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Ashura marked in Tirana, Baba Mondi calls for peace and compassion

TIRANA, June 26 – Bektashi believers marked the Day of Ashura on Thursday. The observance follows ten days of mourning in the Bektashi calendar. It commemorates Imam Hussein and 72 martyrs killed in the Battle of Karbala. Meanwhile, a ceremony took place at the World Bektashi Headquarters in Tirana. Haxhi …

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Domi Foundation renovates sports hall at “Zyber Hallulli” Children’s Home in Tirana

Domi Foundation has transformed the sports hall at the “Zyber Hallulli” Children’s Home in Tirana into a modern, fully equipped space, giving the 40 children living at the institution a safe and welcoming environment for sports, recreation, and everyday activities. The project included the complete renovation of the facility, the …

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Quartz: Albania among Europe’s destinations where quality exceeds price

TIRANA, June 26 – US magazine Quartz reports that Albania ranks among the 10 most affordable international destinations for this period. It highlights the country as one of Europe’s biggest tourism surprises. It cites its coastline, mountains and low costs. According to Quartz, travellers can save significantly when they choose …

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Defence minister highlights logistics and civil emergencies focus at Support Command

TIRANA, June 26 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi held a meeting at the Support Command of the Armed Forces. He underlined the role of the structure in managing crisis situations and field operations. He shared details of the visit through social media. Meanwhile, Nufi said that military structures must prioritise …

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Foreign Direct Investment in Albania Rises 12% in First Quarter

Foreign direct investment in Albania increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching around 404 million euros. Banka e Shqipërisë reported that inflows rose from 361 million euros in the same period last year to 404 million euros this year. As a result, foreign investor interest in the …

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PM Rama discusses EU path, Italy migration deal and tourism protests in Italpress interview

TIRANA, June 26 – Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to Italpress journalist Anna La Rosa, and he addressed Albania’s EU accession process, the migration agreement with Italy, and domestic protests over a tourism project. Rama said the EU accession process remains irreversible. He added that no actor can …

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82nd anniversary of genocide against Çamëria commemorated

TIRANA, June 26 – Albania is marking the 82nd anniversary of the genocide against Cham Albanians through a series of events focused on historical memory, justice and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Cham Week began in Tirana on “Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard with the installation “I Love Çamëria”, presented as a symbol …

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Gashani: Kosovo Working to Meet Highest Standards for Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said that Kosovo is working to ensure that it organizes the Mediterranean Games at the highest European standards. He announced that the First International Conference on the Security of Major Sports Events was held in Prishtina. The event is part of preparations for the “Prishtina 2030” Mediterranean Games. …

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EU Commission plans early economic benefits for candidate countries

TIRANA, June 26 – The European Commission prepares proposals to grant economic benefits to European Union candidate countries before full membership, according to politico.eu. Albania is among the candidates mentioned in the plans. The initiative aims to accelerate enlargement while preserving entry standards. Governments seek faster progress in the process. …

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Police enhance capacities to ensure safety during 2026 tourist season

TIRANA, June 26 – Minister of Interior Besfort Lamallari, together with State Police leaders, presented in Durrës the measures for ensuring public order and safety during the 2026 summer tourist season. Lamallari said the State Police, Border Police and the Maritime Police Unit will operate with increased capacity, modern technology …

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In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

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Will Washington Derail NATO’s Tirana Summit?

Tirana Times, July 2, 2026 — Albania’s ambition to host a NATO summit in 2027 has suddenly become more than a diplomatic milestone. It has become a test of whether Tirana can keep pace with the alliance’s new defense spending politics, whether Washington under President Donald Trump is willing to …

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Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

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Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

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Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

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PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

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EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

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July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

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Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here

News

In Search of Albania’s Soul: Manuel Montobbio Returns to Tirana Through Literature

Tirana Times,  July 02, 2026. The Albanian Institute for International Studies and Tirana Times book house hosted a special literary evening in Tirana with Ambassador Manuel Montobbio, diplomat, writer, poet and academic, offering a rare encounter between diplomacy, literature and Albania’s own search for memory, identity and soul. Held at the premises of Tirana …

News

Will Washington Derail NATO’s Tirana Summit?

Tirana Times, July 2, 2026 — Albania’s ambition to host a NATO summit in 2027 has suddenly become more than a diplomatic milestone. It has become a test of whether Tirana can keep pace with the alliance’s new defense spending politics, whether Washington under President Donald Trump is willing to …

News

Protesters Detained, Police Injured in Clashes Outside Albanian Parliament

At the latest anti-government rally outside parliament in Tirana, several police officers were injured and at least 18 demonstrators were detained. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Koçiu: Children must be kept away from political activities, use in protests is unacceptable

TIRANA, July 2 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu reacted on social media, condemning the involvement of children in political activities. She called for stronger protection of minors from adult political conflicts. Koçiu said recent images circulating in public are concerning. She said they show children exposed to a divisive …

News

Saranda sees rising tourist arrivals as visitors embrace Albanian cuisine

TIRANA, July 2 – Saranda has entered the summer season with a higher number of visitors than during the same period last year, according to local tourism businesses. Operators said tourist arrivals have increased steadily from month to month, boosting activity across the hospitality and services sectors. Meanwhile, businesses said …

News

Administrative reform, essential step for EU integration, draft law aims to strengthen autonomy of agencies

TIRANA, July 2 – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a draft law on the organisation and functioning of the state administration, calling it a key milestone in public sector reform and Albania’s EU integration process. Pirdeni described the initiative as the result of two …

News

PM Rama: 50 Million Euro Sovereign Guarantee for Businesses, Double Funding for Youth Startups

TIRANA, July 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the government has expanded the sovereign guarantee scheme to 50 million euros, aiming to support small and medium-sized enterprises that want to scale up their operations. Speaking during a discussion with pensioners, Rama stressed that the programme targets small and medium …

News

EU Growth Plan: Albania leads Western Balkans as reform reporting enters new phase

TIRANA, July 2 – Western Balkan countries have until July 15 to submit progress reports under the European Union’s Growth Plan after the fourth reporting period ended on June 30. The European Commission will review the reports before approving payments. Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said the Reform and Growth Facility …

News

July tourist surge lifts Shkodër and Albanian Alps alongside coast

TIRANA, July 2 – July has opened with a strong influx of visitors across Shkodra County, where tourist activity now extends well beyond Velipoja’s beaches to the city and the Albanian Alps. Travellers from across Europe continue to choose Albania for their summer holidays, turning Shkodra into a key stop …

News

Deadly Addiction: Albania Needs Liberating From the Flow of Drug Money

The constant flow of laundered drug money into Albania through organised crime has enriched a tiny minority at the cost of distorting politics and impoverishing the rest of the population. Original post Here