Looking to escape economic rut, Albania pins hopes on yet uncertain oil bonanza
TIRANA, Aug. 30, 2023 – Faced with a GDP per capita falling far behind even the poorest EU members, lackluster foreign investments and a growing budget deficit that has to be financed by an ever-shrinking and aging population, Albania’s government is hoping for a miracle: a winning lottery ticket that …
Michel’s 2030 EU enlargement goal welcomed, but also met with skepticism
TIRANA, Aug. 31. 2023 – European Council President Charles Michel has set a goal for the European Union and aspirant states to be ready for enlargement by 2030. Speaking at a regional forum in Slovenia on Aug. 28, Michel said that it was time for those states that have been …
Premier sees Prekal-Kir road’s construciton as ‘impulse for tourist development’
Prime Minister Edi Rama started this Thursday with some pictures of the works being done on the Prekal-Kir road in Shkodër. In a social media statement, the Head of Government underlined that this road segment will serve as a new impulse for tourist development. “GOOD MORNING, and with the works …
Durres driver arrested after crashing pedestrian to death
A 34-year-old man was arrested by the Durrës police this Thursday for an accident that happened a few days ago. Fatbardh Keci hit pedestrian Jonuz Mani to death, then fled the scene and hid the vehicle in Shijak. Regardless, the vehicle was found and blocked by the police. “Specialists of …
“Metamorphosis” operation, the Appellate Court gives today the decision for the arrested
The Appellate Court will decide on the morning of this Thursday for the arrested during the “Metamorphosis” operation. The session will take place at 10:00 a.m. and it is expected that the decision will be given on the request of the businessman Pellumb Gjoka, the police officer Oltion Bistri and …
Woman involved in Kukes ex-mayor sex scandal seeks lighter security measure
Alma Kaçi appeared this Thursday in the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), where the request for replacing the security measure is expected to be examined. The 40-year-old woman has demanded the replacement of the measure ‘house arrest’ with ‘investigation in free state’. At the end of last …
Tirana, three arrested for cocaine dealing
Three people have been arrested after being accused of supplying cocaine to several distribution networks. In the framework of the operation coded “Three stars”, to attack criminal activity in the field of narcotics, it was possible to arrest three persons, respectively 27, 30 and 24 years old, who, in cooperation …
Youth caught with drugs, gun in Saranda
A 21-year-old has been arrested this Wednesday morning by Saranda Police after being caught with narcotics and firearms in the car. Arrest of the young man was made possible after a police search of the ‘Benz’ type vehicle that was moving on the Sarandë-Ksamil road axis near the bay of …
Undeclared money/ Over 1 million euros seized since the beginning of the year in Durres, 10 arrested
Over 1 million undeclared euros have been seized in the port of Durres since the beginning of the year. Journalist Leonidha Musaj reports that so far 10 operations have been carried out and as a result 10 people have been arrested who tried to smuggle these large sums of money …
Veliaj hosts the delegation of Japanese MPs
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj hosted a delegation with representatives of the Japan-Albania Friendship Group, which is conducting an official visit to Albania. He expressed his happiness that Albania, which with the opening of the Pyramid, will soon return to the digital epicenter for the Balkans, is supported by …
TIRANA, August 11 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the dispute between Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over Serbia’s intention to change the course of the Ibër River. Rama described the exchange as an interesting summer debate. He said Albania has no …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Tuesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Clear skies will prevail across the country. Passing clouds will develop over mountainous areas from midday through the afternoon. Local rain may accompany the clouds in the high mountains of southern Albania. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Authorities reported 25 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Firefighters have extinguished most of the blazes. Five remain active and 1 area remains under monitoring. The Ministry of Defence said 37 firefighting vehicles and 365 operational personnel joined the response. The Armed Forces provided …
TIRANA, August 11 – Dropull and its surrounding areas are emerging as an increasingly attractive tourist destination in Gjirokastër Municipality. Local tourism officials report a steady rise in visitor numbers each year. Foreign tourists have visited sites including the Adrianople amphitheatre in Sofratika, the Church of Lower Peshkëpi and Sotir …
TIRANA, August 11 – Shkodër Municipality is setting up a new tourist information office in the city centre. The facility will guide visitors and provide information about local destinations, activities and tourism services. The office will have dedicated staff and digital services. Visitors will receive free information throughout the day. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has responded to Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Duric over the dispute surrounding the Ibër River. Duric said Albania had no hydrological basis to comment on Serbia’s management of its water resources. Hoxha said Albania would react if someone threatened Serbia’s water supply. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the balance between judicial independence and executive responsibility. He said the minister must not interfere in specific court cases. “Where judges and prosecutors act, the executive stays silent,” Gogu wrote in the first of 3 notes he plans to publish …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania recorded a positive natural population increase in the second quarter of 2026. The country registered 218 more births than deaths, according to preliminary data from the Institute of Statistics. Between April and June, authorities recorded 5,083 births, down 3% from the same period in 2025. …
TIRANA, August 11 – Customs revenue reached ALL 23.5 billion in July 2026. The figure increased by around ALL 223 million from the same month in 2025. According to data from the General Directorate of Customs, several major revenue items drove the increase. Value-added tax provided the largest contribution, with …
TIRANA, August 11 – Albania has increased funding for civil emergencies more than 13-fold over the past seven years. The budget rose from ALL 430 million in 2020 to ALL 5.79 billion in 2026, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said on Monday. Malaj said the higher funding will strengthen capacity to …