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Western Balkans face severe drought and water restrictions during heat wave

Associated Press · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The Western Balkans faces a severe drought after a heat wave hit the region, disrupting daily life and creating issues with agriculture and power. Temperatures on Thursday in central Albania reached 40 C (104 F) and...

Teen violence rises amid parenting gaps, social media

Gazeta Tema · July 4, 2025

TIRANA, July 4 - A growing rise in adolescent violence is emerging in schools and communities, with sociologists pointing to unregulated social media use and decreasing parent–child communication as key drivers. “Social networks are a major...

Man in Western Greece Jailed for Attempted Abduction of 4-Year-Old Girl

To Vima · July 15, 2025

A 48-year-old man has been ordered into pre-trial detention in western Greece after being charged with the attempted abduction of a four-year-old girl in the village of Kakóvatos, near the town of Zacháro. According to judicial authorities, both...

It happened today – this day in history – July 10

Yellow Advertiser · July 9, 2025

48BC: Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey near the city of Dyrrachium (in what is now Albania). 138: Death of Roman emperor Hadrian aged 62. 988: The city of Dublin is founded on the banks of the River Liffey. 1040: Lady...

Fire at waste site sparks debate

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — A fire at a landfill in central Albania has triggered political calls for greater oversight of the country’s waste management projects, as the blaze continues for a third day with efforts underway to contain it. The fire, which...

Parliament wraps term with votes on EU reforms, budget, key laws

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — Albania’s Parliament meets Thursday for its final session before the end of the current legislative term, with lawmakers expected to vote on a wide range of draft laws and policy measures. On the agenda is the 2024 report from the...

In Europe just as in Trump’s America, the creeping criminalisation of migration and solidarity

Vox Europ · July 15, 2025

Spectacular images of the USA's campaign against illegal immigration have been seen and shared around the world. Launched by President Donald Trump immediately on his return to power, the ongoing crackdown betrays America's drift into...

H1 tax revenues exceed 2025 targets

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — Albania collected 224.1 billion leks ($2.3 billion) in tax revenue during the first half of 2025, exceeding its target by 2.7 billion leks, according to data from the Directorate General of Taxation. Revenue rose by 23.1 billion...

Govt approves draft law for EIB rail financing

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — Albania’s government has approved a draft law to ratify a financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the first phase of the Corridor VIII railway infrastructure project, officials said on Wednesday. The...

Hero captain presumed dead after saving tourists

Gazeta Tema · July 9, 2025

Authorities continue search operations in northern Albania after a tourist boat captain disappeared in Lake Shkoder while rescuing two tourists. The 51‑year‑old man, Arben Alamani, is presumed dead after helping the passengers reach safety during...

Bankers Petroleum accused of faking losses to dodge tax

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — Albanian prosecutors have opened a criminal case against Bankers Petroleum, accusing the company of large-scale tax evasion over a 20-year period. Authorities say the firm reported persistent losses from 2004 to 2024 despite more...

Govt shifts 2025 budget toward cyber, farming

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — The government has revised its 2025 state budget, reallocating 11.8 billion leks (€110 million) to strengthen cybersecurity, infrastructure, and investments in sports, justice, and healthcare, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj told...

Non-Performing Loan Rate Drops: Only 3% of Individuals Behind on Payments

Euronews Albania · July 9, 2025

According to data from the Bank of Albania, 97% of loans taken by individuals are being repaid on time, confirming that only a very small portion of borrowers are facing difficulties with installment payments. The rate of non-performing loans...

Balkan neighbors join forces on fair labor and migration

Gazeta Tema · July 2, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania, North Macedonia, and Montenegro have agreed to intensify regional cooperation to combat labor informality and improve cross-border migration management. In a meeting held in Tirana and backed by Germany’s GIZ agency,...

Rescued bear cub settles into new life in Pristina sanctuary

The Globe and Mail · July 9, 2025

A young male brown bear cub rescued from Albania has been settling into its new life at a wildlife sanctuary in Kosovo. A worker at the Four Paws Bear Sanctuary in Pristina said the cub, named Dori, was rescued after being illegally put up for...

Loneliness and isolation – the hidden threat to health we cannot ignore

Mail & Guardian · July 15, 2025

Graphic: John McCann/M&G Around the world, an invisible threat is increasing the risk of disease, shortening lives and fraying the fabric of our communities. Social disconnection — when a person lacks sufficient social contact, feels unsupported...

What NATO Countries Spend on Military, Health, and Education

Visual Capitalist · July 15, 2025

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization What NATO Countries Spend on Military, Health, and Education This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible...

Central bank cuts key interest rate to 2.5%

Gazeta Tema · July 2, 2025

TIRANA, July 4 – Albania’s central bank has reduced its key interest rate from 2.75% to 2.5%, marking the first cut of 2025 as inflation trends toward target. The Bank of Albania also lowered its overnight lending rate to 3.5% (from 3.75%) and its...

Latvia Rolls Out Red Carpet For Albanian FM For Bilateral Talks

MENAFN · July 9, 2025

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 9. Today, Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, hosts Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, on a working visit to Riga, Trend reports. During the diplomatic...

Wizz Air announces a new route from Larnaca!

Knews Kathimerini ·

Wizz Air, Europe’s most environmentally sustainable airline , is delighted to announce a new exciting direct route from Larnaca to Tirana. Following the recent announcement of four new exciting routes, this latest addition further strengthens Wizz...