Conference League: Dinamo City draw 1-1 with Pafos, qualification remains open
TIRANA, August 21 – Dinamo City drew 1-1 with Pafos at Elbasan Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off. The result leaves the tie open ahead of the return match. Neither side scored in the first half. Pafos missed a penalty in the 36th minute before …
National Maritime Museum to highlight Shkodër’s historic link with the lake
TIRANA, August 21 – The National Maritime Museum is taking shape at the entrance to Shkodër. The museum will tell the story of the city’s historic links with the lake, rivers and navigation. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the construction work on social media as the project adds …
NATO: Any decision on reopening Ibër bridge must address all communities
TIRANA, August 21 – NATO says any decision to reopen the main bridge over the Ibër River to vehicle traffic must address the needs of all local communities. A NATO official told Radio Free Europe that KFOR continues to provide security support for European Union diplomatic efforts. The official said …
Albanian anthem omitted in Pustec, PM Rama: ‘Parody’, minorities are a national asset, we will not respond in kind
TIRANA, August 21 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to the cultural event held in Pustec on August 20. Organisers played the North Macedonian national anthem but omitted the Albanian national anthem. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as a “meaningful parody”. He said Pustec Mayor …
Albania’s Diverse Fruit Production: From Korçë Apples to Berat Figs
Albania has a diverse fruit production map, with different regions specializing in different crops. Korçë remains one of the country’s leading apple-producing areas. The municipality produced around 17,700 tonnes of apples in 2025. Maliq followed with about 17,200 tonnes, while Devoll produced nearly 13,000 tonnes. Elbasan leads the country in …
Gjirokastër Castle Welcomes 161,000 Visitors in Seven Months, Up 13%
Gjirokastër Castle continues to attract growing numbers of visitors. Between January and July 2026, the historic site welcomed 161,274 visitors, marking a 13% increase from the same period last year. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the figures. He said the castle continues to attract visitors because of …
Albanian Olympic Committee delegation attends election of new Mediterranean Games chief
TIRANA, August 21 – Albanian Olympic Committee President Fidel Ylli and Secretary General Gerti Shima took part in the election of Francesco Purromuto as the new president of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games. The election took place in Taranto ahead of the opening of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. …
Albania’s National Cinematography Center Opens Call for Debut Feature Films
The National Cinematography Center (QKK) has opened applications for its “First Feature Film” category. The call targets Albanian filmmakers and emerging talents who want to bring their first feature-length projects to the big screen. QKK aims to support new filmmakers with original ideas and distinctive stories. The initiative gives young …
Albanian Football Federation chief Duka highlights competition and young talent as new season begins
TIRANA, August 21 – The new Abissnet Superiore season starts today on RTSH. The 88th edition of Albania’s top football division opens with Vllaznia against Skënderbeu at Loro Boriçi Stadium at 21:00. Albanian Football Federation President Armand Duka says the new season will bring stronger competition and new opportunities for …
Zelensky Visit to Belgrade: What Could He Learn from Israeli Experience
by Edward P. Joseph Tirana Times, August 21, 2026 – At the NATO Summit in Ankara last month, I had the high honor of meeting President Zelensky. Had I known he was heading soon to Belgrade, I would have shared critical advice with his advisors. Besieged by an aggressor like …
Prime Minister Edi Rama continued public consultations on the territorial administrative reform in Berat today. He focused on how the proposed reorganization of local units could affect public services. Rama stressed that the merger would not reduce services in Poliçan, Dimal or other local units. Instead, he said the reform …
Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu said that 12 hours of discussions cannot solve all the challenges citizens expect the healthcare system to address. She stressed that healthcare leaders must continue working directly with citizens and communities. During a coordination meeting with managers of primary healthcare and hospital …
Kosovo’s Assembly approved the new government led by Albin Kurti of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV) with 62 votes in favor, eight against and no abstentions, giving Kurti his fourth term as prime minister. LVV holds 53 seats, while nine lawmakers from non-majority communities also supported the government. Eight represent non-Serb …
The Academy of Sciences of Albania today marked the 119th anniversary of the birth of Dhimitër Pasko, known in literature as Mitrush Kuteli. Kuteli was born in Pogradec on September 13, 1907. He became one of Albania’s most distinguished writers, translators, economists and scholars. He made major contributions to literature, …
“What truly makes a difference is the dream,” Prime Minister Edi Rama said during a discussion with professors from the World Economic Forum, linking Albania’s transformation and that of the region to the aspiration for European Union membership. Responding to a Mongolian professor’s question about Albania’s democratic transformation and transition …
Dinamo City defeated Partizani 4-2 in the capital derby today at Vora Stadium, securing its third consecutive victory in the fourth round of the Abissnet Superiore. Ilir Daja’s side started strongly and opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Hekuran Berisha took advantage of a defensive mistake and put Dinamo …
The National Historical Museum today marked the 158th anniversary of the birth of Carl Patsch, the Austrian archaeologist and historian who made important contributions to the study of Albania and the Illyrians. Patsch was born on September 12, 1868. He directed the Provincial Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina and later …
The Goddess of Butrint, Dea, has returned to the ancient city where archaeologists discovered her. The work stands among Albania’s best-known archaeological treasures. Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed Dea’s return and said it adds further value to Albania’s history and cultural heritage. “Good news about Dea of Butrint returning home …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has brought back his “Flasim” podcast, focusing on education and Albania’s results in the international PISA 2025 assessment. In the first episode of the new season, titled “News from School,” Rama spoke about the start of the new school year and the progress of the education …
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi describes the development of the defence industry as a strategic priority for Albania. In a video message, he said that the country has now entered a new phase in which the defence industry aims to strengthen national security, technological capabilities and economic development. “The development of …