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SPAK Hosts International Anti-Corruption Meeting in Tirana, Bringing Together Representatives from 28 Jurisdictions

Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) hosted the 16th meeting of the Law Enforcement Network (LEN), part of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN), in Tirana from October 27 to 29. In a statement published on social media on Friday, SPAK announced …

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President Begaj Sets May 9, 2027, as Date for Local Elections in Albania

President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the next local government elections in Albania. In an official statement, the Presidency announced that the decision was made following consultations with representatives of political parties represented in Parliament and the State Election Commissioner. The consultations were attended …

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EU Enlargement Draft: Kosovo Makes No Progress in Fundamental Areas

The European Commission is set to adopt and publish its annual EU progress reports on Wednesday, November 4, along with the enlargement package. According to draft versions of these documents, Kosovo is among the countries that have made no progress or have recorded only limited progress in most areas. The …

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Albanian Bishops and Diocesan Administrators in Rome

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the bishops and diocesan administrators of Albania in a private audience at the Vatican during their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, a periodic visit made by bishops from each country to the Vatican every five years. During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, the bishops …

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Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package Sparks Backlash Over Higher Taxes and Investment Risks

The American Chamber of Commerce warns of risks to foreign investment as the government’s 2027 fiscal package faces growing opposition from businesses, lawmakers and economists. by Sidonja Manushi TIRANA, Albania – Albania’s government has unveiled a controversial 2027 fiscal package, proposing significant changes to value-added tax, dividend taxation, personal income …

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Migjeni, the Albanian writer who challenged social injustice through literature

Migjeni remains one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Albanian literature. Through his poetry and prose, he challenged social injustice, exposed poverty and gave a voice to people living on the margins of society. Born Millosh Gjergj Nikolla in Shkodër on October 13, 1911, he adopted the pen name …

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Religious communities unite to address climate change and environmental protection

Religious leaders, local officials and civil society representatives met in Elbasan to discuss environmental protection and climate change. They called for stronger cooperation between faith communities, public institutions and schools. The meeting took place at the Elbasan Prefecture during Democracy Week. The Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania launched …

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International art colony celebrates Albanian painter Vangjush Mio

Korçë has welcomed Albanian and international artists for the 16th edition of the “Days of Mio” International Art Symposium, dedicated to renowned Albanian painter Vangjush Mio. The event opened on October 28 at the Vangjush Mio House Museum. It brings artists together to share ideas, exchange experiences and explore the …

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Albania inspects Kanina Castle as conservation work continues

Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage has inspected Kanina Castle to assess the condition of its historic structures and review conservation work completed so far. During the inspection, specialists examined the fortress and focused on protecting its architectural features and historical authenticity. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja stressed …

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Former diplomat Bashkim Zeneli passes away

Former Albanian diplomat, politician and publicist Bashkim Zeneli has passed away. Assembly Speaker Niko Peleshi paid tribute to Zeneli, extending condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. He described him as an early intellectual figure in the Socialist Party who devoted much of his life to public service. Peleshi also …

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Two separate protests held in Tirana as demonstrators clash with police

Two separate protests took place in Tirana on Saturday, one organised by students and the other by the opposition Democratic Party. Students gathered outside the Ministry of Education. Democratic Party supporters marched from the Prime Minister’s Office towards the Education ministry, seeking to join the students. The students rejected their …

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Albania makes progress in EU accession talks on culture and intellectual property

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Albania has made progress in aligning its legislation on culture and intellectual property with European Union standards, Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja said following a meeting with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Saturday. The talks focused on the country’s …

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Clashes escalate outside Education Ministry as protesters set bins on fire, throw stones at police

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Clashes escalated outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana on Saturday after several protesters set fire to two rubbish bins and pushed them towards police officers. Protesters also threw various objects at police, who responded with pepper spray and tear gas. Tensions intensified further when …

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Deputy PM condemns masked protesters throwing stones at police

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has condemned acts of violence during Saturday’s protest outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana, after footage she shared on social media showed masked demonstrators throwing stones at police officers. In her post, Koçiu denounced the violence and expressed support …

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Protesters throw stones, fireworks and Molotov cocktails at police outside Prime Minister’s office

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Protesters moved from the area outside the Ministry of Education, where clashes with police had erupted earlier, and marched towards the Prime Minister’s office in Tirana on Saturday. The march was marked by rising tensions and further incidents, with protesters attempting to block the road …

