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Administrative Court unblocks magistrates’ salaries, Rama: If only it had the same standard for citizens’ problems…

Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …

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Week in Review: Tests and Pressures

Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

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Ervin Demo to take over Interior Ministry as Lamallari moves to Prime Minister’s Office

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …

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Ministry of Defense: 40 wildfires reported across Albania, six remain active

The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …

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Klodiana Spahiu sworn in as new health minister

Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …

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Ibrahim Kodra exhibition “The Sea and Music” to open in Tirana on September 23

An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …

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Gonxhja: National Campaign to Register Artisans Begins

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …

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Minister Ibrahimaj: Albania to make 7,000 apartments available under new housing fund

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has announced a new National Housing Fund to support not only vulnerable groups, but also professionals, young people and newly formed families. Speaking after a government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the programme will make 7,000 apartments available. Around 2,000 will be offered through interest-free loans …

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Bank of Albania, UNDP strengthen cooperation on green finance and SME support

The Governor of the Bank of Albania, Gent Sejko, met with UNDP Resident Representative Randi Davis to discuss cooperation in green finance, financial and digital education, payment systems, and support for SMEs. The meeting focused on Albania’s latest economic and financial developments and the Bank’s ongoing initiatives. Davis praised the …

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Albania’s protected areas attract 4.5 million visitors in eight months

Albania is increasingly attracting visitors through its natural heritage, with protected areas becoming key destinations for tourists. Diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity and outdoor activities are drawing more visitors and adding a new dimension to the country’s tourism offer. Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said more than 4.5 million visitors explored Albania’s …

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Museum in Shkodër preserves testimonies of Albania’s communist past

The Site of Witness and Memory Museum in Shkodër attracts foreign visitors interested in Albania’s communist past. Through documents, personal testimonies and preserved rooms, they learn about political prisoners and persecution under the dictatorship. The museum occupies a former branch of the Internal Affairs Department. Photographs, letters, manuscripts and personal …

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Authorities prepare for emergencies during the 2026–2027 winter season

Civil protection authorities are preparing for possible emergencies during the 2026–2027 autumn and winter season. At a meeting of the Civil Protection Commission, officials discussed measures to address heavy rainfall, icy conditions and other severe weather. Commission Chair Albert Halilaj stressed the need to protect roads linking villages to administrative …

News
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha expresses solidarity with Turkey after steel plant blast

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has expressed condolences for those killed or injured in an explosion at a steel plant in Turkey’s Izmir province. In a social media statement on Tuesday, he offered sympathy to families who lost loved ones and expressed Albania’s solidarity with Turkey. Hoxha said he was deeply …

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Albania begin preparations for Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus

Albania have begun their training camp ahead of their final two Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus. The Albanian Football Association said 25 players were available to coach Rolando Maran, while Myrto Uzuni and Qazim Laçi were due to join the squad on Tuesday evening. Both players are expected …

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EU ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa highlights civil society’s role

European Union Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa has stressed that civil society is a key partner in Albania’s accession process. She said the 2026 Albania Report reflects many of its concerns. At the report’s presentation to civil society organisations, participants raised environmental issues, transparency, land ownership rights, education and healthcare. …

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Shote Galica, Albanian heroine who fought for liberation and unity

Shote Galica, an Albanian fighter for national liberation and unity, was born in Drenica, Kosova, on 10 November 1895. Born Qerime, she grew up as the only daughter in a family with six sons. Inspired by Albanian patriots, she took up arms alongside her husband, Azem Bejta. Her resistance against …

News
Albania’s 2027 budget supports armed forces modernisation

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the 2027 defence budget will continue to modernise the Armed Forces, strengthen national security and meet commitments to NATO and strategic allies. Rama also shared footage of first-year bachelor’s students and Officer Preparation Course trainees at the Military Professional Education Centre in Bunavi, Vlora. He …

News
Transparency Board changes fuel prices

Transparency Board has set new maximum wholesale and retail fuel prices under measures addressing the special situation in the hydrocarbon market. Retail diesel prices must not exceed ALL 208 per litre, while wholesale prices must remain at or below ALL 196. For petrol, the maximum stands at ALL 167 per …

