Murat Toptani, a versatile artist of the National Renaissance
TIRANA, July 13 – Murat Toptani, a sculptor, painter, poet, publicist and prominent figure of the Albanian National Renaissance, was born on July 13, 1868, in Aka, present-day Türkiye. His father, Said Toptani, lived in exile in Türkiye at the time, which led to Murat’s birth there. In 1884, Toptani …
UK bans support for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps
TIRANA, July 13 – The United Kingdom has announced measures to ban support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), designating the group as a threat to national security, according to the BBC. UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new powers will make support for the IRGC a criminal …
Governor Sejko Meets EBRD’s New Resident Representative in Albania, Hannes Takacs
On Monday, the Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, held an official meeting with a delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Hannes Takacs, the EBRD’s newly appointed Resident Representative in Albania. The delegation also included Ekaterina Solovova, along with other representatives from …
Coalition of the Willing Summit: Rama Welcomed by Macron in Paris, Shares Footage from the Meeting
Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Paris on Monday to attend the Coalition of the Willing Summit in support of Ukraine. Rama said he had been invited by French President Emmanuel Macron and shared footage of his arrival, where he was welcomed by the French leader. Rama and other European …
Violations and Evasion at Currency Exchange Offices, Bank of Albania Revokes 83 Licenses
The Bank of Albania revoked the licenses of 83 currency exchange offices during 2025 following inspections that uncovered regulatory violations and financial irregularities related to cash circulation. According to the central bank, the inspections revealed shortcomings in customer identification procedures, transaction monitoring, screening against sanctions lists, and the reporting of …
Tax Authorities Audit High-Income Individuals, Identify €770,000 in Suspicious Findings
Around 200 high-income individuals in Albania are being audited as part of an intensified effort by the tax authorities to verify their wealth and income. The General Directorate of Taxes says it has identified €770,000 in suspicious findingsso far. The Tax Administration has stepped up inspections targeting individuals with significant …
Rama: ‘Open Balkan’ Was Branded a “Terrible Idea” Simply Because Vučić and I Supported It
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Open Balkan initiative was labeled “a terrible idea” for one reason only: because it was backed by him and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. “It was considered a terrible idea for only one reason – because Vučić and I were behind it. If you removed our …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 13, 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
Letter from Brussels: No EU ‘Super Tuesday’ for Accession Laggard Serbia
As Albania and Montenegro surge ahead, the EU is split on whether to move Serbia forward on the path to accession in the absence of tangible progress. Original post Here
Vjosa River attracts more tourists with summer rafting adventures
TIRANA, July 13 – The Vjosa River has become one of the most popular summer destinations for visitors seeking adventure and cooler temperatures. High summer temperatures have increased interest in the river’s wild landscapes, untouched nature and outdoor activities. Local and foreign tourists visit Vjosa not only to relax but …
Self-censorship is rife among Albanian journalists and news editors who fear crossing powerful, politically connected media moguls, a BIRN survey reveals. Original post Here
The Council of the European Union has appointed German diplomat Dirk Schubel as the new EU Special Representative for Kosovo. Schubel will take office on September 1, 2026, with an initial two-year mandate, replacing Estonian diplomat Aivo Orav. With extensive experience, Schubel has worked in the European External Action Service, …
TIRANA, July 14 – Butrint National Park has launched a new official website to provide visitors with a more accessible digital experience. The website uses the slogan “Before us, there was Butrint” and helps visitors plan their trips more easily. It also presents the park’s history, monuments and cultural heritage. …
Petrela Castle continues to attract visitors as one of Albania’s most popular cultural tourism destinations. Located on a hill about 17 kilometers southeast of Tirana, the castle offers impressive views of the Erzen Valley and a unique experience for both local and international visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images …
TIRANA, July 14 – Albania will experience stable weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have mostly clear skies, while northern areas may see some passing clouds in the afternoon. Meanwhile, winds will blow from northwest to northeast at an average speed of 7 …
Talented mathematics student Marius Gjika won the silver medal at the International Summer Mathematics Camp Olympiad held in Beijing, China. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro congratulated Gjika and the Albanian team, saying the achievement represents a source of pride for the country. Following this success, the Albanian mathematics team has traveled …
TIRANA, July 14 – Albania is set to provisionally close its first 3 European Union negotiation chapters during the 9th Albania–EU Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels today. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the country has reached an important stage in its European integration process. He added that Albania continues its progress …
TIRANA, July 14 – Albania is gaining growing attention as one of Europe’s most attractive summer destinations in 2026, according to Spanish media outlet “Noticias del Vino”. In an article by Teresa Navarro Ortega, the publication highlights Albania’s crystal-clear beaches, UNESCO-protected historic cities, mountain landscapes and affordable travel options compared …
Prime Minister Edi Rama joined the Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris on Sunday at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit brought together heads of state and government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to coordinate international support for Ukraine. During the …
EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato called on young Albanians to defend their rights and take an active role in shaping their future. During the weekend, Gonzato met young participants at RinCamp, organized by the National Youth Agency. During the discussion, he stressed that young people are not only beneficiaries …