Albania joins ECLFM, opening new opportunities for forensic medicine development
Albania has joined the European Council of Legal and Forensic Medicine (ECLFM), the highest European body for forensic medicine. Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the membership strengthens Albania’s position within the European forensic medicine community and creates new opportunities for professional and scientific development. Through this membership, Albania will officially …
German Ambassador meets Ombudsman: Human rights work promotes European values
German Ambassador Karl Bergner met with Albania’s Ombudsman Endrit Shabani and praised the institution’s work to protect human rights and promote European values. During the meeting, Bergner congratulated Shabani on his new role and highlighted the Ombudsman’s contribution to building a fairer and more inclusive society. The two officials discussed …
French Cultural Week brings art, culture and inspiration to Albania
The French Cultural Week will begin this Sunday and continue until July 24, bringing a diverse program of artistic activities across Albania. The event will showcase French culture through impressionist painting, classical theatre, ballet, cinema, literature, music and other forms of artistic expression. As one of the world’s leading cultural …
Hollywood music concert captivates Shkodër audience
Composer Aldo Shllaku brought the magic of Hollywood film music to his hometown of Shkodër, performing his internationally acclaimed works for the first time before a local audience. The concert featured emotional soundtracks created by Shllaku, an artist who has built a successful career in the global film industry while …
Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival celebrates its fifth edition in Tirana
The fifth edition of the Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival brought international jazz performances to the “Mirush Kabashi” open-air theatre near Tirana’s Artificial Lake. The festival welcomed artists from Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside some of Albania’s most renowned jazz musicians. The evening opened …
BIRN Report Warns Digital Repression is Worsening Across Western Balkans, Turkey
New digital rights monitoring report published by BIRN reveals an increasingly hostile digital landscape – especially for journalists and civil society – across the Western Balkans and Turkey. Original post Here
PM Rama meets Erdogan at Presidential Palace in Ankara
TIRANA, July 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace, Cumhurbaskanlıgı Kulliyesi, in Ankara. Rama shared images from the meeting on social media. He described Erdogan as a valued friend and said the talks followed the NATO Summit and …
President Begaj in southern Serbia Presheva Valley: Protecting Albanian language and culture reflects European values
TIRANA, July 9 – President Bajram Begaj visited the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia on Thursday, where he met local representatives and residents in Presheva and Bujanoc. During his meetings with Presheva Mayor Ardita Sinani, Bujanoc Mayor Arbër Pajaziti, Albanian National Council Chairman Enkel Rexhepi and Albanian MP in Serbia’s …
Household survey of 4,558 families to guide future social policies
TIRANA, July 9 – The Institute of Statistics of Albania, in cooperation with line ministries and partners, reviewed the preliminary results of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and discussed the preparation of the final report. The meeting marked an important stage in transforming collected data into analysis and recommendations for …
New direct flight connects Tirana and Zurich with Chair Airlines
TIRANA, July 9 – Tirana International Airport welcomed the inaugural flight of Chair Airlines, marking the launch of a new direct route between Tirana and Zurich. The new service expands the airport’s destination network and offers passengers more travel options between Albania and Switzerland. Chair Airlines will operate the route …
Pristina and Tirana push back against Kyiv’s stance, insisting that Kosovo’s sovereignty cannot be diminished or equated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Tirana Times , August 09, 2026 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s confirmation in Belgrade that Kyiv has not changed its position on Kosovo has triggered criticism in Albania and …
The agreement with Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan strengthens Riyadh’s position as a central architect of regional security, while reflecting a broader shift toward a more multipolar international system. Tirana Times, August 08, 2026 – The signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan represents more …
Activist Julide Yazici, who is wanted by Turkey, was remanded in custody in Tirana pending extradition proceedings, despite having political asylum status in France. Original post Here
TIRANA, August 7 – The “Fustanella” (Albanian kilt) exhibition has opened at the Ethnographic Museum in Berat, presenting one of the most recognizable symbols of Albanian cultural identity through a blend of art and tradition. The exhibition presents the fustanella, the traditional pleated kilt worn by Albanian men, as both …
TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Naval Vessels Division of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in Muggiano as part of cooperation on the Fincantieri Albania project in Vlora. The Muggiano facility is one of Europe’s leading centers for the construction of naval vessels and maritime defense systems. During …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Electricity Distribution System Operator (OSHEE) has strengthened technical and operational measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in Lezha and Shëngjin during the summer tourist season through investments in the distribution network. Speaking from the reconstructed Lezha substation, OSSH engineer Marjo Lajthia said the investments have …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania’s Civil Protection Agency reported eight active wildfires across the country on Thursday, while firefighters brought several blazes under control in Elbasan County. Firefighting operations continue on Mount Dajti near Tirana. The response includes 30 firefighters, 10 staff from the Protected Areas Administration and an Albanian …
TIRANA, August 7 – Albania attracted 1,955,099 foreign visitors in July 2026, extending the country’s tourism growth, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Thursday. Gonxhja said the figure compares with 1,825,490 foreign visitors in July 2025. The increase of 129,609 visitors represents year-on-year growth of about 7.1%. …
Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …
TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …