Believers receive Easter light at Tirana Orthodox Cathedral midnight service
TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers gathered at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral to celebrate Easter with the traditional midnight liturgy. The call “Come receive light from the unsetting light” marked the start of one of the most solemn services in the Orthodox calendar. Large numbers of worshippers attended the …
President Begaj extends Easter wishes, calls for spread of faith and hope
TIRANA, April 12 – President Bajram Begaj extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message of faith, hope, and renewal. In a social media post, he wished that the light of God’s presence spreads everywhere and illuminates lives with belief and joy. He accompanied the message …
Prime Minister Rama extends Orthodox Easter greetings to believers
TIRANA, April 12 – Prime Minister Edi Rama extended Easter greetings to Orthodox believers, marking the celebration with a message shared on social media. In his post, he wished followers a blessed morning and a happy Orthodox Easter. His message comes as believers across Albania celebrate one of the most …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Prime Minister Edi Rama began a several-day visit to the United States as part of Albania’s participation in the United Nations General Assembly. Rama will begin his visit this afternoon in Michigan, where he will meet with members of the Albanian community. He also invited members of the community to …
Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj signed today a technical cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The agreement will strengthen cooperation between Albania and IUCN. It will also bring IUCN’s technical expertise into Albania’s European Union integration process, particularly the work under …
Tirana is hosting a major security meeting with experts from the United States and Europe. The event brings together senior officials to discuss organized crime, terrorism and new security threats. From September 19 to 23, Tirana hosts the 42nd European Chapter Meeting of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA). The …
Daily protests in Tirana, known as the “Flamingo Revolution,” and their confrontation with Prime Minister Edi Rama have drawn attention from German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. According to the newspaper, the protests have continued for more than 100 days but have not turned into a mass uprising. Meanwhile, Prime Minister …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha shared on X a video message from Prime Minister Edi Rama about Albania’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hoxha said the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway. He added that the General Debate will begin …
Opportunities to develop agritourism in rural areas are increasingly encouraging people to return to their hometowns and invest in inherited properties. Prime Minister Edi Rama presented three such success stories today on his “Flasim” podcast. The stories show how returning home, including after years abroad, can create successful businesses. Entela …
Albanian patriot and activist of the National Renaissance Çerçiz Topulli was born in Gjirokastra on September 20, 1880. The family environment in which he grew up, particularly the example of his older brother, Bajo Topulli, played an important role in shaping his patriotic ideals. In 1907, Çerçiz Topulli took command …
Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the Government of Kosovo remains committed to supporting efforts to challenge the verdict issued by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. Speaking during his visit to the United States, Kurti said the government would use all available means to support …
Egnatia defeated Partizani 2-1 in the fifth week of Albania’s Kategoria Superiore, returning to winning ways after last week’s loss to Elbasani. The Albanian champions took the lead in the 31st minute. Loukili found the net to make it 1-0. Egnatia continued to control the game and doubled its lead …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared images today of the festive atmosphere in Korça, where the “Serenights” festival has brought music and culture to the streets of the Old Bazaar. “A weekend in the Korça of serenades,” Koçiu wrote on social media as she shared footage from the event. The …