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RTSH annual report: Over 56% of revenue comes from TV fee, third-party liabilities exceed 374 million ALL

TIRANA, June 5 – The Chair of the Steering Council of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), Fatjon Hoxhalli, presented the institution’s financial and organisational situation before the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information Media. He outlined revenue sources, financial obligations and investment constraints. Hoxhalli said the TV licence …

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RTSH annual report 2025: Vasili says 150 million ALL in arrears cleared

TIRANA, June 5 – The Director General of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), Eni Vasili, said 2025 marked a major financial challenge for the public broadcaster, while the institution continued to fulfil its public service mission. Presenting the annual balance sheet, Vasili said RTSH inherited weak operational conditions in both …

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Fuel price caps set at 192 ALL for diesel and 172 ALL for petrol

TIRANA, June 5 – The Transparency Board set new maximum wholesale and retail fuel prices on Friday. The new rates entered into force at 1300 local time. Under the decision, retail diesel prices under the SSH EN 590 standard cannot exceed 192 ALL per litre. Wholesale diesel prices cannot exceed …

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Shkup 2026 Book Fair Opens, Bringing Together Albanian-Language Publishers from the Region

Organizers opened the Albanian-language Book Fair “Shkup 2026” in Skopje’s “Skënderbeu” Square. The event became one of the key cultural platforms for promoting reading and Albanian-language literature. First, the fair brought together publishers, writers, researchers, and readers from North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania. It created a shared space for cultural …

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Albania marks 106th anniversary of Vlora War

TIRANA, June 5 – Albania on Thursday marked the 106th anniversary of the Vlora War, one of the most significant events in the country’s efforts to consolidate statehood. The conflict began on June 5, 1920, at a time when Albania’s future remained under discussion in international forums and concerns over …

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Zvërnec investment will not harm biodiversity, will create thousands of jobs, minister says

TIRANA, June 5 – Minister for Relations with Parliament Erjona Ismailaj said the planned investment in Zvërnec will not damage the flora and fauna of the Narta Lagoon. She said the project will support economic development and create thousands of jobs in the Vlora region. Speaking in a media interview, …

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“Bread & Heart” festival promotes book by Stefano Boeri and Amos Gitai

TIRANA, June 5 – The second edition of the “Bread & Heart” festival featured the promotion of A Private Glossary, a book by Italian architect Stefano Boeri and Israeli film director Amos Gitai. The festival serves as a meeting point for architecture, culture and urban development. The book combines architecture, …

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PM Rama rejects Zvërnec project claims, calls narratives hybrid warfare

TIRANA, June 5 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said no approved project exists for Zvërnec. He made the remarks in an interview with foreign media at the Western Balkans–European Union summit in Tivat. Meanwhile, he rejected claims about the project and described the debate as part of what he called …

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Europe’s Enlargement’s Bargain on Ukraine, Balkans, Risks Backfiring

As EU moves to prioritise geopolitical needs over old merit-based approaches, the concern is that rushed membership for Ukraine and Albania could come at a cost. Original post Here

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Prattipati Urges Kosovo to Join U.S. LNG Energy Projects

The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Pristina, Anu Prattipati, called on Kosovo to enter a long-term energy partnership with the United States through liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects. First, she said the partnership would strengthen Kosovo’s energy security and support long-term economic stability. She added that the U.S. and Kosovo could …

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Zelensky Visit to Belgrade: What Could He Learn from Israeli Experience

by Edward P. Joseph Tirana Times, August 21, 2026 – At the NATO Summit in Ankara last month, I had the high honor of meeting President Zelensky. Had I known he was heading soon to Belgrade, I would have shared critical advice with his advisors. Besieged by an aggressor like …

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‘Return Hubs’ for Migrants Anticipated in Balkans for ‘Era of Deportations’

As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations. Original post Here

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Waste Money Wasted: The Millions of Euros Behind Albania’s Ghost Incinerators

BIRN dissects the accusations against 12 individuals standing trial for allegedly siphoning millions of euros in public money supposed to be spent on solving Tirana’s long-standing garbage problem. Original post Here

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Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …

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Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness

Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …

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Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games

Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …

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Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy

Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …

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Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award

Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …

News
U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security

The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …

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Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …

News

Zelensky Visit to Belgrade: What Could He Learn from Israeli Experience

by Edward P. Joseph Tirana Times, August 21, 2026 – At the NATO Summit in Ankara last month, I had the high honor of meeting President Zelensky. Had I known he was heading soon to Belgrade, I would have shared critical advice with his advisors. Besieged by an aggressor like …

News

‘Return Hubs’ for Migrants Anticipated in Balkans for ‘Era of Deportations’

As the EU awaits final approval for plans to set up ‘return hubs’ in third countries for migrants awaiting deportation, it’s predicted that Balkan countries could end up hosting such holding centres despite concerns about human rights violations. Original post Here

News

Waste Money Wasted: The Millions of Euros Behind Albania’s Ghost Incinerators

BIRN dissects the accusations against 12 individuals standing trial for allegedly siphoning millions of euros in public money supposed to be spent on solving Tirana’s long-standing garbage problem. Original post Here

News

Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …

News

Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness

Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …

News

Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games

Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …

News

Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy

Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …

News

Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award

Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …

News

U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security

The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …

News

Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …