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Albania marks 68 years of UNESCO membership, highlighting its cultural and natural heritage

Albania joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 68 years ago, becoming part of an international effort to protect cultural and natural heritage around the world. UNESCO safeguards invaluable heritage sites that bear witness to human life and activity across the centuries. The organization has 194 member …

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Albania’s Interfaith Council calls for peace, justice and national dialogue amid rising tensions

The Interfaith Council of Albania has issued a public statement calling for peace, justice, responsibility and national dialogue. The appeal comes as the country faces protests and rising tensions. Representatives of Albania’s official religious communities urged authorities to take citizens’ and students’ concerns seriously. They called for concrete and transparent …

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INSTAT: Albania’s tourism growth slows sharply in August despite rise in hotel occupancy

Albania’s hotels and other accommodation facilities recorded a sharp slowdown in tourism growth during the peak summer season. Both visitor numbers and overnight stays increased at much slower rates than a year earlier, according to the country’s statistics agency, INSTAT. The number of visitors staying in Albanian accommodation rose by …

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Japanese Tea Ceremony Brings Tradition and Philosophy to Tirana

A traditional Japanese tea ceremony brought an authentic taste of Japanese culture to Tirana as part of Japanese Cultural Week, which began on October 14 and runs through October 18. Japanese masters led demonstrations that introduced participants to this centuries-old tradition. The ceremony combined aesthetics, philosophy, mindfulness and harmony. Participants …

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UN urges restraint and dialogue as tensions escalate during Tirana protest

The United Nations in Albania has expressed concern over acts of violence and rising tensions during protests in Tirana. The organization has called on all parties to avoid violence and engage in constructive dialogue. In its statement, the UN reaffirmed the importance of protecting fundamental rights. These include peaceful assembly, …

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Balkans Sea Fair Returns to Orikum for Three Days of Sailing, Adventure and Business

Balkans Sea Fair will return to Marina Orikum in Vlora for its second edition, following its debut in May 2025. The three-day event, scheduled for October 16–18, will promote Albania’s maritime tourism through sailing, adventure, business and seaside entertainment. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the fair …

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Petro Zheji: Celebrating Albania’s Renowned Translator and Linguistic Thinker

Petro Zheji (1929–2015) ranks among Albania’s most distinguished translators. During the communist era, he helped introduce major works of world literature to Albanian readers, alongside prominent translators such as Mitrush Kuteli, Jusuf Vrioni, Klio Evangjeli and Vedat Kokona. His translations covered a wide range of literary traditions, including German, Spanish, …

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Albanian State Police denies claims that Serbian officers joined its ranks

Albania’s State Police has dismissed social media reports claiming that Serbian police officers have joined its ranks. The force described the allegations as false and malicious. The police said the claims seek to exploit nationalist sentiment, stir tensions and undermine public trust. It warned that such allegations could fuel conflict …

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rench media outlet Ulysse: Albania among 10 European destinations recommended for autumn holidays

Albania features among 10 European destinations recommended for autumn holidays in a selection published by French media outlet Ulysse. The list highlights places where visitors can enjoy nature, beaches and cultural attractions in October. In an article by Luc Rongier, Albania appears alongside Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, southern France, Croatia, …

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Rama blames opposition and foreign forces for violence during Tirana protests

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama today condemned violence during three days of protests in Tirana. Speaking outside a private business gutted by fire, he blamed the opposition and alleged that foreign forces also sought to destabilize Albania. He claimed these actors wanted to obstruct the country’s path towards European Union …

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A Bulgarian young anthropologist, cook, and researcher

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 …

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Justice Minister reacts after fire at Supreme Court: Setting fire to a court does not target the government, but citizens’ right to justice

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 …

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Archbishop Peragine reacts to protests: Albania does not deserve to relive the wounds of its past

The Archbishop of Shkodër-Pult, Monsignor Giovanni Peragine, has reacted to the protests that have taken place in Albania in recent days, stressing that the country does not deserve to relive the painful wounds of its past. In a statement, he called on the authorities to listen to citizens, open the …

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Konjufca: Serbia’s Territorial Ambitions Pose a Serious Threat to Kosovo and Regional Stability

Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, said that Serbia’s territorial ambitions pose a serious threat to Kosovo’s sovereignty and regional stability. In an interview with Hungary Insider, Konjufca said that Serbia’s territorial ambitions must be understood through the connection between its political rhetoric and …

