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Evis Kushi Elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament with 79 Votes as Opposition Boycotts Vote

During today’s plenary session, Evis Kushi was elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament with 79 votes in favor. At the time of the vote, the opposition boycotted the process and walked out of the chamber. Also today, Parliament voted on the President’s decree appointing Klodiana Spahiu as the new Minister of …

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Honors for Ratko Mladić in Serbia, Minister Hoxha: Glorifying War Criminals Goes Against European Values

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha reacted in a post on X to the honoring of the convicted war criminal. Hoxha said that Albania condemns the glorification of Mladić and joins the European Union and other countries that have condemned the way he was honored in Serbia. He …

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Court Presidents Call for Salaries to Be Unblocked: Constitutional Court Ruling Must Be Implemented

The presidents of Albania’s courts have called for the immediate unblocking of salaries for judges and judicial administration staff, as well as the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the matter. At a meeting held today, they discussed the situation created by the failure to process salaries and the …

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Kosovo Records 27.8% Rise in Hotel Visitors

Kosovo recorded a significant increase in hotel visitors in July 2026, according to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS). Hotels welcomed 99,053 visitors during the month. Domestic visitors accounted for 32,098, while foreign visitors reached 66,954. Compared with July 2025, when hotels recorded 77,481 visitors, the total number increased by …

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Gonxhja: Northern Towers Set for Restoration and Revitalization, Investments to Start by 2027

Albania is preparing to restore and revitalize its traditional northern towers. The government plans to start concrete investments by 2027. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the plan. He said the ministry is finalizing the national program with GIS and the State Cadastre Agency (ASHK). “Our goal is …

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Athletes from Albania and the Region Compete in 14th “Labeat” Triathlon

Shirokë, on the shores of Lake Shkodra, hosted the 14th edition of the “Labeat” Triathlon, bringing together athletes from Albania and across the region. The event combines swimming, cycling and running, creating a demanding competition that tests athletes across three disciplines. This year’s edition attracted around 90 competitors from Albania, …

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New Initiative to Finance Women Entrepreneurs Launches National Analytical Panel

The Bank of Albania and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched the “WE Finance Code Albania – Code for Financing Women Entrepreneurs” today. The initiative starts a national partnership to improve access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led or owned by women. The …

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Tirana Court Administration Boycotts Work Over Magistrates’ Salary Dispute

The administration of the Tirana Court boycotted work today. Employees protested after authorities failed to pay their August salaries. Although court administration employees do not directly take part in the institutional dispute over magistrates’ salaries, the salary blockage has affected them directly. Lawyer Arben Llangozi said in a social media …

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Le Figaro Nautisme: Albania’s Wild Coast Near Vlora, Karaburun and Sazan

A spectacular and largely untouched coastline stretches opposite Vlora. France’s “Le Figaro Nautisme” highlights the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Island as a unique destination between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. In an article by Charlotte Lacroix, the French media outlet describes a coastline of crystal-clear waters, steep cliffs, caves and …

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Rama Meets New EU Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa

Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the European Union’s new ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, at the Prime Minister’s Office today. Moreira de Sousa has officially taken charge of the EU Delegation in Tirana. Rama shared photos from the meeting on social media. “Welcome to Tirana, the new Ambassador …

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Former Deputy PM Balluku Faces New Corruption Evidence

Tirana Times, September 09, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has uncovered new evidence in its widening investigation of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, increasing pressure on one of the most powerful figures of the governing Socialist Party. SPAK said Wednesday that a special …

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High Fire Risk in Shkodër, Elbasan and Fier as temperatures reach 33°C

The Institute of GeoSciences (IGJEO) warns of a high fire risk this afternoon and tomorrow in Shkodër, Elbasan and Fier counties. Meanwhile, other parts of the country will face a moderate risk. However, the high-risk level will affect only localised areas in some counties. These include northeastern Lezhë, northeastern Tirana …

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Territorial reform, OSCE ambassador: No decision should be made without national-level consultation

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Michel Tarran, said in Pogradec that the territorial reform remains under discussion and that no final decision has been made so far. Asked about the consultation process, Tarran stressed that the OSCE does not impose a specific model for territorial organization. He …

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Bank of Albania, World Bank step up cooperation on digital payments

Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met with a World Bank delegation to discuss Albania’s economic performance, EU integration and payment-system modernization. Sejko said the economy continues to perform well, supported by growth, stronger employment and incomes, and financial stability. He also highlighted Albania’s progress toward EU standards. The talks …

News
Lek strengthens against major foreign currencies on domestic market

The lek strengthened against major foreign currencies in the domestic foreign exchange market on Wednesday, compared with the previous day. According to the official exchange rate published by the Bank of Albania, the euro fell by 0.05 lek, to 92.02 lek, while the US dollar dropped by 0.19 lek, to …

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“Balkans meet in Trieste”, FM Hoxha: Enlargement is Europe’s strength

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, was among the keynote speakers at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference. Italy’s ANSA news agency organized the event. The conference took place during the 34th General Assembly of the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE). The Friuli …

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FM Hoxha: Kosovo, an independent state and should be recognized; Regional cooperation remains a major priority

Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, Hoxha also addressed Albania’s positions on Kosovo,  stressing that Albania considers it an independent state that should receive international recognition. “We have fundamental differences with Serbia over Kosovo,” he said. “Kosovo is an independent state and should be recognized.” At the same …

News
Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past

The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …

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National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement

Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …

News
Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”

The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …

News

Former Deputy PM Balluku Faces New Corruption Evidence

Tirana Times, September 09, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has uncovered new evidence in its widening investigation of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, increasing pressure on one of the most powerful figures of the governing Socialist Party. SPAK said Wednesday that a special …

News

High Fire Risk in Shkodër, Elbasan and Fier as temperatures reach 33°C

The Institute of GeoSciences (IGJEO) warns of a high fire risk this afternoon and tomorrow in Shkodër, Elbasan and Fier counties. Meanwhile, other parts of the country will face a moderate risk. However, the high-risk level will affect only localised areas in some counties. These include northeastern Lezhë, northeastern Tirana …

News

Territorial reform, OSCE ambassador: No decision should be made without national-level consultation

The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Michel Tarran, said in Pogradec that the territorial reform remains under discussion and that no final decision has been made so far. Asked about the consultation process, Tarran stressed that the OSCE does not impose a specific model for territorial organization. He …

News

Bank of Albania, World Bank step up cooperation on digital payments

Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met with a World Bank delegation to discuss Albania’s economic performance, EU integration and payment-system modernization. Sejko said the economy continues to perform well, supported by growth, stronger employment and incomes, and financial stability. He also highlighted Albania’s progress toward EU standards. The talks …

News

Lek strengthens against major foreign currencies on domestic market

The lek strengthened against major foreign currencies in the domestic foreign exchange market on Wednesday, compared with the previous day. According to the official exchange rate published by the Bank of Albania, the euro fell by 0.05 lek, to 92.02 lek, while the US dollar dropped by 0.19 lek, to …

News

“Balkans meet in Trieste”, FM Hoxha: Enlargement is Europe’s strength

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, was among the keynote speakers at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference. Italy’s ANSA news agency organized the event. The conference took place during the 34th General Assembly of the Alliance of Balkan News Agencies – Southeast Europe (ABNA-SE). The Friuli …

News

FM Hoxha: Kosovo, an independent state and should be recognized; Regional cooperation remains a major priority

Speaking at the “Balkans Meet in Trieste” conference, Hoxha also addressed Albania’s positions on Kosovo,  stressing that Albania considers it an independent state that should receive international recognition. “We have fundamental differences with Serbia over Kosovo,” he said. “Kosovo is an independent state and should be recognized.” At the same …

News

Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past

The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …

News

National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement

Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …

News

Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”

The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …