Blog
News

Migration Management – a weight too Big for the EU but not for Albania

How it is that such a burden comes to Albania’s poor shores will be an outstanding mystery loaded with doubt and resentment. The absurd and dystopian reality of migration detention centres are the topic of an interesting and haunting Netflix series called ‘Stateless’ which explores the cruelties of the migration …

Read More
News

Editorial: A risky charade: Albanian PM’s deal with Italy to host EU’s irregular migrants is wrong and impractical

The controversial deal between the Albanian PM and Italian counterpart is wrong and risky for Albania as well as impractical for Italy.  TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL  Eureka! At a stroke of a pen, the problem of irregular migration to the EU through Italy from Africa and the Middle East appears solved. …

Read More
News

Rama; Over 36,000 families benefited baby bonuses since January 1, 2023

Over 36,000 families have benefited from the bonus for newborns Since January 1, 2023 declared Tuesday Prime Minister Edi Rama through a post on social networks. In his statement, PM Rama emphasized that the government will continue to finance the Baby Bonus Program, with a fund of 2.2 billion ALL, …

Read More
News

Vlora man arrested for dealing cannabis

A 44-year-old man was put in handcuffs this Tuesday in Vlora in the framework of the police mega-operation coded “Temple”. This citizen was spotted selling cannabis near schools in the city. During the control of the 44-year-old, the Police found cannabis, divided into about 500 doses, ready for sale, which …

Read More
News

Accused for election fraud, the court hear evidence from witnesses on the Beleri’s case

This Tuesday, at 12:00, a hearing will be held in the Special Court against the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, who is accused of election corruption. ABC News reporter Ermal Vija reports that 12 witnesses will be heard in this session. “This is the third session that takes place …

Read More
News

Session against elected Himara’s mayor held at Special Court

The Supreme Court has determined the Special Court as competent to examine the request for a special permit for Fredi Beleri. Journalist Ermal Vija reports that the decision was taken in the consultation room by judges Sander Simonaj, Sokol Binaj and Ilir Panda. Beleri requests permission to be sworn in …

Read More
News

Elbasan engulfed by smoke due to scrap metal point fire

Smoke has covered the city of Elbasan even this Tuesday, after a huge fire engulfed the point of the Kurum scrap metal center, in the area of the former Metalurgjik. According to the local media, it can be seen that there is still smoke at the scrapyard. Chief of Civil …

Read More
News

Albania will host Italy’s asylum seekers, Rama and Meloni announce  

TIRANA, Nov. 6, 2023 – In a surprise move at a Monday press conference in Rome, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have announced a bilateral agreement under which non-European asylum seekers that aim to reach the EU through Italy will be shipped to processing …

Read More
News

Rama’s visit to Italy, hosted by Meloni

Prime Minister Edi Rama is on a visit to Italy. He, along with Minister Taulant Balla, Niko Peleshi and Igli Hasani, were hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, Giorgia Meloni at Chigi Palace in Rome. Meanwhile, it is expected that they will have a joint press …

Read More
News

Tirana youth arrested on drug charges

A 25-year-old man was arrested for selling narcotics in different areas of Tirana this Monday morning. During the “Qereka” operation, it was possible to seize 3.5 kg of cannabis, which is suspected to have been obtained by young F.B in Krujë. Court of First Instance of Tirana General Jurisdiction has …

Read More
News
PM Rama says Zvërnec protests misrepresented by international media

TIRANA, June 7 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said protests against a proposed investment in Zvërnec have been exaggerated by international media, arguing that no approved project currently exists. In a message addressed to international news organizations, including CNN International, Rama said the latest protest drew about 2,000 participants. …

News
Kosova votes as citizens elect 120-seat parliament

TIRANA, June 7 – Voters in Kosova headed to the polls on Saturday to elect the 11th legislature of the 120-seat parliament. The Central Election Commission distributed voting materials across all 38 municipalities. A total of 23 political parties and three coalitions are competing, with 917 candidates running for office. …

News
Spring Festival names 12 finalists after opening night

TIRANA, June 7 – The Spring Festival returned to the Albanian stage after a 23-year break. It selected 12 finalists on its opening night, in a show marked by nostalgia, live orchestration and competition. The event took place at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. It brought together emerging …

News
Lake Shkodër receives UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status

TIRANA, June 6 – Lake Shkodër has received UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, gaining international recognition for one of Albania’s most important natural assets. Meanwhile, Shkodër Mayor Benet Beci describes the decision as a source of pride for the city and for communities living around the lake. He says the designation …

News
Spring Festival returns to RTSH as 20 artists compete on opening night

TIRANA, June 6 – The Spring Festival returns to the Albanian Public Radio and Television tonight after a long absence. Twenty artists will take the stage in the opening show, which will feature special guests and a mix of classic and contemporary music. Meanwhile, the festival’s hosts, singer Bleona Qereti …

