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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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Albanian Journalists Complain of Police Violence, Abuse During Anti-Govt Protests

Just in the last two weeks, reporters and media watchdogs have documented dozens of cases of verbal abuse and physical violence directed against members of the press covering anti-governments protests in Albania. In most cases, police officers were the perpetrators. Original post Here

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Albania takes its tourism ambitions to World Travel Market London 2026

Albania will present its tourism potential at World Travel Market London 2026, one of the world’s leading international tourism events. The fair will take place from November 3 to 5 at ExCeL London in the United Kingdom. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja said the event offers an …

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Albania plans 5,000 battery collection points under new recycling system

Albania plans to establish around 5,000 collection points for portable batteries as part of a new national waste management system. The proposal also introduces digital battery passports and QR codes to improve tracking and recycling. The Ministry of Environment has launched the draft decision for public consultation. It aims to …

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Kosovo and Albania seek to strengthen scientific and academic cooperation

Kosovo and Albania are looking to deepen scientific cooperation and strengthen ties between their academic institutions. Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula held a meeting with academics Anastas Angjeli from the Academy of Sciences of Albania, Besnik Krasniqi from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, and academician Lulzim Tafa, …

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Albania introduces national examination for public administration recruitment

Albania plans to introduce a unified national examination for recruitment into the public administration, based on the Cambridge testing model. The initiative is part of a broader reform aimed at strengthening merit-based recruitment, professional performance and the quality of public services. Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new plan alongside …

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Albania ranks among GovTech leaders, but timely public services remain a challenge

Albania ranks among the most advanced countries in digital government, according to the World Bank’s GovTech assessment. However, Prime Minister Edi Rama says the country must now ensure that public institutions respond to citizens on time and take responsibility for their requests. Speaking alongside Minister of State for Public Administration …

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Czech Republic reaffirms support for Albania’s EU membership bid

Albania is seeking stronger parliamentary ties with the Czech Republic as it advances towards European Union membership. During an official visit to Prague, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met with Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Czech Senate. The …

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Rama: Government evaluates public institution leaders based on performance, not names

Albania has started evaluating the performance of public institution leaders as part of a broader reform aimed at strengthening meritocracy and accountability in public administration. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the process during the presentation of the new “Merit Scale” initiative, alongside Minister of Public Administration Adea Pirdeni. Rama stressed …

News
Kosovo approves €4.27 billion budget for 2027, with higher wages and child benefits

Kosovo’s government has approved a €4.27 billion draft budget for 2027. The plan includes higher public sector wages, increased child benefits, a 13th salary and major infrastructure investments. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the new budget exceeds the revised 2026 budget by €200 million. The government will now submit it …

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President Pula Meets with Representatives of the Academies of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo and Albania

Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula met on Monday with academics Anastas Angjeli from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Albania, Besnik Krasniqi from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo (ASHAK), and academician Lulzim Tafa, an external member of ASHASH. The President shared details and photos from the …

News

Albanian Journalists Complain of Police Violence, Abuse During Anti-Govt Protests

Just in the last two weeks, reporters and media watchdogs have documented dozens of cases of verbal abuse and physical violence directed against members of the press covering anti-governments protests in Albania. In most cases, police officers were the perpetrators. Original post Here

News

Albania takes its tourism ambitions to World Travel Market London 2026

Albania will present its tourism potential at World Travel Market London 2026, one of the world’s leading international tourism events. The fair will take place from November 3 to 5 at ExCeL London in the United Kingdom. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Blendi Gonxhja said the event offers an …

News

Albania plans 5,000 battery collection points under new recycling system

Albania plans to establish around 5,000 collection points for portable batteries as part of a new national waste management system. The proposal also introduces digital battery passports and QR codes to improve tracking and recycling. The Ministry of Environment has launched the draft decision for public consultation. It aims to …

News

Kosovo and Albania seek to strengthen scientific and academic cooperation

Kosovo and Albania are looking to deepen scientific cooperation and strengthen ties between their academic institutions. Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula held a meeting with academics Anastas Angjeli from the Academy of Sciences of Albania, Besnik Krasniqi from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, and academician Lulzim Tafa, …

News

Albania introduces national examination for public administration recruitment

Albania plans to introduce a unified national examination for recruitment into the public administration, based on the Cambridge testing model. The initiative is part of a broader reform aimed at strengthening merit-based recruitment, professional performance and the quality of public services. Prime Minister Edi Rama presented the new plan alongside …

News

Albania ranks among GovTech leaders, but timely public services remain a challenge

Albania ranks among the most advanced countries in digital government, according to the World Bank’s GovTech assessment. However, Prime Minister Edi Rama says the country must now ensure that public institutions respond to citizens on time and take responsibility for their requests. Speaking alongside Minister of State for Public Administration …

News

Czech Republic reaffirms support for Albania’s EU membership bid

Albania is seeking stronger parliamentary ties with the Czech Republic as it advances towards European Union membership. During an official visit to Prague, Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi met with Tomio Okamura, Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, and Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Czech Senate. The …

News

Rama: Government evaluates public institution leaders based on performance, not names

Albania has started evaluating the performance of public institution leaders as part of a broader reform aimed at strengthening meritocracy and accountability in public administration. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the process during the presentation of the new “Merit Scale” initiative, alongside Minister of Public Administration Adea Pirdeni. Rama stressed …

News

Kosovo approves €4.27 billion budget for 2027, with higher wages and child benefits

Kosovo’s government has approved a €4.27 billion draft budget for 2027. The plan includes higher public sector wages, increased child benefits, a 13th salary and major infrastructure investments. Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the new budget exceeds the revised 2026 budget by €200 million. The government will now submit it …

News

President Pula Meets with Representatives of the Academies of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo and Albania

Kosovo President Justina Shiroka Pula met on Monday with academics Anastas Angjeli from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Albania, Besnik Krasniqi from the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo (ASHAK), and academician Lulzim Tafa, an external member of ASHASH. The President shared details and photos from the …