Italian Foreign Minister says Western Balkans EU membership should be accelerated
TIRANA, June 30 – Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy will work to accelerate European Union membership for Western Balkan countries during the Dubrovnik Forum in Croatia. He said Albania and Montenegro are ready for membership. He also said other countries in the region should move forward so most …
97 years since adoption of statute of Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church
TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marked 97 years since the adoption of the Statute of the Albanian Orthodox Autocephalous Church on June 30, 1929. The development followed the country’s independence in 1912. Religious institutions also moved toward separation from traditional external dependencies shaped by political and administrative conditions. In the …
PM Rama: Zvërnec investment to create 10,000 jobs as Vlora Bay naval base deal strengthens maritime industry cooperation
TIRANA, June 30 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said foreign investment drives jobs and economic growth in Albania. He said the Zvërnec project alone will create 10,000 jobs. Speaking in Pashaliman, Vlora, Rama attended the signing of a cooperation memorandum between Italy’s “Fincantieri”, Albania’s “Kayo”, and the “Pavarësia” industrial school. …
The Political Myth of the “Beautiful Protest”
A Barthesian Reading By Diana Gëllçi, Ph.D. Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – A beautiful protest has been unfolding in Tirana for several weeks. What is particularly interesting is that the same description has been adopted not only by the protesters themselves but also by government officials and media outlets aligned …
Bulldozers Leave Their Mark on Albanian Seafront Coveted by Developers
Preparatory works for construction of a resort linked to Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, which helped spark Albania’s ongoing demonstrations, have been suspended – but they’ve left their mark on this protected habitat. Original post Here
Ibrahimaj: Copyright Protection Drives Innovation and Fair Competition
Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj has stressed the importance of respecting copyright. She said it is not only a legal obligation but also a key way to support creativity, innovation, and fair competition. In a social media message, Ibrahimaj noted that people enjoy music, films, books, photographs, and …
Kosovo Appoints First Female Defence Attaché to Albania
Kosovo has appointed Lieutenant Colonel Fatbardha Osaj as its new Defence Attaché to Albania. She officially assumed her post in Tirana, becoming the first woman to hold this position. The Ministry of Defence of Kosovo described the appointment as an important institutional milestone. It said the decision reflects the ministry’s …
Tuesday brings clouds, local rain and isolated storms, temperatures up to 37°C
TIRANA, June 30 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will be affected by relatively unstable weather conditions on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the day will start mostly clear. Later, cloud cover will increase from moderate to locally dense, especially in the eastern areas. In addition, local rainfall will develop across much …
KLA symbols should not be used in protests or political campaigns, veteran leader says
TIRANA, June 30 – Hysni Gucati leads the Organization of Veterans of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA). He spoke about the lack of a Law on War Values. He said this gap allows individuals to speak on behalf of the former armed group. Meanwhile, he said authorities should not use …
German media “HolidayCheck”: Five reasons Albania is becoming a top holiday destination
TIRANA, June 30 – German media outlet HolidayCheck reports that Albania is emerging as one of Europe’s most attractive holiday destinations. It highlights the coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The report points to the Albanian Riviera, especially areas south of Vlora and the Ksamil region, as key tourist …
Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – When Tirana Times published Reinier de Graaf’s open letter from The Albanian Files, it did so because the text had already become one of the most discussed and controversial passages of the book. The letter, written in March 2025, appeared to call, in deliberately provocative …
On June 30, 2026, Albania signed a cooperation memorandum in Vlora with Italy’s Fincantieri, one of Europe’s leading shipbuilders, in a move aimed at reviving naval production at the Pashaliman base and strengthening the country’s defence industrial capacity. The memorandum, signed between the Albanian state company KAYO, Fincantieri and the …
The Albanian Files suggests that international architecture may have served not only as design, but as a prestigious façade for opaque money, captured institutions and one-man rule. Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – A glossy architectural volume meant to celebrate Albania’s transformation has unexpectedly become one of the most revealing …
The Albanian iso-polyphony group from the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances (TKOBAP) performed at the Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy. As a result, Albanian traditional music reached an international audience. The group presented Albania’s rich iso-polyphonic heritage, which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In …
TIRANA, June 30 – Tirana International Airport has expanded its route network by adding direct flights to Gothenburg. The airport said Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate the route. The new service will offer passengers an additional travel option for tourism, business and family visits. Meanwhile, the new route strengthens air …
TIRANA, June 30 – Shkodër Art Gallery presents its collection in public spaces this summer. The gallery places digital exhibitions across the city for visitors and residents. The works include paintings created over different years. Albanian painters and young artists contribute to the collection. The exhibits appear through barcode access. …
The Albanian women’s national basketball team finished second at the European Championship for Small Countries. As a result, they won the silver medal after losing the final to Malta 72–55. The final took place at the “Karagaç” sports hall in Peja. From the start, Malta controlled the game. They built …
TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marks the 190th anniversary of the first publication of The Songs of Milosao, the masterpiece of Jeronim De Rada that is widely regarded as the foundation of Albanian Romanticism. First published in Naples on June 30, 1836, the work introduced a new artistic and national …
TIRANA, June 30 – The National Center of Cinematography announced Jonid Jorgji as a member of the European Film Academy. It confirmed his selection in an official statement. In addition, the institution described the appointment as recognition of his contribution and vision in the audiovisual sector. It framed the membership …
TIRANA, June 30 – Albania’s U-21 national football team will compete at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” in Italy. The event runs from 23 August to 1 September 2026. The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games organizes the competition. The football tournament features eight national teams. Organizers split the teams …