy launched its 2026–2027 Presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the European integration of the Western Balkans. During the opening meeting in Rome, participants highlighted the strategic importance of the Adriatic-Ionian region in addressing …
114th Anniversary of the Raising of the Albanian Flag at Guri i Kamjes
Pogradec commemorated the 114th anniversary of the Albanian flag raising at Guri i Kamjes, a historic event for the regions of Gorë, Mokër and Opar. On July 28, 1912, Kapedan Kajo Babeni led hundreds of fighters from Mokër and Opar in their fight against Ottoman rule. Shahin Matraku and other …
US State Department: Albania Remains Target of Cyberattacks from Iran and Russia
Albania continues to face cyberattacks from state-backed actors, including Iran and Russia, according to the latest security report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) of the US Department of State. The report says Albania has also experienced ransomware attacks carried out by cybercriminal groups. In 2026, Iran launched attacks …
Albania Joins WHO Call to Eliminate Hepatitis B and C
*]: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:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> “Let’s Break the Barriers” is the theme of World Hepatitis Day 2026. Health experts are urging people to get tested and take preventive measures against hepatitis, commonly known as jaundice. They warn that viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge …
Young Man Killed After Crane Collapses at Construction Site in Pristina, Another Injured
A man in his 20s has died after a crane collapsed at a construction site in Pristina. Another person was injured and is receiving treatment at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (QKUK). The fatality was confirmed by Enis Pllana, spokesperson for the Kosovo Police in the Pristina region. “As …
2,400 farmers apply for VAT refund, payments to start in August
TIRANA, July 28 – The General Director of Taxes, Ilir Binaj, said farmers are using the 10% VAT refund scheme without major problems. He expects applications to increase as the tax administration expands information campaigns and training sessions across the country. At a joint press conference with Finance Minister Petrit …
President Begaj discusses stronger strategic partnership with Croatian foreign minister
TIRANA, July 28 – President Bajram Begaj met with Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman to discuss relations between Albania and Croatia. The two officials focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the countries. During the meeting, they highlighted Croatia’s continued support for Albania’s European integration. They …
TIRANA, August 11 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the dispute between Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over Serbia’s intention to change the course of the Ibër River. Rama described the exchange as an interesting summer debate. He said Albania has no …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clear skies will prevail across the country. Passing clouds will develop over mountainous areas from midday through the afternoon. Local rain may accompany the clouds in the high mountains of southern Albania. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Authorities reported 25 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Firefighters have extinguished most of the blazes. Five remain active and 1 area remains under monitoring. The Ministry of Defence said 37 firefighting vehicles and 365 operational personnel joined the response. The Armed Forces provided …
TIRANA, August 11 – Dropull and its surrounding areas are emerging as an increasingly attractive tourist destination in Gjirokastër Municipality. Local tourism officials report a steady rise in visitor numbers each year. Foreign tourists have visited sites including the Adrianople amphitheatre in Sofratika, the Church of Lower Peshkëpi and Sotir …
TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër Municipality is setting up a new tourist information office in the city centre. The facility will guide visitors and provide information about local destinations, activities and tourism services. The office will have dedicated staff and digital services. Visitors will receive free information throughout the day. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has responded to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over the dispute surrounding the Ibër River. Duric said Albania had no hydrological basis to comment on Serbia’s management of its water resources. Hoxha said Albania would react if someone threatened Serbia’s water supply. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the balance between judicial independence and executive responsibility. He said the minister must not interfere in specific court cases. “Where judges and prosecutors act, the executive stays silent,” Gogu wrote in the first of 3 notes he plans to publish …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania recorded a positive natural population increase in the second quarter of 2026. The country registered 218 more births than deaths, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Statistics. Between April and June, authorities recorded 5,083 births, down 3% from the same period in 2025. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Customs revenue reached ALL 23.5 billion in July 2026. The figure increased by around ALL 223 million from the same month in 2025. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, several major revenue items drove the increase. Value-added tax provided the largest contribution, with …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania has increased funding for civil emergencies more than 13-fold over the past seven years. The budget rose from ALL 430 million in 2020 to ALL 5.79 billion in 2026, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said on Monday. Malaj said the higher funding will strengthen capacity to …