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“We Want Dignified Healthcare Services”: Residents Protest Conditions at Lushnja Hospital

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”857c6676-97fd-49c0-963e-85cfdd8a5fe9″ data-turn-id-container=”857c6676-97fd-49c0-963e-85cfdd8a5fe9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-5″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Dozens of residents of Lushnja held a protest on Sunday morning, voicing their opposition to what they described as substandard conditions at Lushnja Hospital. The demonstration was initiated by Democratic Party MP Saimir Korreshi. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:8d03c183-ccb9-43e0-ad59-f450389fa326-2″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8d03c183-ccb9-43e0-ad59-f450389fa326-2″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-6″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> “The …

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Rama Cites the Bahamas as an Example of Tourism Development: “Flamingos Are Not a Problem, but a Privilege”

Prime Minister Edi Rama has continued his series of social media posts, this time focusing on the relationship between nature and tourism development, using flamingos and their role in international tourist destinations as an example. In his post, Rama referred to Nassau, Bahamas, where the renowned luxury resort Baha Mar and its flamingos have, according …

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Kosovo Elections: German Ambassador Says Four Teams Are Monitoring the Process, “Everything Is Calm and Running Smoothly”

German Ambassador to Kosovo Rainer Rudolph was in the field on Sunday monitoring the progress of Kosovo’s snap parliamentary elections. In a video shared on social media, Rudolph said that election monitoring is being carried out by four teams as part of an observation effort organized by the European Union Office in Pristina. …

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British Ambassador to Kosovo: New Institutions Should Be Formed as Soon as Possible After the Elections

The United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, has stated that once the electoral process is completed, Kosovo needs to establish its new institutions as quickly as possible and ensure political stability. Speaking to KosovaPress while observing the election process in Zubin Potok, Hargreaves said that he is part of the diplomatic observation mission …

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Korça Opens the Tourist Season with the International Carnival Festival

The city of Korça has officially launched its tourist season with the International Carnival Festival, where numerous Albanian and international groups paraded through the city’s main streets, bringing color, music, and a festive atmosphere. For several consecutive years, the carnival has become one of the city’s most distinctive traditions, with not only the …

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Day 8 of Protests: Citizens Begin March and Gather in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”be261de4-5834-44b1-a20d-f764503f7188″ data-turn-id-container=”be261de4-5834-44b1-a20d-f764503f7188″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-13″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Representatives of civil society, activists, and citizens gathered once again this Sunday in Skanderbeg Square, from where they marched along Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard on the eighth day of protests against the planned development project in Zvërnec. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:8d03c183-ccb9-43e0-ad59-f450389fa326-6″ …

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Elbasan: Rama Says Albania Is Facing “Resistance” to Development, Points to Montenegro as an Example

Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at an event in Elbasan marking the 35th anniversary of the Socialist Party, also addressed the protests that have taken place in recent days across the country. Referring to foreign investments in Montenegro, Rama argued that such projects have played a key role in that country’s development, while in Albania, …

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DnV: Voter Turnout 10% Lower Than in the Two Parliamentary Elections Held in 2025

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:8d03c183-ccb9-43e0-ad59-f450389fa326-9″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:8d03c183-ccb9-43e0-ad59-f450389fa326-9″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-20″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Democracy in Action (DnV) issued a statement to the media on Sunday afternoon, providing updates on the progress of Kosovo’s snap parliamentary elections. According to DnV, voter turnout has been significantly lower than in the two parliamentary elections held in …

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Saudi Ambassador Presents Credentials To Albanian President As Ties Gain Momentum

Tirana Times, June 05, 2026 –  Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to Albania, Turki Ibraheem Almadhi, presented his credentials to President Bajram Begaj, marking the formal start of his diplomatic mission in Tirana. Begaj welcomed the ambassador and wished him success, reaffirming Albania’s commitment to further strengthening friendly relations and cooperation …

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PM Rama says Zvërnec protests misrepresented by international media

TIRANA, June 7 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said protests against a proposed investment in Zvërnec have been exaggerated by international media, arguing that no approved project currently exists. In a message addressed to international news organizations, including CNN International, Rama said the latest protest drew about 2,000 participants. …

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EU Enlargement Commissioner: Albania Takes Important Step Toward EU Membership

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Albania has recently made significant progress on its path toward European Union membership. According to Kos, Albania met the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements on the rule of law. As a result, the country can now begin the process of closing …

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European Parliament Reaffirms Support for Albania’s EU Path, Says Schieder

Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament will reaffirm Albania’s strong commitment to the European Union. Speaking during a plenary session of the European Parliament, Schieder praised Albania’s progress in the accession process. He noted that the country opened all negotiation clusters within just 13 months. In addition, Albania recently achieved …

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Kosovo and European Commission Review EU Support and Reform Progress

Kosovo and the European Commission held the annual meeting of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Monitoring Committee. The meeting focused on the implementation of EU financial and technical support for Kosovo. In addition, participants reviewed reforms that support Kosovo’s path toward European integration. Since 2007, the European Union has …

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Germany Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Membership

Ferit Hoxha met with Günter Krichbaum during his visit to Luxembourg. The two officials discussed Albania’s path toward European Union membership. They also reviewed the current momentum of the EU enlargement process. Furthermore, Hoxha said they exchanged views on the opportunities created by the renewed focus on enlargement across Europe. …

News
The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

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UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

News
Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

News
Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News
Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News
US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

News

EU Enlargement Commissioner: Albania Takes Important Step Toward EU Membership

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that Albania has recently made significant progress on its path toward European Union membership. According to Kos, Albania met the Interim Benchmarks Assessment Report (IBAR) requirements on the rule of law. As a result, the country can now begin the process of closing …

News

European Parliament Reaffirms Support for Albania’s EU Path, Says Schieder

Andreas Schieder said the European Parliament will reaffirm Albania’s strong commitment to the European Union. Speaking during a plenary session of the European Parliament, Schieder praised Albania’s progress in the accession process. He noted that the country opened all negotiation clusters within just 13 months. In addition, Albania recently achieved …

News

Kosovo and European Commission Review EU Support and Reform Progress

Kosovo and the European Commission held the annual meeting of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) Monitoring Committee. The meeting focused on the implementation of EU financial and technical support for Kosovo. In addition, participants reviewed reforms that support Kosovo’s path toward European integration. Since 2007, the European Union has …

News

Germany Reaffirms Strong Support for Albania’s EU Membership

Ferit Hoxha met with Günter Krichbaum during his visit to Luxembourg. The two officials discussed Albania’s path toward European Union membership. They also reviewed the current momentum of the EU enlargement process. Furthermore, Hoxha said they exchanged views on the opportunities created by the renewed focus on enlargement across Europe. …

News

The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

News

UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

News

Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

News

Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News

Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News

US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …