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. …
Unexploded Ordnance Puts Jared Kushner’s Resort in Albania at Risk
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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 …
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 …
“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 …
Dushaj, the Picturesque Village of Stone Towers Above Fushë-Bulqizë
Dushaj stands above Fushë-Bulqizë with stone towers, green valleys, waterfalls, and mountain landscapes. The village has become a growing destination for visitors seeking nature, history, and authentic Albanian hospitality. At the entrance of the village, the historic Kulla Hupi welcomes tourists preparing for the new tourism season. Workers continue restoration …
OSBE Ambassador: Steps taken to improve journalists’ conditions, further efforts needed on transparency and editorial independence
TIRANA, May 18 – OSCE Ambassador to Tirana, Michele Tarran spoke at a media freedom conference. He said journalism represents a public service, not only a profession or an industry. He pointed to declining trust in institutions, disinformation and manipulation. He also cited reduced media pluralism, information insecurity, hate speech …
Health and Social Welfare Minister at WHO Assembly: Albania strengthened commitment to child protection and well-being
TIRANA, May 18 – Health and Social Welfare Minister Evis Sala took part in the 79th World Health Assembly session. The discussions opened with a focus on protecting children from online risks. They also addressed the impact of digital violence. At the opening stage of the event, the World Health …
PM Rama on official visit to South Korea
TIRANA, May 18 – Prime Minister Edi Rama is on an official visit to the Republic of Korea from 17–21 May. He is accompanied by his wife Linda Rama and the official delegation. According to the Media and Information Agency, the visit aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries. …
Swiss Ambassador Huber: Free media is foundation of democracy and fight against corruption
TIRANA, May 18 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber spoke at a media freedom conference with local and international participants. She said free media represents a key pillar of democracy and institutional strengthening. In this context, she described the conference as an important regional forum for dialogue among journalists …
TIRANA, July 28 – The General Director of Taxes, Ilir Binaj, said farmers are using the 10% VAT refund scheme without major problems. He expects applications to increase as the tax administration expands information campaigns and training sessions across the country. At a joint press conference with Finance Minister Petrit …
TIRANA, July 28 – President Bajram Begaj met with Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman to discuss relations between Albania and Croatia. The two officials focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the countries. During the meeting, they highlighted Croatia’s continued support for Albania’s European integration. They …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova Acting President Albulena Haxhiu met Admiral George Wikoff, commander of the NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples. The officials discussed the security situation in Kosova, cooperation with the Kosova Force, and coordination with NATO. According to a social media statement, Haxhiu thanked Admiral Wikoff for …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Enea Karakaçi, together with the Director of the Albanian Road Authority (ARRSH), Ami Kozeli, inspected construction works on the Tirana Bypass, where more than 30% of the physical works have been completed so far. Karakaçi described …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s economy continued on a stable path of growth and consolidation during the first half of 2026, with fiscal and macroeconomic indicators confirming positive performance. The statement was made by Finance Minister Petrit Malaj during a joint press conference with the …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”22c76d51-a78e-491f-9b30-e3ad362ab21d” data-turn-id-container=”22c76d51-a78e-491f-9b30-e3ad362ab21d” data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s State Police has warned citizens about a rise in fraudulent messages and links circulating on WhatsApp that are designed to take control of users’ accounts. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-3″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-3″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> According to the police, scammers typically …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”7a9984ca-128a-443c-94f4-38c3ac5ba0a9″ data-turn-id-container=”7a9984ca-128a-443c-94f4-38c3ac5ba0a9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-9″ data-turn=”user”> The US Embassy in Tirana has shared a story on X highlighting the enduring relationship between Albania and the United States across generations. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> In its post, the embassy said the 104-year friendship …
Just hours after the arrest of two Serbian suspects, Kosovo Police special units and teams from the Institute of Forensic Medicine were deployed to the municipality of Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo. Excavations were carried out in the village of Kalludër e Vogël following suspicions that the site may contain …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Basic Court in Pristina has acquitted Skenderaj Mayor Sami Lushtaku of all charges related to witness intimidation. Lushtaku, a senior figure in Kosovo’s Democratic Party (PDK), had been indicted in the “Drenica 1” case alongside seven other defendants. Presiding Judge …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova’s acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca called on the Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague to deliver a judicial decision, not a political one, regarding the upcoming ruling on former Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. The court is scheduled to issue its decision on September 16. …