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Cancel Parliament

What happened in Albania’s Parliament last week was more than a political skirmish. It was an assault on the very essence of parliamentarism. In a scene without precedent in the country’s 35 years of political pluralism — and arguably rare even in the wider history of parliamentary life — the …

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Cleaning Up: Albania Plans New Waste Law After Incinerator Scandals

After a series of failed waste incineration projects, a new draft law foresees the creation of a powerful state waste agency that will fine polluters – but the potential cost worries some. Original post Here

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Albanian Opposition Furious as AI ‘Minister’ Makes Parliament ‘Speech’

In a tense parliament session, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama gave the floor to the AI entity he has appointed as artificial intelligence minister, sparking an angry backlash from opposition MPs. Original post Here

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‘Enemies of the State’: Concern in Albania, EU Over PM’s Criticism of Courts

In singling out judges and prosecutors for stinging personal criticism, Albania’s Edi Rama risks further eroding the democratic separation of powers, experts say. Original post Here

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‘Enemies of the State’: Concern in Albania, EU Over PM’s Criticism of Courts

In singling out judges and prosecutors for stinging personal criticism, Albania’s Edi Rama risks further eroding the democratic separation of powers, experts say. Original post Here

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Albania’s Headline-Grabbing AI ‘Minister’ is a Risky Innovation

Without legal frameworks and safeguards, the decision to appoint an AI entity as a ‘minister’ entrusted with sensitive tasks is ambitious – but fraught with danger. Original post Here

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“Pashaliman Deal: Albania’s Transactional Politics and Western Patronage”

From D’Alema to Tony Blair, Rama’s reliance on influential Western figures fuels controversy. TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 15,2025) — The Albanian government’s decision to hand over part of the Pashaliman naval base to an Italian developer under criminal investigation has widened into a broader debate about Prime Minister Edi …

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EU Countries Ban Albanian Farm Exports Amid Safety Scandal

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times, September 10, 2025 ) — Albania is grappling with an escalating food safety crisis as European Union member states including Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Germany repeatedly block or destroy shipments of its agricultural products, citing dangerous levels of pesticides and heavy metals. The latest scandal unfolded …

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Saudi Literature in Albanian: Tirana Times Publishes Three New Titles Ahead of Saudi Cultural Week in Tirana

Tirana Times Staff Albania, September 15, 2025, Tirana Times .With the opening of the Saudi Cultural Week in Tirana tomorrow, Tirana Times Publishing House is marking the occasion with the release of three new translations of contemporary Saudi novels into Albanian. The titles—Critical Condition of Patient “K” by Aziz Muhamed, …

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In Albania, Christians and Muslims Unite to Protect Religious Heritage

In the Diber region in Albania’s north-east, Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with a helping hand from their Muslim neighbours. Original post Here

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Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …

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Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness

Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …

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Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games

Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …

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Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy

Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …

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Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award

Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …

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U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security

The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …

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Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …

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Albania’s Flamingo Movement Said ‘No’, Now It Needs the Courage to Say ‘Yes’

The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for. Original post Here

News
Human Rights Watchdog Urges Italy, Albania to End Offshore Migrant Detention

Amnesty International said in a new report that the Italian-Albanian deal for the offshore detention of asylum seekers and migrants is “jeopardising people’s safety, liberty and human rights”. Original post Here

News
Kulmak Festival: Thousands of Bektashi pilgrims gather on Mount Tomor

TIRANA, August 20 – Thousands of Bektashi believers and visitors from Albania and other countries are gathering on Mount Tomorr this week for the traditional Kulmak Festival. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the celebrations on social media, describing the event as one of the area’s most important spiritual …

News

Egnatia Draw 0–0 with Lillestrøm, Europa League Tie Remains Open

Albanian champions Egnatia drew 0–0 with Norway’s Lillestrøm in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League play-off. Egnatia played the match at Arena Egnatia. The Rrogozhina side defended well and created several chances. Gruda came closest to scoring in the second half. His header hit the crossbar. Egnatia missed …

News

Farewell to Rezana Çeliku, an Actress Remembered for Her Talent and Kindness

Albanian actress Rezana Çeliku has died, leaving behind family, friends, colleagues and admirers who remember her with deep affection. Her relatives announced the sad news. They described Çeliku as a warm, kind and exceptional person. Although she did not appear in many film productions, she made a lasting impression in …

News

Albania Heads to Taranto 2026 Ahead of the Prishtina-Durrës Mediterranean Games

Albania will take part in the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” as the country prepares to co-host the Prishtina-Durrës 2030 edition. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Albania will use the event to gain valuable experience from Italy. “Albania is going to Taranto not only to compete, but also …

News

Korçë and Greece Seek Stronger Cooperation in Tourism and Economy

Korçë Mayor Sotiraq Filo met with Greek Ambassador to Albania Lambrini Komini to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korçë and Greece. The two sides focused on tourism, the economy, culture, education and environmental cooperation. Filo said the meeting aimed to turn the close historical, cultural and people-to-people ties between …

News

Tirana International Airport Named Among Six Finalists for 2026 Airport Award

Tirana International Airport (TIA) has reached the final stage of the 2026 Airport Honour Awards. The airport is one of six international finalists selected by International Airport Review. TIA will compete against airports in New York, Munich, Vienna, Pittsburgh and Buenos Aires. The selection recognizes TIA’s growth, investment, innovation and …

News

U.S. Embassy: State Department Cancels Visas of Foreign Nationals Who Threaten National Security

The U.S. Department of State is cancelling the visas of foreign nationals who commit crimes, encourage violence against Americans or threaten U.S. national security, the U.S. Embassy in Albania said on Thursday. The embassy said the policy follows the Trump administration’s approach of taking action against foreign nationals who pose …

News

Bahri Beci: The Albanian Linguist Who Shaped Dialectology and Phonetics

The Academy of Sciences of Albania has commemorated academician Bahri Beci on the anniversary of his death. Beci died on August 20, 2023. Born in Shkodër in 1936, he began his scientific career in 1958 at the Institute of Linguistics and Literature. Soon after, he became involved in major research …

News

Albania’s Flamingo Movement Said ‘No’, Now It Needs the Courage to Say ‘Yes’

The protesters marching daily through the streets of Tirana know what they’re against. If they’re seeking genuine democratic change, it’s time for them to determine what they’re for. Original post Here

News

Human Rights Watchdog Urges Italy, Albania to End Offshore Migrant Detention

Amnesty International said in a new report that the Italian-Albanian deal for the offshore detention of asylum seekers and migrants is “jeopardising people’s safety, liberty and human rights”. Original post Here

News

Kulmak Festival: Thousands of Bektashi pilgrims gather on Mount Tomor

TIRANA, August 20 – Thousands of Bektashi believers and visitors from Albania and other countries are gathering on Mount Tomorr this week for the traditional Kulmak Festival. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the celebrations on social media, describing the event as one of the area’s most important spiritual …