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Ekrem Bajroviq Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison Again in Retrial for War Crimes Against Albanians in Istog

The Basic Court in Pristina has once again sentenced Ekrem Bajroviq to 12 years in prison after finding him guilty of war crimes against the civilian population committed during the 1998–1999 Kosovo war in the municipality of Istog. The case had been returned for retrial by the Supreme Court of …

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National Flight School Opens, Nufi: A Strategic Investment in the Future of the Armed Forces

Albanian Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi announced the official opening of the National Flight School on Friday, describing it as a strategic step toward strengthening the country’s defense and national security capabilities. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Nufi said the National Flight School is more than just a new educational …

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Rama at National Flight School Inauguration: We Will Train NATO and Kosovo Pilots

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi attended the inauguration ceremony of the National Flight School on Friday. During his address, Rama highlighted the growing interest among young people in joining the Albanian Air Force, adding that the new institution will also be open to training …

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Task Force Conducts Inspections on Pogradec Beaches to Prevent Illegal Occupation of Lakeshore Areas

A joint task force made up of representatives from the National Coastline Agency, the Municipality of Pogradec, and the State Police carried out inspections along Pogradec’s lakeshore this Friday to monitor compliance with beach station permits and ensure that designated public beach areas remain accessible. Shpëtim Çiku, Director of the …

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Eurostat: Albanians Work the Longest Hours, Exceeding the EU Average

Workers in Albania continue to put in significantly longer working hours than the European average. According to Eurostat, the average working week across the European Union stood at 35.9 hours in 2025. In Albania, however, data from INSTAT show that employees worked an average of 42.6 hours per week—6.7 hours …

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Russian Embassy in Albania Responds to Claims Linking Kremlin to Protests

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Albania has responded to recent statements by Albania’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, and the head of the Socialist Party’s Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, who suggested that Russia could be among the actors influencing the ongoing protests in the country. …

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OECD Survey: Financial Insecurity Is Prompting Albanians to Delay Retirement

Financial insecurity is increasingly shaping retirement plans in Albania. According to an international survey conducted by the OECD, Albanian men plan to retire later than men in any other European country included in the study, largely due to financial concerns. On average, Albanian men said they would prefer to retire …

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Ursula von der Leyen from Ireland: Albania and Montenegro Are Making Steady Progress Toward EU Membership

During her official visit to Ireland, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the progress made by Albania and Montenegro in their EU accession negotiations, emphasizing that both countries are advancing in the enlargement process based on merit. “Albania and Montenegro continue to make progress in the enlargement process. …

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Day 34 of Protests: Demonstrators Gather Outside the Prime Minister’s Office

Citizens took to the streets once again this Friday as the protest entered its 34th consecutive day. As on previous days, demonstrators began gathering at 7:00 p.m. before marching toward the Prime Minister’s Office. Protesters were seen carrying banners and Albanian flags. Despite the high temperatures, they continued their demonstration, …

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Anti-Government Protests Escalate in Tirana as Demonstrators Block Parliament

Tirana Times, July 03, 2026 – Albania’s month-long anti-government protest movement entered a more confrontational phase on Thursday, as demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, blocked access points and clashed with police while lawmakers were holding a plenary session inside. The protest, now extending into its second month, has moved beyond its …

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IMF forecast: Albania among Europe’s fastest-growing economies

TIRANA, July 8 – According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European economy is expected to maintain moderate growth rates during the remaining years of this decade. For the 2027–2031 period, the eurozone economy is forecast to expand by an average of 1.2% annually, while the European …

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Tourist flows increase towards mountain areas, with Theth and Shala River among top destinations

TIRANA, July 8 – During these hot July days, many foreign tourists fill the streets of Shkodër. Their travel gear and backpacks easily identify them as nature and adventure tourism enthusiasts. Many visitors use Shkodër as a starting point to explore some of northern Albania’s most popular mountain destinations. Meanwhile, …

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PM Rama: Next NATO Summit to take place in Tirana

TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Wednesday that the next NATO Summit will take place in Tirana, following the conclusion of the Alliance’s meeting in Ankara. PM dismissed speculation that Albania would not host the summit. He said the country had moved beyond a time when …

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Over 4,000 Teachers Complete Professional Qualification Program, 1,354 Earn “Master Teacher” Title

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro highlighted the achievements of this year’s teacher qualification process, with more than 4,000 educators across Albania completing professional training programs. Kumbaro congratulated the teachers who participated in the qualification process, describing their commitment as an important step toward improving teaching quality and strengthening the education system. …

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Dutch Prime Minister Supports Kosovo’s Future in the European Family

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressed his support for Kosovo’s European future, saying he hopes the country will become part of the European family one day. “I hope that Kosovo will become part of the European family one day, yes,” Jetten told Euronews Albania. Jetten made the statement while attending …

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PM Rama welcomed by Rutte and Erdogan at official NATO Summit reception

TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the official reception for heads of state and government hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO Summit in Ankara. Rama shared images from the reception on social media. He described the event …

News
Three fires hit Porto Palermo in Himara Municipality, flames brought under control

TIRANA, July 8 – Three fire outbreaks affected the Porto Palermo area in Himarë Municipality overnight, putting emergency structures on alert. According to official information, authorities received the alert around 23:00. Firefighters immediately sent a fire engine and a water tanker to the scene. Meanwhile, the entire firefighting service was …

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“El Generacional”: From Ksamil to Theth, Albania Ranks Among Europe’s Most Affordable Destinations

Spanish media outlet El Generacional has listed Albania among the most affordable travel destinations in Europe this summer, alongside countries such as Romania, Portugal and Bulgaria. According to the article, Albania attracts visitors with its combination of crystal-clear beaches, rich cultural heritage and affordable travel costs, making it an ideal …

News
Defence budget rises to ALL 69.2 billion, Finance Minister Malaj: Albania meets NATO commitments

TIRANA, July 8 – Albania has significantly increased its defence and security investments as part of its commitments as a NATO member. The additional funding supports the modernization of the Armed Forces and the strengthening of defence capabilities. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj published data on defence spending trends, showing that …

News
Kosovo’s Tourism Grows as More Than 44,000 Foreign Visitors Arrive in May

Kosovo’s hotel sector recorded significant growth in May 2026, with the number of visitors increasing compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), hotels across the country welcomed 69,081 visitors in May, including 25,026 domestic tourists and 44,055 international visitors. Compared …

News

IMF forecast: Albania among Europe’s fastest-growing economies

TIRANA, July 8 – According to projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European economy is expected to maintain moderate growth rates during the remaining years of this decade. For the 2027–2031 period, the eurozone economy is forecast to expand by an average of 1.2% annually, while the European …

News

Tourist flows increase towards mountain areas, with Theth and Shala River among top destinations

TIRANA, July 8 – During these hot July days, many foreign tourists fill the streets of Shkodër. Their travel gear and backpacks easily identify them as nature and adventure tourism enthusiasts. Many visitors use Shkodër as a starting point to explore some of northern Albania’s most popular mountain destinations. Meanwhile, …

News

PM Rama: Next NATO Summit to take place in Tirana

TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on Wednesday that the next NATO Summit will take place in Tirana, following the conclusion of the Alliance’s meeting in Ankara. PM dismissed speculation that Albania would not host the summit. He said the country had moved beyond a time when …

News

Over 4,000 Teachers Complete Professional Qualification Program, 1,354 Earn “Master Teacher” Title

Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro highlighted the achievements of this year’s teacher qualification process, with more than 4,000 educators across Albania completing professional training programs. Kumbaro congratulated the teachers who participated in the qualification process, describing their commitment as an important step toward improving teaching quality and strengthening the education system. …

News

Dutch Prime Minister Supports Kosovo’s Future in the European Family

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressed his support for Kosovo’s European future, saying he hopes the country will become part of the European family one day. “I hope that Kosovo will become part of the European family one day, yes,” Jetten told Euronews Albania. Jetten made the statement while attending …

News

PM Rama welcomed by Rutte and Erdogan at official NATO Summit reception

TIRANA, July 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the official reception for heads of state and government hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the NATO Summit in Ankara. Rama shared images from the reception on social media. He described the event …

News

Three fires hit Porto Palermo in Himara Municipality, flames brought under control

TIRANA, July 8 – Three fire outbreaks affected the Porto Palermo area in Himarë Municipality overnight, putting emergency structures on alert. According to official information, authorities received the alert around 23:00. Firefighters immediately sent a fire engine and a water tanker to the scene. Meanwhile, the entire firefighting service was …

News

“El Generacional”: From Ksamil to Theth, Albania Ranks Among Europe’s Most Affordable Destinations

Spanish media outlet El Generacional has listed Albania among the most affordable travel destinations in Europe this summer, alongside countries such as Romania, Portugal and Bulgaria. According to the article, Albania attracts visitors with its combination of crystal-clear beaches, rich cultural heritage and affordable travel costs, making it an ideal …

News

Defence budget rises to ALL 69.2 billion, Finance Minister Malaj: Albania meets NATO commitments

TIRANA, July 8 – Albania has significantly increased its defence and security investments as part of its commitments as a NATO member. The additional funding supports the modernization of the Armed Forces and the strengthening of defence capabilities. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj published data on defence spending trends, showing that …

News

Kosovo’s Tourism Grows as More Than 44,000 Foreign Visitors Arrive in May

Kosovo’s hotel sector recorded significant growth in May 2026, with the number of visitors increasing compared to the same period last year. According to data from the Kosovo Agency of Statistics (KAS), hotels across the country welcomed 69,081 visitors in May, including 25,026 domestic tourists and 44,055 international visitors. Compared …