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 …
The anti-government protests that rocked Albania this summer will not jeopardise its EU membership prospects – but will feed into a broader assessment of Tirana’s respect for democracy and that rule of law. Original post Here
Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Valentina Superti, Director for the Western Balkans at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement, to discuss Albania’s progress toward EU membership. Their first meeting focused on the final milestones for Chapter 24, “Justice, Freedom and Security,” and Chapter 22, “Regional Policy and Coordination of …
Albania’s Customs Administration has published the “Customs Valuation Manual”, a practical guide designed to standardize procedures and ensure the consistent application of rules for determining the value of goods for customs purposes. The manual brings together the relevant legal framework and customs valuation methods. It also addresses issues that customs …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu, together with the Council of Europe, presented proposed amendments to Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code today. The initiative launches a public consultation on a broad reform of criminal procedures. The proposals focus on pre-trial detention, alternatives to imprisonment, stronger safeguards and the protection of individual rights. In …
On National Cultural Heritage Day, the Albanian Parliament expressed its appreciation for everyone who works to preserve and pass on the country’s cultural heritage from one generation to the next. In a social media post, Parliament highlighted the work of Vendim Kapaj, who holds the title “Grand Master” and has …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission assessing public investment efficiency (PIMA), led by Ian Hawkesworth. The meeting focused on the IMF’s findings and assessment of Albania’s public investment efficiency. The IMF plans to publish the full report soon. During the meeting, participants highlighted Albania’s …
Prime Minister Edi Rama today presented a draft package of amendments to Albania’s Criminal Procedure Code. Rama focused on the rules for imposing security measures. He also outlined plans to strengthen alternatives to pre-trial detention. During the presentation, Rama referred to an episode involving Professor Rafael Pariso. According to Rama, …
“Drafting a Criminal Procedure Code ranks among a country’s most important undertakings. It defines how authorities collect evidence, conduct questioning, restrict freedom and enforce criminal penalties,” said Gianluca Esposito, Director General for Human Rights and the Rule of Law at the Council of Europe. Speaking at a meeting in Tirana …
On National Cultural Heritage Day, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced that the National Institute of Cultural Heritage has registered and catalogued, for the first time, the objects preserved in the “Mill Room” at Ardenica Monastery. The objects will now become part of Albania’s cultural heritage inventory. …
German Cultural Week 2026 will bring art, music, gastronomy and traditions to Tirana under the slogan “Culture Connects Us All,” as part of the International Cultural Weeks. From October 2 to 6, the city will celebrate German culture through a diverse program of events. Since the launch of the International …