How Voice of America ‘Opened a Window’ in Isolated, Communist Albania
Afrim Krasniqi’s new book highlights the US radio station’s crucial role in bringing about change in Albania in 1990 – then ‘the most closed society in Europe’. Original post Here
Emergency teams respond to large fire in Tirana complex
Fire broke out in a residential building near “Farmacia 10” in Tirana on Rruga e Dibrës. The fire started on the first floor. It quickly spread across the building’s facade. Flames engulfed the structure. Firefighters evacuated residents using ladders. Police secured the area with safety cordons. Emergency teams transported several …
Brataj: 11 people hurt in “Arlis” blaze, all out of danger
Emergency Director Skënder Brataj confirmed that the fire at the “Arlis” complex in Tirana injured 11 people. Doctors placed six patients in hospital care. They admitted four patients to the Toxicology ward, one to emergency care, and one to the burns unit. Doctors treated a woman in her 50s for …
Inspector orders checks of businesses after “Arlis” fire
Inspector General Dashnor Sula formed a working group after the fire at the “Arlis” complex in Tirana. The fire affected a building near Farmacia 10. The group will verify the circumstances of the incident. Officials will check businesses operating inside the complex. They will assess compliance with technical and legal …
Ali Ahmeti calls for a borderless and peaceful Balkans at Diaspora Summit
Ali Ahmeti spoke at the fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He highlighted the role of the Albanian diaspora in national development. He said the diaspora has preserved language, culture, and identity. Ahmeti stated that Albanians abroad contributed to Kosovo’s freedom and state-building. He added that the Albanian language and …
NATO chief Rutte meets Albanian Defence Minister Nufi in Brussels
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Rutte praised Albania’s commitment to NATO. He highlighted Albania’s contribution to collective security. Both sides discussed support for Ukraine. They also reviewed recent security developments. They focused on the situation in the Western Balkans. …
Rama grants Albanian passport to former New York mayor Eric Adams
Prime Minister Edi Rama gave former New York City mayor Eric Adams an Albanian ID card and passport in Tirana. The ceremony took place during the fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit gala evening. Rama said no one expected the former New York mayor to become a citizen of Tirana and Albania. …
“Jusuf Vrioni” translation awards announced at Albanian Diaspora Summit
Organizers presented the “Jusuf Vrioni” translation awards during the fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit gala in Tirana. The Publishing Center for the Diaspora launched the competition for young translators from the diaspora. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the winners. They will receive contracts with the Publishing Center for the Diaspora. They …
Albania and Kosovo strengthen coordination on national interests and diaspora role
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca in Tirana during the fourth Albanian Diaspora Summit. Both leaders emphasized stronger cooperation between Albania and Kosovo. They highlighted the Albanian diaspora as a key asset for national development. Hoxha said the diaspora connects the nation …
105 years since the birth of beloved Albanian actor Pandi Raidhi
Albania marks 105 years since the birth of actor Pandi Raidhi. He remains one of the most beloved figures of Albanian theatre and cinema. He died in Tirana in 1999. Raidhi co-founded the Professional Estrada of Korça. He also helped establish the “Andon Zako Çajupi” Theatre. He made his film …
The Albanian Parliament approved Albania’s participation in a peacekeeping mission as part of the International Stabilization Force in Gaza. Following the parliamentary vote, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi described the decision as a step that turns Albania’s commitment to peace into a concrete contribution on the ground. “A decision that turns …
Albania aims to significantly expand its railway network in the coming years. The country plans to improve connections between Tirana, Durrës, the airport and regional transport corridors by 2030. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enkelejda Muçaj said today that the Tirana-Durrës railway and the link to Tirana International Airport …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …