16 Saturdays of Protests in Milan, Albanians in Lombardy Continue Their Resistance
For the 16th consecutive Saturday, Albanian activists living in Lombardy gathered in central Milan carrying red-and-black flags and banners bearing the slogan “Albania Is Not for Sale.” The protest is part of the so-called “Flamingo Revolution,” a movement launched in Albania on May 23 against the construction of a luxury …
Balla Hosts Trump’s Envoy in Parliament: Albania a Model of Stability in the Region, a Reliable NATO Ally
The Chair of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, today received Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of United States President Donald J. Trump for Global Partnerships, at the Presidency of the Albanian Parliament. Balla said that during the meeting, the two sides discussed the excellent relations between Albania and …
One in Five Residents Under 18: How Does Albania Rank in the Region?
20.1% of Albania’s population is under the age of 18. This means that around one in five residents of the country belongs to this age group. Compared with other countries in the region, Albania is in a relatively favorable position. Montenegro leads with 21.8% of its population under the age …
Jubilee International Conference, Archbishop Joan: Dialogue Requires Respect
Archbishop Joan of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania delivered a strong message of peace and religious harmony during the Jubilee International Conference of the Bektashi Community. In his address, the Archbishop praised the open and continuous communication between the two communities. The head of the Orthodox Church stressed that the …
ALL 1.5 Trillion in Bank Savings, Deposits Over Two Years Preferred
The total stock of savings in the banking system reached around ALL 1.5 trillion at the end of July 2026. A report published by the Bank of Albania shows a strong increase in savings, driven mainly by the expansion of savings in the local currency. Lek-denominated deposits held by individuals, …
MPs Return to Parliament Tomorrow, Protest to Be Held Outside
MPs have ended their summer break. The first sitting of the new parliamentary session will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. During the sitting, which is expected to last only a few minutes, Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi and the heads of the parliamentary groups will deliver remarks. …
Hoxha Meets U.S. Special Envoy: We Aim to Deepen the Strategic Partnership
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha held a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli, focusing on strengthening relations between Albania and the United States and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. In a post on the social media platform X, Hoxha said that …
Over 13,000 Fines Issued in Tirana, 32 Drivers Arrested, 75 Vehicles Impounded
More than 13,000 fines were issued by the Tirana Traffic Police over the past week as part of checks aimed at improving road safety. Thirty-two people were arrested for road traffic-related offences, while 75 vehicles were impounded for various violations. Checks focused particularly on vehicles causing excessive noise, speeding, and …
Wildfire leaves homes and land scorched in Levan, Fier
TIRANA, September 7 – A powerful wildfire that swept through the Levan area of Fier in recent days has left homes scorched, olive groves burned and large areas of land blackened. Footage obtained by RTSH shows the extent of the damage across the affected territory. Large areas have been reduced …
Vocational education offers path to employment and professional development
TIRANA, September 7 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koca has highlighted the importance of vocational education as a concrete opportunity for young people to prepare for the labour market and build their professional future. In a social media post, Koca shared messages from Ema and Belkisa, two students who have …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …