Prime Minister Edi Rama shared in the social media images of Kruja, a destination that combines history, culture and nature-based tourism.

The medieval castle, the “Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg” National Museum and the Ethnographic Museum are among the key sites that visitors choose to explore during their stay in the city.

One of the most distinctive attractions is the Old Bazaar of Kruja, which preserves its traditional architecture. In the artisan shops, tourists can find traditional products, souvenirs, carpets, folk costumes and handcrafted items.

Beyond its historical heritage, Kruja also offers opportunities for nature and mountain tourism. The landscapes stretching from the city toward the surrounding areas, along with panoramic views overlooking the western lowlands, make it an ideal destination for visitors looking to combine history with nature. Traditional gastronomy is another element that enhances the tourist experience. Characteristic Albanian dishes, local products, and hospitality are all part of what the city offers its visitors. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

She highlighted the provision of an assistant teacher for every child with special needs as one of the most important initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity in education.

“One of the most significant initiatives concerns the provision of an assistant teacher for every child with special needs. Previously, the ratio was one assistant teacher for every four children; by 2027, we will reach a ratio of one assistant teacher for every single child. This is a highly ambitious program, especially considering that the number of students with special needs in the pre-university education system has risen from 4,500 to 6,039 for the current school year—an increase from the approximately 4,000 students in this category recorded for the 2024–2025 period. This is partly due to an increase in the number of children falling into this category, but also because the Ministry of Education has expanded the age range for support—now covering children and young people aged 3 to 19, with the age limit extended to 21 for certain groups,” stated Minister Kumbaro.

Furthermore, Minister Kumbaro announced that 500 million lekë from the 2027 education budget will be allocated to the “After-School” program, extending the time students spend at school as much as possible—up until 5:00 PM.

Regarding the funding for the construction and reconstruction of educational facilities, Minister Kumbaro noted that, “For the 2027–2029 period, we are planning approximately 120 such projects, with a budget of around 88 million euros. /e.i/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Presenting the draft 2027 education budget to Parliament’s Committee on Education, Science and Sports, Kumbaro said higher education would receive the largest increase in funding in absolute terms within the Education Ministry’s budget, with an additional 1.25 billion leks allocated mainly to student support schemes.

She said the increase followed consultations with universities and students, as well as discussions on the need to strengthen funding for higher education and the ongoing review of the higher education law.

The expanded student support package includes higher scholarships for students from low-income families, an additional housing allowance and an extension of financial assistance to students enrolled in priority fields of study at master’s level.

Under the new scheme, monthly scholarships for students from disadvantaged families will rise from 10,000 leks to 25,000 leks, equivalent to around 275 euros, and will also be available during master’s studies for the first time, Kumbaro said.

The package is expected to benefit more than 11,500 students across three categories.

A further 177 students enrolled in nationally prioritised study programmes will receive 50,000 leks per month. The scheme will also be extended to students in these programmes pursuing master’s degrees, Kumbaro said.

The 2027 budget also earmarks 375 million leks, or around 4 million euros, in grant funding for student accommodation managed by the Student Accommodation Companies in Tirana and other university cities.

The scheme is expected to provide accommodation for between 7,000 and 7,500 students. Including accommodation fees and contributions from local government units, total annual funding is projected to reach around 900 million leks, or approximately 9.5 million euros.

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The NCSA delegation led by Director General Bledar Kazia held discussions with CISA representatives regarding the expansion of operational cooperation and the exchange of information concerning cyber threats.

The meeting also addressed coordination in incident management and response, as well as the strengthening of institutional capacities through specialized training, joint exercises and the exchange of expertise.

NCSA expressed its appreciation for the partnership with CISA and the ongoing support from the United States, reaffirming its commitment to deepening cooperation and developing joint initiatives.

According to NCSA, these initiatives aim to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity and resilience, while enhancing its ability to prevent and address threats to critical infrastructure. /e.i/r.e/p.s./

Colon, a political science lecturer and specialist in information manipulation, described Albania as being on the front line of the global information war, highlighting the risks such operations pose to public debate and democratic processes.

In a video recorded at the French Institute in Tirana, Colon outlined how foreign actors seek to influence public debate in other countries and stressed the importance of international cooperation in countering such interference.

“My name is David Colon. I am a lecturer and researcher in political science, the author of several books on the history of information and a specialist in combating information manipulation,” he said.

He described foreign information manipulation and interference as operations through which one state seeks to influence public debate in another, with the aim of shaping public perceptions and, in some cases, electoral processes.

Such tactics include the use of fake social media accounts, covertly paid influencers and agents of influence to promote specific narratives and distort public debate, he said.

“Foreign interference and manipulation pose a major challenge to civil societies today because of the use of artificial intelligence. This is what places Albania on the front line of this global information war,” Colon said.

He said the issue was particularly important as state actors sought to influence public debate in Albania and distort perceptions, potentially undermining the country’s prospects of joining the European Union in the coming years.

Colon stressed that international cooperation and greater EU involvement were essential to countering such operations.

