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Easter celebration in Dhërmi features drone and fireworks display

TIRANA, April 12 – Dhërmi turned into a festive scene on Easter Eve, as hundreds of Orthodox believers gathered to celebrate the Holy Day. The coastal village hosted large crowds who joined prayers and candlelit rituals marking one of the most important dates in the Orthodox calendar. The atmosphere combined …

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Albania’s EU bid faces IBAR delay

Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Albania’s path toward European Union membership has entered a more uncertain phase as discussions over a key assessment report remain unfinished, exposing a gap between technical progress in reforms and the political consensus required among member states to move forward. At the center of …

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Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime Minister Edi Rama recently declared that he feels offended by the widespread assumption that his government is systemically corrupt, offering as a counterargument that this “cannot be true” because the country is experiencing economic growth. This is an unconvincing argument. …

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Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Serbia’s path toward European Union membership is facing renewed uncertainty amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding, rule of law deficiencies, …

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Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

From towers to “new pyramids”: how money from organized crime, international drug trafficking and entrenched corruption is reshaping Tirana while leaving behind empty buildings, distorted prices and a deeper threat to Albania’s future. Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – The forest of cranes and high rise towers that now dominates …

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Niko Peleshi Meets Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë

Niko Peleshi met Gunnar Schellenberger in Korçë. They discussed cooperation and city development. They focused on education, technology, culture, and art. They highlighted their role in Korçë’s future. They also discussed University of Fan S. Noli. They called it an important bridge for academic cooperation. They mentioned student exchanges and …

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Blerim Gashani: Kosovo Will Shine by Hosting Mediterranean Games

Blerim Gashani said Kosovo will successfully host the Mediterranean Games. He spoke about preparations for the event. He said work continues despite global challenges. He said institutions are moving forward. Gashani said the legal framework is ready. He said the government will approve it soon. He added that the process …

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Replay Elka Cup 2026 held its Tirana semifinals at the “House of Football”

The event promoted school football and youth participation in sports. It brought strong support from students and fans. The semifinals delivered strong competition. Both matches were decided by penalties. Petro Nini Luarasi Gymnasium beat Sami Frasheri Gymnasium 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Qemal Stafa Gymnasium defeated Ismail Qemali …

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Ermal Nufi Meets U.S. General McKinney to Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Ermal Nufi met U.S. Army Brigadier General Chris McKinney from United States European Command. They discussed regional security issues. They focused on defence cooperation and increased military spending. They also talked about military mobility. They highlighted the importance of the Pan-European Corridor VIII. Both sides discussed cyber defence. They noted …

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Edi Rama: No Compromise on Food Safety for EU Integration

Edi Rama said there will be no compromise on food safety. He spoke in Berat with olive oil producers. First, he highlighted food safety as a key condition for EU integration. He said standards must match those of the European Union. Then, he warned producers. He said non-compliant products will …

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Himara to open tourist season on May 1–3

Himara will open the tourist season on May 1–3. The coastal city will welcome local and foreign visitors. The three-day event will create a festive atmosphere in the southern destination. The program will promote the area’s history, cultural heritage, pristine beaches, traditions, and rich Albanian cuisine. Minister of Tourism, Culture, …

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Traffic resumes in Llogara Tunnel after accident

Traffic has resumed in the Llogara Tunnel after a temporary closure caused by a collision between two vehicles. The Albanian Road Authority said police, ambulance, and firefighters arrived quickly and managed the situation. Authorities reopened the tunnel shortly after clearing the scene. The Llogara Tunnel includes a main tunnel and …

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Marta Kos notes progress for Albania toward EU membership

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos reported positive developments for Albania and Montenegro on their path to EU membership. She met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. They discussed EU enlargement and the Western Balkans. Mitsotakis said enlargement had not made the expected progress but noted a new momentum. He …

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Qosja leaves final letter with burial wishes for family

Academic Rexhep Qosja passed away at the age of 89. He wrote a final letter before his death and stated his last wishes. He asked for a simple burial ceremony. He rejected religious rituals and official attendance. He requested that only close family members attend the funeral. He chose to …

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Hoxha meets Moldovan foreign minister at Delphi Forum

At the Delphi Economic Forum, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi. Hoxha said the meeting gave both sides a chance to exchange views on EU accession. He stressed that Albania actively engages in the European integration process. He …

