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Police rescue four German tourists after boat catches fire in Ksamil

TIRANA, September 2 – Border Police and the Marine Police Unit in Ksamil rescued four German tourists after the boat they were travelling on caught fire. Police said officers responded after receiving a report that a boat had caught fire inside near the Pema e Thatë area in Ksamil. Border …

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New European Union ambassador takes office in Albania as Gonzato’s mandate ends

TIRANA, September 2 – Sofia Moreira de Sousa is taking over as the new European Union ambassador to Albania after the end of Silvio Gonzato’s mandate. Moreira de Sousa will first present her credentials to President Bajram Begaj. The ceremony will formally mark the start of her mandate in Albania. …

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World Bank: Tourism has highest potential for creating new jobs in Albania

TIRANA, September 2 – Tourism has the greatest potential for creating new jobs in Albania, according to the World Bank. A more diverse tourism offer could also spread employment opportunities beyond the summer season. The assessment comes from the World Bank’s FY 2026 Albania Country Opinion Survey Report, based on …

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Albania produced 183,000 tonnes of grapes in 2025 as farmer support continues

TIRANA, September 2 – Albania produced around 183,000 tonnes of grapes in 2025, according to the Agricultural Development and Rural Development Agency. Grape production continues to grow alongside vineyard expansion and new investment in technology and processing capacity. Fier, Elbasan, Berat and Vlora have some of the country’s largest vineyard …

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International Monetary Fund returns to Albania to assess public investment management

TIRANA, September 2 – The International Monetary Fund has launched a mission in Albania focused on improving how the country plans, finances and implements public investments. The IMF instrument examines the full project cycle, from planning and selection to implementation and monitoring. IMF experts will be meeting senior officials at …

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Albania Turns Away Tanker Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet

Durres decision puts sanctions enforcement under scrutiny after vessel had previously called at Albanian port. Tirana Times, September 01, 2026 – Albania’s decision to deny entry to a tanker identified by Ukrainian military intelligence as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet marks more than an isolated maritime enforcement action. It …

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La Stampa: Italy trains its future nurses in Albania

Italy’s Piedmont region faces a shortage of around 6,000 nursing professionals. Regional authorities are now seeking both short-term and long-term solutions. Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on the region’s efforts to address the growing healthcare workforce gap. Piedmont Health Councillor Federico Riboldi recently visited Uzbekistan after an earlier mission to …

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Abissnet Superiore: Best XI selected for Matchday 2

National team coaches have selected the best XI of the second round of the Abissnet Superiore championship. They lined up the team in a 4-3-3 formation. Aldo Teqja of Dinamo City takes the goalkeeper position. Arlind Kurti of Laçi, Vasilios Zhongo of Teuta, Usni Ismaili of Dinamo City, and Yago …

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PM Rama backs Germany as Berlin-Moscow tensions rise after Leipzig drone attack

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed support for Germany amid rising tensions with Russia following Berlin’s confirmation of Russian involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as an act of aggression against Germany …

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Hot weather to bring temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, September 2 – The Military Meteorological Service forecasts another hot day on Wednesday, with mostly clear skies and clouds developing around midday. Light local rain may occur around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average …

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Week in Review: Big Changes, Bigger Challenges

Our selection of Premium stories this week seeks to unpack the aftermath of an eventful weekend, with dramatic and rapid changes in Serbia that could have a wider impact across the region. Original post Here

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Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …

News
Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

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President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …

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Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …

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President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …

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Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue

The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …

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Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date

President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …

News
Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …

News
Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78

Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …

News

Week in Review: Big Changes, Bigger Challenges

Our selection of Premium stories this week seeks to unpack the aftermath of an eventful weekend, with dramatic and rapid changes in Serbia that could have a wider impact across the region. Original post Here

News

Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …

News

Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

News

President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …

News

Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …

News

President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …

News

Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue

The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …

News

Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date

President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …

News

Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …

News

Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78

Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …