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Rama: Urban Renaissance Has Fulfilled Its Mission, Now It’s Time for the Next Phase

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania’s Urban Renaissance program has fulfilled its original mission, announcing a new stage of urban development during the presentation of the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” initiative. Rama described the new program as the beginning of a fresh phase of national development, arguing that the original Urban …

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Diana Gellçi’s Question to Reinier de Graaf: What Would You Say Today?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Diana Gellçi’s Question to Reinier de Graaf: What Would You Say Today? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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‘Cancel It!’: State Cash for Kanye West Show Sparks Outrage in Albania

The government’s use of 4.2 million euros from its emergency reserve to finance the controversial rapper’s concert – after earlier pledging to spend nothing – has angered its critics. Original post Here

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Kumbaro: Bënja Thermal Baths attract growing numbers of tourists as infrastructure upgrades continue

The Bënja Thermal Baths near Përmet continue to attract large numbers of domestic and international visitors seeking relaxation in the area’s thermal waters, unspoiled nature and the scenic Langarica Canyon. Minister Mirela Kumbaro said authorities are continuing to improve infrastructure and services alongside the growing number of tourists. She said …

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Traffic restrictions announced in Tirana ahead of Kanye West concert

TIRANA July 10 – Tirana Police has announced temporary traffic restrictions on several roads ahead of the “YE” music event featuring artist Kanye West, scheduled for July 11 in Kashar. The restrictions will start at 07:00 and remain in force until midnight on the secondary section of the Durrës–Tirana highway, …

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Stable weather with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, July 10 – Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will have mostly clear skies throughout the day. Light passing clouds may appear around midday. Meanwhile, winds will blow mainly from the northwest at an average speed of 7 m/s. …

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Painter Taso to open “The Drunken City” exhibition in Pogradec

The Art Gallery at Pogradec’s Multifunctional Centre will open “The Drunken City,” a solo exhibition by renowned Albanian painter Anastas Kostandini (Taso), on 18 July at 19:00. The exhibition will showcase 50 pastel artworks that portray everyday life in Pogradec through nostalgia, humour and the warmth of local traditions. Inspired …

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PM Rama tells CNN Turk Albania welcomes Turkish companies for investment

TIRANA, July 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview to CNN Turk, where he discussed the NATO Summit in Ankara, Albania–Turkey relations, regional developments, defence cooperation and tourism. Rama said the summit showed the European wing of NATO’s determination to address security challenges and modernize its military capabilities. …

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Himara public beach attracts summer visitors

TIRANA, July 10 – Himara remains one of the most popular destinations for domestic and foreign tourists during the summer season. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today images from Himara’s public beach, where visitors are spending their holidays under the sun, relaxing on the sand and by the sea. Across …

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Vllaznia comes from behind to beat Malisheva in Conference League opener

Vllaznia fought back to defeat Malisheva 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League first qualifying round tie, taking an advantage into next week’s return match. The visitors made a dream start at Loro Boriçi Stadium, with Xhylani scoring directly from a corner kick in the third minute. …

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Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government

Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …

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Week in Review: Hostages to the Past

From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past. Original post Here

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PM Rama congratulates Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Koretskyi

TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment by the Verkhovna Rada. Rama wished Koretskyi success as he joins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in leading Ukraine during one of the most difficult chapters in its history. He said the country …

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The Brave Ones film returns to the screen after restoration

TIRANA, July 17 – The Central State Film Archive presented the restored version of the film “The Brave Ones” at Drita Cinema. The 1970 production by Film Studios “New Albania” returned to the big screen through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. The screening presented one of the most …

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Albanian National Olympic Committee chief presents Tirana Olympic City project to global sports adviser

TIRANA, July 17 – Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli presented the “Tirana Olympic City” project during an official meeting with Olympic judge and global sports investment adviser Eng. Almohanad Alzooaabe. Ylli described the project as one of Albania’s most ambitious initiatives for developing sports infrastructure. He said …

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FM Hoxha attends Washington, D.C. ministerial; Albania strengthens defenses against hybrid threats

TIRANA, July 17 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a ministerial meeting on the resurgence of political terrorism in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries. Hoxha said political extremism and the use of violence to achieve …

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Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation visits Canada for NATO Parliamentary Assembly event

