Porto Romano Military Port: Abrazhda Receives Italian Delegation
An Italian military delegation, led by Major General Luigi Casali, paid an official visit to Albania as part of cooperation on the Porto Romano military port project. Deputy Defense Minister Blerina Abrazhda received the Italian delegation at the Ministry of Defense. During the visit, the delegation held a working meeting …
Begaj Meets Dukaj: Albanians in Montenegro a Strong Bridge of Friendship Between the Two Countries
President Bajram Begaj met today with Montenegro’s Minister of Public Administration, Marash Dukaj. They discussed achievements and the role of the Albanian community in Montenegro. During the meeting, Begaj highlighted the Albanian community’s contribution at both local and central levels to Montenegro’s integration process. Begaj also described Albanians in Montenegro …
Balla Meets Congressman Ritchie Torres in the Bronx, Home to Albanian-American Community
Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla met with U.S. Congressman Ritchie Torres during his visit to the United States. Torres represents New York’s 15th Congressional District, which includes parts of the Bronx, home to a large Albanian-American community. The Bronx also hosts institutions that help preserve Albanian language and …
Greek Ambassador at COD: Tackling Stereotypes in Diplomacy and Society
Culture and diplomacy took center stage at the “Diplomacy and Culture – Greece” meeting, organized by the Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD). Greek Ambassador to Albania Elina Komini attended the event as a guest. The meeting explored the role of culture and diplomacy in strengthening international relations and overcoming …
Marie Kraja: The Soprano with the Crystal-Clear Voice and TKOB Founder
The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet today commemorated the 115th anniversary of the birth of “People’s Artist” Marie Kraja, describing her as one of the most prominent voices in Albanian opera and one of the founding figures of the institution. Marie Kraja was born on Sept. 24, 1911. She …
“Unbounded Voices”: Photo Exhibition in Tirana Celebrates Women of the Balkans
Agence France-Presse (AFP) has brought “Unbounded Voices: Women of the Balkans – Strength & Legacy” to Tirana. The photography exhibition opened today at Vila 31 x Art Explora with support from L’Oréal Group. The exhibition brings together intimate portraits of nine women from across the Balkans. Their stories explore daily …
Pirdeni Meets EU Ambassador: Focus on Public Administration Reform and Fight Against Corruption
Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni met today with European Union Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa. During the meeting, Pirdeni and Ambassador Moreira de Sousa discussed the next steps in Albania’s EU accession negotiations, public administration reform and the fight against corruption. Pirdeni highlighted …
Former Intelligence Chief Accused of Blackmailing Leading Investigative Journalist
Vlora Hyseni’s public accusation against Klodiana Lala has triggered an unusually broad reaction from journalists’ organizations and opposition politicians, while raising a deeper question: was Albania’s intelligence service collecting information on investigative journalists, and could such information have been used to intimidate them? Tirana Times, September 24, 2026 – Klodiana …
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development raises Albania growth forecast to 3.5%
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has raised its forecast for Albania’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5%, from 3.4% in June. The bank linked the revision to reforms and investment related to European Union accession. Albania’s economy grew by 3.8% in 2025 and by 3.7% in the first …
Archaeological research resumes at Paleolithic settlement in Gajtan near Shkodër
Archaeological research has resumed for a second consecutive year in Gajtan village, east of Shkodër, near the Gajtan Cave. The work forms part of the Gajtan Paleolithic Archaeological Research in Albania project. Archaeologist Rudens Ruka leads the project, which brings together Albania’s Institute of Archaeology and several French research institutions. …
While addressing widely-held concerns about pretrial detention measures, a bill to rewrite a big chunk of Albania’s Code of Criminal Procedure has been met with consternation among judges, prosecutors and civil society groups worried it will ‘neuter’ a key anti-corruption body none too popular with PM Edi Rama. Original post …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said interest from businesses in the “Double Your Business” scheme has increased, with 32 loans worth around €5 million approved by October 5. Speaking at an event dedicated to the scheme, Rama said the program aims to support small and medium-sized businesses that have survived the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the “Double Your Business” programme on Wednesday. He said the programme aims to support small and medium-sized businesses through financing at interest rates of up to 2%. According to Rama, around 400 businesses are currently in the application process. He also said that 32 loans …
Health centres across the country have begun administering seasonal flu vaccinations. The vaccine is provided free of charge to all groups at risk of developing severe forms of the illness, as well as to those who are in constant contact with the public and are therefore at greater risk of …
One year after Judge Astrit Kalaja was killed in a courtroom, the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of the Republic of Albania are calling for the establishment of a dedicated police unit to ensure security at courts and prosecutors’ offices, as well …
Fifteen municipalities are expected to disappear under Albania’s proposed new territorial map. While the government presents the reform as a matter of efficiency and consolidation, communities that may lose municipal status fear that services will move farther away, local representation will weaken, and already shrinking peripheral areas will become even …
Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight held a two-day working visit to Berlin. They focused on handling petitions and citizens’ initiatives, strengthening parliamentary oversight and deepening institutional cooperation. At the German Bundestag, the delegation attended a meeting of the Committee on Petitions and exchanged …
The Albanian parliamentary delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, led by Igli Hasani and including Bledar Çuçi, Damian Gjiknuri and Fatmir Mediu, attended the 109th Rose-Roth Seminar in Chisinau, Moldova, on October 6-7. The seminar, organized with Moldova’s Parliament, focused on NATO-Moldova cooperation, regional and Black Sea security, and the …
More than 200 Albanian law enforcement professionals earned certifications in 2026 after completing crime investigation training. The US Embassy in Tirana congratulated State Police crime specialists who completed the Level 1 Crime Investigation Course at the Security Academy. The US Department of Justice’s International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) …
The Council of Ministers approved the founding act and statute of the state-owned company “Operator of State-Owned Companies” sh.a. during its meeting on Wednesday. The decision, proposed by the Minister of Economy and Innovation, also sets the company’s initial capital. The new company will start with ALL 100 million in …