Mountain Tourism / Brataj Proposes Shelters in Forests for Tourists in Emergencies
Following incidents that have occurred during trips into remote mountainous areas, the Director of the National Emergency Service, Skënder Brataj, has proposed building shelters in forests where tourists could seek refuge in emergency situations. “Unfortunately, every year there have been fatalities. More people are visiting these areas now, but the …
Over 17,000 textbooks for children in the diaspora
TIRANA, August 31 – Albania plans to provide more than 5,700 learning packages for children in the diaspora during the 2026–2027 school year. The packages contain around 17,000 textbooks. They will reach 15 European countries, the United States and Canada. The materials include the joint textbooks “Albanian Language” and “Albanian …
President Begaj receives new Dutch ambassador, EU integration in focus
TIRANA, August 31 – President Bajram Begaj received the new Dutch ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday. The ambassador presented her credentials during the meeting. Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger relations with the Netherlands. He described the country as an important European partner and a trusted NATO ally. …
Finance Minister Malaj: Fight tax evasion with fairness and transparency
TIRANA, August 31 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met regional leaders of the tax and customs administrations to discuss priorities for the coming period. The talks also focused on improving services for citizens and businesses. Malaj met the general directors of the Tax Administration and Customs Administration. They discussed efforts …
Kosova: Acting PM Kurti pledges stronger cooperation with municipalities on minority rights
TIRANA, August 31 – Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for stronger cooperation between central institutions and municipalities to address the needs of minority communities in Kosova. Kurti made the call at a meeting with heads of municipal offices for communities and return. Kurti said challenges vary among communities …
High fire risk in Lezha, Tirana and Fier
TIRANA, August 31 – The Institute of GeoSciences has warned of a high fire risk in several Albanian counties this afternoon and on Tuesday, September 1. The institute expects high risk levels in Lezha, Tirana and Fier. Other counties will face moderate risk. Some areas in Shkodra, Kukës, Dibra, Durres, …
Kosova: Self-Determination Movement and Democratic League agree on presidential candidate
TIRANA, August 31 – The Self-Determination Movement and the Democratic League of Kosova have agreed on professor Bekim Sejdiu as their joint candidate for president. Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League leader Lumir Abdixhiku presented Sejdiu at a joint news conference. Abdixhiku said the negotiations had not been easy. …
PM Rama: 20 schools in Tirana equipped with smart cameras to strengthen security
TIRANA, August 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that 20 schools in Tirana now have smart cameras under the Smart City project. The investment aims to strengthen security in schools. Rama said the government decided to invest in new security technology after a 14-year-old boy was fatally …
Albania’s Cash Boom Raises Money Laundering Concerns
Cash outside Albania’s banking system reached a record 5.6 billion euros, last month. Tirana Times, August 30, 2026 – The amount of cash circulating outside Albania’s banking system has reached a record high, raising fresh concerns over the scale of the informal economy, the possible presence of illicit money and …
Mladić’s Death Exposes the Balkans’ Unfinished Reckoning With War Crimes
Thousands honor the convicted Bosnian Serb commander as reactions from Belgrade to Podgorica and Skopje reveal how deeply the wars of the 1990s still shape the region’s European future. Tirana Times, August 31, 2026 – PALE, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Candles burned and flares lit the Olympic Park as several thousand …
Germany supports Albania’s membership in the European Union. However, Berlin says the pace of accession talks will depend on the implementation of reforms. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, German Ambassador to Tirana Karl Bergner praised Albania’s progress. He also stressed the importance of strengthening the rule of law and …
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Albania rose sharply during the first six months of 2026. FDI reached €1.144 billion, marking a 50% increase compared with the same period last year. Data from the Bank of Albania on the country’s balance of payments show that FDI flows reached €741 million in …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announced today that Luxair will launch direct flights between Luxembourg and Tirana. Hoxha welcomed the arrival of another European airline in Albania. He described the development as excellent news for the country. Starting March 29, 2027, Luxair will operate the new route …
Albania is exploring plans to build an LNG terminal on its Adriatic coast. The proposed terminal would receive US liquefied natural gas (LNG) by ship. It would then store the LNG and convert it from a liquid into gas. The gas could enter regional pipelines and reach countries across the …
Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met with Michael Hammer, chairman of the Austrian National Council’s Friendship Group with Albania, and its delegation. Peleshi highlighted the long-standing friendship between Albania and Austria. He said the two countries have strengthened their ties over the years through political cooperation and exchanges …
The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has been honored with the Key to the City of Mesquite, Texas, as part of his visit to the United States. The key was presented to Berisha by Mesquite Mayor Daniel Aleman Jr., according to the Democratic Party’s press office. “During the …
Judges across the Republic gathered for an extraordinary meeting at the Justice Center, where they adopted a joint position regarding the freezing of magistrates’ salaries. The statement was read by Judge Alda Sadiku, who stressed that the judiciary’s demands are not subject to negotiation because, according to the judges, they …
The average salary in Albania exceeded 92,000 lek in the second quarter of the year, increasing by 10% in one year. However, significant disparities remain, with the finance and technology sectors paying more than double the national average. The average salary in Albania continued to rise during the second quarter …
Following the closing arguments presented by Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West and the prosecutor in the case, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague has requested a six-year prison sentence for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the case concerning obstruction of justice. “Based on all the evidence and facts, the …
The government is expected to take a new approach to housing. The new National Housing Program provides for six new schemes, focusing on young families and young people who face difficulties in securing a home. During the presentation, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the program is not simply a …