News
Hoxha meets Moldova’s Foreign Minister, shares details from talks

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, announced in a post on X that he held a meeting with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mihai Popșoi, during the Delphi Economic Forum. Hoxha wrote that during the meeting they exchanged views and shared their assessments regarding their …

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Death of academician Rexhep Qosja, Kurti: An unwavering figure who contributed to our language and nation

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, published a lengthy post following the death of academician Rexhep Qosja. Kurti stated that the Albanian people do not have another contemporary academic who contributed as much to the language and the nation, adding that Qosja was often criticized by politics and even …

News
Enkileda Carja sets two European records at Youth Weightlifting Championships in Batumi

Enkileda Carja delivered a dominant performance at the European Youth Weightlifting Championships in Batumi, setting two European records. She first broke the record in the snatch with a lift of 103 kilograms. Then she continued her strong performance in the clean and jerk, lifting 123 kilograms. As a result, she …

News
Municipality promises support with procedures and infrastructure

Emiriana Sako met farmers in Katundi i Ri to discuss agricultural development. She said farmers should form Agricultural Cooperation Societies to strengthen the sector. She explained that these groups help farmers access financing, subsidies, and rural development programs more easily. Moreover, she stressed the role of the local government. She …

News
CEFTA meeting in Moldova discusses authorised economic operators and risk management

TIRANA, April 23 – Customs administrations from the region and international partners met in Moldova at a CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) working group session. The meeting focused on authorised economic operators and customs risk management as part of regional efforts to facilitate trade. Participants discussed the development of …

News

Himara to open tourist season on May 1–3

Himara will open the tourist season on May 1–3. The coastal city will welcome local and foreign visitors. The three-day event will create a festive atmosphere in the southern destination. The program will promote the area’s history, cultural heritage, pristine beaches, traditions, and rich Albanian cuisine. Minister of Tourism, Culture, …

News

Traffic resumes in Llogara Tunnel after accident

Traffic has resumed in the Llogara Tunnel after a temporary closure caused by a collision between two vehicles. The Albanian Road Authority said police, ambulance, and firefighters arrived quickly and managed the situation. Authorities reopened the tunnel shortly after clearing the scene. The Llogara Tunnel includes a main tunnel and …

News

Marta Kos notes progress for Albania toward EU membership

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos reported positive developments for Albania and Montenegro on their path to EU membership. She met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. They discussed EU enlargement and the Western Balkans. Mitsotakis said enlargement had not made the expected progress but noted a new momentum. He …

News

Qosja leaves final letter with burial wishes for family

Academic Rexhep Qosja passed away at the age of 89. He wrote a final letter before his death and stated his last wishes. He asked for a simple burial ceremony. He rejected religious rituals and official attendance. He requested that only close family members attend the funeral. He chose to …

News

Hoxha meets Moldovan foreign minister at Delphi Forum

At the Delphi Economic Forum, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi. Hoxha said the meeting gave both sides a chance to exchange views on EU accession. He stressed that Albania actively engages in the European integration process. He …

News

Hoxha meets Moldova’s Foreign Minister, shares details from talks

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, announced in a post on X that he held a meeting with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mihai Popșoi, during the Delphi Economic Forum. Hoxha wrote that during the meeting they exchanged views and shared their assessments regarding their …

News

Death of academician Rexhep Qosja, Kurti: An unwavering figure who contributed to our language and nation

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, published a lengthy post following the death of academician Rexhep Qosja. Kurti stated that the Albanian people do not have another contemporary academic who contributed as much to the language and the nation, adding that Qosja was often criticized by politics and even …

News

Enkileda Carja sets two European records at Youth Weightlifting Championships in Batumi

Enkileda Carja delivered a dominant performance at the European Youth Weightlifting Championships in Batumi, setting two European records. She first broke the record in the snatch with a lift of 103 kilograms. Then she continued her strong performance in the clean and jerk, lifting 123 kilograms. As a result, she …

News

Municipality promises support with procedures and infrastructure

Emiriana Sako met farmers in Katundi i Ri to discuss agricultural development. She said farmers should form Agricultural Cooperation Societies to strengthen the sector. She explained that these groups help farmers access financing, subsidies, and rural development programs more easily. Moreover, she stressed the role of the local government. She …

News

CEFTA meeting in Moldova discusses authorised economic operators and risk management

TIRANA, April 23 – Customs administrations from the region and international partners met in Moldova at a CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement) working group session. The meeting focused on authorised economic operators and customs risk management as part of regional efforts to facilitate trade. Participants discussed the development of …