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UEFA U-21 Euro 2027: Work Begins to Convert “Arena e Demave” Pitch to Natural Grass

Preparations for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027 are now underway in Albania. Work has started at the Arena e Demave Stadium to replace the artificial turf with natural grass. The process has already begun with the removal of the existing playing surface. Next, workers will install a modern irrigation …

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Rama: Theth Cleaner Thanks to Youth Energy and Engagement

Prime Minister Edi Rama praised a cleanup action held in Theth as part of environmental protection initiatives. The campaign brought together many young people and volunteers under the motto: “Nature gives to us, we take care of it.” He said the initiative showed strong civic responsibility and respect for the …

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Balla Meets VanHorn: Albania–US Cooperation at Excellent Level

Chairman of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla held a meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States in Tirana Nancy VanHorn. He said cooperation between Albania and the United States remains at an excellent level across all bilateral areas. He also highlighted collaboration within shared international organizations. …

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European Olympic Committees Hold 55th General Assembly with Albanian Participation

President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee Komiteti Olimpik Kombëtar Shqiptar, Fidel Ylli, attends the 55th General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees. The event takes place under the European Olympic movement and stands as one of the most important meetings in the continental sports calendar. The European Olympic Committees …

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Albanian Icons Exhibition Opens in Chambéry, France

The extraordinary exhibition of Albanian icons opens in Chambéry, France, as organizers complete final preparations. First, teams finish setting up the exhibition “Icons of Albania – Treasures of the National Museum of Medieval Art of Korça.” The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Chambéry prepares to welcome visitors for the opening ceremony. …

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Albania Prepares Security and Organization Plan for Kanye West Concert in Tirana

Albania prepares for the upcoming international concert of artist Kanye West, scheduled for 11 July in Kashar, Tirana. First, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja attends an interinstitutional coordination meeting in Tirana. Officials discuss the necessary measures to ensure smooth organization of the event. Next, authorities focus on …

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Colorful Mosaics Discovered Near Early Christian Basilica in Elbasan

Archaeologists uncover new mosaics during excavations in Elbasan. First, the Institute of Archaeology of the Academy of Sciences carries out excavations under the project “Roman-Byzantine Quarter Outside the Walls of Castrum Scampis – Extra Muros Early Christian Basilica.” They discover previously unknown mosaics near the early Christian basilica outside the …

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Gonxhja: Youth Is a Strategic Priority and the Safest Investment for the Future

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja meets Tobias Flessenkemper, Director at the Council of Europe’s Directorate for Democracy, in Tirana. First, they meet during the 42nd Conference of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), which takes place in Albania for the first time. The event brings together more …

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Rama: Children’s Voices at TKOB Create a Magical Chorus of Emotion

Prime Minister Edi Rama shares video highlights from the final of the competition “Eja këndo me ne” at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. First, the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet (TKOB) hosts the final event dedicated to children as part of the after-school program. The …

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Kurti: We Are Ready to Communicate with the Opposition

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”6c4e525f-29fc-4113-aea7-49ea4a0c16b2″ data-turn-id-container=”6c4e525f-29fc-4113-aea7-49ea4a0c16b2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has stated that the vote-counting process has not yet been completed, emphasizing that the final results will enable discussions on the next political steps to begin. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:38cc3b2b-e731-4415-9e5b-413bf9f537e1-9″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:38cc3b2b-e731-4415-9e5b-413bf9f537e1-9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-20″ …

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Albania Could Face Costly Arbitration Battle After Scrapping Vlora Airport Plans

Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here

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Zelenskyy’s Kosovo Stance Puts Solidarity With Ukraine to the Test

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 …

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Mecca Defense Pact Signals Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Shape a New Security Order

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 …

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Albanian Court Puts Turkish Activist in Custody After Extradition Demand

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

News
“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat

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 …

News
Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project

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 …

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Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin

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 …

News
Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania

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 …

News
Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July

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%. …

News
SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

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, …

News

Albania Could Face Costly Arbitration Battle After Scrapping Vlora Airport Plans

Experts say the government’s move to ditch a controversial concession contract to build Vlora International Airport, at significant cost to taxpayers, highlights structural weaknesses in Albania’s public-private partnership framework. Original post Here

News

Zelenskyy’s Kosovo Stance Puts Solidarity With Ukraine to the Test

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 …

News

Mecca Defense Pact Signals Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Shape a New Security Order

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 …

News

Albanian Court Puts Turkish Activist in Custody After Extradition Demand

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

News

“Fustanella” exhibition showcases Albanian cultural identity in Berat

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 …

News

Defense minister visits Italian shipyard to support Fincantieri Albania project

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 …

News

Power distributor strengthens grid for summer season in Lezha and Shëngjin

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 …

News

Civil Protection reports eight active wildfires across Albania

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 …

News

Albania welcomes nearly two million foreign visitors in July

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%. …

News

SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

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, …