News
PM Rama: Iran Is Behind Tirana Protests

The prime minister casts the widening unrest as a “hybrid war,” citing antisemitic narratives, claims about resettling Palestinians and AI-manipulated content. Tirana Times, June 6, 2026 — Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused Iran of standing behind the growing protests in Tirana against the proposed Zvërnec tourism project, shifting the …

News
Western Balkans – EU summit in Montenegro pushes for faster enlargement and reforms

TIRANA, June 6 – European Union and Western Balkan leaders meet in Tivat for the Western Balkans–EU summit. They focus on speeding up enlargement and advancing reforms across candidate countries. Meanwhile, European Council President António Costa says enlargement remains merit-based, but he adds that the process must become faster and …

News
Nik Xhelilaj and Bleona Qereti host revived RTSH’s Spring Festival

TIRANA, June 6 – The Spring Festival returns to Albania after two decades. It takes place on June 6 and 7 at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. The event brings together established and emerging artists. Organisers present the festival as a revival of a major cultural …

News
Rama: Sazan Island Remains State Property, Not for Privatization

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Sazan Island will remain property of the Albanian state. He stressed that it will not be privatized. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Vlora, Rama said Sazan is a national asset. Therefore, any development project will be carried out in partnership …

News
EU Leaders: Albania Next in Line After Montenegro for Membership

Albania received strong support from European Union leaders at the summit in Tivat, Montenegro. EU officials said the country is moving in the right direction toward membership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU’s goals are clear. She stated that Montenegro is expected to join the EU …

News

PM Rama says Zvërnec protests misrepresented by international media

TIRANA, June 7 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said protests against a proposed investment in Zvërnec have been exaggerated by international media, arguing that no approved project currently exists. In a message addressed to international news organizations, including CNN International, Rama said the latest protest drew about 2,000 participants. …

News

Kosova votes as citizens elect 120-seat parliament

TIRANA, June 7 – Voters in Kosova headed to the polls on Saturday to elect the 11th legislature of the 120-seat parliament. The Central Election Commission distributed voting materials across all 38 municipalities. A total of 23 political parties and three coalitions are competing, with 917 candidates running for office. …

News

Spring Festival names 12 finalists after opening night

TIRANA, June 7 – The Spring Festival returned to the Albanian stage after a 23-year break. It selected 12 finalists on its opening night, in a show marked by nostalgia, live orchestration and competition. The event took place at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. It brought together emerging …

News

Lake Shkodër receives UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status

TIRANA, June 6 – Lake Shkodër has received UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, gaining international recognition for one of Albania’s most important natural assets. Meanwhile, Shkodër Mayor Benet Beci describes the decision as a source of pride for the city and for communities living around the lake. He says the designation …

News

Spring Festival returns to RTSH as 20 artists compete on opening night

TIRANA, June 6 – The Spring Festival returns to the Albanian Public Radio and Television tonight after a long absence. Twenty artists will take the stage in the opening show, which will feature special guests and a mix of classic and contemporary music. Meanwhile, the festival’s hosts, singer Bleona Qereti …

News

PM Rama: Iran Is Behind Tirana Protests

The prime minister casts the widening unrest as a “hybrid war,” citing antisemitic narratives, claims about resettling Palestinians and AI-manipulated content. Tirana Times, June 6, 2026 — Prime Minister Edi Rama has accused Iran of standing behind the growing protests in Tirana against the proposed Zvërnec tourism project, shifting the …

News

Western Balkans – EU summit in Montenegro pushes for faster enlargement and reforms

TIRANA, June 6 – European Union and Western Balkan leaders meet in Tivat for the Western Balkans–EU summit. They focus on speeding up enlargement and advancing reforms across candidate countries. Meanwhile, European Council President António Costa says enlargement remains merit-based, but he adds that the process must become faster and …

News

Nik Xhelilaj and Bleona Qereti host revived RTSH’s Spring Festival

TIRANA, June 6 – The Spring Festival returns to Albania after two decades. It takes place on June 6 and 7 at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Tirana. The event brings together established and emerging artists. Organisers present the festival as a revival of a major cultural …

News

Rama: Sazan Island Remains State Property, Not for Privatization

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Sazan Island will remain property of the Albanian state. He stressed that it will not be privatized. Speaking at the Socialist Party’s 35th anniversary event in Vlora, Rama said Sazan is a national asset. Therefore, any development project will be carried out in partnership …

News

EU Leaders: Albania Next in Line After Montenegro for Membership

Albania received strong support from European Union leaders at the summit in Tivat, Montenegro. EU officials said the country is moving in the right direction toward membership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU’s goals are clear. She stated that Montenegro is expected to join the EU …