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Lt. Gen. Kingji hosts Italian counterpart; Albania a reliable partner in international operations

TIRANA, April 10 – Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Arben Kingji held talks in Tirana with his Italian counterpart General Luciano Portolano. The visit focused on defence cooperation and NATO-related priorities. Both sides also reviewed regional security developments. Kingji presented recent developments within …

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“Between Form and Spirit”: The Artistic Legacy of Painter Kristi Baba

Galeria FAB opened its doors last night for the exhibition “Between Form and Spirit”, honoring the work of the late artist Kristi Baba. Baba passed away in 2021 at the age of 30 due to COVID-19. He was known for his graphic cycles and mixed techniques, blending the human figure …

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100 million euro “Gateway to the Alps” project in Shkodër aims to extend tourism season

TIRANA, April 10 – The government approved a major infrastructure project for Shkodër County, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Wednesday. He described the initiative, called “Gateway to the Alps”, as a key investment for regional development and tourism expansion. Karakaçi said the project carries a total value …

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Cultural tourism rises in first three months of the year, Shkodër Castle leads visitor rankings

TIRANA, April 10 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports said cultural tourism recorded strong growth in the first three months of 2026. Minister Blendi Gonxhja published data showing increased visitor numbers across archaeological parks, museums, and heritage sites. The figures point to higher interest from both domestic and …

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Local government reform should focus on service quality, not number of municipalities, minister says

TIRANA, April 10 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo said the territorial and administrative reform should prioritise service quality for citizens. He said the debate should not focus only on the number of municipalities. He spoke after a government meeting on Wednesday. Demo said the ministry works …

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Pre-university education reform to focus on talents and extracurricular activities

TIRANA, April 10 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said the government has introduced new measures to strengthen extracurricular programmes in pre-university education. She said the reforms aim to extend learning beyond mandatory classroom hours and focus more on student development. She explained that the Ministry of Education has expanded after-school …

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Ahmet Prençi’s Novel “The Minister” Gets Promoted

Kamzë Municipality hosted the promotion of Ahmet Prençi’s new novel, “The Minister”, at the “Angela Merkel” school. The event gathered Mayor Rakip Suli, the book’s publisher Elda Vela, writers Ben Blushi, Arben Çejku, and Ylljet Aliçka. Actors Ervin Bejleri and Ola Arizaj performed excerpts from the novel, engaging the audience. …

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12-Year-Old from Lezha Will Represent Albania at Sanremo Junior 2026

Ambra Marku, a 12-year-old from Lezha with a unique voice and artistic performance, has been chosen to represent Albania at Sanremo Junior 2026. This is one of the most prestigious stages for young artists worldwide. Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, announced that Ambra will perform the song …

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Exhibition of Salvador Dalí opens at COD with extraordinary surrealist collection

The Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) opened a special exhibition today. It honors Salvador Dalí. It brings an extraordinary collection to Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the ceremony. He called the event a special moment for art. He also praised the organizers. The exhibition presents the Argillet Collection. …

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Seferi: Gender equality is a shared responsibility

The sixth National Forum “Boys and Men Who Inspire” took place today in Tirana. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection described the forum as a strong platform. It promotes dialogue, reflection, and action. It supports gender equality. It also helps prevent gender-based violence. Deputy Minister Denada Seferi attended the …

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Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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. …

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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, …

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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 …

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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 …

News

Christian Orthodox Easter in Albania: faith, tradition and a day of celebration

TIRANA, April 12 – Orthodox believers across Albania celebrate Easter today, marking one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. The feast reflects faith, renewal, and hope, while bringing families and communities together across the country. The roots of Orthodox Christianity in Albania date back to the early …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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. …

News

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, …

News

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 …

News

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 …