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Albania’s Cocaine Economy Comes Home

Towers, resorts and cocaine money put Albania’s criminal economy in plain sight. A SPAK investigation into alleged drug-money laundering has linked the Zvërnec resort controversy, Tirana’s tower boom and Albania’s strategic investment model, deepening public anger after nearly two weeks of anti-government protests. Tirana Times, June 12, 2026 – A …

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Week in Review: Flamingos, Think Tankers and Returning Radicals

Our selection of Premium stories digs deep into a lively week, as Europe limps towards rebooting the enlargement system, votes in Kosovo are counted and Albanians throw off a reputation for apathy. Original post Here

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State Minister for Local Government: Strong local communities build Europe

TIRANA, June 12 – State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo highlighted the importance of territorial cooperation and strong local government during an event marking the 20th anniversary of the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion. During his remarks, Demo praised the Euroregion’s role in bringing together countries, institutions and citizens over the past …

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Beach agency monitors public beach access in Lezha

TIRANA, June 12 – The National Coastline Agency continues field inspections along the Lezha coastline. Authorities are focusing on protecting public beach areas and ensuring free access for visitors. Officials are carrying out the inspections under the beach station map. Municipal authorities proposed the map, while the Tourism Season Management …

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Director General of Customs, Beja: Customs cooperation as key mechanism for economic integration

TIRANA, June 12 – Director General of Customs Besmir Beja participated in the Third Conference of Directors General of Customs of the Western Balkans and European Union member states in Athens. The conference focused on “Connecting Markets, Harmonising Standards: Green Lanes as a pillar of enhanced integration in the EU …

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PM Rama denies provocation over Zvërnec investment protest timing

TIRANA, June 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said there is no provocation or confrontation linked to the timing of the Socialist Party anniversary event and a planned protest against the Zvërnec investment. He made the remarks in an interview on “Shqipëria Live” on Top Channel. He also commented on …

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US Lifts Albanian Opposition Leader Berisha’s ‘Persona Non Grata’ Status

State Department says removing Albanian opposition leader Sali Berisha’s designation, imposed in 2021 over alleged corruption, serves US ‘national interest’. Original post Here

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Health Minister Evis Sala discusses Children’s Rights Agenda 2027–2030 with students

TIRANA, June 12 – The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Evis Sala, initiated school-based sessions of the National Council for Child Rights and Protection. The initiative brings students from primary and secondary education directly into policy discussions across several cities. The first out-of-institution meeting took place at the “Petro …

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Archaeologists uncover colorful mosaics near Early Christian Basilica in Elbasan

TIRANA, June 12 – Archaeologists have uncovered previously unknown mosaics in Elbasan. The discovery came during excavations under the project “The Roman-Byzantine Quarter outside the Walls of Castrum Scampis – The Early Christian Basilica Extra Muros.” The findings reveal an earlier phase of the Early Christian basilica outside the walls …

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Lëpusha emerges as northern Albania’s tourism gem blending nature and agrotourism

Lëpusha, located in the heart of the Albanian Alps in Malësi e Madhe, is emerging as one of Albania’s most attractive mountain tourism destinations. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos of the area and highlighted its growing tourism potential and agrotourism development. He described Lëpusha as one of the “tourism …

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New school to open in Tirana’s Astir neighborhood, featuring 28 classrooms, laboratories and a library

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA  – A new school is nearing completion in the Astir neighborhood of Tirana, further expanding the capital’s educational infrastructure alongside several schools and sports facilities constructed or renovated in recent years. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the new facility on social media today, describing …

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Albania – Finland match at Air Albania stadium sold out

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ The Air Albania Stadium will be packed for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland, with all tickets sold out. The sell-out highlights the strong interest among fans in supporting the national team. On 12 November at 20:45, Albania’s players will take to the pitch before a …

News
Mattarella: European Union is incomplete without Albania

TIRANA, Nov 10  /ATA/ – Italian President Sergio Mattarella said the European Union would remain incomplete without the accession of Albania and other candidate countries, reaffirming Italy’s support for the Western Balkans’ European integration. “Italy will always consider the European Union incomplete and diminished until Albania and the other candidate …

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Izmir steel factory blast: Albania expresses solidarity with Turkey, says Foreign Minister Hoxha

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, on Tuesday offered his condolences following an explosion at an iron and steel factory in Turkey’s Izmir province, which left several people dead and others injured. In a social media statement, Hoxha expressed his sympathies to the families of …

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Rama: 2027 Defence budget to boost military modernisation and national security

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama said the 2027 defence budget would support the ongoing modernisation of Albania’s Armed Forces, enhance national security and ensure the country meets its commitments to NATO and its strategic allies. Rama also posted footage from the daily activities of first-year Bachelor’s students …

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Dhuka: 2027 Budget to accelerate EU accession efforts and prepare Albania for membership

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ Minister of State and Chief EU Negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka, said the 2027 budget would help advance the country’s EU accession talks while laying the groundwork for its future membership in the bloc. Speaking at a hearing before the Committee on European Affairs and Foreign …

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Hita: Police step up anti-cannabis efforts, launch 31 operations targeting drug dealing near schools

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/  State Police Director General Skënder Hita on Tuesday presented the results of the State Police’s efforts to combat the cultivation, production and distribution of narcotics throughout 2026, at a joint press conference with representatives of Italy’s Guardia di Finanza (GdF). In his remarks, Hita praised cooperation …

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Demo: Public safety is ultimate measure of success in fight against narcotics

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ The effectiveness of the Police is ultimately measured by the sense of security among citizens, the protection of young people and the ability to restrict the operating space of criminal groups by targeting their financial resources. Interior Minister Ervin Demo conveyed this message at a joint press …

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Spanish Culture Week kicks off in Tirana on Tuesday

Running through Nov. 13, the event will showcase Spanish history and contemporary culture through a series of activities hosted at cultural venues across the city. TIRANA, Albania — Spanish Culture Week will kick off in Tirana on Tuesday, Nov. 10, bringing a four-day program of exhibitions, film screenings, literature and …

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Albanian Talk Show Hosts Slam TV Regulator’s ‘Orwellian’ Fines

Sanctions imposed on several TV talk shows over language used by guests are raising concerns about restrictions about the right to freely debate the ongoing anti-government protests in Albania. Original post Here

News

New school to open in Tirana’s Astir neighborhood, featuring 28 classrooms, laboratories and a library

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA  – A new school is nearing completion in the Astir neighborhood of Tirana, further expanding the capital’s educational infrastructure alongside several schools and sports facilities constructed or renovated in recent years. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the new facility on social media today, describing …

News

Albania – Finland match at Air Albania stadium sold out

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ The Air Albania Stadium will be packed for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland, with all tickets sold out. The sell-out highlights the strong interest among fans in supporting the national team. On 12 November at 20:45, Albania’s players will take to the pitch before a …

News

Mattarella: European Union is incomplete without Albania

TIRANA, Nov 10  /ATA/ – Italian President Sergio Mattarella said the European Union would remain incomplete without the accession of Albania and other candidate countries, reaffirming Italy’s support for the Western Balkans’ European integration. “Italy will always consider the European Union incomplete and diminished until Albania and the other candidate …

News

Izmir steel factory blast: Albania expresses solidarity with Turkey, says Foreign Minister Hoxha

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, on Tuesday offered his condolences following an explosion at an iron and steel factory in Turkey’s Izmir province, which left several people dead and others injured. In a social media statement, Hoxha expressed his sympathies to the families of …

News

Rama: 2027 Defence budget to boost military modernisation and national security

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama said the 2027 defence budget would support the ongoing modernisation of Albania’s Armed Forces, enhance national security and ensure the country meets its commitments to NATO and its strategic allies. Rama also posted footage from the daily activities of first-year Bachelor’s students …

News

Dhuka: 2027 Budget to accelerate EU accession efforts and prepare Albania for membership

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/- By Maela Marini/ Minister of State and Chief EU Negotiator, Majlinda Dhuka, said the 2027 budget would help advance the country’s EU accession talks while laying the groundwork for its future membership in the bloc. Speaking at a hearing before the Committee on European Affairs and Foreign …

News

Hita: Police step up anti-cannabis efforts, launch 31 operations targeting drug dealing near schools

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/  State Police Director General Skënder Hita on Tuesday presented the results of the State Police’s efforts to combat the cultivation, production and distribution of narcotics throughout 2026, at a joint press conference with representatives of Italy’s Guardia di Finanza (GdF). In his remarks, Hita praised cooperation …

News

Demo: Public safety is ultimate measure of success in fight against narcotics

TIRANA, Nov 10 /ATA/ The effectiveness of the Police is ultimately measured by the sense of security among citizens, the protection of young people and the ability to restrict the operating space of criminal groups by targeting their financial resources. Interior Minister Ervin Demo conveyed this message at a joint press …

News

Spanish Culture Week kicks off in Tirana on Tuesday

Running through Nov. 13, the event will showcase Spanish history and contemporary culture through a series of activities hosted at cultural venues across the city. TIRANA, Albania — Spanish Culture Week will kick off in Tirana on Tuesday, Nov. 10, bringing a four-day program of exhibitions, film screenings, literature and …

News

Albanian Talk Show Hosts Slam TV Regulator’s ‘Orwellian’ Fines

Sanctions imposed on several TV talk shows over language used by guests are raising concerns about restrictions about the right to freely debate the ongoing anti-government protests in Albania. Original post Here