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Albania honours Queen Geraldine 24 years after her passing

Albania honours Queen Geraldine on October 22, marking 24 years since her passing in 2002. Known as the “White Rose of Hungary,” Geraldine arrived in Albania in December 1937 following an invitation from the sisters of King Zog I. The king had seen her photograph at a ball in Budapest. …

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Assembly approves Adea Pirdeni as public administration minister

The Assembly has approved Adea Pirdeni’s appointment as Minister of Public Administration, with 76 votes in favour and none against or abstaining. In a message shared today, Pirdeni stressed the importance of dialogue, respect for the law and institutions, and shared responsibility as Albania moves towards European Union membership. She …

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Albania registers nearly 2,000 new businesses in September

Albania registered 1,985 new businesses in September 2026, according to the National Business Centre. Tirana accounted for 1,085 registrations, or 54.7% of the national total. Durrës followed with 212, while Vlora recorded 132. Trade led the sectors attracting new businesses, with 464 registrations. Accommodation and food services followed with 220, …

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EU enlargement chief highlights key decisions for Western Balkans

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos says the coming weeks and months will bring decisive moments for Western Balkan countries pursuing European Union membership. Speaking ahead of the Berlin Process summit in Montenegro, Kos highlighted different priorities across the region. Montenegro must complete its accession negotiations, Serbia faces upcoming elections, …

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Albanian customs revenue reaches 186 billion ALL in nine months

Albania’s customs administration collected around 185.9 billion ALL in revenue from January to September 2026, an increase of 7.2 billion ALL compared with the same period in 2025. The General Directorate of Customs said the results represented 104% of the revenue target. It described the first nine months of 2026 …

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Government plans four-pillar package to support up to 16,000 young people

Albania is preparing a new package to support young people through employment, housing, education and greater transparency, Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation Olta Manjani said. The package initially aims to reach 10,000 young people, with the number potentially rising to 16,000. It includes expanding employment support to 5,000 young …

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Rama Renews Invitation for Dialogue with Protesters, This Time Placing Invitations on Stone Benches

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again invited protesters to engage in dialogue. In a video published on Thursday morning, Rama placed the invitations on stone benches, unlike the previous day, when he had placed them on chairs. Alongside the video, the Prime Minister wrote: “Good morning.” A day earlier, …

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Opposition Blocks Parliamentary Podium, Peleshi Moves Directly to Voting Amid Tensions

Following tensions in Parliament, where opposition MPs blocked the podium and Flamur Noka removed the microphone from Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla, Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi announced that the session would proceed directly to voting. As the electronic voting system had been damaged, Peleshi said the vote would …

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Kos: Coming Months Crucial for Western Balkans’ EU Integration, Albania Must Maintain Reform Momentum

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has praised Montenegro’s progress towards European Union membership, stressing that the coming weeks and months will be decisive for the European future of the Western Balkan countries. Speaking at the Berlin Process Summit in Budva, Montenegro, Kos highlighted that each country in the region …

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Rama Compares Number of Injured Police Officers in Tirana with Other Countries Experiencing Protests

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on the protests that have been taking place in Tirana for more than a week. In a Facebook post, Rama criticised the media, accusing them of failing to report transparently on the number of police officers injured during clashes with protesters. Rama’s …

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Albanian Government Tightens Protest Laws as Crisis Deepens

Tirana Times, October 26, 2026 — Albania’s government has announced sweeping legal and financial penalties against anti-government protesters, including restrictions on foreign travel, signaling a tougher response to a student-led revolt that has plunged the country into its most serious political crisis in years. The measures include heavy fines, prison …

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Serbia in Year Zero

By Veton Surroi Tirana Times, October 26, 2026. Seven Points Following The Elections in Serbia 1. The Student Movement in Serbia, which won the parliamentary elections and paved the way for the end of the fourteen-year rule of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the autocrat Aleksandar Vučić, is a …

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Albanian Prime Minister Announces New Anti-Protest Legislation

Amid continuing violence at anti-government protests at the weekend, during which one protester was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet, premier Edi Rama announced new measures to tackle “urban anarchy”. Original post Here

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Tepelena municipality steps up efforts to keep public spaces clean

Tepelena Municipality has focused on cleaning and maintaining its territory throughout October. The work covers the city and its administrative units. The aim is to keep public spaces clean and improve the environment for residents and visitors. Leonidha Shumeli, head of the central administrative unit, said the municipality had organised …

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“Venetiku” Photo Exhibition Explores Memory and Human Stories at Marubi Museum

The photo exhibition “Venetiku: Tracing a Photographic Collection” will remain open to visitors this weekend at the Marubi National Museum of Photography in Shkodra. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the exhibition, curated by Mikaela Minga, as an encounter with photography, collective memory and the human stories behind …

