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Forensic Science Institute becomes full member of European forensic network

TIRANA, May 18 – The Forensic Science Institute took part for the first time as a full member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes in Zurich, Switzerland. The meeting gathered directors of European forensic science institutes. Institute Director Perlat Çullaj presented the institute’s role and development. He outlined …

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Minister Gonxhja: Museum Week brings together culture, history and art

TIRANA. May 18 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the “Museum Week 2026” initiative in a social media post. He said the event will take place from 18 to 24 May across Albania. During the week, museums, archaeological parks and cultural heritage sites will open their …

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Defense Minister Nufi at Civil Emergencies Support Base: We ensure faster response across the country

TIRANA, May 18 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Civil Emergencies Support Base. He met Armed Forces personnel engaged in emergency response operations. The visit focused on wildfire preparedness ahead of the summer season. Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Arben Kingji attended the event. National Civil Protection …

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President Begaj meets Higher Security and Defence Course, says Western Balkans stability key to regional security

TIRANA, May 18 – President Bajram Begaj met participants of the Higher Security and Defence Course held at the Armed Forces Defence and Security College. He praised the college for organising the programme. He also highlighted the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding among participants. In addition, he stressed the …

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OTP Bank Albania inaugurates new Private Banking premises in Tirana

Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – OTP Bank Albania has inaugurated new premises dedicated to the Private Banking segment, unveiling an exclusive space designed for clients seeking personalized service and advanced financial standards. Located in the heart of Tirana, the premises have been designed in line with OTP Group standards, …

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Shadow Fleet, Weak Oversight: How Russian Sanctions Evasion Reached Albania’s Ports

Tirana Times, May 18, 2026 – Albania’s ports have emerged as a potential weak point in the international effort to enforce sanctions against Russia, following revelations that vessels linked by Ukrainian intelligence to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” have visited the country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. …

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Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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International Museum Day marked, free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 in Albania

TIRANA, May 18 – The global museum community marks International Museum Day today. In this context, Albania offers free entry to museums on May 18 and May 21 for related cultural events. Meanwhile, the International Council of Museums established the day in 1977. The initiative aims to raise public awareness …

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Albania Cycling Tour 2026 starts, temporary road closures in Tirana

TIRANA, May 18 – Albania hosts the 83rd Albania Cycling Tour from today until 22 May. Twenty elite teams from Albania, the Balkans and Europe take part in the race. The first stage starts at 12:00. Cyclists begin in Tirana and finish in Lezha. The State Police announces temporary traffic …

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“Egnatia Fest 2026” Opens Tourist Season in Librazhd

Librazhd opened the tourism season with “Egnatia Fest 2026” in the Cherry Park. Around 54 businesses joined the event and promoted the area’s nature, history, traditions, and tourism potential. Minister Andis Salla attended the festival and highlighted the importance of local tourism and private investment for economic growth. Salla said …

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Fake Social Media Accounts Target Albania Protest Supporters

Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed social media algorithms for fuelling the so-called Flamingo Revolution protests, but data obtained by BIRN shows that hundreds of fake accounts have been created to push the government’s own narrative and denigrate the protesters. Original post Here

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Za Fest Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Shkodra

The 10th edition of Za Fest begins today in Shkodra, bringing music, art, and culture to the city under the direction of festival founder and singer-songwriter Vlashent Sata. Organizers launched Za Fest in 2017 to promote Albanian culture through music, art, literature, and other creative forms. The festival first took …

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EU Urges Political Parties to Avoid Pressure on Kosovo Judicial Council

The European Union Office in Kosovo has urged all political parties to avoid pressuring the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and its members while they make decisions. The EU office said in a social media statement that Kosovo and the European Union rely on an independent, impartial, and apolitical judiciary to …

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Navigation suspended in Vlora and Saranda due to rough sea conditions

TIRANA, July 24 – Port authorities in Vlora and Saranda have suspended navigation for small vessels, tourist boats and fishing vessels due to worsening sea conditions along the Albanian coast. The Port Captaincies said the measure will remain in force until 06:00 on July 25, 2026. The General Maritime Directorate …

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Kumbaro: 5,478 Free Learning Packages Reach Albanian Children in Diaspora

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that authorities have successfully distributed 5,478 free learning packages to Albanian children in 18 diaspora countries. The packages include textbooks for all three levels of Albanian language and culture education. Kumbaro said the Center for Diaspora Publications and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs …

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RTSH to continue supporting Albanian sports achievements, says Director General Eni Vasili

TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian Ski Federation organized the gala event “Ski Excellence Night” to present the achievements of the 2025–2026 season, which it described as one of the most successful periods for Albanian winter sports. The event was broadcast by the Albanian Public Radio Television (RTSH). The season’s …

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Government and Socialist lawmakers hold review meeting

TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group are holding a meeting this Friday at the Palace of Brigades. The participants are discussing government work, political developments and upcoming objectives. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaires the meeting. He is expected to address government priorities and …

News
Cloudy Friday with local rain and storm risk

TIRANA, July 24 – Albania will experience unstable weather conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will see periods of cloudiness, with clouds becoming more pronounced at midday and in the afternoon. Local light rain is expected across most areas. Meanwhile, short thunderstorms with lightning and …

News
Ibrahimaj: New Business Registrations Rise 7.5% in First Half of 2026

Albania registered 11,567 new businesses during the first half of 2026, up by 806 from the same period last year. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced the figures today, saying they reflect growing confidence in Albania’s business environment and stronger interest in launching new economic activities. “Entrepreneurship continues to …

News
Ibrahimaj: ‘Double Your Business’ Program Helps Companies Expand

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj visited a business in Tirana’s Unit No. 2 on Wednesday to highlight the benefits of the “Double Your Business” program. Ibrahimaj said the program provides financing for businesses planning investments of up to 2 million euros, with repayment periods of up to 10 years. …

News

Fake Social Media Accounts Target Albania Protest Supporters

Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed social media algorithms for fuelling the so-called Flamingo Revolution protests, but data obtained by BIRN shows that hundreds of fake accounts have been created to push the government’s own narrative and denigrate the protesters. Original post Here

News

Za Fest Celebrates Its 10th Edition in Shkodra

The 10th edition of Za Fest begins today in Shkodra, bringing music, art, and culture to the city under the direction of festival founder and singer-songwriter Vlashent Sata. Organizers launched Za Fest in 2017 to promote Albanian culture through music, art, literature, and other creative forms. The festival first took …

News

EU Urges Political Parties to Avoid Pressure on Kosovo Judicial Council

The European Union Office in Kosovo has urged all political parties to avoid pressuring the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and its members while they make decisions. The EU office said in a social media statement that Kosovo and the European Union rely on an independent, impartial, and apolitical judiciary to …

News

Navigation suspended in Vlora and Saranda due to rough sea conditions

TIRANA, July 24 – Port authorities in Vlora and Saranda have suspended navigation for small vessels, tourist boats and fishing vessels due to worsening sea conditions along the Albanian coast. The Port Captaincies said the measure will remain in force until 06:00 on July 25, 2026. The General Maritime Directorate …

News

Kumbaro: 5,478 Free Learning Packages Reach Albanian Children in Diaspora

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that authorities have successfully distributed 5,478 free learning packages to Albanian children in 18 diaspora countries. The packages include textbooks for all three levels of Albanian language and culture education. Kumbaro said the Center for Diaspora Publications and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs …

News

RTSH to continue supporting Albanian sports achievements, says Director General Eni Vasili

TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian Ski Federation organized the gala event “Ski Excellence Night” to present the achievements of the 2025–2026 season, which it described as one of the most successful periods for Albanian winter sports. The event was broadcast by the Albanian Public Radio Television (RTSH). The season’s …

News

Government and Socialist lawmakers hold review meeting

TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group are holding a meeting this Friday at the Palace of Brigades. The participants are discussing government work, political developments and upcoming objectives. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaires the meeting. He is expected to address government priorities and …

News

Cloudy Friday with local rain and storm risk

TIRANA, July 24 – Albania will experience unstable weather conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will see periods of cloudiness, with clouds becoming more pronounced at midday and in the afternoon. Local light rain is expected across most areas. Meanwhile, short thunderstorms with lightning and …

News

Ibrahimaj: New Business Registrations Rise 7.5% in First Half of 2026

Albania registered 11,567 new businesses during the first half of 2026, up by 806 from the same period last year. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced the figures today, saying they reflect growing confidence in Albania’s business environment and stronger interest in launching new economic activities. “Entrepreneurship continues to …

News

Ibrahimaj: ‘Double Your Business’ Program Helps Companies Expand

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj visited a business in Tirana’s Unit No. 2 on Wednesday to highlight the benefits of the “Double Your Business” program. Ibrahimaj said the program provides financing for businesses planning investments of up to 2 million euros, with repayment periods of up to 10 years. …