“International cooperation and the involvement of the European Union are therefore more necessary than ever to combat these operations, expose them publicly whenever possible and strengthen the resilience of Albanian society against foreign interference,” he said.

He concluded by stressing that tackling information manipulation required the involvement of society as a whole.

“Combating information manipulation is everyone’s responsibility,” Colon said.

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The police said the messages, sent from various phone numbers, falsely claim to be from banking institutions and urge recipients to verify their identity within a short deadline, typically 24 or 31 hours.

The messages contain links to fake websites designed to trick users into disclosing sensitive information, including bank card numbers, online banking passwords and verification codes.

The police identified the scam as “smishing”, a form of phishing carried out through SMS messages that exploits customers’ trust in banks and the sense of urgency created by short deadlines.

The stolen information can then be used to access victims’ bank accounts without authorisation and carry out fraudulent financial transactions, the police said.

Authorities urged citizens not to click on links in suspicious messages, even when they display the name of a well-known bank, or disclose card details, passwords, PINs or verification codes on websites accessed through such links.

Citizens were also advised to disregard messages threatening restrictions on banking services unless their identity is verified within a specified timeframe, and to check suspicious communications directly with their bank through official channels.

Anyone who has entered banking details on a suspicious website should immediately contact their bank to block the card or account access and report the incident to the police.

The State Police stressed that the appearance of a bank’s name in a text message does not mean it was sent by the institution itself, urging customers to verify the sender and the web address before taking any action.

Cybercrime investigators are continuing efforts to identify those behind the scams, investigate the cases and prevent financial losses.

People who have received such messages or fallen victim to the schemes are urged to report them to the police and preserve the messages, sender phone numbers and links as potential evidence.

“Protecting your banking information starts with each of us. Do not click on suspicious links or share your financial details,” the police said.

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Kumbaro has invited all active teachers, those on waiting lists, retired teachers, as well as artisans and professionals from the arts sector, to apply and contribute to the program. “Demand for this program has grown significantly. While we initially launched in 408 schools across Albania, we are receiving widespread requests to expand—specifically by extending program hours until 5:00 PM to better align with parents’ work schedules. To achieve this, we need to strengthen our team. We are launching a third call for trainers, offering a compensation of 1,000 ALL per hour. Thanks to the 2027 budget, we have fully secured €5.5 million in funding dedicated entirely to the ‘After School’ program,” said Kumbaro.

Minister Kumbaro also said that program is expanding to include new modules and clubs. Science and foreign language clubs will join the existing lineup of homework support, theater, dance, visual arts, and crafts. As a result, applications are now open for STEM and foreign language teachers.

“We are providing all pre-university students the opportunity to stay at school longer—not only to complete their homework, but also to engage in other enriching, educational activities that allow them to create.” …relationships with one another. “It is necessary to expand the program with new modules; the new modules will cover science and foreign languages,” the minister announced.

The call, published on the official website of the National Agency for Pre-University Education, will remain open for two weeks for all teachers and trainers who meet the criteria. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

The group of students also marched to the Faculty of Natural Sciences, where they entered the premises and called on students to boycott classes, as shown in photographs and footage captured by the Albanian Telegraphic Agency’s photojournalist.

In a statement to students, the Council said the decision to resume classes came after tensions surrounding the reported incidents of violence had subsided and students’ concerns had been taken into consideration.

It also noted that participation in the boycott had not been unanimous, with some students continuing to attend lectures throughout the protest.

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“We have introduced a new service model that goes beyond simply guiding citizens, with technology now also handling tasks that previously required individuals to complete them in person when accessing services through e-Albania,” Rama stated.

“Our goal is to build a public administration that gives the most talented, qualified and committed individuals, especially those eager to serve the country through state institutions, equal opportunities to join and progress through the ranks. This is the vision behind what we have called the ‘Merit-Based Career Ladder’,” Rama stated.

“The establishment of the ministry marks a major institutional development, while the ‘Merit-Based Career Ladder’, although it may appear to be a more technical aspect, represents something much deeper: how we understand the relationship between citizens and the state, and between the state and those who work in its service,” the Prime Minister stressed.

“We have done away with the traditional service counters, which are worth recalling when reflecting on how far we have come and where we want to go. These counters once played a central role in citizens’ daily lives when accessing the vast majority of public services,” Rama said.

“Our substantial investment in technology has turned Albania into a regional example, attracting attention well beyond the region. We have become a reference point, regularly invited to share our experience at conferences, forums and summits focusing on public services and technology,” the Prime Minister said.

“To safeguard these rights, we have launched the process of converting the penitentiary facility into a specialised healthcare institution. The first phase, backed by an estimated investment of around ALL 2.84 billion, entails the construction of a new hospital complex featuring modern facilities for psychiatric treatment, diagnostic services and healthcare provision,” he stated.

Justice Minister Gogu stressed that “this is an investment in patients’ healthcare and dignity, aimed at ensuring that their rights are upheld every day in line with European standards”.

“The decision adopted by the Ministry of Health in October 2026 represents, in my view, one of the most appropriate steps in addressing the recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights. Healthcare must be recognised as a fundamental human right for everyone, including those serving a sentence,” she stated.