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Albanian internationals abroad; Uzuni scores twice in the United States as Asani and Bajrami also find the net

Albanian national team players made their mark for their clubs in international leagues this week. Several players scored goals or provided assists. Myrto Uzuni scored twice as Austin FC came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 away. The Albanian forward scored in the 64th minute and added his …

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Tirana Municipality announces 1,500 winners of subsidised loan scheme

Tirana Municipality has announced around 1,500 new winners under its social housing programme that subsidises loan interest. The scheme supports individuals and families seeking to buy an apartment in the capital. The municipality has submitted the list of successful applicants to the Tirana Municipal Council for approval at its October …

News
Albania receives 62 points at Junior Eurovision 2026

Armenia has won the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held in Malta. The event featured 16 singers from 16 countries, including Albania’s representative, Eslin Kurti. RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1 broadcast the contest live. Albania received 62 points from the votes of professional juries and the public. …

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Protests cause limited disruption to banks, with psychological impact

Recent protests in Tirana have caused minimal disruption to commercial banks, banking expert Elvin Meka said. However, the events have had a psychological impact on the sector. Meka stressed that banking services continued without interruption. He said banks could absorb the additional costs of repairing damaged automated teller machines and …

News
Albania and Azerbaijan Seek Stronger Tourism Ties and New Partnerships

Albania and Azerbaijan are seeking to expand tourism cooperation and build new partnerships between travel operators in both countries. National Tourism Agency Director General Jola Hysaj and Albania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Besart Kadia, met in Baku with Goydaniz Gahramanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Agencies Association. The …

News

Albanian Government Tightens Protest Laws as Crisis Deepens

Tirana Times, October 26, 2026 — Albania’s government has announced sweeping legal and financial penalties against anti-government protesters, including restrictions on foreign travel, signaling a tougher response to a student-led revolt that has plunged the country into its most serious political crisis in years. The measures include heavy fines, prison …

News

Serbia in Year Zero

By Veton Surroi Tirana Times, October 26, 2026. Seven Points Following The Elections in Serbia 1. The Student Movement in Serbia, which won the parliamentary elections and paved the way for the end of the fourteen-year rule of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the autocrat Aleksandar Vučić, is a …

News

Albanian Prime Minister Announces New Anti-Protest Legislation

Amid continuing violence at anti-government protests at the weekend, during which one protester was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet, premier Edi Rama announced new measures to tackle “urban anarchy”. Original post Here

News

Tepelena municipality steps up efforts to keep public spaces clean

Tepelena Municipality has focused on cleaning and maintaining its territory throughout October. The work covers the city and its administrative units. The aim is to keep public spaces clean and improve the environment for residents and visitors. Leonidha Shumeli, head of the central administrative unit, said the municipality had organised …

News

“Venetiku” Photo Exhibition Explores Memory and Human Stories at Marubi Museum

The photo exhibition “Venetiku: Tracing a Photographic Collection” will remain open to visitors this weekend at the Marubi National Museum of Photography in Shkodra. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the exhibition, curated by Mikaela Minga, as an encounter with photography, collective memory and the human stories behind …

News

Albanian internationals abroad; Uzuni scores twice in the United States as Asani and Bajrami also find the net

Albanian national team players made their mark for their clubs in international leagues this week. Several players scored goals or provided assists. Myrto Uzuni scored twice as Austin FC came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 away. The Albanian forward scored in the 64th minute and added his …

News

Tirana Municipality announces 1,500 winners of subsidised loan scheme

Tirana Municipality has announced around 1,500 new winners under its social housing programme that subsidises loan interest. The scheme supports individuals and families seeking to buy an apartment in the capital. The municipality has submitted the list of successful applicants to the Tirana Municipal Council for approval at its October …

News

Albania receives 62 points at Junior Eurovision 2026

Armenia has won the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held in Malta. The event featured 16 singers from 16 countries, including Albania’s representative, Eslin Kurti. RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1 broadcast the contest live. Albania received 62 points from the votes of professional juries and the public. …

News

Protests cause limited disruption to banks, with psychological impact

Recent protests in Tirana have caused minimal disruption to commercial banks, banking expert Elvin Meka said. However, the events have had a psychological impact on the sector. Meka stressed that banking services continued without interruption. He said banks could absorb the additional costs of repairing damaged automated teller machines and …

News

Albania and Azerbaijan Seek Stronger Tourism Ties and New Partnerships

Albania and Azerbaijan are seeking to expand tourism cooperation and build new partnerships between travel operators in both countries. National Tourism Agency Director General Jola Hysaj and Albania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Besart Kadia, met in Baku with Goydaniz Gahramanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Agencies Association. The …