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Serbia in Year Zero

By Veton Surroi Tirana Times, October 26, 2026. Seven Points Following The Elections in Serbia 1. The Student Movement in Serbia, which won the parliamentary elections and paved the way for the end of the fourteen-year rule of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the autocrat Aleksandar Vučić, is a …

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Albanian Prime Minister Announces New Anti-Protest Legislation

Amid continuing violence at anti-government protests at the weekend, during which one protester was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet, premier Edi Rama announced new measures to tackle “urban anarchy”. Original post Here

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Tepelena municipality steps up efforts to keep public spaces clean

Tepelena Municipality has focused on cleaning and maintaining its territory throughout October. The work covers the city and its administrative units. The aim is to keep public spaces clean and improve the environment for residents and visitors. Leonidha Shumeli, head of the central administrative unit, said the municipality had organised …

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“Venetiku” Photo Exhibition Explores Memory and Human Stories at Marubi Museum

The photo exhibition “Venetiku: Tracing a Photographic Collection” will remain open to visitors this weekend at the Marubi National Museum of Photography in Shkodra. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the exhibition, curated by Mikaela Minga, as an encounter with photography, collective memory and the human stories behind …

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Albanian internationals abroad; Uzuni scores twice in the United States as Asani and Bajrami also find the net

Albanian national team players made their mark for their clubs in international leagues this week. Several players scored goals or provided assists. Myrto Uzuni scored twice as Austin FC came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 away. The Albanian forward scored in the 64th minute and added his …

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Tirana Municipality announces 1,500 winners of subsidised loan scheme

Tirana Municipality has announced around 1,500 new winners under its social housing programme that subsidises loan interest. The scheme supports individuals and families seeking to buy an apartment in the capital. The municipality has submitted the list of successful applicants to the Tirana Municipal Council for approval at its October …

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Albania receives 62 points at Junior Eurovision 2026

Armenia has won the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held in Malta. The event featured 16 singers from 16 countries, including Albania’s representative, Eslin Kurti. RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1 broadcast the contest live. Albania received 62 points from the votes of professional juries and the public. …

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Protests cause limited disruption to banks, with psychological impact

Recent protests in Tirana have caused minimal disruption to commercial banks, banking expert Elvin Meka said. However, the events have had a psychological impact on the sector. Meka stressed that banking services continued without interruption. He said banks could absorb the additional costs of repairing damaged automated teller machines and …

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Albania and Azerbaijan Seek Stronger Tourism Ties and New Partnerships

Albania and Azerbaijan are seeking to expand tourism cooperation and build new partnerships between travel operators in both countries. National Tourism Agency Director General Jola Hysaj and Albania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Besart Kadia, met in Baku with Goydaniz Gahramanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Agencies Association. The …

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National Olympiads begin on November 2, adding foreign languages

The first phase of Albania’s national Olympiads will begin on November 2, with students from schools across the country taking part. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said foreign languages will join the Olympiads for the first time. The new subjects are English, Italian, French and German for upper secondary school students. …

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EU Hails Montenegro’s Progress – Regrets Stagnation in Much of Balkans

European Commission report highlights Montenegro as likely frontrunner to join EU but laments lack of progress on reforms in Bosnia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia – and backsliding in Turkey. Original post Here

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New road in Tale, Lezha, aims to boost coastal tourism

Tale, in the Lezha area, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, attracting more visitors each year. New road infrastructure has improved access to the area and increased the value of nearby properties, creating new opportunities for the local community. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images of the new …

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Fier school theatre group wins three awards at Zagreb festival

The theatre group from Andon Xoxa nine-year school in Fier has won three awards at the International Theatre Festival for Children in the Albanian Language in Zagreb, Croatia. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the achievement on social media. The students received recognition for their performance of the play “Gjaku i …

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United States invests over $40 million to strengthen Albania’s cyber defences

The United States has invested more than $40 million to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats sponsored by foreign governments. Speaking at the National Cybersecurity Conference, US Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted progress in strengthening digital resilience and training future experts through cooperation with the United States. This partnership includes programmes …

News
EU enlargement chief urges Albania to maintain reforms to close accession talks in 2027

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has praised Albania’s progress in implementing key reforms but urged continued efforts to meet the target of concluding accession negotiations by the end of 2027. Kos presented the European Union’s 2026 Enlargement Package at an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee …

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Environment Ministry advances waste management study with French support

The Environment Ministry has held the second steering committee meeting for a French-funded feasibility study aimed at improving waste management. The study receives support through FASEP, France’s Fund for Studies and Support to the Private Sector. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said discussions focused on technical solutions, required infrastructure and efficient …

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Government to allocate record ALL 30 billion for justice in 2027

Justice Minister Toni Gogu has presented the government’s draft justice budget for 2027 to the Assembly’s Law Committee. The plan allocates around ALL 30 billion to the justice system, the highest amount to date. Gogu said the funding aims to bring justice closer to citizens. The draft allocates ALL 29.95 …

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Albania drawn with Serbia, Belgium and Romania in 2027 women’s Nations League

Albania’s women’s national team will face Serbia, Belgium and Romania in Group B1 of the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League. The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland. The league phase will follow a home-and-away format. Each team will play every group opponent twice, once at home and once away. The …

News
PM Rama says Albania receives highest-ever European Commission progress assessment

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the European Commission’s annual progress report had given Albania its highest assessment to date. He described the result as another proud moment for the country’s European future. Rama called the report encouraging and a further step towards the historic goal of joining the European Union. …

News
U.S. invests more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats

TIRANA, Nov. 4 (ATA) – The United States has invested more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against foreign state-sponsored threats. Speaking at Albania’s National Cybersecurity Conference, Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted Albania’s progress in building digital resilience and training future experts through partnership with the United States, including …

News

EU Hails Montenegro’s Progress – Regrets Stagnation in Much of Balkans

European Commission report highlights Montenegro as likely frontrunner to join EU but laments lack of progress on reforms in Bosnia, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia – and backsliding in Turkey. Original post Here

News

New road in Tale, Lezha, aims to boost coastal tourism

Tale, in the Lezha area, has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, attracting more visitors each year. New road infrastructure has improved access to the area and increased the value of nearby properties, creating new opportunities for the local community. Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared images of the new …

News

Fier school theatre group wins three awards at Zagreb festival

The theatre group from Andon Xoxa nine-year school in Fier has won three awards at the International Theatre Festival for Children in the Albanian Language in Zagreb, Croatia. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced the achievement on social media. The students received recognition for their performance of the play “Gjaku i …

News

United States invests over $40 million to strengthen Albania’s cyber defences

The United States has invested more than $40 million to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats sponsored by foreign governments. Speaking at the National Cybersecurity Conference, US Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted progress in strengthening digital resilience and training future experts through cooperation with the United States. This partnership includes programmes …

News

EU enlargement chief urges Albania to maintain reforms to close accession talks in 2027

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has praised Albania’s progress in implementing key reforms but urged continued efforts to meet the target of concluding accession negotiations by the end of 2027. Kos presented the European Union’s 2026 Enlargement Package at an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee …

News

Environment Ministry advances waste management study with French support

The Environment Ministry has held the second steering committee meeting for a French-funded feasibility study aimed at improving waste management. The study receives support through FASEP, France’s Fund for Studies and Support to the Private Sector. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said discussions focused on technical solutions, required infrastructure and efficient …

News

Government to allocate record ALL 30 billion for justice in 2027

Justice Minister Toni Gogu has presented the government’s draft justice budget for 2027 to the Assembly’s Law Committee. The plan allocates around ALL 30 billion to the justice system, the highest amount to date. Gogu said the funding aims to bring justice closer to citizens. The draft allocates ALL 29.95 …

News

Albania drawn with Serbia, Belgium and Romania in 2027 women’s Nations League

Albania’s women’s national team will face Serbia, Belgium and Romania in Group B1 of the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League. The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland. The league phase will follow a home-and-away format. Each team will play every group opponent twice, once at home and once away. The …

News

PM Rama says Albania receives highest-ever European Commission progress assessment

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the European Commission’s annual progress report had given Albania its highest assessment to date. He described the result as another proud moment for the country’s European future. Rama called the report encouraging and a further step towards the historic goal of joining the European Union. …

News

U.S. invests more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against cyber threats

TIRANA, Nov. 4 (ATA) – The United States has invested more than 40 million dollars to strengthen Albania’s defences against foreign state-sponsored threats. Speaking at Albania’s National Cybersecurity Conference, Ambassador Eric Wendt highlighted Albania’s progress in building digital resilience and training future experts through partnership with the United States, including …