“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat
TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …
Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project
TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …
Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …
Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …
Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …
SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku
Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …
Another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII opens, works continue on Elbasan–Qafë Thana road
TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …
New Road Code measures enter into force, stricter penalties for traffic violations
TIRANA, August 7 – New amendments to Albania’s Road Code entered into force today. The changes introduce stricter measures for traffic violations to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Drivers who repeatedly operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol will permanently lose their driving licence. The new rules also …
Public consultations begin on new territorial map
TIRANA, August 7 – Cërrik and Maliq municipalities have started public consultations on the new territorial map. The proposal would reduce the number of municipalities in Albania from 61 to 46. Cërrik Municipality said it launched the process after receiving a notification from Parliament. The consultation period on the draft …
Albania advances in implementing EU Growth Plan
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania continues to make progress in implementing reforms linked to European integration and has received financial support under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. According to the EU-funded platform “WEBALKANS_eu”, Albania has made strong and sustainable progress. The platform said the country has …
Albert Nushi, Head of the Management Sector at the Public Security Department, announced at a press conference that 54 people were taken into police custody following the previous day’s violent protest. Of those, 27 were arrested and 27 others face criminal proceedings for property destruction and violence against police officers. …
The official visit that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had planned to make to Vienna, Austria, on Monday, October 19, has been cancelled by the Albanian side. The news was published by the Austrian press release portal OTS.at. According to the announcement, the scheduled meeting between the Albanian Prime Minister …
As protests continue across Albania, precautionary measures have been imposed on individuals involved in cases related to the demonstrations. Under the measures imposed, 21 minors will be placed under the supervision of their family members, while three other minors have been ordered to report regularly to the authorities. For the …
These are the photographs published by the Reuters news agency documenting the fifth day of protests in Tirana. Reuters reports that Albanian police used suspected rubber bullets against demonstrators in Tirana during the fifth day of protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. “Reuters journalists found rubber …
The European Commission has responded to the ongoing protests in Albania, condemning acts of violence in Tirana and other cities across the country, including arson, attacks on state institutions and the destruction of public and private property. In its statement, the Commission stressed that violence has no place in a …
The building of Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure has caught fire following tensions during protests in Tirana. The incident comes after violent clashes between protesters and police forces, involving the throwing of Molotov cocktails and the use of tear gas in several areas of the capital. The situation remains tense, while …
The leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, has reacted to the violent protests in Tirana, condemning the use of violence and calling on both protesters and state institutions to avoid further escalation. In a statement, Ahmeti stressed that clashes and the destruction of property cannot bring …
The Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania has responded to the protests of recent days in the country, expressing support for citizens’ right to protest and freedom of expression, while condemning all forms of violence. In a statement, the Evangelical Brotherhood condemned both the violence carried out by protesters against institutions and …
Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Vera Prokopieva is a nutrition scientist from Bulgaria who has studied food from three angles: as an anthropologist, as a cook in Copenhagen kitchens, and as a researcher at Stanford, working on clinical trials of food as medicine and on how fermented foods shape the gut …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu has reacted following an incident in which flames reached the Supreme Court, while reports indicated that the entrance to the Bank of Albania was also damaged. “Two independent institutions. Neither is a government office. Both serve the country and its citizens,” Gogu stressed. The minister condemned …