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Albania

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Albania. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tirana

Head of State

President Bajram Begaj

Head of Government

Prime Minister Edi Rama

TikTok

Albania PM says TikTok ban was not a ‘rushed reaction to a single incident’

Albania’s prime minister defends TikTok ban, citing careful consideration and concern for youth safety.

23 Dec 2024 - 10:16AM

Malaysia

Bruno Mars’ Malaysia show caught in cross hairs of anti-Israel boycott

28 Jun 2024 - 11:01AMvideocam

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

No Messi repeat? Star names, ticket price revealed for Atletico’s Hong Kong game

27 Jun 2024 - 9:53PM

Euro 2024

Zaccagni rescues Italy with last-gasp goal leaving Croatia in Euro 2024 limbo

Italy progress in second place behind winners Spain with 1-1 draw against Croatia and will face Switzerland in the last 16.

25 Jun 2024 - 2:12PM

Italy forward Mattia Zaccagni is jubilant at full-time in Leipzig after his crucial late goal. Photo: AFP

Euro 2024

Spain complete perfect group stage despite wholesale changes against Albania

Match was not a cruise for a Spain team showing 10 changes to the side which started their 1-0 win over Italy four days earlier.

25 Jun 2024 - 2:16PM

Euro 2024

Spain impress again at Euro 2024 but get helping hand from Italy to reach last 16

Spanish could have had the match won before Italy suffer stroke of misfortune in the tournament’s biggest match to date.

21 Jun 2024 - 5:50AM

Euro 2024

Serbia’s belief hailed by Stojkovic after late Euro 2024 goal shatters Slovenia

‘We do not give up,’ manager Dragan Stojkovic says, praising persistent attacks that earned a last-gasp equaliser, keeping Serbia’s tournament hopes alive.

21 Jun 2024 - 5:16AM

Serbia’s Luka Jovic celebrates his goal in Munich, which snatched his side a point. Photo: AP

Euro 2024

Germany through, Scotland still alive as Croatia, Albania play thrilling draw

A round-up of all the action from day six, which produced our first last-16 entrant and more last-minute drama in which an Albania midfielder went from villain to hero.

20 Jun 2024 - 1:28PM

Euro 2024

Ruiz ready to play starring role again for Spain in crunch Euro tie against Italy

Coach Luis de la Fuente is hoping for more of the same from his ‘fantastic’ Paris Saint-Germain playmaker, who was outstanding in the win over Croatia.

20 Jun 2024 - 2:53AM

Tourism

Dupe travel: how to find cheaper, quieter alternatives to holiday hotspots

Santa Barbara, California, as a stand-in for the French Riviera, Albania instead of Greece – travel experts offer their tips on alternatives to popular destinations that are less tourist-infested and not as pricey.

25 Jun 2024 - 11:15AM

Lesley Williamson (pictured in La Rochelle, France) prefers regional cities to capitals. Photo: Lesley Williamson

Euro 2024

Italy concede record early goal but bounce back to beat Albania in opening game

Holders suffered worst-possible start but first-half recovery ensured they started their bid to retain their crown with victory.

16 Jun 2024 - 11:03AM

Euro 2024

Slick Spain hammer Croatia at Euro 2024 as Barcelona’s Yamal, 16, makes history

Three-time European champions dismantle disappointing Croatia in Berlin, with Lamine Yamal providing an assist.

16 Jun 2024 - 5:28PM

Euro 2024

Moment of truth for revamped Italy as Euros title defence begins against Albania

Holders and four-time world champions are quietly confident despite missing out on the last World Cup and starting in a tough group that also includes Spain and Croatia.

15 Jun 2024 - 6:34AM

European Union

Opinion | EU elections: far-right rose on the back of centrist parties’ empty promises

Instead of offering policy solutions or addressing sceptics, traditional parties in Brussels have left a vacuum for the far-right to fill.

13 Jun 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

Supporters of the French far-right party, National Rally, react to the European election on June 9 in Paris, France. Photo: AP

TV shows and streaming video

How did Netflix win the streaming wars? It stayed true to its nerdy roots

Netflix has been mining its viewing data for more than a decade. Knowing what its users want – from preferred genres to regional programmes – has helped it refine its winning recipe.

10 Jun 2024 - 6:45PM

Knowing what its users want – from preferred genres to regional programming – has helped Netflix refine its winning recipe. Photo: TNS

Euro 2024

Italy, unfancied after World Cup shocker, look to retain trophy at Euro 2024

Holders dipped after winning last Euros and failed to reach Qatar, but boss Roberto Mancini has since left for Saudi Arabia with Luciano Spalletti taking over.

5 Jun 2024 - 8:00PM

Uefa

Three-time Euros winners Spain aiming to return to glory amid federation scandal

Corruption investigation and an unsolicited kiss at the Women’s World Cup final have rocked the RFEF, while on the pitch, La Roja have barely threatened latter stages since winning back-to-back tournaments in 2012.

4 Jun 2024 - 11:59PM

Uefa

Euro 2024 fixtures, results, tables, how to watch and all you need to know

Month-long European tournament taking place mainly in the early hours of the morning for Hongkongers, with France and England starting among the favourites.

16 Jun 2024 - 12:58AM

Euros holders Italy will be looking to defend the trophy they claimed three years ago. Photo: AP

Uefa

Euro 2024 blow for Italy as defender Scalvini is ruled out with torn ACL

Scalvini suffered injury in final match of campaign against Fiorentina and is the second defender after Francesco Acerbi to be ruled out of the tournament.

3 Jun 2024 - 6:17PM

World Snooker

Hong Kong snooker pair shine despite threat of 80% funding cut

Ng On-yee wins British Open for first time in her career with 4-1 victory over Thailand’s Mink Nutcharut, while Wang Yuchen secures World Snooker Tour card for next two seasons.

29 May 2024 - 9:45AM

Tourism

Underground attractions: 7 of the world’s best caves and man-made sights

Underground tourist attractions include the Paris Catacombs, which store the remains of 6 million people, the site of the amazing rescue of that Thai youth football team, and the world’s largest cave.

17 May 2024 - 7:15PMvideocam

The Paris Catacombs, containing the remains of millions of Parisians, are among the world’s most popular underground attractions. Photo: Shutterstock

Fame and celebrity

Meet Gavin Rossdale’s new GF, Xhoana X – who looks like his ex Gwen Stefani

Rossdale and his new girlfriend Xhoana X recently went on holiday to Cabo San Lucas, where they showed off some PDA – the blonde has also been described as the spitting image of his ex, Stefani

16 May 2024 - 6:00PM

Gavin Rossdale’s new girlfriend Xhoana X (pictured) has been compared to his ex, Gwen Stefani. Photos: @xhoana_x/Instagram

European Union

LGBTQ people in EU face less discrimination, more violence: survey

Online survey of more than 100,000 people shows LGBTQ people in Europe faced more violence, harassment, and bullying.

15 May 2024 - 4:42PMvideocam

European Union

EU signs off on ‘more effective’ asylum rules, ahead of Europe-wide elections

EU government ministers approved 10 legislative parts of The New Pact on Migration and Asylum. It lays out rules for the 27 member countries to handle people trying to enter without authorisation.

14 May 2024 - 7:47PMvideocam

China’s military

Xi’s Serbia visit boosts China as ‘natural partner’ for arms sales, analysts say

Weapons sales, security cooperation ‘destined to increase’, experts say, as China opens ‘new chapter’ in Serbian ties.

11 May 2024 - 7:08AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic prepare to shake hands after signing bilateral documents during a meeting in Belgrade, on Wednesday, as Beijing sought to deepen political and economic ties with friendlier countries in Europe. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Xi banks on Hungary and Serbia in face of growing China-Europe tensions

Meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić expected to be heavy on symbolism as it coincides with 25th anniversary of Nato’s bombing of China’s embassy.

8 May 2024 - 10:46AMvideocam

Britain

‘Stop the boats’: UK’s Rwanda deportation bill to become law after parliament approval

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s latest effort to send some migrants to Rwanda finally won approval from parliament early Tuesday, hours after he pledged deportation flights would begin in July.

23 Apr 2024 - 11:23AM

European Union

EU parliament adopts sweeping asylum reform

The pact will harden tighten border procedures and force all the nations in the bloc to share responsibility for migrants.

11 Apr 2024 - 5:58AM

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