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Grazia: Albania cheaper than Spain and Portugal, ideal summer destination in Europe, says French media

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania has emerged as one of the most attractive summer destinations for 2026 due to lower costs and Mediterranean landscapes, according to an article by Luce Picat published in the French media outlet Grazia.fr. Meanwhile, the article said rising prices across Europe continue to affect family …

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148 years since the League of Prizren, event that laid foundations of Albanian nation-state

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania marks 148 years since the founding of the League of Prizren. The League stands as the most important event of the 19th century in Albanian history. It marked the start of national political organization to defend Albanian lands and identity. The League of Prizren was …

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Albania women reach 2027 World Cup play-offs after 5-2 win over Montenegro

TIRANA, June 10 – Albania’s women’s national team beat Montenegro 5-2 at the “Loro Boriçi” stadium and secured a place in the first round of the 2027 World Cup play-offs in Brazil. Albania started strongly and pushed forward from the opening minutes. Fortesa Berisha hit the crossbar in the 4th …

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FM Hoxha meets Bulgarian counterpart, discusses energy and infrastructure cooperation

TIRANA, June 10 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha arrived in Sofia, where foreign ministers are meeting at the close of Bulgaria’s chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) for 2025–2026. Earlier, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova received Hoxha for bilateral talks. The meeting reaffirmed the …

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PM Rama to Associated Press: No final Zvërnec project yet, misinformation fuels opposition

TIRANA, June 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama told Associated Press that Albania will continue with plans for a luxury tourism investment linked to Jared Kushner despite ongoing protests against the project. Rama rejected environmental criticism and described it as a result of misinformation. He said the investment reflects growing …

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Kosova’s Acting President Haxhiu to attend Southeast European Cooperation Process Summit in Sofia

TIRANA, June 10 – Albulena Haxhiu, Acting President of Kosova, will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, to take part in the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit. The summit will bring together leaders from Southeast Europe to discuss regional cooperation, security, connectivity, European integration and sustainable development. KosovaPress reported the information. …

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Albania’s Civic Awakening: A Year After Rama’s Landslide, the Illusion of Invincibility Breaks

by Elez Biberaj Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – One year after Prime Minister Edi Rama swept to a fourth consecutive term, Albania finds itself in a profoundly different place than the triumphant narrative he projected. The government that claimed unrivaled authority now faces the most sustained civic uprising in …

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Hoxha-Byrne: Ireland Supports EU Enlargement, Albania Advances Through Reform Agenda

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with Ireland’s Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, to discuss Albania’s progress and prospects on its path toward European Union membership. During the meeting, the two officials reviewed developments in Albania’s EU integration process. They also exchanged …

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Kurti Meets Austrian Chancellor: Kosovo’s Council of Europe Membership a Priority

Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met in Vienna with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker during an official visit to Austria. Kurti thanked Austria for its long-standing support for Kosovo since the 1990s. He also highlighted Austria’s role in state-building efforts and its contribution through the NATO-led KFOR mission. Furthermore, …

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PM Rama: Kushner and Ivanka Trump Are Investors, Not Political Actors

Prime Minister Edi Rama rejected claims that a planned Zvërnec project involves political backing from the White House or former U.S. President Donald Trump. He addressed journalists from EU member states at a press conference. He said public debate distorts the facts and focuses on family connections. Furthermore, he said …

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Rain across Albania on Friday, with winds reaching 30 m/s

Albania will experience unsettled weather on Friday, with cloud cover, rain and strong winds, mainly along the coast and in valleys. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts moderate to dense cloud cover, with occasional sunny intervals. Rain will begin in the early hours across most of the country, with light intensity …

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Draft law sets 15-day deadline for banks to answer customer complaints

The Ministry of Finance has opened public consultation on a draft law to strengthen financial supervision and consumer protection. The proposal would replace the banking law adopted in 2006 and align legislation with European Union standards. Under the draft, credit institutions must respond to customer complaints within 15 working days, …

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Chestnut Hill agritourism welcomes visitors to Tropoja

Chestnut Hill, nestled among Tropoja’s chestnut trees, has become one of the area’s leading agritourism businesses. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the venture on social media, describing its views above the clouds as magical. The guesthouse has 12 rooms and welcomes visitors from Europe, America, Singapore and Australia. …

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Kosova’s PM Kurti calls UK a special partner and ally

Kosova Prime Minister Albin Kurti met his British counterpart, Andy Burnham, at the conclusion of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Kurti described the United Kingdom as a special partner and ally of the Republic of Kosova. Kurti expressed gratitude for Britain’s continued and …

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Police chiefs from Albania and Italy plan new strategy against organised crime

Albanian State Police Director General Skender Hita met senior Italian police officials in Rome to strengthen cooperation against criminal groups operating in both countries. He met Raffaele Grassi, Deputy Director General of Public Security and Central Director of Criminal Police, and General Nicola Massimo Masciulli, head of Italy’s Anti-Mafia Investigation …

