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Four Days of Film and Art: Gjirokastra and Dropull Bring Regional Cinema Together

The sixth edition of the Dropull International Short Film Festival has opened. For the first time, the festival is being held simultaneously in Gjirokastra and Dropull, bringing 30 competing films from Albania, Kosovo, and Greece to the big screen. *]: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:abd5f9c3-e6f6-4ffd-a368-acf87625c22f-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:abd5f9c3-e6f6-4ffd-a368-acf87625c22f-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Over the …

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“The Protest Was a Gift,” Rama Says After Meeting with Ministers: What Was Discussed in Pogradec

Immediately after concluding his meeting with ministers in Pogradec, Prime Minister Edi Rama held a live video broadcast on social media while traveling back to Tirana, where he explained the content and main points of the discussions. Rama described the protests held in Tirana as a “gift,” saying that Albania …

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FAO Report Data Released: How Many Albanians Face Food Insecurity?

Around 1 in 3 Albanians faces moderate or severe food insecurity, according to FAO estimates for the 2023–2025 period. Although the indicator improved by 1.2 percentage points within a year, Albania continues to have a significantly higher rate compared with Europe and other Western Balkan countries. In Albania, food insecurity …

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Albanian Prosecutors Join International Network as Prosecutors’ Association Becomes IAP Member

The Albanian Prosecutors’ Association has announced its admission as a full member of the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP). In its statement, the Association described the membership as an important milestone for the representation of Albanian prosecutors on the international stage. According to the Association, the IAP, founded on June …

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Kosova grants citizenship to former U.S. congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife

TIRANA, August 24 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu presented citizenship decrees to former U.S. Congressman Joe DioGuardi and his wife, Shirley Cloyes DioGuardi, at a special ceremony. DioGuardi, the first Albanian-American voting member of the U.S. Congress, has been one of the strongest voices in Washington in support …

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Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life” to undergo restoration

The Albanian animated film “The Fight for Life”, produced in 1981, will undergo restoration through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. Doctors Rubin and Ilir Topi have joined the initiative led by the Central State Film Archive. They chose to restore the film in memory of their father, doctor …

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Over 494,000 visitors explore protected areas in Vlora

Albania’s Vlora region continues to attract visitors with its rich natural landscapes, biodiversity and protected areas. From January to July, more than 494,000 people visited protected areas across the region. According to the Vlora Protected Areas Administration, 166,809 visitors were Albanian, while 327,239 were international tourists. Butrint National Park recorded …

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Brati Bridge: A Riverside Getaway in the Stunning Shushica Valley

In the heart of the Shushica Valley, Brati Bridge is attracting visitors looking for a different kind of summer getaway, away from both the sea and the mountains. From the new Vlora River Road, a scenic route offering views of the villages along the river, visitors can walk for about …

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Albanian internationals score and assist across European leagues

TIRANA, August 24 – Albanian internationals enjoyed another positive week in overseas leagues, with Jasir Asani, Cristian Shpendi and Etnik Brruti scoring, while Ernest Muçi and Stavro Pilo provided assists. In Turkey, Muçi returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury. The Albania forward assisted Mohamed Salah for Trabzonspor’s …

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Up to 400,000 euros available for tourism and cultural projects, Investment Development Agency says

TIRANA, August 24 – The Albanian Investment Development Agency has announced its 7th call for proposals for small projects under Specific Objective 4.6 of the Greece–Albania Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. The call offers new funding opportunities for projects focused on development and cross-border cooperation. The total fund amounts to …

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Veliaj’s Prison Transfer: Who Rules, the Law or Arbitrary Power?

The unexplained transfer of Tirana’s mayor to Fier prison has triggered tensions within the ruling Socialist Party and an immediate response from Tirana’s Municipal Council, raising serious concerns about administrative arbitrariness and the rule of law. Tirana Times, October 29, 2026 – The sudden transfer of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj …

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SheAds project highlights Albanian girls breaking barriers in sport

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja has highlighted 3 young athletes who are challenging gender stereotypes in sport. Their dedication and daily sacrifices show that talent and success have no gender, he said. Gonxhja shared the stories of footballer Amarda Xhebrahimi, sport shooter Sindi Sula and wrestler Albina Drazhi …

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American Chamber of Commerce raises concerns over 2027 draft budget tax measures

The American Chamber of Commerce in Albania has urged the government to reconsider tax increases proposed in the 2027 fiscal package. It warned that the changes could raise business costs, discourage investment and weaken the country’s competitiveness. The chamber said higher dividend tax, standard value-added tax and some reduced rates, …

News
2027 draft budget allocates ALL 75.4 billion for infrastructure and energy

The 2027 draft budget allocates ALL 75.4 billion to infrastructure and energy, equivalent to 2.5% of gross domestic product. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the figures at the Conference of Chairpersons. The funding will support transport, railway and port projects, as well as drinking water and sewage systems. Planned water …

News
Transparency Board sets new fuel price caps from October 29

The Transparency Board has announced new maximum prices for diesel and petrol. The limits took effect at 15:00 on October 29. Retailers may charge no more than ALL 212 per litre for diesel. The wholesale cap stands at ALL 200 per litre. For petrol, the retail ceiling is ALL 181 …

