Korça Marathon 2026 to combine sport and city attractions
Korça is preparing to host another major sporting event as the city holds the title of European City of Sport 2026. The Korça Marathon will take place on September 20. Participants will compete in 3 km, 5 km and 21 km races, with free entry. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared …
INSTAT: Exports Rise 1.6% in August to 20.5 Billion Lek
Goods exports reached 20.5 billion lek in August. They rose 1.6% compared with August 2025, according to INSTAT data. Imports rose 12.6% year-on-year. They reached 75.6 billion lek. Compared with July, exports fell 39%. Imports also fell, by 12.6%. The trade deficit reached 55 billion lek in August. It increased …
Literature as Ukraine’s Memory and Voice: Andrey Kurkov at COD
Ukraine’s voice resonated at the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) through literature, memory and humor. The center hosted Ukrainian writer Andrey Kurkov, one of the country’s best-known contemporary authors. Kurkov is visiting Albania for the first time. The discussion focused on his novel “Jimmy Hendrix Live in Lviv.” The …
Social care institutions focus on support for vulnerable groups
Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu met with the heads of 28 social care institutions to discuss challenges and needs related to improving social services. According to a social media post by Spahiu, the meeting focused on support for children, older people, young people and people with disabilities. …
Instagram Takedowns and AI Deepfakes Target Albania’s ‘Flamingo’ Protesters
Far from isolated incidents, experts say the targeting of social media accounts linked to anti-government protesters in Albania is part of a ‘coordinated pattern’ of censorship. Original post Here
Foreign trade: €223 million in exports in August, imports also increase
Exports continued to remain in positive territory in August 2026, but at a significantly slower pace than in previous months. The latest data from INSTAT show that sales of Albanian goods abroad reached ALL 20.5 billion, an increase of 1.6% compared with August last year. Albania’s foreign trade saw an …
110th protest in Tirana, demonstrators march towards the Prime Minister’s Office
Protesters gathered this Thursday in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana and began marching towards the Prime Minister’s Office as part of the latest protest against the government. This marks the 110th protest held so far, with demonstrators opposing the government and its policies. Organizers have announced that the protests will continue …
High prices reduce consumption, citizens say: Pensions go towards medicines and food
High prices for basic goods are reducing consumer spending. Although these are essential food items, citizens say they are buying less and are even avoiding fruits or vegetables that are too expensive. “They are very expensive. We can’t afford them. There is high unemployment, and we are barely managing. How …
It’s not just the verdict that is unjust
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – The Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ has convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army leaders of war crimes but acquitted them of crimes against humanity. The sentence for Thaci is 25 years. This is happening while Aleksandar Vucic is resigning from …
How a Sanctioned Russian Oligarch’s Business Interests Reached Albanian Public Contracts
Millions of euros flowed to companies linked to Strabag while Oleg Deripaska remained a major shareholder, exposing gaps in Albania’s ability to identify who ultimately benefits from public money Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – For years, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s economic interests in Albania were largely invisible. They did …
Eric Wendt presents credentials in Tirana as Albania and the United States look to the next phase of their strategic relationship Tirana Times, September, 27, 2026 – Eric P. Wendt, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and former commander of NATO’s Special Operations Headquarters, has formally taken up his post …
Kosovo-born, Austria-based artist honored for a career that has turned memory, displacement and identity into a bridge between cultures Tirana Times, September 29, 2026 – Kosovo-born Albanian painter Gazmend Freitag, who has built his artistic career in Austria, has been awarded the title “Painter of the Year 2025”, receiving the distinction …
Authorities have approved three new permits for tourist complexes in a protected area in Zvernec – where a project backed by Jared Kushner triggered the ‘Flamingo Revolution’ protests. Original post Here
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:4c373d13-a52f-4222-9521-ffa1122dc669-40″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:4c373d13-a52f-4222-9521-ffa1122dc669-40″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> div:has([data-free-thinking-preview-answer=true])+:is(.text-message,.relative:has(>.text-message))]:-mt-2 grow”> Albania’s Minister of the Interior, Ervin Demo, met Italian Ambassador Marco Alberti on Tuesday to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries in the field of security. In a post on social media, Demo said the cooperation …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is attracting investors who can expand luxury tourism and generate higher revenues for the country. He spoke at the Euronews Tourism Summit 2026 in Brussels, where he discussed the future of tourism, investment and Albania’s growing potential. Rama argued that tourism built mainly on …
Albania’s General Directorate of Archives is expanding its international partnerships through new contacts with archival institutions abroad. Director General Auron Rrokaj hosted the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Albania, Rana Abu Sibae, to discuss potential cooperation between Albania’s General Directorate of Archives and the Palestinian Archives Institute. The …
The ballet companies of Albania and Kosovo will perform together on the same stage for the first time, marking a significant cultural milestone for both countries. The production “Neighbours / From Motherland”, created by choreographers Brigel Gjoka and Rauf “RubberLegz” Yasit, will open the fifth edition of the International Dance …
An exhibition showcasing the traditional architecture of communities around Lake Shkodra opened on Albania’s National Cultural Heritage Day, highlighting the shared history, craftsmanship and architectural identity of regions connected by the lake. The exhibition, titled “Traditional Architecture Along the Lake Shkodra Basin,” is the result of a collaboration between the …
The Ancient Amphitheatre of Durrës has entered a new phase of conservation and archaeological research as authorities step up efforts to preserve one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the start of the Conservation and Archaeological Excavation Plan, an initiative …
“Coffee at Noon,” a comedy by Croatian playwright Miro Gavran, took the stage at the Kujtim Spahivogli National Experimental Theatre in Tirana as part of Croatian Cultural Week. The play, performed by Mladena Gavran and Vedran Komerički, tells the story of a mother and her son and follows their relationship …