Albania’s Challenges in Waste Services

In recent years, municipalities across Albania have increasingly turned to public enterprises to deliver essential services, acknowledging their potential to support local development. These enterprises are entrusted with responsibilities ranging...

Heatwave gives way to storms as wildfires persist across Balkans

July 7 – Extreme heat across the Western Balkans is expected to ease this week, with thunderstorms and cooler temperatures forecast, while firefighting efforts continue in several countries grappling with wildfires. North Macedonia has recorded...

Trump Island, Albania; DB Cooper revisited; and Alanis oughta know

1. The 50 hottest books to read now A Guardian illustration of a flower made of books. Illustration: Nathalie Lees/The GuardianOur books team packed for the beach to compile their essential list of summer reading: from novels by Chimamanda Ngozi...

New sports law passed despite Albania football body’s pushback

Albania’s parliament has approved amendments to the Sports Law enabling the establishment of a national Sports Arbitration Court, aiming to align the country with international standards in sports governance. With 71 votes in favor and 4...

Albania backs U.S. strike, says Iran must not go nuclear

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed strong support for U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear sites, calling the Tehran regime a unique threat that should never be allowed nuclear weapons. In his first comments since the U.S. bombing of Iranian...

Fortis Energy gets green light in Albania for 62 MW solar power project

Turkey-based Fortis Energy is expanding its presence across the Balkans. Its subsidiary Fortis Energy and Construction won consent from the Council of Ministers of Albania, where it has a 600 MW project pipeline, for a 62 MW solar power plant. At...

Albania emerges as Europe’s low-cost medical tourism magnet

Albania is drawing a new kind of visitor. Beyond beaches and bunkers, its clinics are filling with foreign patients seeking dental and cosmetic procedures at half the cost of Western Europe. Maurizio, 50, flew in from Italy after seeing his...

Magnitude‑4.0 quake shakes central Albania

A magnitude‑4.0 earthquake struck Thursday near Krujë, about 40 km northwest of Tirana, according to seismic authorities. The tremor, centered close to Fushë-Krujë, occurred at a shallow depth of around 10 km and was felt in nearby towns....

NATO plan could cost Albania €1.3bn

If NATO formalizes a proposed increase in defense spending to 5% of GDP, Albania would be expected to allocate more than €1.3 billion annually to its military budget. With a GDP of €25.7 billion in 2024, Albania currently meets NATO’s 2% target...

Rentout: The best Car Rental App in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia

We have unprecedented news for you, Rentout launched a supercar rental application in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia. Practically, this app will simplify your life, offering such a high level of convenience that you will thank us...

Thousands stay out of Albania’s workforce despite job growth

Albania’s employment rate rose in early 2025, but over 100,000 working-age people remain out of the labor force due to household duties, discouragement, or early retirement, official data show. Roughly 39,000 say they’ve given up looking for work,...

Wildfires scorch dozens of hectares across Albania amid heatwave

Albanian authorities reported 18 wildfires across 12 municipalities in the last 24 hours, affecting mostly shrubland and grass. No injuries or damage to homes or livestock were reported. About 36 hectares were burned before the fires were...

Farage tells Albania’s PM to “take back” convicted nationals

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage demanded that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama repatriate Albanian prisoners in Britain, after Rama criticised post‑Brexit UK migration policy. Farage claimed one in 50 Albanians in the UK is imprisoned and urged Rama...

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

Erion Veliaj hasn’t kept quiet since he was detained on charges of corruption, money-laundering and concealment of wealth in February this year. But this week, the former mayor of Tirana and close ally of Socialist premier Edi Rama has been...

Cham genocide gets official day of remembrance in Albania

Albanian parliament has officially designated June 27 as Cham Genocide Remembrance Day, recognizing atrocities against the Cham Albanian minority during 1944–45. The move was followed by national events honoring an estimated 5,000 Cham Albanian...

Middle East tensions impact Albania’s tourism season

Ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is affecting tourism in the Western Balkans, with Albania reporting a sharp drop in bookings from Israeli travelers. Albania’s coastal tourism sector has seen cancellations from Middle Eastern tourists as...

Biofuels plan puts Albania on greener transport path

Albania plans to cut carbon emissions from transport by increasing the use of renewable fuels, the government announced Thursday. The country aims to raise biofuel use in transport to 7% by 2030, starting in 2026. Deputy Prime Minister Belinda...

Undeclared income, luxury cars put pressure on Albania

Albania is under pressure to regulate online earnings and trace high-value assets after reports of €33 million in undeclared income and 400 luxury cars bought by individuals with no registered income. Experts warn of growing tax evasion and...

Albania sees rising number of foreign workers amid labor demand

Albania is attracting more foreign workers as labor demand grows across key sectors, according to the national employment agency. By the end of 2024, around 13,000 foreign nationals were employed in Albania, driven by growth in hospitality,...

Albania and Child Marriage