Conference League: Dinamo City draw 1-1 with Pafos, qualification remains open
TIRANA, August 21 – Dinamo City drew 1-1 with Pafos at Elbasan Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The result leaves the tie open ahead of the return match. Neither side scored in the first half. Pafos missed a penalty in the 36th minute before …
National Maritime Museum to highlight Shkodër’s historic link with the lake
TIRANA, August 21 – The National Maritime Museum is taking shape at the entrance to Shkodër. The museum will tell the story of the city’s historic links with the lake, rivers and navigation. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the construction work on social media as the project adds …
NATO: Any decision on reopening Ibër bridge must address all communities
TIRANA, August 21 – NATO says any decision to reopen the main bridge over the Ibër River to vehicle traffic must address the needs of all local communities. A NATO official told Radio Free Europe that KFOR continues to provide security support for European Union diplomatic efforts. The official said …
Albanian anthem omitted in Pustec, PM Rama: ‘Parody’, minorities are a national asset, we will not respond in kind
TIRANA, August 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to the cultural event held in Pustec on August 20. Organisers played the North Macedonian national anthem but omitted the Albanian national anthem. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as a “meaningful parody”. He said Pustec Mayor …
Albania’s Diverse Fruit Production: From Korçë Apples to Berat Figs
Albania has a diverse fruit production map, with different regions specializing in different crops. Korçë remains one of the country’s leading apple-producing areas. The municipality produced around 17,700 tonnes of apples in 2025. Maliq followed with about 17,200 tonnes, while Devoll produced nearly 13,000 tonnes. Elbasan leads the country in …
Gjirokastër Castle Welcomes 161,000 Visitors in Seven Months, Up 13%
Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract growing numbers of visitors. Between January and July 2026, the historic site welcomed 161,274 visitors, marking a 13% increase from the same period last year. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the figures. He said the castle continues to attract visitors because of …
Albanian Olympic Committee delegation attends election of new Mediterranean Games chief
TIRANA, August 21 – Albanian Olympic Committee President Fidel Ylli and Secretary General Gerti Shima took part in the election of Francesco Purromuto as the new president of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games. The election took place in Taranto ahead of the opening of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. …
Albania’s National Cinematography Center Opens Call for Debut Feature Films
The National Cinematography Center (QKK) has opened applications for its “First Feature Film” category. The call targets Albanian filmmakers and emerging talents who want to bring their first feature-length projects to the big screen. QKK aims to support new filmmakers with original ideas and distinctive stories. The initiative gives young …
Albanian Football Federation chief Duka highlights competition and young talent as new season begins
TIRANA, August 21 – The new Abissnet Superiore season starts today on RTSH. The 88th edition of Albania’s top football division opens with Vllaznia against Skënderbeu at Loro Boriçi Stadium at 21:00. Albanian Football Federation President Armand Duka says the new season will bring stronger competition and new opportunities for …
Zelensky Visit to Belgrade: What Could He Learn from Israeli Experience
by Edward P. Joseph Tirana Times, August 21, 2026 – At the NATO Summit in Ankara last month, I had the high honor of meeting President Zelensky. Had I known he was heading soon to Belgrade, I would have shared critical advice with his advisors. Besieged by an aggressor like …
The German Embassy has shared the position of the European Union Delegation to Albania regarding the ongoing student protests in Tirana. The German Embassy has expressed the same position as the EU Delegation, which voiced concern over escalating tensions between law enforcement officers and young protesters and called on all …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced during a government meeting that a proposal to establish a working group tasked with drafting, coordinating and harmonising a state strategy regarding appeal proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague had been approved. Kurti stated that the first-instance verdict against the four …
The British Embassy in Tirana has reacted following clashes on the second day of protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a statement published on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the embassy stressed that the right to protest does not justify the use of violence or damage to public and …
Former Defence Minister Piro Vengu has reacted following acts of violence reported for the second consecutive day during protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a social media post, Vengu stated that students have the right to protest and express their concerns, but stressed that violence and vandalism serve no …
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has reacted to the incidents that occurred today during protests that have escalated significantly. In an official statement, Begaj called on all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from escalating further. Begaj stressed that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but violence must not …
The US Embassy in Tirana has issued another warning following clashes on Wednesday afternoon during a protest that began on Durrës Street before moving towards the Prime Minister’s Office. In a message addressed to American citizens in Tirana, the embassy warned that the protest had turned violent and could spread …
Croatia has sent European Union member states a document outlining its national position on unresolved issues with Montenegro. In the document, Zagreb lists the conditions Montenegro must fulfil before joining the European bloc. Croatia directly links some of these demands to the closure of negotiating Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental …
The Albanian Bishops’ Conference has condemned the burning of the Vatican flag during a protest on Durrës Street in Tirana, describing the act as unacceptable and contrary to the law and Albania’s tradition of hospitality. In an official statement, the Bishops’ Conference expressed solidarity with the Apostolic Nuncio in Tirana, …
President Bajram Begaj voiced concern about escalating tensions as students who gathered for a second day of rallies against the government clashed with law enforcement officers again. Original post Here
Franciscan priest Shtjefën Gjeçovi, a prominent figure in Albanian history, passed away on October 14, 1929. He devoted his life to the Albanian cause. According to documents held by the General Directorate of Archives, two men speaking Serbian ambushed Gjeçovi as he returned from Prizren and shot him. Born Hilë …