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Exhibition in Elbasan Ethnographic Museum raises awareness against illegal trafficking of cultural heritage

The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Korçë and the Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan have organised an exhibition to raise awareness about the illegal trafficking of cultural property. The exhibition, titled “Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future – Heritage Belongs Where It Is”, opened ahead of the International Day against …

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Tirana marathon to bring traffic restrictions on Sunday

Tirana will host the 10th edition of the Tirana Marathon on Sunday, November 15. The event will restrict traffic on several main roads. The Tirana Municipality and State Police have prepared a joint plan to close some roads and divert vehicles. The restrictions will apply from 08:00 to 16:00 on …

News
Electronic seals introduced for fuel tankers to combat smuggling and tax evasion

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has inspected the new electronic sealing system at Porto Romano. The system will apply to all tankers transporting hydrocarbons in Albania, covering the entire transport chain from entry points to exit points and enabling electronic monitoring of tanker movements. According to Malaj, the system will simplify …

News
Autumn adds new charm to Tirana, attracting more tourists

Autumn has brought a new atmosphere to Tirana. Its vibrant colours have added to the experience of visitors exploring the Albanian capital during the mild November days. Tourists can enjoy walks along the city’s main streets, visit cultural monuments and discover its museums. These activities make Tirana an attractive destination …

News
Korça’s leatherworking tradition passes from one generation to the next

Spiro Shaka, 28, is turning his family’s leatherworking tradition into a business in Korça. Raised in a family that has practised the craft for more than 20 years, he now runs a shop selling mainly leather bags, belts, wallets and a small collection of shoes. Through his business, Shaka aims …

News

Rain across Albania on Friday, with winds reaching 30 m/s

Albania will experience unsettled weather on Friday, with cloud cover, rain and strong winds, mainly along the coast and in valleys. The Military Meteorological Service forecasts moderate to dense cloud cover, with occasional sunny intervals. Rain will begin in the early hours across most of the country, with light intensity …

News

Draft law sets 15-day deadline for banks to answer customer complaints

The Ministry of Finance has opened public consultation on a draft law to strengthen financial supervision and consumer protection. The proposal would replace the banking law adopted in 2006 and align legislation with European Union standards. Under the draft, credit institutions must respond to customer complaints within 15 working days, …

News

Chestnut Hill agritourism welcomes visitors to Tropoja

Chestnut Hill, nestled among Tropoja’s chestnut trees, has become one of the area’s leading agritourism businesses. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the venture on social media, describing its views above the clouds as magical. The guesthouse has 12 rooms and welcomes visitors from Europe, America, Singapore and Australia. …

News

Kosova’s PM Kurti calls UK a special partner and ally

Kosova Prime Minister Albin Kurti met his British counterpart, Andy Burnham, at the conclusion of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Kurti described the United Kingdom as a special partner and ally of the Republic of Kosova. Kurti expressed gratitude for Britain’s continued and …

News

Police chiefs from Albania and Italy plan new strategy against organised crime

Albanian State Police Director General Skender Hita met senior Italian police officials in Rome to strengthen cooperation against criminal groups operating in both countries. He met Raffaele Grassi, Deputy Director General of Public Security and Central Director of Criminal Police, and General Nicola Massimo Masciulli, head of Italy’s Anti-Mafia Investigation …

News

Exhibition in Elbasan Ethnographic Museum raises awareness against illegal trafficking of cultural heritage

The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Korçë and the Ethnographic Museum of Elbasan have organised an exhibition to raise awareness about the illegal trafficking of cultural property. The exhibition, titled “Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future – Heritage Belongs Where It Is”, opened ahead of the International Day against …

News

Tirana marathon to bring traffic restrictions on Sunday

Tirana will host the 10th edition of the Tirana Marathon on Sunday, November 15. The event will restrict traffic on several main roads. The Tirana Municipality and State Police have prepared a joint plan to close some roads and divert vehicles. The restrictions will apply from 08:00 to 16:00 on …

News

Electronic seals introduced for fuel tankers to combat smuggling and tax evasion

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has inspected the new electronic sealing system at Porto Romano. The system will apply to all tankers transporting hydrocarbons in Albania, covering the entire transport chain from entry points to exit points and enabling electronic monitoring of tanker movements. According to Malaj, the system will simplify …

News

Autumn adds new charm to Tirana, attracting more tourists

Autumn has brought a new atmosphere to Tirana. Its vibrant colours have added to the experience of visitors exploring the Albanian capital during the mild November days. Tourists can enjoy walks along the city’s main streets, visit cultural monuments and discover its museums. These activities make Tirana an attractive destination …

News

Korça’s leatherworking tradition passes from one generation to the next

Spiro Shaka, 28, is turning his family’s leatherworking tradition into a business in Korça. Raised in a family that has practised the craft for more than 20 years, he now runs a shop selling mainly leather bags, belts, wallets and a small collection of shoes. Through his business, Shaka aims …