Qukës–Qafë Plloçë road opens after 14 years of delays

Published on September 7, 2025
One of Albania’s most important infrastructure projects in the southeast, the Qukës–Qafë Plloçë road, part of Corridor VIII, has officially opened for vehicle traffic. Why...

Why is this important: This project, launched 14 years ago under the Berisha government, faced repeated delays due to planning and technical issues. Prime Minister Edi Rama called its completion a major victory for residents of the area and for Albania’s road network as a whole.


In Focus


1. Roman era monumental tomb discovered in Bulqiza

September 7, 2025
Archaeologists in the village of Strikçan, Bulqiza, have unearthed a monumental Roman tomb, the first of its kind ever discovered in Albania. The site, known as Fusha e Gurrës, has...

Why is this important: The construction techniques and epigraphic evidence point to a unique monument from the late Roman period. Measuring 9 by 6 meters, with a funerary chamber 2.40 meters high, the discovery offers new insights into the Roman presence in northern Albania.


All latest stories


Qukës–Qafë Plloçë road opens after 14 years of delays

Published on September 7, 2025
One of Albania’s most important infrastructure projects in the southeast, the Qukës–Qafë Plloçë road, part of Corridor VIII, has officially opened for vehicle traffic. Why...

Why is this important: This project, launched 14 years ago under the Berisha government, faced repeated delays due to planning and technical issues. Prime Minister Edi Rama called its completion a major victory for residents of the area and for Albania’s road network as a whole.


Albania edge Gibraltar with Asani penalty in experimental lineup

Published on September 7, 2025
Albania secured a narrow 1-0 win against Gibraltar, with Jasir Asani’s 69th-minute penalty proving decisive in a friendly marked by injuries and heavy squad rotation....

Why is this important: The match offered coach Sylvinho a chance to test new players ahead of Albania’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia on September 9. With several key absences, the game served both as a risk and an opportunity to build squad depth, though the lack of convincing play has fueled doubts.


Construction costs rise in Albania despite easing in material prices

Published on September 7, 2025
Albania’s construction sector is facing higher costs, particularly for wages and machinery, even as material prices show a slight decline. According to INSTAT, the Construction...

Why is this important: The index is a key economic indicator, used in GDP calculations and for planning new construction projects. Rising labor and equipment costs highlight structural pressures in the sector, which continues to struggle with a shortage of skilled workers.


Albania to create National Water Operator amid reform push

Published on September 7, 2025
The government has decided to establish a new national operator to manage water resources and supply, adding to the National Waste Management operator announced in...

Why is this important: Despite being the second-richest country in Europe for water resources after Norway, Albania has long struggled with mismanagement, leaving consumers facing shortages of drinking water. Until now, supply and distribution have been handled by public companies under municipal control. As part of a reform launched two years ago, the government has opted to centralize management under a national authority.


Roman era monumental tomb discovered in Bulqiza

Published on September 7, 2025
Archaeologists in the village of Strikçan, Bulqiza, have unearthed a monumental Roman tomb, the first of its kind ever discovered in Albania. The site, known...

Why is this important: The construction techniques and epigraphic evidence point to a unique monument from the late Roman period. Measuring 9 by 6 meters, with a funerary chamber 2.40 meters high, the discovery offers new insights into the Roman presence in northern Albania.


Slovenia pulls Albanian red peppers from market over pesticide levels

Published on September 6, 2025
Slovenia has withdrawn a shipment of red peppers imported from Albania after tests showed excessive pesticide residues, continuing a series of recent bans on Albanian...

Why is this important: The case adds to growing concerns over food safety standards in Albanian agricultural exports. Just days earlier, Croatia and Bosnia blocked shipments of Albanian peaches and tomatoes for the same reason.


Nigel Farage to meet Rama over deportation of foreign criminals

Published on September 6, 2025
British MP and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage declared he will have lunch with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in the coming weeks to discuss...

Why is this important: The declaration follows a heated exchange between Rama and Farage earlier this summer over the number of Albanians imprisoned in the UK. Farage has made deportations and stopping migrant boat crossings central to his party’s political agenda.


Le Soir on Çopja clan, Albanian mafia empire dismantled in Belgium

Published on September 6, 2025
Belgian daily Le Soir has published an extensive report on the dismantling of the Çopja clan, an Albanian mafia organization described as one of the...

Why is this important: The Çopja clan’s trajectory illustrates how Albanian organized crime grew from local gangs in Albania or among the Albanian diaspora communities to a European-level powerhouse in cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and contract killings. Its dismantling required years of cooperation between Albanian police and law enforcement agencies in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. The clan’s rise and fall, as detailed by Le Soir, underscores both the global reach of Albanian mafia structures and the risks posed if such networks are left unchecked.


€93 million for natural gas, two key projects in Albania get green light

Published on September 6, 2025
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) has approved financing for two natural gas projects in Albania, with support from international donors and development banks. Why...

