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Birth Tourism on Tourist Visas: U.S. Embassy Warns Albanians They May Be Denied Future Visa Renewals

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana has issued a warning to Albanian citizens who travel to the United States on tourist visas to give birth and use the Medicaid program to cover their medical expenses. In a post shared on Instagram, the Embassy stated that this practice could affect their eligibility …

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‘Urban Renaissance 2.0’: Rama Unveils €1.5 Billion Program, Electric Buses Planned for All Municipalities

Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday unveiled the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” program, which foresees €1.5 billion in investments aimed at transforming Albania’s urban infrastructure and public services. One of the program’s main pillars is the modernization of public transport. Rama announced that a joint company will be established between the …

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Defense Minister Nufi Reveals Who Will Set the Date for the NATO Summit in Tirana

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi, in an interview with Euronews Albania’s Thimi Samarxhiu, spoke about Tirana’s selection as the host city for a future NATO Summit. He said the summit is expected to take place in 2027 or early 2028, stressing that the final date will be decided by NATO heads …

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Ombudsman on Protests: My Duty Is to Identify Cases Where Citizens’ Rights Are Violated

Albania’s Ombudsman, Endri Shabani, was in Vlora on Friday to present the Ombudsman’s 2025 Annual Report. Speaking to the media, Shabani said the purpose of the institution’s visit was to hear citizens’ complaints and concerns firsthand. According to Shabani, the majority of complaints in Vlora relate to property issues and …

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Rama: Urban Renaissance Has Fulfilled Its Mission, Now It’s Time for the Next Phase

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s Urban Renaissance program has fulfilled its original mission, announcing a new stage of urban development during the presentation of the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” initiative. Rama described the new program as the beginning of a fresh phase of national development, arguing that the original Urban …

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Diana Gellçi’s Question to Reinier de Graaf: What Would You Say Today?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Diana Gellçi’s Question to Reinier de Graaf: What Would You Say Today? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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‘Cancel It!’: State Cash for Kanye West Show Sparks Outrage in Albania

The government’s use of 4.2 million euros from its emergency reserve to finance the controversial rapper’s concert – after earlier pledging to spend nothing – has angered its critics. Original post Here

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Kumbaro: Bënja Thermal Baths attract growing numbers of tourists as infrastructure upgrades continue

The Bënja Thermal Baths near Përmet continue to attract large numbers of domestic and international visitors seeking relaxation in the area’s thermal waters, unspoiled nature and the scenic Langarica Canyon. Minister Mirela Kumbaro said authorities are continuing to improve infrastructure and services alongside the growing number of tourists. She said …

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Traffic restrictions announced in Tirana ahead of Kanye West concert

TIRANA July 10 – Tirana Police has announced temporary traffic restrictions on several roads ahead of the “YE” music event featuring artist Kanye West, scheduled for July 11 in Kashar. The restrictions will start at 07:00 and remain in force until midnight on the secondary section of the Durrës–Tirana highway, …

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Stable weather with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, July 10 – Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have mostly clear skies throughout the day. Light passing clouds may appear around midday. Meanwhile, winds will blow mainly from the northwest at an average speed of 7 m/s. …

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Rama on the ‘Flasim’ Podcast: PISA 2025 Results, the Product of Years of Work

Prime Minister Edi Rama has brought back his “Flasim” podcast, focusing on education and Albania’s results in the international PISA 2025 assessment. In the first episode of the new season, titled “News from School,” Rama spoke about the start of the new school year and the progress of the education …

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Minister Nufi: Defence Industry a Strategic Priority for Albania

Defence Minister Ermal Nufi describes the development of the defence industry as a strategic priority for Albania. In a video message, he said that the country has now entered a new phase in which the defence industry aims to strengthen national security, technological capabilities and economic development. “The development of …

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Magistrates’ Salaries, Rama: Albania Ranks First for Entry-Level Judges’ Pay

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on judges’ salaries, publishing on the social media platform X a table comparing the monthly salaries of entry-level judges in Albania with those in other countries in the region. In his post, Rama wrote: “Today, an entry-level judge in Albania earns €500 …

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Albin Kurti Unveils New Cabinet

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has unveiled his new government cabinet, announcing the names of those who will head the executive’s ministries. – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora – Glauk Konjufca; – Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice – Donika Gërvalla; – …

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Kurti on The Hague Proceedings: Serbia Committed Genocide Against Albanians, No Court Can Tarnish the KLA’s War

At the start of his presentation outlining his fourth term in government, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that all of Kosovo is awaiting the decision of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers concerning the former KLA leaders. “I congratulate you on the constitution of the 11th legislature of the Assembly. These days, …

News
Day 106 of protest in Tirana, citizens gather outside Prime Minister’s Office