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Skënder Hita: 132 Police Officers Injured During Protests, 5 Today Alone, One Suffers Multiple Jaw Fractures

The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, has provided an update on the number of police officers injured during the protests, stating that a total of 132 officers have been injured in Tirana, Shkodër and Lezhë. According to Hita, five police officers were injured today alone, one of …

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Health Ministry Updates Hospital Casualty Figures and Their Conditions: 9 Protesters, 4 Police Officers and 1 Bystander

The Ministry of Health has issued another update on the number of people admitted to hospital after being injured during the student protests in recent hours. According to the Ministry of Health, nine protesters, four police officers and one bystander have sought medical attention at the University Trauma Hospital (SUT). …

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QSUT: 21 Police Officers and 13 Protesters Seek Medical Assistance Following Protest

The University Hospital Centre of Tirana (QSUT) has updated its figures on the health conditions of people injured during the protest, covering the period from 5:00 p.m. until now. According to the statement, a total of 21 police officers and 13 protesters have sought medical assistance. Full statement: University Trauma …

News
A Bulgarian young anthropologist, cook,  and researcher

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 microbiome. Albania is living …

News
Quo Vadis, Albania?

by Dr. Elez Bebiraj Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Albania is facing the most serious political crisis of Edi Rama’s thirteen years in power. Protesters demanding the prime minister’s resignation have attacked government buildings, clashed with police, and damaged public and private property. The unrest has spread from Tirana …

News
Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces Meets US Ambassador Eric Wendt

The Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, has met with the new US Ambassador, Eric Wendt. In a social media post, Kingji said that during the meeting, he expressed his gratitude for the United States’ continued support in the field of defence, …

News

A Bulgarian young anthropologist, cook, and researcher

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 …

News

Justice Minister reacts after fire at Supreme Court: Setting fire to a court does not target the government, but citizens’ right to justice

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 …

News

Archbishop Peragine reacts to protests: Albania does not deserve to relive the wounds of its past

The Archbishop of Shkodër-Pult, Monsignor Giovanni Peragine, has reacted to the protests that have taken place in Albania in recent days, stressing that the country does not deserve to relive the painful wounds of its past. In a statement, he called on the authorities to listen to citizens, open the …

News

Konjufca: Serbia’s Territorial Ambitions Pose a Serious Threat to Kosovo and Regional Stability

Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, said that Serbia’s territorial ambitions pose a serious threat to Kosovo’s sovereignty and regional stability. In an interview with Hungary Insider, Konjufca said that Serbia’s territorial ambitions must be understood through the connection between its political rhetoric and …

News

Skënder Hita: 132 Police Officers Injured During Protests, 5 Today Alone, One Suffers Multiple Jaw Fractures

The General Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, has provided an update on the number of police officers injured during the protests, stating that a total of 132 officers have been injured in Tirana, Shkodër and Lezhë. According to Hita, five police officers were injured today alone, one of …

News

Health Ministry Updates Hospital Casualty Figures and Their Conditions: 9 Protesters, 4 Police Officers and 1 Bystander

The Ministry of Health has issued another update on the number of people admitted to hospital after being injured during the student protests in recent hours. According to the Ministry of Health, nine protesters, four police officers and one bystander have sought medical attention at the University Trauma Hospital (SUT). …

News

QSUT: 21 Police Officers and 13 Protesters Seek Medical Assistance Following Protest

The University Hospital Centre of Tirana (QSUT) has updated its figures on the health conditions of people injured during the protest, covering the period from 5:00 p.m. until now. According to the statement, a total of 21 police officers and 13 protesters have sought medical assistance. Full statement: University Trauma …

News

A Bulgarian young anthropologist, cook,  and researcher

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 microbiome. Albania is living …

News

Quo Vadis, Albania?

by Dr. Elez Bebiraj Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Albania is facing the most serious political crisis of Edi Rama’s thirteen years in power. Protesters demanding the prime minister’s resignation have attacked government buildings, clashed with police, and damaged public and private property. The unrest has spread from Tirana …

News

Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces Meets US Ambassador Eric Wendt

The Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, has met with the new US Ambassador, Eric Wendt. In a social media post, Kingji said that during the meeting, he expressed his gratitude for the United States’ continued support in the field of defence, …