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Daily Life at Kruja Castle: Tourists Explore the Skanderbeg Museum and Old Bazaar

Kruja Castle remains one of Albania’s leading cultural tourism destinations. Every day, it attracts both domestic and international visitors. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage Monday morning showing “daily life at Kruja Castle.” The images show tourists exploring one of Albania’s most important historical heritage sites. The castle stands on …

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Generation Voyage: From Museums to Gastronomy, How to Enjoy Tirana on a Rainy Day

Tirana offers plenty of options for visitors even on rainy days. From museums and cultural venues to New Bazaar and the cafés and restaurants of Blloku, visitors can explore the Albanian capital through indoor activities that combine history, culture and gastronomy. French travel media Generation Voyage highlighted these options in …

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Sovereign Guarantee Supports Olive Oil Production and Exports in Elbasan

Modern technology investments and support through Albania’s National Investment Scheme and Soft Loan with a Sovereign Guarantee are helping businesses in Elbasan expand production and reach international markets. “Toka Olives Oil,” one of the newer brands in extra virgin olive oil and table olive production, has invested in new equipment …

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Rama Visits Vlora, Welcomed by Mayor Mersini

Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Vlora on Monday afternoon. Mayor Brunilda Mersini welcomed him to the city. Rama first visited “Aulona” Park along the city’s main boulevard. Accompanied by Mersini, he inspected the former park area, which authorities plan to transform into a green and recreational public space. During …

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Aleks Buda: A Leading Figure in Albanian Historiography and Academic Life

The Academy of Sciences of Albania commemorated academician Aleks Buda on the anniversary of his birth. It honored him as one of the most distinguished figures in Albanian historiography and academic life. Aleks Buda was born on September 7, 1911, into a noble and patriotic family in Elbasan. His father, …

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Spahiu meets US Special Envoy Zampolli to deepen strategic cooperation

Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Klodiana Spahiu, who has also been nominated as Minister of Health and Social Welfare, met today with Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy and the US government’s Special Representative for Global Partnerships. Spahiu and Zampolli discussed the strong relations between Albania …

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Hoxha meets US Special Envoy Zampolli to boost economic cooperation and investment

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today with Paolo Zampolli, the United States Special Envoy for Global Partnerships. The meeting focused on ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. The two sides paid particular attention to expanding economic cooperation, increasing trade and …

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Trump Special Envoy Zampolli: Albanian People Should Decide on Bektashi State

US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships in the Balkans, Paolo Zampolli, said Monday that the Albanian people should decide whether to establish a sovereign Bektashi state in Tirana. During his visit to Albania, Zampolli met with representatives of the Bektashi community and Albanian political leaders. He also …

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Balla Meets Trump Special Envoy: Albania a Model of Peace and Religious Coexistence

Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla met today with US President Donald J. Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, at the Albanian Parliament. During the meeting, Balla and Zampolli discussed the strong relationship between Albania and the United States. They also exchanged views on regional and …

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Rama on “Flasim Shqip” Podcast: A Look Back at His School Years

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today an excerpt from his interview with journalist Rudina Xhunga, who held an extensive conversation with the prime minister on her “Flasim Shqip” podcast. In a video posted on social media, Rama shared part of his story about his school years. He recalled an experience …

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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 …

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 …

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 …