Blog
News

In the Eye of the Storm – Farmers of Albania

What Albania has a lot of is agricultural potential. Fertile lands and excellent weather. We can produce twice, even thrice a year. Yet, productivity is low and financial security for farmers is inexistant. Because of that, cropland abandonment has become a staple, as has urban migration and even emigration. The …

Read More
News

Lenin’s footsteps in Tirana

By Veto Surroi The debate about beliefs with the “Bektashi Vatican” and the imprisonment of MP Salianji as a punishment for free speech are new and completely unnecessary problems for a state that, with major problems such as organized crime, will begin EU membership negotiations 1. Albania can paraphrase the …

Read More
News

Albanians Fighting Cancer – AFC USA – Gala Concert with Impromptu Singalongs Elevates Pride Craving More Encores

Rafaela Prifti “The first time I heard the name Albanians Fighting Cancer AFC, it was through a GoFundMe page that someone launched for a relative with a cancer diagnosis,” said Fotini Kokeri of the Kosloski Family Foundation at the Gala Concert Saturday night featuring two remarkable Albanian performers, tenor Rame …

Read More
News

Before He’s Even Started, Albania’s New Police Chief Has Phone Seized in Probe

Days before he is due to officially start the role, Albania’s police chief-elect, Ilir Proda, has had his mobile phone seized by anti-corruption prosecutors over a suspected leak of information to a notorious organised crime group. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albanian MPs Reported to Special Prosecution over Parliament Violence

Police have accused 25 opposition lawmakers of destruction of property following violent scenes at parliament. Original post Here

Read More
News

E-Government in the Balkans Still a Work in Progress: BIRN Report

A new BIRN report says a lack of funds and political will means that e-government services and open data provision in the Balkans remain very limited. Original post Here

Read More
News

Analysis: Imprisonment of opposition MP for making public accusations sets stage for new political reality in Albania

TIRANA, Oct. 1, 2024 – The recent conviction and imprisonment of Ervin Salianji, a prominent opposition MP in Albania, has ignited intense debates about the independence of the country’s judiciary and its implications for democracy as well as radicalized opposition action in parliament and on the streets. Salianji, a member …

Read More
News

Albania and North Macedonia’s EU ‘Decoupling’ Causes Dismay in Skopje

Reports that the EU plans to push ahead with Albania’s EU accession talks, independently of North Macedonia, puts renewed scrutiny on Tirana’s true reform readiness, while risking deepening a sense of alienation in Skopje. Original post Here

Read More
News

Omnipotence for the hour

This is the story of a young man who one day was granted unlimited power for one single hour. How or why this happened is not important. What’s important is that it did happen. Now, this young man happens to live in Albania, or Tirana to be exact. Lucky coincidence, …

Read More
News

Albania Police Officers Feel Starved of Choice Over Food Coupons

After the government changed the way it compensates police officers for overtime, swapping cash for coupons, some complain that they are effectively forced to spend them in a single supermarket chain. Original post Here

Read More
News
High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings

TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …

News
Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …

News
“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec

TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …

News
Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …

News
Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …

News
Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007

TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …

News
High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …

News
Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …

News
FM Hoxha: Albania opposes any unilateral change to the Ibër River

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania opposes any unilateral change to the course of the Ibër River, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said today. He was responding to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s remarks about a possible change to the river’s course and the involvement of Serbian experts and …

News
Interior minister Lamallari, police chief Hita thank 300 personnel for fighting Kruja fire

TIRANA, August 10 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita thanked around 300 police officers, firefighters and Armed Forces personnel involved in the Kruja wildfire operation. Lamallari praised their work in evacuating residents and managing the fire, which strong winds intensified. He said special forces, …

News

High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings

TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …

News

Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …

News

“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec

TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …

News

Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …

News

Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …

News

Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007

TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …

News

High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …

News

Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …

News

FM Hoxha: Albania opposes any unilateral change to the Ibër River

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania opposes any unilateral change to the course of the Ibër River, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said today. He was responding to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s remarks about a possible change to the river’s course and the involvement of Serbian experts and …

News

Interior minister Lamallari, police chief Hita thank 300 personnel for fighting Kruja fire

TIRANA, August 10 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita thanked around 300 police officers, firefighters and Armed Forces personnel involved in the Kruja wildfire operation. Lamallari praised their work in evacuating residents and managing the fire, which strong winds intensified. He said special forces, …