Hot weather continues with light rain
TIRANA, August 13 – Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Thursday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will remain mostly clear, with moderate cloud cover at times. Clouds will become denser over mountainous areas around midday and during the afternoon, mainly in the east and southeast. …
Orikum combines seaside holidays with ancient heritage
TIRANA, August 13 – Orikum, 15 km from Vlora, is one of Albania’s attractive coastal destinations. Its natural scenery, sea and history create a distinctive landscape. Crystal-clear waters, natural resources and historical heritage attract domestic and foreign tourists during August. Many visitors choose the area each year to enjoy its …
Armed Forces support firefighting operation in Kruja
TIRANA, August 13 – The Armed Forces are supporting firefighting operations in Abaze neighbourhood in Kruja. Their teams are helping protect residents and property. Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said the personnel are working with other emergency structures to contain the flames. He said the Armed Forces remain ready to support …
A Quarter Century Since Ohrid: The Agreement That Gave North Macedonia Its Future
by Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Tirana Times, August 12, 2026 – There are moments in history when a country’s future is shaped by a single document. Such agreements are rare, but their impact can endure for generations. The Ohrid Framework Agreement is one such example. …
Archbishop Joani attends Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s 65th anniversary in Imbros
TIRANA, August 12 — Archbishop Joani of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania is in Imbros for the celebration of the 65th anniversary of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s entry into the clergy. Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa is also attending the celebration. Joani and Theodore II accompanied Bartholomew to …
Customs revenue rises 3.7% in 7 months
TIRANA, August 12 – Customs revenue reached ALL 142 billion in the first 7 months of 2026. The figure marks a ALL 5.1 billion increase from the same period in 2025. The increase represents 3.7% growth. General Director of Customs Besmir Beja provided the figures today. He said the Customs …
25 years since Ohrid Agreement, FM Hoxha: North Macedonia’s stability is part of Balkan security
TIRANA, August 12 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has highlighted the importance of the Ohrid Framework Agreement ahead of its 25th anniversary on August 13. He described the 2001 accord as a major political and diplomatic achievement for North Macedonia and the Western Balkans. According to Hoxha, the agreement gave …
Lura National Park wildfire, around 220 forces deployed on the ground, air and ground operations underway
TIRANA, August 12 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said today that operations to manage the wildfire in Lura National Park continue at high intensity. The fire affects the Runja area above Borie Lura village. In a social media statement, Nufi said all relevant structures remain engaged in the operation. They …
New draft law changes defence and security procurement
TIRANA, August 12 – The Ministry of Defence has opened public consultation on a new draft law on procurement in defence and security. The draft would replace Law No. 36/2020. The initiative takes into account comments from the European Commission and findings from the Support for Improvement in Governance and …
The Ibar River Should Carry Water, Not Nationalist Politics
Albania Serbia Diplomatic Clash Heats Up the Summer By Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, August 12, 2026 – The latest dispute over the Ibar River shows how quickly a real security issue in the Western Balkans can be transformed into a contest of nationalist narratives. When Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić …
The High Scardus Trail is emerging as a major mountain tourism destination in the Western Balkans. The cross-border route connects Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The German Embassy in Albania says the trail offers more than spectacular mountain landscapes. It also creates economic opportunities for local communities and helps protect …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the “Pasqyra Albania” platform will allow citizens to compare product prices and find where they can buy them more cheaply. At the same time, the government will use the platform to analyze how prices form across the entire value chain. Ibrahimaj told ATSH …
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said the government is finalizing a new agricultural insurance scheme to protect farmers and crops from damage caused by natural disasters. The scheme responds to concerns farmers have raised across the country about losses from frost, hail, floods and fires. Salla said authorities …
Emeritus Academician Mark Tirta, one of Albania’s most respected scholars of ethnology and anthropology, died today at the age of 88. The Academy of Sciences said his death represents a major loss for Albanian science and culture. For more than six decades, Tirta dedicated his life to researching, documenting and …
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari visited “Qemal Stafa” High School, one of the educational institutions where the implementation of the “Smart City” program has begun, with the aim of improving security in schools. *]: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:6a7b9724-3db3-4346-a838-daae6198353f-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:6a7b9724-3db3-4346-a838-daae6198353f-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> According to reports, Lamallari inspected the camera system installed …
A devastating tragedy has shaken the Albanian community in Jacksonville, Florida, where three children lost their lives and four other people were seriously injured after a massive fire engulfed a two-story home. Relatives of the family, who arrived at the scene following the incident, confirmed that the family is of …
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha was invited on Thursday by the International Democracy Union (IDU) to join the organization’s official delegation to the Republican Party’s National Convention. The event is expected to take place in Dallas, Texas, on September 9 and 10, 2026. In an official letter dated August 7, …
The sounds of jazz returned to the “Migjeni” Theatre for another evening of the 17th edition of the “Shkodra Jazz Festival.” The festival, which over the years has become one of the city’s major musical events, brought the quartet of artist Kejdi Barbullushi to the stage. Through improvisation, rhythm and …
A 53-year-old man of Albanian origin in Rhodope, Greece, confessed on Thursday to killing his 44-year-old wife, who was also of Albanian origin. A forensic examination of the victim’s body revealed that a single stab wound to the neck caused her death. The man has been hospitalized after attempting to …
Businesses and individuals engaged in short-term rentals of accommodation units through the Booking platform will be subject to inspections by the tax administration. As part of the tourism operational plan, the tax authorities have begun inspections of businesses and individuals that have generated income through Booking.com. The tax administration said …