News
Kosova president meets United States chargé d’affaires in Prishtina

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula met United States chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati in Prishtina. Prattipati congratulated the president on taking office. Shiroka Pula thanked her for the message. She reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening relations and the strategic partnership between Kosova and the United States. The president also stressed the …

News
Albanian Parliament Approves Amendments to Bank of Albania Law with 84 Votes

The Albanian Parliament has approved amendments to the Law on the Bank of Albania with 84 votes in favor. The changes provide special legal protections for the governor, restricting the possibility of taking measures against the governor without parliamentary authorization. Under the amendments adopted during Thursday’s plenary session, the governor …

News
Tensions Erupt in Albanian Parliament as Opposition MPs Light Flares, Four Expelled from Session

The Albanian Parliament’s plenary session resumed amid tensions after opposition MPs lit flares inside the chamber, blocked the parliamentary rostrum and blew whistles. Following the disruption, Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi decided to expel four opposition MPs from the plenary session: Xhelal Mziu, Bledi Himçi, Ivi Kaso and Bledion Nallbati. …

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Day 17 of Student Protests: Students March from Parliament to Ministry of Education

Students have begun marching from Parliament towards the Ministry of Education, continuing their protests for the 17th consecutive day as they demand the unconditional resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. A day earlier, students had announced a demonstration outside Parliament to coincide with the start of the plenary session. However, …

News
Kosovo Security Force Receives 12 More Military Trucks, Kurti: Strengthening Defense Capabilities in Line with NATO Standards

The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has received 12 new Mercedes-Benz Unimog 5T military trucks, adding to its military fleet alongside eight Rheinmetall KX 8×8 trucks that arrived several days earlier. In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that the total number of trucks in these two categories has …

News

Veliaj’s Prison Transfer: Who Rules, the Law or Arbitrary Power?

The unexplained transfer of Tirana’s mayor to Fier prison has triggered tensions within the ruling Socialist Party and an immediate response from Tirana’s Municipal Council, raising serious concerns about administrative arbitrariness and the rule of law. Tirana Times, October 29, 2026 – The sudden transfer of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj …

News

SheAds project highlights Albanian girls breaking barriers in sport

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja has highlighted 3 young athletes who are challenging gender stereotypes in sport. Their dedication and daily sacrifices show that talent and success have no gender, he said. Gonxhja shared the stories of footballer Amarda Xhebrahimi, sport shooter Sindi Sula and wrestler Albina Drazhi …

News

American Chamber of Commerce raises concerns over 2027 draft budget tax measures

The American Chamber of Commerce in Albania has urged the government to reconsider tax increases proposed in the 2027 fiscal package. It warned that the changes could raise business costs, discourage investment and weaken the country’s competitiveness. The chamber said higher dividend tax, standard value-added tax and some reduced rates, …

News

2027 draft budget allocates ALL 75.4 billion for infrastructure and energy

The 2027 draft budget allocates ALL 75.4 billion to infrastructure and energy, equivalent to 2.5% of gross domestic product. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the figures at the Conference of Chairpersons. The funding will support transport, railway and port projects, as well as drinking water and sewage systems. Planned water …

News

Transparency Board sets new fuel price caps from October 29

The Transparency Board has announced new maximum prices for diesel and petrol. The limits took effect at 15:00 on October 29. Retailers may charge no more than ALL 212 per litre for diesel. The wholesale cap stands at ALL 200 per litre. For petrol, the retail ceiling is ALL 181 …

News

Kosova president meets United States chargé d’affaires in Prishtina

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula met United States chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati in Prishtina. Prattipati congratulated the president on taking office. Shiroka Pula thanked her for the message. She reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening relations and the strategic partnership between Kosova and the United States. The president also stressed the …

News

Albanian Parliament Approves Amendments to Bank of Albania Law with 84 Votes

The Albanian Parliament has approved amendments to the Law on the Bank of Albania with 84 votes in favor. The changes provide special legal protections for the governor, restricting the possibility of taking measures against the governor without parliamentary authorization. Under the amendments adopted during Thursday’s plenary session, the governor …

News

Tensions Erupt in Albanian Parliament as Opposition MPs Light Flares, Four Expelled from Session

The Albanian Parliament’s plenary session resumed amid tensions after opposition MPs lit flares inside the chamber, blocked the parliamentary rostrum and blew whistles. Following the disruption, Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi decided to expel four opposition MPs from the plenary session: Xhelal Mziu, Bledi Himçi, Ivi Kaso and Bledion Nallbati. …

News

Day 17 of Student Protests: Students March from Parliament to Ministry of Education

Students have begun marching from Parliament towards the Ministry of Education, continuing their protests for the 17th consecutive day as they demand the unconditional resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. A day earlier, students had announced a demonstration outside Parliament to coincide with the start of the plenary session. However, …

News

Kosovo Security Force Receives 12 More Military Trucks, Kurti: Strengthening Defense Capabilities in Line with NATO Standards

The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has received 12 new Mercedes-Benz Unimog 5T military trucks, adding to its military fleet alongside eight Rheinmetall KX 8×8 trucks that arrived several days earlier. In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that the total number of trucks in these two categories has …