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Eurovision final 2026: Votes from abroad crucial for Albania’s No. 05, Alis urges support

TIRANA, May 16 – Europe’s attention turns to Vienna this Saturday as the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final takes place at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Austria. Albania will perform fifth among the 25 competing countries with singer Alis Kallaçi and the song “Nân” [Mother]. Alis qualified for the …

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Gonzato: Cooperation with General Prosecution Important for EU Membership Priorities

Silvio Gonzato met with Albania’s Prosecutor General Olsian Çela to discuss stronger institutional cooperation in delivering justice and fighting crime. During the meeting, the parties reaffirmed support for Albania’s prosecution system at all levels. They also highlighted assistance for the Case Management System. Moreover, both sides agreed that justice and …

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Koçiu: Albania Committed to Stronger Institutions Through UN80 Initiative

Albana Koçiu attended the UN80 initiative conference and highlighted the importance of reforming and modernizing the United Nations system. First, Koçiu said global challenges require stronger international cooperation. Therefore, she stressed that reforms within the UN are essential for supporting Albania’s European aspirations. Moreover, Koçiu reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger …

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Rama: Trump Forced Europe to Face Its Weaknesses

Edi Rama said U.S. President Donald Trump pushed Europe to recognize its weaknesses and rethink its future security strategy. He made the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama argued that Europe should take Trump seriously, even if not every statement should be interpreted literally. According to …

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Rama: Europe Risks Distorting Economic Priorities Under Security Pressure

Edi Rama warned that Europe risks weakening its economic priorities if security concerns dominate political decision-making. He delivered the remarks during the Lennart Meri Conference in Estonia. First, Rama reaffirmed Albania’s strong commitment to NATO. He described Albanians as “Western Taliban,” explaining that Albania remains fully loyal to the transatlantic …

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Gonzato: EU Remains Committed to Multilateralism and International Order

Representatives of the diplomatic corps and senior Albanian government officials gathered in Tirana to discuss how United Nations reform can deliver concrete improvements at the national level. During the discussions, participants highlighted the important role of the UN both globally and in Albania. Moreover, Silvio Gonzato stressed that the European …

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Begaj: Albania Needs People Who Think Freely

Bajram Begaj visited the Mediterranean University of Albania, where he met with academics, professors, and students. He also toured classrooms, IT laboratories, and medical science facilities. During the visit, Begaj encouraged public and private universities to face modern challenges and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Moreover, he said …

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VanHorn Hosts Family of Former Embassy Employee Who Died Under Communist Regime

Nancy VanHorn welcomed the family of Loni Adami at the U.S. Embassy in Tirana. She honored his courage and sacrifice as symbols of the struggle for freedom. Loni Adami and his colleague Kol Kuqali worked for the American embassy during Albania’s communist regime. Moreover, both men faced imprisonment and torture …

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Beja at UNCTAD: Albanian Customs Moving Toward Full EU Standards Alignment

Besmir Beja held an official meeting at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva to discuss the modernization of Albania’s customs systems and their alignment with European Union standards. During the meetings with ASYCUDA program officials, participants highlighted the progress made by the Albanian customs administration in …

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Albanian Film Artist Shyqyri Sako Passes Away at 89

Shyqyri Sako, one of Albania’s most respected film artists, passed away at the age of 89. During a career that lasted more than 50 years, Sako worked extensively in Albanian cinema and contributed to the visual identity of many films. First, he studied film painting for three years at the …

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Albanian Government Tightens Protest Laws as Crisis Deepens

Tirana Times, October 26, 2026 — Albania’s government has announced sweeping legal and financial penalties against anti-government protesters, including restrictions on foreign travel, signaling a tougher response to a student-led revolt that has plunged the country into its most serious political crisis in years. The measures include heavy fines, prison …

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Serbia in Year Zero

By Veton Surroi Tirana Times, October 26, 2026. Seven Points Following The Elections in Serbia 1. The Student Movement in Serbia, which won the parliamentary elections and paved the way for the end of the fourteen-year rule of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the autocrat Aleksandar Vučić, is a …

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Albanian Prime Minister Announces New Anti-Protest Legislation

Amid continuing violence at anti-government protests at the weekend, during which one protester was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet, premier Edi Rama announced new measures to tackle “urban anarchy”. Original post Here

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Tepelena municipality steps up efforts to keep public spaces clean

Tepelena Municipality has focused on cleaning and maintaining its territory throughout October. The work covers the city and its administrative units. The aim is to keep public spaces clean and improve the environment for residents and visitors. Leonidha Shumeli, head of the central administrative unit, said the municipality had organised …

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“Venetiku” Photo Exhibition Explores Memory and Human Stories at Marubi Museum

The photo exhibition “Venetiku: Tracing a Photographic Collection” will remain open to visitors this weekend at the Marubi National Museum of Photography in Shkodra. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the exhibition, curated by Mikaela Minga, as an encounter with photography, collective memory and the human stories behind …

