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“Your roots are calling”; PM Rama shares AI-generated video ahead of Diaspora Summit

TIRANA, April 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama released a welcome video today ahead of the Fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit, showcasing the nation’s most notable figures from George Kastrioti Skanderbeg to Ismail Qemali and Mother Teresa. The video opens with Gjon Buzuku, author of the first book in Albanian, and …

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World Cup 2027: Women’s national team starts preparations for Wales matches

The women’s national team returned to the field today. It resumed training one month after the last match. Now, the squad prepares for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. Coach Armir Grima gathered the team in Tirana. The players will train at the “House of Football.” They prepare for two important …

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Territorial reform: State minister highlights municipality size as key factor in local performance

TIRANA, April 8 – The Parliamentary Committee on Administrative-Territorial Reform held a hearing with Minister of State for Local Governance Ervin Demo to review the current state of local government and its challenges. Demo presented the performance and services achieved under the 2014 territorial reform, implemented in 2015. He noted …

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First International Easter Egg Exhibition in Korçë

Orthodox Easter is historically celebrated beautifully in Korçë. This city is known for its rich traditions. This Easter, visitors to Korçë can enjoy a unique artistic experience. The exhibition “Code of Life” by Maria Shukulli opens at the Guri Madhi Gallery. The exhibition presents for the first time in Albania …

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Pilgrims Gather at St. Anthony Church in Laç for Holy Tuesday

TIRANA, April 8 – Holy Tuesday, observed weekly since March 17, has made St. Anthony Church in Laç a center for prayers. People come from across Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage today on social media. The video shows the sacred site, which has become a place of unity …

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“Lahuta e Malcís” (Lahuta of the Mountains): Gjergj Fishta’s epic poem published 89 years ago

TIRANA, April 8 – On April 8, 1937, Gjergj Fishta’s epic poem Lahuta e Malcís was published in full. It is one of the most remarkable works in Albanian literature. The poem contains 15,613 verses. It is the result of thirty years of work. Fishta combined historical documentation with poetic …

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PM Rama visits new Lezha regional hospital, pledges emergency doctors’ status reform

TIRANA, April 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the new facilities of the Regional Hospital in Lezha and addressed concerns raised by doctors over inequality between specialists and emergency physicians. He said the government will resolve the issue in June through budget changes. The plan will include emergency doctors …

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Arta Marku Heads the National Center for Books and Reading

The Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, announced a new appointment today. Arta Marku now leads the National Center for Books and Reading. She began her career in 1993 at the newspaper Koha Jonë. Later, she worked at Gazeta Shqiptare, Shekulli, and Panorama. She always focused on books …

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Tirana parking services go digital with new mobile app

TIRANA, April 8 – Parking services in Tirana have moved to a fully digital system, allowing users to access all services through the “Tirana Parking” mobile application. Authorities say the platform aims to simplify procedures and improve access for residents. Through the app, users can apply for resident parking permits, …

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Albanian Journalists Claim Bureaucratic Obstacles Intended to Discourage Digging

Is a decline in Freedom of Information requests last year in Albania a result of greater institutional transparency or the increasing pointlessness of the process? Journalists claim it could be a deliberate strategy. Original post Here

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“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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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%. …

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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, …

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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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News
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 …

News

“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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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%. …

News

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, …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …