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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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National Olympiads begin on November 2, adding foreign languages

The first phase of Albania’s national Olympiads will begin on November 2, with students from schools across the country taking part. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said foreign languages will join the Olympiads for the first time. The new subjects are English, Italian, French and German for upper secondary school students. …

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Governing Socialist Party outlines government plans on assembly law and student dialogue

Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla said Prime Minister Edi Rama remained open to dialogue with students. He ruled out the possibility of Rama resigning. Speaking to reporters after a party group meeting, Balla said students had legitimate concerns to raise. He said the government provides financial support to …

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Albania proposes changes to modernise company law

Deputy Economy and Innovation Minister Enkelejd Musabelliu presented a bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs on Monday. The bill proposes amendments to Albania’s 2008 law on traders and commercial companies. It aims to strengthen transparency, corporate governance and legal certainty for businesses and investors. It also …

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Lara Colturi Opens World Cup Season with Silver in Sölden

Albanian skier Lara Colturi opened the 2026–2027 Alpine Ski World Cup season with a silver medal in the giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, finishing just 0.01 seconds behind the winner. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja congratulated Colturi on her performance, calling it another achievement that brings pride to …

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Koçiu: Protest Violence Puts Lives of Demonstrators and Citizens at Risk

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu warned on Sunday that violence fueled by media coverage and longstanding political resentment poses a serious threat to the lives of both protesters and citizens. In a social media post, Koçiu described the injury of a young man from Elbasan as a wake-up call about …

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A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia

Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …

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Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges

Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …

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NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty

Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …

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Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

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Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

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“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

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President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

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Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

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American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

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Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …

News

A New Dawn for Democracy in Serbia

Excitement is in the air following Aleksandar Vučić’s defeat in Serbia. To build a truly democratic state, the movement that unseated the former president must learn from the mistakes of the past. by Ivan Vejvoda Freedom, liberty, and relief were the most oft-spoken words as Serbians celebrated the landslide victory of the Student …

News

Albania’s Former Deputy PM Faces Sweeping Corruption Charges

Prosecutors close investigation into Belinda Balluku but do not seek her arrest again, despite new allegations of money laundering and concealed assets and months of political controversy. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albanian anti-corruption prosecutors have concluded their investigation into former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, bringing a sweeping …

News

NATO Summit in Albania in Doubt Amid Alliance Uncertainty

Reports suggest the 2027 meeting in Tirana may be dropped as NATO considers ending annual summits, while questions over defense spending and political developments add to the uncertainty. Tirana Times, October 28, 2026 – Albania’s plans to host a NATO summit in 2027 have come under renewed uncertainty following reports …

News

Murder in Ecuador: The Polish Activist, the Missing Files and the Albanian Mafia

On June 8, Monika Silva-Koniuszek was murdered in Ecuador. After obtaining a drive containing files the Polish activist had compiled, BIRN uncovered a network of companies linked to Albanian gangs allegedly used to launder drug money. Original post Here

News

Serbia Raises Terror Alert After Attack on Israeli Embassy

Following an attack on a gendarme guarding the Israeli embassy in Belgrade, Serbia’s caretaker Interior Minister Ivica Dacic raised the terror threat status to the highest level. Original post Here

News

“Finestre sull’Arte”: New Discoveries Reveal Butrint’s Hidden Past

New archaeological research is revealing more of Butrint’s ancient past. A century after Italian archaeologist Luigi Ugolini brought the site back to international attention, researchers have identified previously undocumented buildings, fortifications, water systems and burial sites. According to Italian art and heritage publication Finestre sull’Arte, these findings shed new light …

News

President Begaj invites parties to consultations on 2027 local elections

President Bajram Begaj has invited parliamentary parties to a consultation meeting on October 30 to discuss the date of the 2027 local elections. The vote is expected between April 15 and May 15. Begaj should announce the official date by November 9, following consultations with political representatives. The Democratic Party …

News

Clear skies and cooler mornings and evenings expected

Albania will have stable weather on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. Skies will remain mostly clear, with occasional moderate to dense clouds over mountainous areas in the east. Northeasterly to northwesterly winds will reach average speeds of 9 metres per second. Along the coast and in valleys, gusts …

News

American outlet TheStreet highlights Tirana among 2027 travel trends

The American business and finance outlet TheStreet has highlighted Tirana as a budget-friendly destination gaining international attention ahead of 2027. Citing travel booking platform Skyscanner’s annual travel trends report, the outlet says travellers increasingly choose destinations where favourable exchange rates stretch their budgets. A survey of 28,000 travellers found that …

News

Kosova president highlights Austria’s support for independence and state-building

Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula attended a ceremony on Tuesday evening marking Austria’s National Day. She highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two countries and their shared commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and peace. Shiroka Pula thanked Austria for its support during difficult periods in Kosova’s history. She stressed …