Mediterranean Games: Enkileda Carja wins bronze in the snatch
18-year-old weightlifter Enkileda Carja won another medal for Albania at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Carja secured bronze in the 69 kg snatch event after lifting 100 kg. She succeeded in two of her three attempts. First, Carja lifted 98 kg. Then, she successfully raised 100 kg after adding two …
Defence Minister Nufi visits Civil Emergency Support Base on 39th anniversary, highlights wildfire response
TIRANA, September 2 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited Albania’s Civil Emergency Support Base as the structure marked the 39th anniversary of its establishment. Nufi praised the base’s role during the difficult wildfire season. From April through August 2026, the base carried out 54 firefighting operations, deploying more than 1,500 …
Lin Festival returns from September 4 to 6 with culture, art and traditions by the lake
The picturesque village of Lin will host the fourth edition of the Lin Festival from September 4 to 6, 2026. The National Center for Traditional Activities (QKVT) organizes the event to promote and preserve Albania’s intangible cultural heritage. Set along the shores of the lake, the festival will offer a …
Gonxhja: Public beaches expand by 67% as authorities curb price abuse
Albania has significantly expanded its public beaches during the 2026 tourist season. The move gives local and international visitors more space, access, and affordable options. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said today that municipalities increased the number of public beach station plots by 67% this season. Meanwhile, authorities …
Police rescue four German tourists after boat catches fire in Ksamil
TIRANA, September 2 – Border Police and the Marine Police Unit in Ksamil rescued four German tourists after the boat they were travelling on caught fire. Police said officers responded after receiving a report that a boat had caught fire inside near the Pema e Thatë area in Ksamil. Border …
New European Union ambassador takes office in Albania as Gonzato’s mandate ends
TIRANA, September 2 – Sofia Moreira de Sousa is taking over as the new European Union ambassador to Albania after the end of Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. Moreira de Sousa will first present her credentials to President Bajram Begaj. The ceremony will formally mark the start of her mandate in Albania. …
World Bank: Tourism has highest potential for creating new jobs in Albania
TIRANA, September 2 – Tourism has the greatest potential for creating new jobs in Albania, according to the World Bank. A more diverse tourism offer could also spread employment opportunities beyond the summer season. The assessment comes from the World Bank’s FY 2026 Albania Country Opinion Survey Report, based on …
Albania produced 183,000 tonnes of grapes in 2025 as farmer support continues
TIRANA, September 2 – Albania produced around 183,000 tonnes of grapes in 2025, according to the Agricultural Development and Rural Development Agency. Grape production continues to grow alongside vineyard expansion and new investment in technology and processing capacity. Fier, Elbasan, Berat and Vlora have some of the country’s largest vineyard …
International Monetary Fund returns to Albania to assess public investment management
TIRANA, September 2 – The International Monetary Fund has launched a mission in Albania focused on improving how the country plans, finances and implements public investments. The IMF instrument examines the full project cycle, from planning and selection to implementation and monitoring. IMF experts will be meeting senior officials at …
Albania Turns Away Tanker Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Durres decision puts sanctions enforcement under scrutiny after vessel had previously called at Albanian port. Tirana Times, September 01, 2026 – Albania’s decision to deny entry to a tanker identified by Ukrainian military intelligence as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet marks more than an isolated maritime enforcement action. It …
The Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders has drawn reactions from the sports world. Former Albania national team footballer Taulant Xhaka has publicly expressed his support for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Xhaka posted a poster on Instagram featuring the four former KLA …
Endrit Thaçi, son of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, has voiced support for a protest organized by the War Veterans’ Organization of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVL-KLA). He shared the organization’s call for a “Protest in Defense of the KLA.” Meanwhile, the protest will take place on Friday at 12:00 …
RTSH has officially begun implementing its 2026–2030 transformation and restructuring process. The Task Force established to lead and coordinate the process held its first meeting today. The European Broadcasting Union organized the meeting as a workshop focused on RTSH’s Transformation Strategy and its implementation. Radka Betcheva, the European Broadcasting Union’s …
Charles L. Smith, the presiding judge of the Trial Panel, has issued a decision launching procedures for reparations to victims in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and Kadri Veseli. The Trial Panel issued the decision on September 16 and published it today. It decided to initiate …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that Albania will continue its digitalization process and use of artificial intelligence. He stressed that the country will protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Gogu spoke in Parliament during the review of the draft law on the ratification of the Council …
Defense cooperation and regional security issues were at the center of meetings held during the 2026 US-Adriatic Charter Conference of Chiefs of Defense in Zadar, Croatia. The US Embassy in Tirana said that US General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the US European Command (USEUCOM) and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza. The meeting came one day after the Kosovo Specialist Chambers issued verdicts against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders received combined sentences of …
The Albanian diaspora in the United States held a protest in Times Square, New York, following the first-instance verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. Tirana Prefect Shkëlqim Hajdari shared images from the gathering on social media. He conveyed the …
President Bajram Begaj met today with German representatives of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Dieter Althaus, former Prime Minister of Thuringia and board member, and Thomas Kunze, the foundation’s current head in Albania. Begaj thanked Germany for its continued support for Albania’s European Union accession process. He also praised the Konrad …
Improved laboratory infrastructure and stronger food safety control capacities marked the main results of the TYPIC-AL project, which concluded with a closing meeting in Albania. The project received funding from the Italian government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). CIHEAM Bari implemented the project in cooperation with the …