News
All tickets sold for Albania–Finland match at Air Albania

All tickets have sold out for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Air Albania Stadium, confirming strong fan interest in supporting the national team. Albania will face Finland on 12 November at 20:45 in front of a full stadium. Fans are expected to create their trademark atmosphere and …

News
Albanian police step up cannabis prevention and school drug-sale operations

State Police Director General Skënder Hita has highlighted efforts to prevent cannabis cultivation and stop drug sales near schools in 2026, during a joint conference with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza. Police identified 132,000 cannabis seedlings before cultivation, compared with 17,447 last year. Authorities also used 84 drones to monitor territory, …

News

Museum in Shkodër preserves testimonies of Albania’s communist past

The Site of Witness and Memory Museum in Shkodër attracts foreign visitors interested in Albania’s communist past. Through documents, personal testimonies and preserved rooms, they learn about political prisoners and persecution under the dictatorship. The museum occupies a former branch of the Internal Affairs Department. Photographs, letters, manuscripts and personal …

News

Authorities prepare for emergencies during the 2026–2027 winter season

Civil protection authorities are preparing for possible emergencies during the 2026–2027 autumn and winter season. At a meeting of the Civil Protection Commission, officials discussed measures to address heavy rainfall, icy conditions and other severe weather. Commission Chair Albert Halilaj stressed the need to protect roads linking villages to administrative …

News

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha expresses solidarity with Turkey after steel plant blast

Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has expressed condolences for those killed or injured in an explosion at a steel plant in Turkey’s Izmir province. In a social media statement on Tuesday, he offered sympathy to families who lost loved ones and expressed Albania’s solidarity with Turkey. Hoxha said he was deeply …

News

Albania begin preparations for Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus

Albania have begun their training camp ahead of their final two Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus. The Albanian Football Association said 25 players were available to coach Rolando Maran, while Myrto Uzuni and Qazim Laçi were due to join the squad on Tuesday evening. Both players are expected …

News

EU ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa highlights civil society’s role

European Union Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa has stressed that civil society is a key partner in Albania’s accession process. She said the 2026 Albania Report reflects many of its concerns. At the report’s presentation to civil society organisations, participants raised environmental issues, transparency, land ownership rights, education and healthcare. …

News

Shote Galica, Albanian heroine who fought for liberation and unity

Shote Galica, an Albanian fighter for national liberation and unity, was born in Drenica, Kosova, on 10 November 1895. Born Qerime, she grew up as the only daughter in a family with six sons. Inspired by Albanian patriots, she took up arms alongside her husband, Azem Bejta. Her resistance against …

News

Albania’s 2027 budget supports armed forces modernisation

Prime Minister Edi Rama said the 2027 defence budget will continue to modernise the Armed Forces, strengthen national security and meet commitments to NATO and strategic allies. Rama also shared footage of first-year bachelor’s students and Officer Preparation Course trainees at the Military Professional Education Centre in Bunavi, Vlora. He …

News

Transparency Board changes fuel prices

Transparency Board has set new maximum wholesale and retail fuel prices under measures addressing the special situation in the hydrocarbon market. Retail diesel prices must not exceed ALL 208 per litre, while wholesale prices must remain at or below ALL 196. For petrol, the maximum stands at ALL 167 per …

News

All tickets sold for Albania–Finland match at Air Albania

All tickets have sold out for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Air Albania Stadium, confirming strong fan interest in supporting the national team. Albania will face Finland on 12 November at 20:45 in front of a full stadium. Fans are expected to create their trademark atmosphere and …

News

Albanian police step up cannabis prevention and school drug-sale operations

State Police Director General Skënder Hita has highlighted efforts to prevent cannabis cultivation and stop drug sales near schools in 2026, during a joint conference with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza. Police identified 132,000 cannabis seedlings before cultivation, compared with 17,447 last year. Authorities also used 84 drones to monitor territory, …