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Nine finalists to compete for construction of three new stadiums

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced this Saturday that the first phase of the international competition for the 3 new stadiums in Durrës, Vlora, Korçë has been closed, where 41 studios submitted 86 applications. According to Rama, the nine finalists have emerged who will compete in the three early-May competitions …

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Saranda, wanted man arrested on drug charges

Police arrested this Saturday a 26-year-old man from Saranda, sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison, for the criminal offense “Production and sale of narcotics”. It is about Edlor Omeri, who was declared wanted after the Saranda Judicial District Court sentenced him in absentia, following his arrest in …

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49-year-old wanted by Britain arrested in Tirana

A 49-year-old man declared internationally wanted, with the aim of extradition to Britain, has fallen into the hands of the Tirana police. It is about the citizen M.C, who was involved in a criminal organization for the purpose of drug trafficking. “This citizen was declared internationally wanted, after Stevenage Magistrates’ …

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Kruja, five arrested for setting up weed farm in army tunnel

Police officers have discovered this Friday a weed house inside an army tunnel in Krasta protected area of Kruja.  Law enforcement revealed that five people have been arrested, two of whom are OSHEE employees, while two others have been declared wanted. During the control, 390 suspected cannabis sativa narcotic plants, …

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Hearing on russian spy’s extradition postponed again

Court hearing against Russian citizen Svetlana Timofoeva, accused of espionage, has been postponed again this Friday, as the final conclusions will be discussed. Next session will be held on April 4 at 14:00, when the decision is expected to be taken.  In August 2022, Timofeeva was arrested along with two …

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Kruja’s mayor summoned at SPAK

Mayor of Kruja, Artur Bushi has appeared this Friday morning at the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Against him have been filed several reports for abuse of office and violation of the equality of tenders.  Bushi has presented himself as a person who …

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PM Rama: Minimum salary 40,000 ALL

Prime Minister Edi Rama, during the meeting with businesses, also answered the critics that the increase in the minimum wage is done to win the elections. As Prime Minister Edi Rama pointed out, he said that the salary has not been increased within the campaign while adding that they do …

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Amendments on Start-ups’ law approved

Minister for Entrepreneurship Protection in the Albanian government, Edona Bilali has spoken this Friday about some changes in the law of Start Ups, underlining that this is an innovation of a very good result of the investment that started last year by the government. Bilali also spoke about the construction …

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Albania Lifts Bar on Democratic Party Running in Elections

A decision not to allow the opposition Democratic Party to compete in the local elections has been overturned, in a small victory for the divided party’s official leader, Enkelejd Alibeaj Original post Here

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Albania Has Paused ‘Golden Passports’ Scheme, Rama Assures EU

Bowing to criticism from the EU, Albania’s PM on Thursday said Tirana was temporarily scrapping its ‘golden passports’ scheme, in a meeting with Commission vice president Josep Borrell. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Turning Points and Endless Loops

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut. Original post Here

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Himara Triathlon Links Sport and Tourism on the Albanian Riviera

Himara Triathlon will take place on May 10 in the coastal town of Himarë, bringing together professional and amateur athletes. The event combines three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. It promotes both competitive sport and active lifestyles. The race will start at Potam Beach with the swimming stage. It will …

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Mesi Bridge in Shkodër, a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists

TIRANA, May 8 – Mesi Bridge attracts daily visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists admire its history, architecture, and cultural heritage value. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the site in Shkodër and described it as a restored pearl of cultural heritage. The bridge lies about 8 kilometres from …

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EU Ambassador Gonzato: Better services and infrastructure at core of “EU4Municipalities II”

TIRANA, May 8 – EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato attended today the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” project in Durrës. He described the initiative as a concrete programme that brings direct benefits at local level and places citizens at the centre of Albania’s EU integration process. Referring to …

News
PM Rama: “EU4Municipalities II” a strategic EU investment in local governance modernisation

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended today in Durrës the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” programme. The initiative aims to strengthen local government and support Albania’s path toward the European Union. The programme will support municipalities through concrete investments. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacities …

News
Kosova elections on 7 June; deadline closes at CEC, 22 parties in race and three coalitions registered

TIRANA, May 8 – The deadline for political parties in Kosova to notify the Central Election Commission (CEC) on participation or non-participation in elections and coalition formation closed at midnight. The obligation applied to 53 political parties registered in Kosova. The CEC said it received notifications from 22 parties for …

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Health Minister Sala presents national strategy for artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan

TIRANA, May 8 – Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Sala presented Albania’s national strategy for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan. The presentation focused on oncology during the First Congress on Artificial Intelligence in Oncology. The event was organised by the European Society for Artificial …

News
“Pearl of Dibër” awakens in spring, Rama publishes images from Grama Pastures

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today images from Grama Pastures in Dibër, where nature wakes up in spring among greenery and mountain calm. Grama is called the pearl of Dibër. It is rich in flat pastures, a beautiful lake, and endless greenery. On the ascent to …

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Gonxhja: Archaeological Museum Project Will Meet International Standards

Blendi Gonxhja said the new Archaeological Museum project will meet international standards for preservation, exhibition, and public access. Speaking in Parliament, Gonxhja answered concerns raised by opposition MP Ina Zhupa over plans to relocate the museum collection to an underground space. He said the ministry follows international models that combine …

News
National tax revenues reach 11.5 billion ALL in first quarter

TIRANA, May 8 – National tax revenues in January–March 2026 reached 11.5 billion ALL. They achieved 97.6% of the planned target for the first quarter, the Ministry of Finance said. The report on fiscal indicators showed revenues from this category stood around 500 million ALL lower than the same period …

News

Week in Review: Turning Points and Endless Loops

While some events covered in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week suggest that possible changes are afoot, other parts of the region seem stuck in the same rut. Original post Here

News

Himara Triathlon Links Sport and Tourism on the Albanian Riviera

Himara Triathlon will take place on May 10 in the coastal town of Himarë, bringing together professional and amateur athletes. The event combines three disciplines: swimming, cycling, and running. It promotes both competitive sport and active lifestyles. The race will start at Potam Beach with the swimming stage. It will …

News

Mesi Bridge in Shkodër, a preferred destination for local and foreign tourists

TIRANA, May 8 – Mesi Bridge attracts daily visitors from Albania and abroad. Tourists admire its history, architecture, and cultural heritage value. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared photos from the site in Shkodër and described it as a restored pearl of cultural heritage. The bridge lies about 8 kilometres from …

News

EU Ambassador Gonzato: Better services and infrastructure at core of “EU4Municipalities II”

TIRANA, May 8 – EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato attended today the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” project in Durrës. He described the initiative as a concrete programme that brings direct benefits at local level and places citizens at the centre of Albania’s EU integration process. Referring to …

News

PM Rama: “EU4Municipalities II” a strategic EU investment in local governance modernisation

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended today in Durrës the official launch of the “EU4Municipalities II” programme. The initiative aims to strengthen local government and support Albania’s path toward the European Union. The programme will support municipalities through concrete investments. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacities …

News

Kosova elections on 7 June; deadline closes at CEC, 22 parties in race and three coalitions registered

TIRANA, May 8 – The deadline for political parties in Kosova to notify the Central Election Commission (CEC) on participation or non-participation in elections and coalition formation closed at midnight. The obligation applied to 53 political parties registered in Kosova. The CEC said it received notifications from 22 parties for …

News

Health Minister Sala presents national strategy for artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan

TIRANA, May 8 – Minister of Health and Social Welfare Evis Sala presented Albania’s national strategy for the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare in Milan. The presentation focused on oncology during the First Congress on Artificial Intelligence in Oncology. The event was organised by the European Society for Artificial …

News

“Pearl of Dibër” awakens in spring, Rama publishes images from Grama Pastures

TIRANA, May 8 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today images from Grama Pastures in Dibër, where nature wakes up in spring among greenery and mountain calm. Grama is called the pearl of Dibër. It is rich in flat pastures, a beautiful lake, and endless greenery. On the ascent to …

News

Gonxhja: Archaeological Museum Project Will Meet International Standards

Blendi Gonxhja said the new Archaeological Museum project will meet international standards for preservation, exhibition, and public access. Speaking in Parliament, Gonxhja answered concerns raised by opposition MP Ina Zhupa over plans to relocate the museum collection to an underground space. He said the ministry follows international models that combine …

News

National tax revenues reach 11.5 billion ALL in first quarter

TIRANA, May 8 – National tax revenues in January–March 2026 reached 11.5 billion ALL. They achieved 97.6% of the planned target for the first quarter, the Ministry of Finance said. The report on fiscal indicators showed revenues from this category stood around 500 million ALL lower than the same period …