Why is this important: Albania, along with Kosovo and Montenegro, remains one of the few countries in Europe not connected to cross-border gas transmission systems. These investments aim to modernize Albania’s outdated gas infrastructure, reduce dependence on imports, and boost energy security.


National Theatre of Opera and Ballet unveils September program highlighted by Ermonela Jaho and Verdi’s La Traviata

Published on September 4, 2025
The Albanian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet has unveiled its cultural calendar for September, promising a rich and diverse program that spans opera, folk...

All latest stories


Albania edge Gibraltar with Asani penalty in experimental lineup

Published on September 7, 2025
Albania secured a narrow 1-0 win against Gibraltar, with Jasir Asani’s 69th-minute penalty proving decisive in a friendly marked by injuries and heavy squad rotation....

Why is this important: The match offered coach Sylvinho a chance to test new players ahead of Albania’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia on September 9. With several key absences, the game served both as a risk and an opportunity to build squad depth, though the lack of convincing play has fueled doubts.


Construction costs rise in Albania despite easing in material prices

Published on September 7, 2025
Albania’s construction sector is facing higher costs, particularly for wages and machinery, even as material prices show a slight decline. According to INSTAT, the Construction...

Why is this important: The index is a key economic indicator, used in GDP calculations and for planning new construction projects. Rising labor and equipment costs highlight structural pressures in the sector, which continues to struggle with a shortage of skilled workers.


Albania to create National Water Operator amid reform push

Published on September 7, 2025
The government has decided to establish a new national operator to manage water resources and supply, adding to the National Waste Management operator announced in...

Why is this important: Despite being the second-richest country in Europe for water resources after Norway, Albania has long struggled with mismanagement, leaving consumers facing shortages of drinking water. Until now, supply and distribution have been handled by public companies under municipal control. As part of a reform launched two years ago, the government has opted to centralize management under a national authority.


Roman era monumental tomb discovered in Bulqiza

Published on September 7, 2025
Archaeologists in the village of Strikçan, Bulqiza, have unearthed a monumental Roman tomb, the first of its kind ever discovered in Albania. The site, known...

Why is this important: The construction techniques and epigraphic evidence point to a unique monument from the late Roman period. Measuring 9 by 6 meters, with a funerary chamber 2.40 meters high, the discovery offers new insights into the Roman presence in northern Albania.


Slovenia pulls Albanian red peppers from market over pesticide levels

Published on September 6, 2025
Slovenia has withdrawn a shipment of red peppers imported from Albania after tests showed excessive pesticide residues, continuing a series of recent bans on Albanian...

Why is this important: The case adds to growing concerns over food safety standards in Albanian agricultural exports. Just days earlier, Croatia and Bosnia blocked shipments of Albanian peaches and tomatoes for the same reason.


Nigel Farage to meet Rama over deportation of foreign criminals

Published on September 6, 2025
British MP and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage declared he will have lunch with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in the coming weeks to discuss...

Why is this important: The declaration follows a heated exchange between Rama and Farage earlier this summer over the number of Albanians imprisoned in the UK. Farage has made deportations and stopping migrant boat crossings central to his party’s political agenda.


Le Soir on Çopja clan, Albanian mafia empire dismantled in Belgium

Published on September 6, 2025
Belgian daily Le Soir has published an extensive report on the dismantling of the Çopja clan, an Albanian mafia organization described as one of the...

Why is this important: The Çopja clan’s trajectory illustrates how Albanian organized crime grew from local gangs in Albania or among the Albanian diaspora communities to a European-level powerhouse in cocaine trafficking, money laundering, and contract killings. Its dismantling required years of cooperation between Albanian police and law enforcement agencies in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. The clan’s rise and fall, as detailed by Le Soir, underscores both the global reach of Albanian mafia structures and the risks posed if such networks are left unchecked.


€93 million for natural gas, two key projects in Albania get green light

Published on September 6, 2025
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) has approved financing for two natural gas projects in Albania, with support from international donors and development banks. Why...

Why is this important: Albania, along with Kosovo and Montenegro, remains one of the few countries in Europe not connected to cross-border gas transmission systems. These investments aim to modernize Albania’s outdated gas infrastructure, reduce dependence on imports, and boost energy security.


National Theatre of Opera and Ballet unveils September program highlighted by Ermonela Jaho and Verdi’s La Traviata

Published on September 4, 2025
The Albanian National Theatre of Opera and Ballet has unveiled its cultural calendar for September, promising a rich and diverse program that spans opera, folk...

Legendary Albanian film director Dhimitër Anagnosti dies at 89

Published on September 2, 2025
One of the greatest figures of Albanian cinema, director Dhimitër Anagnosti, passed away today at the age of 89. The news was announced by his...

Why is this important: Anagnosti shaped generations of Albanian cinema with films that remain part of the country’s cultural memory. His work defined the artistic landscape during a period of both restrictions and creativity, leaving a lasting legacy.