AF Elbasani begins European campaign against BATE Borisov in UEFA Conference League
AF Elbasani starts Albania’s journey in the 2026–2027 European football competitions as the club faces BATE Borisov in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The team will host the first leg today at “Elbasan Arena” at 20:00, marking an important moment for the club and its supporters. …
Shkodër protected areas activate fire monitoring network
TIRANA, July 7 – No fires have been reported so far in the protected areas of Shkodër region, despite high temperatures and a significant increase in visitors during the summer season. The Administration of Protected Areas (AdZM) Shkodër said cooperation with municipalities and fire services has strengthened prevention measures. The …
European excellence hospital in Tirana to treat complex diseases
TIRANA, July 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented a project for a new European-standard excellence hospital in Tirana. The San Donato Group will build the facility as part of efforts to transform healthcare services in Albania and the Western Balkans. Rama said the hospital will create new opportunities for …
Air Albania Stadium upgrades progress ahead of UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027
The Albanian Football Federation continues major improvements at the “Air Albania” Stadium as the country prepares to host matches of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027. Workers have completed the removal of the old grass surface and carried out upgrades to the field’s foundation. They have now started installing the …
German magazine “CHIP” names Albania an ideal 2026 destination away from mass tourism
German magazine “CHIP” lists Albania among the top recommended destinations for 2026, highlighting the country as an ideal choice for travelers seeking authentic experiences away from mass tourism. Travel bloggers from “Reisekröten” include Albania among five peaceful holiday destinations and describe it as a “hidden gem” for visitors who want …
Albania women’s national team begins historic World Cup 2027 play-off against Wales
The Albanian women’s national football team starts a historic journey in the play-off stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027 after UEFA’s draw placed Wales as its first-round opponent. The red-and-black team will open the campaign in front of Albanian supporters on October 9, when it hosts Wales …
Faces of Protest: Meet the Albanians Taking to Tirana’s Streets
Prime Minister Edi Rama claims the daily protests shaking Tirana are misguided or manipulated from outside. BIRN spoke with some of the most dedicated protesters to find out more about their hopes for environmental and democratic changes. Original post Here
Saudi Ambassador Meets Head of Albania–Saudi Parliamentary Friendship Group
Tirana Times, July 6,2026 – Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Turki bin Ibrahim Al-Madi, received Albanian MP Baldi Çomo, Chairman of the Albania–Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Eriol Mile for talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation. According to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Tirana, the …
Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and OSCE Strengthen Cooperation to Promote Equality
The Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination and the OSCE Presence in Albania agreed to strengthen their institutional cooperation during a meeting between Commissioner Genta Tafa (Bungo) and OSCE Ambassador Michel Tarran. The two sides discussed joint initiatives to prevent and address hate speech while promoting equality, respect, and non-discrimination. They …
Albania Launches New Public Administration Reforms to Advance EU Integration
Albania has unveiled a new package of initiatives aimed at modernizing its public administration and strengthening its preparedness for European Union membership. During Public Administration Week, Minister of State for Public Administration Adea Pirdeni emphasized that the government will prioritize investment in human capital, improve institutional performance, and align Albania’s …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again defended the upcoming Kanye West concert in Tirana, scheduled for Saturday evening. In a post on social media, Rama shared footage of the completed concert venue, saying the stadium is ready and that the event will place Albania on the global map of music fans. The prime …
*]: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:e5659a20-7ccd-4ac7-ac8b-8f8f08377e9a-28″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:e5659a20-7ccd-4ac7-ac8b-8f8f08377e9a-28″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-58″ data-turn=”assistant”> Visitors to the southeastern Albanian region of Kolonja are not only exploring its natural attractions and cultural heritage sites, but also learning how to prepare traditional dishes before enjoying them. Cooking alongside local residents has become one of the area’s most popular experiences …
Albania’s Competition Authority has launched a market monitoring process focused on the retail sale of essential grocery products, following complaints from citizens and concerns raised by members of parliament over the prices of everyday consumer goods. According to an official statement, the monitoring will cover the country’s main supermarket chains …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again reacted to negative online reviews, this time sharing a video highlighting critical ratings of Rozafa Castle in Shkodra. The prime minister said such posts are harming Albania’s tourism sector and expressed hope that prosecutors will swiftly take action against those he described as individuals who …
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with young people in Jalë on Saturday, where he discussed the recent protests and the impact of social media algorithms. Rama said algorithms play a significant role in amplifying negativity, online noise and manipulated content, describing such videos as “fuel added to a fire” that, he argued, was started by …
One of the world’s best-known rappers, Kanye West, was welcomed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who shared footage of their meeting on social media. The video shows Rama introducing the American artist to aspects of Albania’s culture and history. West arrived in Albania ahead of his concert scheduled for …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha, together with Prime Minister Edi Rama, took part in an open discussion with 150 young activists from Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro at #RinCamp2026. Albania’s EU accession process and the country’s progress towards membership were among the key topics discussed during the panel organised by the National …
by Monika Grill Tirana Times, July 11, 2026 – “K’cimi i Tropoja” – the dance that endured over centuries and kept the Albanian identity alive, has been officially declared part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. “K’cimi i Tropoja” refers to a traditional …
Tirana, July 11 – International artist Kanye West will perform today in Tirana. The concert will take place at Eagle Stadium, a venue built specifically in the Kashar area. To ensure public safety and manage traffic, Tirana Police has announced temporary road restrictions around the event area. From 07:00 to …
Tirana, July 11 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu said justice system reforms and the implementation of the National Reform Agenda under the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans are concrete steps toward Albania’s European Union membership. Gogu said a strong, independent and accountable justice system remains a key pillar of …