Defense minister meets Turkey’s new military attaché in Tirana
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi has met Colonel Murat Ilhan, Turkey’s new military attaché in Tirana. Turkish Ambassador to Albania Bariş Ceyhun Erciyes also attended the meeting. According to the Ministry of Defense, the meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and Turkey and their shared commitment to closer cooperation in …
Institute of Statistics: Albania records 10.7 million foreign arrivals in nine months
Albania recorded around 17.4 million entries by Albanian and foreign citizens from January to September 2026, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Foreign citizens accounted for 10.7 million entries, while Albanian citizens accounted for 6.7 million. Compared with the same period in 2025, foreign arrivals rose by 4.9%, while …
Students continue protest outside prime minister’s office
Students continued their protest outside the prime minister’s office in Tirana for an 11th day. University lecturers and other citizens joined them again today. Lecturers and students first gathered outside the Polytechnic University of Tirana. Aleksandër Kovaçi, head of the University Lecturers’ Union, called for greater cooperation among intellectuals in …
Albania holds 2026 National Water Rescue Championship
The Albanian Water Rescue Federation held the 2026 National Water Rescue Championship with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The competition tested speed, technique and endurance through events that combine sport with life-saving skills. A total of 34 competitors took part. The championship has taken place annually …
Conference League: Egnatia draw 1-1 away to Aarhus
Albanian champions Egnatia drew 1-1 away to Denmark’s Aarhus in their second Conference League group-stage match, extending their unbeaten run in European competition. Egnatia took the lead in the 13th minute when Gruda scored after Adjesa’s assist. Aarhus had already lost Kahl to a red card in the third minute …
Albania and Italy seek stronger defence and security partnership
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation with Italy. Nufi made the statement while recognising Italian Military Attaché Colonel Agostino Piccirillo at the end of his mission in Albania. He praised Piccirillo’s professionalism and contribution to bilateral defence ties. The minister also …
Albanian interior minister Demo joins Italian PM Meloni at addiction prevention summit
Albanian Interior Minister Ervin Demo attended an international meeting on addiction prevention and rehabilitation in San Patrignano, Italy. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and other European officials also took part. The meeting focused on combining law enforcement with addiction prevention, youth protection and support for rehabilitation and social reintegration. Demo …
PM Rama renews call for dialogue: I am ready to sit down with those who believe in humanity
Prime Minister Edi Rama renewed his call for dialogue on Friday, once again placing invitations on the concrete benches outside the Prime Minister’s Office and urging talks. Rama said he was ready to sit down with anyone who believes in dialogue and in the possibility of making Albania a better …
Rama claims protests were planned months in advance and funded by organized crime and foreign sources
Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a statement on social media that the protests taking place in Tirana for the past 10 days have been financed by organized crime and money coming from abroad through foreign forces. According to Rama, police have evidence that the protests had been planned for …
Medical students protest as university boycott enters 11th day, joined by resident doctors
Medical students and resident doctors gathered for a protest on Friday, marking the 11th day of the ongoing university boycott. Resident doctors joined students at the demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s Office, where the protest was scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. The student boycott has continued for 11 days, …
The unexplained transfer of Tirana’s mayor to Fier prison has triggered tensions within the ruling Socialist Party and an immediate response from Tirana’s Municipal Council, raising serious concerns about administrative arbitrariness and the rule of law. Tirana Times, October 29, 2026 – The sudden transfer of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja has highlighted 3 young athletes who are challenging gender stereotypes in sport. Their dedication and daily sacrifices show that talent and success have no gender, he said. Gonxhja shared the stories of footballer Amarda Xhebrahimi, sport shooter Sindi Sula and wrestler Albina Drazhi …
The American Chamber of Commerce in Albania has urged the government to reconsider tax increases proposed in the 2027 fiscal package. It warned that the changes could raise business costs, discourage investment and weaken the country’s competitiveness. The chamber said higher dividend tax, standard value-added tax and some reduced rates, …
The 2027 draft budget allocates ALL 75.4 billion to infrastructure and energy, equivalent to 2.5% of gross domestic product. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the figures at the Conference of Chairpersons. The funding will support transport, railway and port projects, as well as drinking water and sewage systems. Planned water …
The Transparency Board has announced new maximum prices for diesel and petrol. The limits took effect at 15:00 on October 29. Retailers may charge no more than ALL 212 per litre for diesel. The wholesale cap stands at ALL 200 per litre. For petrol, the retail ceiling is ALL 181 …
Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula met United States chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati in Prishtina. Prattipati congratulated the president on taking office. Shiroka Pula thanked her for the message. She reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening relations and the strategic partnership between Kosova and the United States. The president also stressed the …
The Albanian Parliament has approved amendments to the Law on the Bank of Albania with 84 votes in favor. The changes provide special legal protections for the governor, restricting the possibility of taking measures against the governor without parliamentary authorization. Under the amendments adopted during Thursday’s plenary session, the governor …
The Albanian Parliament’s plenary session resumed amid tensions after opposition MPs lit flares inside the chamber, blocked the parliamentary rostrum and blew whistles. Following the disruption, Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi decided to expel four opposition MPs from the plenary session: Xhelal Mziu, Bledi Himçi, Ivi Kaso and Bledion Nallbati. …
Students have begun marching from Parliament towards the Ministry of Education, continuing their protests for the 17th consecutive day as they demand the unconditional resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. A day earlier, students had announced a demonstration outside Parliament to coincide with the start of the plenary session. However, …
The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has received 12 new Mercedes-Benz Unimog 5T military trucks, adding to its military fleet alongside eight Rheinmetall KX 8×8 trucks that arrived several days earlier. In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that the total number of trucks in these two categories has …