Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival celebrates its fifth edition in Tirana
The fifth edition of the Gjon Mili Jazz & Blues Festival brought international jazz performances to the “Mirush Kabashi” open-air theatre near Tirana’s Artificial Lake. The festival welcomed artists from Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside some of Albania’s most renowned jazz musicians. The evening opened …
BIRN Report Warns Digital Repression is Worsening Across Western Balkans, Turkey
New digital rights monitoring report published by BIRN reveals an increasingly hostile digital landscape – especially for journalists and civil society – across the Western Balkans and Turkey. Original post Here
PM Rama meets Erdogan at Presidential Palace in Ankara
TIRANA, July 9 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met on Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace, Cumhurbaskanlıgı Kulliyesi, in Ankara. Rama shared images from the meeting on social media. He described Erdogan as a valued friend and said the talks followed the NATO Summit and …
President Begaj in southern Serbia Presheva Valley: Protecting Albanian language and culture reflects European values
TIRANA, July 9 – President Bajram Begaj visited the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia on Thursday, where he met local representatives and residents in Presheva and Bujanoc. During his meetings with Presheva Mayor Ardita Sinani, Bujanoc Mayor Arbër Pajaziti, Albanian National Council Chairman Enkel Rexhepi and Albanian MP in Serbia’s …
Household survey of 4,558 families to guide future social policies
TIRANA, July 9 – The Institute of Statistics of Albania, in cooperation with line ministries and partners, reviewed the preliminary results of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey and discussed the preparation of the final report. The meeting marked an important stage in transforming collected data into analysis and recommendations for …
New direct flight connects Tirana and Zurich with Chair Airlines
TIRANA, July 9 – Tirana International Airport welcomed the inaugural flight of Chair Airlines, marking the launch of a new direct route between Tirana and Zurich. The new service expands the airport’s destination network and offers passengers more travel options between Albania and Switzerland. Chair Airlines will operate the route …
Kurti invites opposition leaders for talks on forming Kosovo’s new institutions
Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has launched political consultations following the certification of the election results. On Thursday morning, Kurti sent invitations for meetings to the leaders of the three parliamentary opposition parties — the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), and the Alliance …
Police Chief: Over 10,000 suspicious accounts under review over negative reviews targeting tourism businesses
Albanian State Police Director General Skënder Hita said police are investigating a suspected coordinated cyber campaign aimed at damaging the online reputation of tourism businesses across Albania. Speaking at a press conference, Hita said authorities have identified a surge of negative reviews and ratings targeting hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related …
Weather forecast: Mostly clear skies, local mountain showers expected
TIRANA, July 9 – Albania will experience mostly stable atmospheric conditions on Thursday, according to the weather forecast. Clear skies will dominate most of the day. However, clouds will develop around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas. In these regions, clouds may bring local light rain showers. …
“Diario ABC”: From a hidden gem to a famous destination — social media drives Albania’s tourism boom
Spanish newspaper “Diario ABC” highlights how social media platforms have helped drive Albania’s tourism boom by turning its landscapes and attractions into globally recognised destinations. Tourism institutions and businesses now use viral content on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to attract visitors. Videos, stunning photographs and influencer recommendations can …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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; – …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …