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Diabetes Alert in Europe: Albania Among Countries with High Prevalence Rates

Diabetes remains one of the major health challenges in the European Region, as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a continuous rise in cases and insufficient access to treatment. According to WHO, more than 85 million people in Europe are living with diabetes, while millions of others remain undiagnosed …

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Tax Administration Reopens the Process: Parents Rejected for Education Expense Deductions Can Reapply Through DIVA

Parents whose applications for compensation through the deduction of their children’s education expenses were rejected will now have the opportunity to reapply through the DIVA declaration system. The Tax Administration has announced that it has reopened the system for submitting the required documentation. Individuals whose applications were rejected due to …

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Will the Strategic Investments Law Be Repealed? Rama: We Will Approve a New Draft Law

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will repeal the Strategic Investments Law. He made the statement during a press conference with journalists from European Union member states. The head of government said that the law has fulfilled its purpose and is no longer necessary. He noted that …

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Day 10 of Protests in Tirana: Activists and Citizens Gather in Front of the Prime Minister’s Office

This Tuesday at 6:00 PM, representatives of civil society, activists, and citizens gathered once again in Skanderbeg Square, marking the tenth day of protests over the issue of protected areas. From there, they continued to call for the government’s resignation, chanting slogans such as “Albania belongs to Albanians” and “Rama …

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Fier, Rama to Protesters: Accountability Is Found at the Table, Not by Demanding the Government’s Resignation

The Socialist Party branch in Fier today celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding during an event held at the Archaeological Park of Apollonia. Hundreds of Socialist Party supporters attended the event, including prominent figures from the party as well as Prime Minister Edi Rama. During his speech, Rama addressed …

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EU-Western Balkans Summit 2026: New Impetus for the Enlargement Debate?

By Odeta Barbullushi and Marina Vulovic Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – A new proposal on enlargement was tabled by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat, Montenegro, on June 5, 2026. Its timing could not be more strategic: …

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Kushner’s Sazan Island Project Under Scrutiny

As Albania faces growing protests over protected coastal areas, a draft government decision to transfer Sazan Island from the Defence Ministry raises new questions over transparency, public assets and strategic investments. Tirana Times, June 09, 2026 – Albania’s debate over strategic investments along its coastline has entered a new and …

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Letter from Brussels: Getting Creative about EU Enlargement in the Balkans

A new Franco-German proposal is heralding a possible new approach to the European bloc’s enlargement process – and leaving the door open for Kosovo. But it was Serbia’s president who grabbed the headlines at the latest EU-Balkans summit. Original post Here

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Digitrips/L’Écho: Albania ranked most affordable Mediterranean destination in ticket price barometer

TIRANA, June 9 – Albania stands out as one of the most attractive summer 2026 destinations, not only for its coastline and landscapes but also for increasingly competitive travel costs, Anna Duplantis writes in an article published by the French media outlet “Ulysse”. In addition, a price barometer by Digitrips …

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Switzerland strong supporter of vocational education and training reforms in Albania

TIRANA, June 9 – Swiss Ambassador to Albania Ruth Huber said Switzerland strongly supports reforms that place vocational education and training at the centre of social and economic development in Albania. She made the statement during the 3rd National Conference on Vocational Education and Training, where participants discussed reform results. …

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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 …

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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, …