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Albanian internationals abroad; Uzuni scores twice in the United States as Asani and Bajrami also find the net

Albanian national team players made their mark for their clubs in international leagues this week. Several players scored goals or provided assists. Myrto Uzuni scored twice as Austin FC came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 away. The Albanian forward scored in the 64th minute and added his …

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Tirana Municipality announces 1,500 winners of subsidised loan scheme

Tirana Municipality has announced around 1,500 new winners under its social housing programme that subsidises loan interest. The scheme supports individuals and families seeking to buy an apartment in the capital. The municipality has submitted the list of successful applicants to the Tirana Municipal Council for approval at its October …

News
Albania receives 62 points at Junior Eurovision 2026

Armenia has won the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held in Malta. The event featured 16 singers from 16 countries, including Albania’s representative, Eslin Kurti. RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1 broadcast the contest live. Albania received 62 points from the votes of professional juries and the public. …

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Protests cause limited disruption to banks, with psychological impact

Recent protests in Tirana have caused minimal disruption to commercial banks, banking expert Elvin Meka said. However, the events have had a psychological impact on the sector. Meka stressed that banking services continued without interruption. He said banks could absorb the additional costs of repairing damaged automated teller machines and …

News
Albania and Azerbaijan Seek Stronger Tourism Ties and New Partnerships

Albania and Azerbaijan are seeking to expand tourism cooperation and build new partnerships between travel operators in both countries. National Tourism Agency Director General Jola Hysaj and Albania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Besart Kadia, met in Baku with Goydaniz Gahramanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Agencies Association. The …

News

Albanian Government Tightens Protest Laws as Crisis Deepens

Tirana Times, October 26, 2026 — Albania’s government has announced sweeping legal and financial penalties against anti-government protesters, including restrictions on foreign travel, signaling a tougher response to a student-led revolt that has plunged the country into its most serious political crisis in years. The measures include heavy fines, prison …

News

Serbia in Year Zero

By Veton Surroi Tirana Times, October 26, 2026. Seven Points Following The Elections in Serbia 1. The Student Movement in Serbia, which won the parliamentary elections and paved the way for the end of the fourteen-year rule of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the autocrat Aleksandar Vučić, is a …

News

Albanian Prime Minister Announces New Anti-Protest Legislation

Amid continuing violence at anti-government protests at the weekend, during which one protester was hit in the eye with a rubber bullet, premier Edi Rama announced new measures to tackle “urban anarchy”. Original post Here

News

Tepelena municipality steps up efforts to keep public spaces clean

Tepelena Municipality has focused on cleaning and maintaining its territory throughout October. The work covers the city and its administrative units. The aim is to keep public spaces clean and improve the environment for residents and visitors. Leonidha Shumeli, head of the central administrative unit, said the municipality had organised …

News

“Venetiku” Photo Exhibition Explores Memory and Human Stories at Marubi Museum

The photo exhibition “Venetiku: Tracing a Photographic Collection” will remain open to visitors this weekend at the Marubi National Museum of Photography in Shkodra. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the exhibition, curated by Mikaela Minga, as an encounter with photography, collective memory and the human stories behind …

News

Albanian internationals abroad; Uzuni scores twice in the United States as Asani and Bajrami also find the net

Albanian national team players made their mark for their clubs in international leagues this week. Several players scored goals or provided assists. Myrto Uzuni scored twice as Austin FC came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 away. The Albanian forward scored in the 64th minute and added his …

News

Tirana Municipality announces 1,500 winners of subsidised loan scheme

Tirana Municipality has announced around 1,500 new winners under its social housing programme that subsidises loan interest. The scheme supports individuals and families seeking to buy an apartment in the capital. The municipality has submitted the list of successful applicants to the Tirana Municipal Council for approval at its October …

News

Albania receives 62 points at Junior Eurovision 2026

Armenia has won the 2026 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, held in Malta. The event featured 16 singers from 16 countries, including Albania’s representative, Eslin Kurti. RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë and Radio Tirana 1 broadcast the contest live. Albania received 62 points from the votes of professional juries and the public. …

News

Protests cause limited disruption to banks, with psychological impact

Recent protests in Tirana have caused minimal disruption to commercial banks, banking expert Elvin Meka said. However, the events have had a psychological impact on the sector. Meka stressed that banking services continued without interruption. He said banks could absorb the additional costs of repairing damaged automated teller machines and …

News

Albania and Azerbaijan Seek Stronger Tourism Ties and New Partnerships

Albania and Azerbaijan are seeking to expand tourism cooperation and build new partnerships between travel operators in both countries. National Tourism Agency Director General Jola Hysaj and Albania’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Besart Kadia, met in Baku with Goydaniz Gahramanov, chairman of the board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Agencies Association. The …