TIRANA, July 17 – Igli Hasani, head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, visited Ottawa, Canada, from July 13 to 15 for an event organized by the Parliamentary Assembly in cooperation with the Parliament of Canada. During the visit, Hasani met Canadian …

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Black Lake of Radomira attracts adventure tourists

Radomira village, 37 kilometers from Dibër, has become a popular destination for mountain and adventure tourism. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj shared images of Black Lake, located in the heart of Korab-Koritnik National Park. The glacial lake lies among beech and pine forests and offers visitors an untouched natural landscape. The …

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Grant 2026 winners announced, minister says Albania invests 16.5 mln euros in startups

TIRANA, July 17 – Albania announced the winners of the Innovation4Albania Grant 2026 programme, including startups and incubators that will receive financial support. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has invested 16.5 million euros in startups over the past four years. She noted that the initial commitment …

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Excavations to resume at Sarda medieval site

TIRANA, July 17 – Archaeologists will soon resume excavations at the medieval city of Sarda on Shurdhah Island in Lake Vau i Dejës as part of the Albanian-French project The River Drin Valley in the Middle Ages. The project has documented the city’s structures and traced its development during the …

News

Milošević’s Language Returns to Serbia’s Government

Ethnic Cleansing Remark Tests Serbia’s Claim to Have Broken With Milošević A Serbian minister’s declared willingness to expel Kosovo Albanians has drawn condemnation across the region and Europe. Belgrade’s refusal to remove her has transformed a personal scandal into a test of government policy and Serbia’s European ambitions. Tirana Times, …

News

Week in Review: Hostages to the Past

From fresh battles over memory in Bosnia to the acquittal of North Macedonia’s former PM and Turkey’s post-coup legacy, this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories show how contested history keeps the region chained to its past. Original post Here

News

PM Rama congratulates Ukraine’s newly appointed prime minister Koretskyi

TIRANA, July 17 – Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment by the Verkhovna Rada. Rama wished Koretskyi success as he joins President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in leading Ukraine during one of the most difficult chapters in its history. He said the country …

News

The Brave Ones film returns to the screen after restoration

TIRANA, July 17 – The Central State Film Archive presented the restored version of the film “The Brave Ones” at Drita Cinema. The 1970 production by Film Studios “New Albania” returned to the big screen through the “Adopt a Film for Restoration” initiative. The screening presented one of the most …

News

Albanian National Olympic Committee chief presents Tirana Olympic City project to global sports adviser

TIRANA, July 17 – Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) President Fidel Ylli presented the “Tirana Olympic City” project during an official meeting with Olympic judge and global sports investment adviser Eng. Almohanad Alzooaabe. Ylli described the project as one of Albania’s most ambitious initiatives for developing sports infrastructure. He said …

News

FM Hoxha attends Washington, D.C. ministerial; Albania strengthens defenses against hybrid threats

TIRANA, July 17 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a ministerial meeting on the resurgence of political terrorism in Washington, D.C. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the meeting, which brought together representatives from more than 60 countries. Hoxha said political extremism and the use of violence to achieve …

News

Head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation visits Canada for NATO Parliamentary Assembly event

TIRANA, July 17 – Igli Hasani, head of the Albanian Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, visited Ottawa, Canada, from July 13 to 15 for an event organized by the Parliamentary Assembly in cooperation with the Parliament of Canada. During the visit, Hasani met Canadian …

News

Black Lake of Radomira attracts adventure tourists

Radomira village, 37 kilometers from Dibër, has become a popular destination for mountain and adventure tourism. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj shared images of Black Lake, located in the heart of Korab-Koritnik National Park. The glacial lake lies among beech and pine forests and offers visitors an untouched natural landscape. The …

News

Grant 2026 winners announced, minister says Albania invests 16.5 mln euros in startups

TIRANA, July 17 – Albania announced the winners of the Innovation4Albania Grant 2026 programme, including startups and incubators that will receive financial support. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government has invested 16.5 million euros in startups over the past four years. She noted that the initial commitment …

News

Excavations to resume at Sarda medieval site

TIRANA, July 17 – Archaeologists will soon resume excavations at the medieval city of Sarda on Shurdhah Island in Lake Vau i Dejës as part of the Albanian-French project The River Drin Valley in the Middle Ages. The project has documented the city’s structures and traced its development during the …