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 …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 31, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Jaupaj: Nature tourism is growing in Albania, bringing greater responsibility to protect protected areas
Nature tourism continues to grow in Albania as more visitors choose national parks and protected areas to explore the country’s natural heritage. In a video message shared on social media, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj highlighted several natural destinations that visitors can explore at the weekend, including Divjakë-Karavasta National Park, Llogara …
Albania draws growing attention from international travel media
International media continue to highlight Albania as an emerging tourism destination. Recent articles focus on the country’s natural landscapes, coastline, cultural heritage, and lesser-known travel experiences. The Agency for Media and Information has shared several international articles published this week. Indonesian outlet “IDN Times” highlights the traditional streets and houses …
Ura e Vashës in Klos emerges as a top tourist destination
Ura e Vashës has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Klos area. The historic bridge is attracting a growing number of Albanian and international visitors this summer. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the bridge on social media. He highlighted it as a popular destination …
Shkopet fires worsen as flames surround livestock farm
TIRANA, August 31 – The wildfire situation has worsened in the Shkopet area as flames spread rapidly through the villages of Trodhen and Lundra e Madhe in Mat and moved toward the Kurbin area. The fire is advancing toward the Skanderbeg mountain range, increasing the risk to homes, farmland and …
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 …
Albania has been facing persistent outbreaks of fires for several months. In addition to the environmental impact, specialists from the Institute of Public Health (IPH) say that the smoke released by the fires has an immediate impact on public health. Experts say that certain groups are at greater risk from …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announced this Thursday, through a post on X, the launch of direct flights between Luxembourg and Tirana operated by Luxair. The Minister described the arrival of another European airline in Albania as excellent news. “Starting from March 29, 2027, this new year-round …
Just days before the major verdict in The Hague concerning the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), their war and that of many other soldiers against Serbian forces has been presented in an exhibition in central Pristina. The exhibition is by Visar Kryeziu, a photographer who worked for …
The protest by activists and citizens in Tirana entered its 103rd day this Thursday. As on every afternoon, after 7:00 p.m., they initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting: “Your time is up,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison,” among others. After gathering in Skanderbeg Square, …
Housing will be one of the key priorities of the government’s “Rilindja 2.0” programme. Prime Minister Edi Rama has presented the new National Housing Programme, which aims to reshape the state’s approach to housing, particularly for young people and families. Rama said the programme follows a year of intensive work …