“Little Switzerland” Between Elbasan and Tirana, Draws Increasing Numbers of Visitors

Just a few kilometers from Elbasan and Tirana lies Funari, a hidden village nestled among green hills that has become a favorite weekend destination for many. Often referred to as Albania’s “Little Switzerland,” Funari is increasingly attracting...

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...

Two illegal immigrants from Albania found in £400,000 drug farm

An organised crime group turned a disused restaurant into a commercial-scale cannabis farm, a court has heard. When police raided the building they found 900 cannabis plants and sophisticated growing equipment - along with two Albanian so-called...

Healthcare Experts from Trakia University Examine 400 Patients in Albania

Some 400 people were examined during the free medical check-ups in the village of Golemo Ostreni in the Golloborde Region in Albania from June 26 to 28. More than 150 of them were seen by healthcare experts in the last day of the initiative led by...

Shpëtim Idrizi: Greece Must Engage in Dialogue with Albania to Resolve Historical Disputes

June 2025 marks the 81st anniversary of the genocide and ethnic cleansing committed against the Albanians of Chameria. It has been 81 years of injustice, silence, and unresolved pain. To honor this anniversary, the Patriotic Association “Chameria”...

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...

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...

Western Balkans urged to fast-track digital transformation

TIRANA, July 11 – The Western Balkans must accelerate digital transformation to close the gap with the EU’s Single Digital Market, a new report by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) warned Wednesday. The report identifies broadband and 5G...

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,...

Coastal Albania offers high seasonal wages to attract service staff

Coastal resorts in Albania are offering wages of up to €1,600 a month for seasonal service jobs as they scramble to fill key hospitality roles ahead of peak summer tourism. From Dhërmi to Vlorë, Ksamil, Sarandë, and Qeparo, employers are competing...

Youth employment rises in Albania, jobless rate falls

Youth employment in Albania improved in the second quarter of 2025, according to new data from the national statistics institute INSTAT. Employment for individuals aged 15–29 rose by 0.9 percentage points compared to Q1 and by 1.4 points...

Albania and Child Marriage

New discoveries in Ismayilli shed light on ancient Caucasian Albania's cultural legacy [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijan’s rich historical landscape continues to yield important insights into the ancient civilizations of the Caucasus. A recent anthropological expedition led by Professor Mahabbat Pashayeva, Doctor of Historical Sciences, under the...

Tirana, Police Seized 500.000 Euro, Suspected Derived by Criminal Activity

Police seized 500.000 euro in Tirana, suspected that were gained due to the criminal activity. The event happened inside an exchange in capital, where police seized the huge amount of money after it is suspected that were used to be given with...

Tirana, Five Arrested for Trying to Sell 5 kg of Cannabis

Five people were arrested in Valias of Tirana, for trying to sell 5 kg of cannabis sativa. Police informed Saturday that two of them were trying to transport the drugs, while the three others were accompanying them with another vehicle. The...

Meta appeals detention to top court

TIRANA, July 11 – Former Albanian president Ilir Meta has appealed to the Constitutional Court to overturn a ruling that kept him in pre-trial detention on corruption-related charges. Meta, who has been held since October, is under investigation...

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’s ruling party launches training for new MPs

Albania’s Socialist Party has launched a crash course for its 39 first-time MPs, part of a push to prepare newcomers for active roles in the new parliament. Held at the Center for Openness and Dialogue in Tirana, the political academy targets MPs...

Albania to link power grid with North Macedonia and Italy

Albania is set to finalize its first electricity interconnection with North Macedonia by the end of 2025, marking a major milestone in regional grid integration and energy security. The new high-voltage transmission line will link the national...

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...