Large numbers of citizens and activists took to the streets again this Sunday for the latest protest, which entered its 106th day. As on previous afternoons, shortly after 19:00, protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting slogans including: “Your time is up,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” and “Rama in …

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Rama on judges’ salaries: We may disagree, but we must address it in a civilized manner

Prime Minister Edi Rama has again commented on the dispute over judges’ salaries, criticizing the way the issue has been handled by the judiciary. Speaking in a live video on Facebook, Rama said that, regardless of judges’ right to raise their concerns, those concerns should be addressed in a civilized …

News
‘Kurti 4’ government approved with 62 Votes, New Cabinet Sworn In

The “Kurti 4” government was approved with 62 votes in favour and eight against during an extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly. Following the vote, the new government cabinet was sworn in. The session was held after Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu declared the Assembly constituted without a deputy speaker from …

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Kurti: No domestic or international court can Tarnish the KLA

Prime minister-designate Albin Kurti has said that no domestic or international court can tarnish the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Presenting his programme to the Kosovo Assembly, Kurti said that everyone was anxiously awaiting the Specialist Chambers’ ruling on September 16 concerning former KLA leaders. He said the prosecution’s request was …

News
Remembering Emma Bonino

Emma Bonino, a European of Tomorrow – A Fighter, a Beacon, and the Enduring Voice of a Strategic Europe by Nora Ahmeti Tirana Times, September 13, 2026 – Emma Bonino spent much of her life fighting for a Europe that did not yet exist. She imagined a continent that would …

News

Rama on the ‘Flasim’ Podcast: PISA 2025 Results, the Product of Years of Work

Prime Minister Edi Rama has brought back his “Flasim” podcast, focusing on education and Albania’s results in the international PISA 2025 assessment. In the first episode of the new season, titled “News from School,” Rama spoke about the start of the new school year and the progress of the education …

News

Minister Nufi: Defence Industry a Strategic Priority for Albania

Defence Minister Ermal Nufi describes the development of the defence industry as a strategic priority for Albania. In a video message, he said that the country has now entered a new phase in which the defence industry aims to strengthen national security, technological capabilities and economic development. “The development of …

News

Magistrates’ Salaries, Rama: Albania Ranks First for Entry-Level Judges’ Pay

Prime Minister Edi Rama has once again commented on judges’ salaries, publishing on the social media platform X a table comparing the monthly salaries of entry-level judges in Albania with those in other countries in the region. In his post, Rama wrote: “Today, an entry-level judge in Albania earns €500 …

News

Albin Kurti Unveils New Cabinet

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has unveiled his new government cabinet, announcing the names of those who will head the executive’s ministries. – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora – Glauk Konjufca; – Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice – Donika Gërvalla; – …

News

Kurti on The Hague Proceedings: Serbia Committed Genocide Against Albanians, No Court Can Tarnish the KLA’s War

At the start of his presentation outlining his fourth term in government, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that all of Kosovo is awaiting the decision of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers concerning the former KLA leaders. “I congratulate you on the constitution of the 11th legislature of the Assembly. These days, …

News

Day 106 of protest in Tirana, citizens gather outside Prime Minister’s Office

Large numbers of citizens and activists took to the streets again this Sunday for the latest protest, which entered its 106th day. As on previous afternoons, shortly after 19:00, protesters initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting slogans including: “Your time is up,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” and “Rama in …

News

Rama on judges’ salaries: We may disagree, but we must address it in a civilized manner

Prime Minister Edi Rama has again commented on the dispute over judges’ salaries, criticizing the way the issue has been handled by the judiciary. Speaking in a live video on Facebook, Rama said that, regardless of judges’ right to raise their concerns, those concerns should be addressed in a civilized …

News

‘Kurti 4’ government approved with 62 Votes, New Cabinet Sworn In

The “Kurti 4” government was approved with 62 votes in favour and eight against during an extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly. Following the vote, the new government cabinet was sworn in. The session was held after Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu declared the Assembly constituted without a deputy speaker from …

News

Kurti: No domestic or international court can Tarnish the KLA

Prime minister-designate Albin Kurti has said that no domestic or international court can tarnish the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Presenting his programme to the Kosovo Assembly, Kurti said that everyone was anxiously awaiting the Specialist Chambers’ ruling on September 16 concerning former KLA leaders. He said the prosecution’s request was …

News

Remembering Emma Bonino

Emma Bonino, a European of Tomorrow – A Fighter, a Beacon, and the Enduring Voice of a Strategic Europe by Nora Ahmeti Tirana Times, September 13, 2026 – Emma Bonino spent much of her life fighting for a Europe that did not yet exist. She imagined a continent that would …