News
Albania and Türkiye seek closer cooperation on digitising cadastral records

TIRANA, Nov. 7 ATA/ – Albania’s General Directorate of Archives and Türkiye’s General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre plan to deepen cooperation on the preservation and digitisation of cadastral records. On the second day of an official visit to Istanbul, the Archives Director-General Auron Rrokaj met Haki Shahin, head …

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PM Rama shares footage of Corridor VIII tunnel construction in Librazhd

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage of ongoing construction work on tunnels along the Corridor VIII route in the Librazhd area, describing the project as part of Albania’s ongoing infrastructure development. The video, posted on social media on Saturday, shows progress at the construction …

News
Zaçaj: Faster, lower-cost payments for citizens and businesses

TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania Holta Zaçaj participated in the “Fast Payments in the Western Balkans” panel in Tirana, where she highlighted the significance of Albania’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). She noted that SEPA membership is expected to lower …

News
QSUT medical team performs successful surgery to remove giant nasal tumour

TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ A complex operation to remove a giant tumour on the side of the nose has been successfully carried out at the Mother Teresa University Hospital Centre (QSUT). According to a social media post by QSUT, the patient was initially assessed by the Otorhinolaryngology Department, where a comprehensive …

News
Hita meets police officers injured in the line of duty in Malësia e Madhe

TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ State Police Director General Skënder Hita visited Malësia e Madhe to meet and thank two officers, Inspectors Hilmi Smajlaj and Samet Bajri, who serve with the General Patrol Unit of the Malësia e Madhe Police Commissariat and sustained knife injuries while attempting to apprehend a German national …

News

Two separate protests held in Tirana as demonstrators clash with police

Two separate protests took place in Tirana on Saturday, one organised by students and the other by the opposition Democratic Party. Students gathered outside the Ministry of Education. Democratic Party supporters marched from the Prime Minister’s Office towards the Education ministry, seeking to join the students. The students rejected their …

News

Albania makes progress in EU accession talks on culture and intellectual property

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Albania has made progress in aligning its legislation on culture and intellectual property with European Union standards, Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja said following a meeting with EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa on Saturday. The talks focused on the country’s …

News

Clashes escalate outside Education Ministry as protesters set bins on fire, throw stones at police

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Clashes escalated outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana on Saturday after several protesters set fire to two rubbish bins and pushed them towards police officers. Protesters also threw various objects at police, who responded with pepper spray and tear gas. Tensions intensified further when …

News

Deputy PM condemns masked protesters throwing stones at police

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has condemned acts of violence during Saturday’s protest outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana, after footage she shared on social media showed masked demonstrators throwing stones at police officers. In her post, Koçiu denounced the violence and expressed support …

News

Protesters throw stones, fireworks and Molotov cocktails at police outside Prime Minister’s office

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Protesters moved from the area outside the Ministry of Education, where clashes with police had erupted earlier, and marched towards the Prime Minister’s office in Tirana on Saturday. The march was marked by rising tensions and further incidents, with protesters attempting to block the road …

News

Albania and Türkiye seek closer cooperation on digitising cadastral records

TIRANA, Nov. 7 ATA/ – Albania’s General Directorate of Archives and Türkiye’s General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre plan to deepen cooperation on the preservation and digitisation of cadastral records. On the second day of an official visit to Istanbul, the Archives Director-General Auron Rrokaj met Haki Shahin, head …

News

PM Rama shares footage of Corridor VIII tunnel construction in Librazhd

TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared footage of ongoing construction work on tunnels along the Corridor VIII route in the Librazhd area, describing the project as part of Albania’s ongoing infrastructure development. The video, posted on social media on Saturday, shows progress at the construction …

News

Zaçaj: Faster, lower-cost payments for citizens and businesses

TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania Holta Zaçaj participated in the “Fast Payments in the Western Balkans” panel in Tirana, where she highlighted the significance of Albania’s accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). She noted that SEPA membership is expected to lower …

News

QSUT medical team performs successful surgery to remove giant nasal tumour

TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ A complex operation to remove a giant tumour on the side of the nose has been successfully carried out at the Mother Teresa University Hospital Centre (QSUT). According to a social media post by QSUT, the patient was initially assessed by the Otorhinolaryngology Department, where a comprehensive …

News

Hita meets police officers injured in the line of duty in Malësia e Madhe

TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ State Police Director General Skënder Hita visited Malësia e Madhe to meet and thank two officers, Inspectors Hilmi Smajlaj and Samet Bajri, who serve with the General Patrol Unit of the Malësia e Madhe Police Commissariat and sustained knife injuries while attempting to apprehend a German national …