Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

The Secret Mediterranean: Why Albania Should Be Your Next Vacation
A stunning beach not yet taken over by summer crowds. Green Coast MGallery For decades, the Mediterranean has been spinning the same golden oldies: Capri, Saint-Tropez, Mykonos, Ibiza — the kind of places where the yachts are larger than the local...

Forget cheap flights—this is what Israelis are really searching before they travel
Israeli travelers are showing they’re not just eager to fly again—they’re becoming some of the most travel-hungry people in the world. A new Google report reveals that, despite security concerns and rising costs, Israelis are embracing creative...

Albania’s second‑home tax likely hikes rents, not sales
Albania’s new tax on second homes won’t directly impact wealthy owners—but it is expected to raise rental costs for tenants, experts say. One consultant explains: “If a €100,000 apartment sees a 1% tax (€1,000) annually, renters will end up paying...

Russian ambassador says Albania-Russia relations frozen, blames West
TIRANA, July 14 - Russia’s ambassador to Albania says bilateral relations are “practically frozen,” blaming EU sanctions and “collective Western will,” but added Moscow remains open to restoring dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereignty. In...

Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins
When Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the beautiful and remote mountain village of Theth in northern Albania in June last year, he ceremoniously handed over property deeds to locals and promised government support for emigrants willing to...

Albania raises its tourism game with new influx of Chinese travelers
02:56 Once dubbed Europe's best-kept secret, Albania is quickly stepping into the spotlight – and not just for its pristine beaches and ancient ruins. With a record-breaking rise in tourism and a bold new visa-free agreement with China, this...

UK visa in hand? Five European destinations Indian travellers can visit without any extra paperwork
Indian citizens holding a valid, multiple-entry UK visa can explore five European countries without needing separate Schengen or local visas, as long as specific conditions are met. This visa-linked access provides Indian travellers with expanded...

Albania to raise property tax, target second homes
TIRANA, July 11 – Albania will hike property taxes and introduce higher rates on second homes, aiming to capture revenue from rising real estate values and ease fiscal pressure on local governments. New reference prices—set to be published within...

Albanian dies saving Israeli tourists in local lake
Captain Arben Anamali, 51, died in northern Albania’s Shkodra Lake after jumping into the water to rescue two Israeli tourists who ignored his warnings and were caught in strong currents, local media reported Friday. Anamali was operating a...

Albania PM urges stronger local governance in EU push
TIRANA, July 11 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday pressed local officials to improve governance and urban management as part of the country’s broader effort to join the European Union by 2030. Speaking at a national meeting with mayors...

The debate over Theth only matters to those who want to save it as a tourist destination
Both the state and those who have built illegally share the blame for what’s happening in Theth. The government itself has admitted responsibility, having allowed — through its entire political and administrative structure — the spread of illegal...

Albanian jailed as undercover cops thwart 'drugs on demand' organised crime group in Inverness
An Albanian criminal has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for his role in a sophisticated County Lines drug dealing operation in Scottish cities including Inverness. Imer Quashi (43) was the sixth member of the 'drugs on demand' organised...

Albanian Parliament Speaker: European Integration Is Not Bureaucratic Process, but Internal Transformation
European integration is not a bureaucratic process from Brussels, but a profound internal transformation, said the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, who took part in a forum organized by PanEuropa-Bulgaria at the Central...

Albania Deeply Committed to Regional Security, Says Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali
Albania is deeply committed to regional security issues, said Thursday Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali at meeting with National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova, part of her official visit to Bulgaria. "In this context, we have entered...

Albania sees 12% population jump in May driven by tourism
TIRANA, July 10 - Albania’s population surged in May as nearly one million foreign visitors arrived, pushing the number of people in the country well above usual levels. According to national statistics (INSTAT), 987,077 foreign tourists crossed...

Seasoned traveller says 'most surprising country' is not on people's radars
Lauren Haughey Lifestyle and Money Reporter 22:32, 11 Jul 2025 A travel enthusiast has shared the 'most surprising country' they've visited, and it isn't a typical destination like Greece, Portugal, or Thailand. Jordynn, known for sharing her...

5 bang for your buck travel destinations this summer
If your social feed is filled with people jetting off to European hotspots and overpriced island escapes, don’t let it fool you. Some of the most memorable places are also the most affordable ones - if you know where to look. Once you move beyond...

Albania’s First MGallery Hotel Opens on the Riviera with Mountain Views, Coastal Luxury & Roman Legacy
The Green Coast Hotel – MGallery Collection has officially opened its doors as the first MGallery property in Albania, bringing a unique blend of heritage, elegance, and Mediterranean serenity to the Albanian Riviera. Nestled between the turquoise...

9 things Nigel Farage could get up to in Albania
It only escalated from there. Rama, in a series of X posts, called Farage’s figures “bonkers” and questioned how many were convicted due to the U.K.’s “outdated immigration and visa system,” yet decided to kill Farage with kindness and invite him...

Day Two of Albanian Parliament Speaker Spiropali's Official Visit to Bulgaria
Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali paid an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation her Bulgarian counterpart Nataliya Kiselova on Wednesday and Thursday. On the second day of her visit, she conferred with the Bulgarian National...