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Over 13,000 Fines Issued in Tirana, 32 Drivers Arrested, 75 Vehicles Impounded

More than 13,000 fines were issued by the Tirana Traffic Police over the past week as part of checks aimed at improving road safety. Thirty-two people were arrested for road traffic-related offences, while 75 vehicles were impounded for various violations. Checks focused particularly on vehicles causing excessive noise, speeding, and …

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Wildfire leaves homes and land scorched in Levan, Fier

TIRANA, September 7 – A powerful wildfire that swept through the Levan area of Fier in recent days has left homes scorched, olive groves burned and large areas of land blackened. Footage obtained by RTSH shows the extent of the damage across the affected territory. Large areas have been reduced …

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Vocational education offers path to employment and professional development

TIRANA, September 7 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koca has highlighted the importance of vocational education as a concrete opportunity for young people to prepare for the labour market and build their professional future. In a social media post, Koca shared messages from Ema and Belkisa, two students who have …

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Himara wildfire destroyed six houses and olive trees, damage to be compensated

TIRANA, September 7 – Six homes and long-standing olive trees were destroyed by the wildfire that swept through the hills of Himara on September 4, Mayor Vangjel Tavo said. He added that no one was killed or injured. In a television interview, Tavo said the fire started at around 19:40 …

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Agricultural lending reaches ALL 1.38 billion, up 23% in seven months

TIRANA, September 7 – New lending to agriculture increased by 23% in the first seven months of 2026, reaching ALL 1.38 billion, according to data from the Bank of Albania. At the end of July, the agricultural loan portfolio reached ALL 6.83 billion, up 9.3% from a year earlier. Agricultural …

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High wildfire risk expected across 10 Albanian regions

TIRANA, September 7 – The Institute of Geosciences expects a high wildfire risk today and Tuesday across 10 Albanian regions. Air temperatures could reach 34 C. The institute says the risk will remain high in Shkodër, Lezha, Dibër, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, Vlora and Gjirokastër this afternoon and on …

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Euronews Albania Returns to Instagram, Meta Investigating the Case

After more than two days off Instagram, Euronews Albania’s official account has been restored and is once again accessible to the public. The restoration comes after extensive efforts and ongoing communication with Meta, while the issue that led to the suspension of the account continues to be under investigation by …

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‘Transformative Protest’: 100 Days On, What Has Albania’s ‘Flamingo Revolution’ Achieved?

As anti-government demonstrations in Tirana reach the 100-day mark, four experts discuss how significant the impact on Albanian politics and society will be. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 7, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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20 wildfires reported across Albania, 11 remain active

TIRANA, September 7 – A total of 20 wildfire hotspots were reported across Albania on Monday, according to the Ministry of Defense. Eleven remain active, while seven are under monitoring and two have been fully extinguished. Local civil protection structures are working with the Armed Forces to control the fires. …

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Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past

The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …

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National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement

Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …

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Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”

The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …

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BBC: ‘Tirana teeth’: Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work

 BBC reports on Tirana’s growing dental tourism industry, as Albania seeks to establish itself as a cheaper alternative to Turkey for international patients seeking dental treatment. Anthony Hook is sitting in a dentist’s chair, grinning toothily into a handheld mirror. He has been asked to pose for photos showing off …

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US Embassy: Albania to Play a Key Role in the International Stabilization Force Mission

International Stabilization Force (ISF) Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers held talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi. The discussions focused on Albania’s future contributions to the force and its role in supporting the ISF mission. During the meetings, the officials discussed Albania’s …

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Mother Teresa Square to Become Pedestrian Zone with Museum and Underground Parking

Tirana plans to transform Mother Teresa Square into a mainly pedestrian public space. The project will move many of the square’s new functions underground. The Albanian Development Fund has launched a tender for the project. It has set a budget limit of 20.8 billion lek, or around €21 million, for …

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Albania battles 43 wildfires as 13 remain active

The Ministry of Defence reported 43 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Of these, 13 remain active, while eight are under monitoring and 22 have been extinguished. Meanwhile, 697 local and municipal emergency personnel took part in firefighting and monitoring operations. In addition, they used 68 firefighting vehicles …

News
UNOPS and Albania join forces to modernise public procurement

The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) and UNOPS have signed a cooperation agreement in Tirana. The agreement is called “Procuring Together for a European Albania”. It aims to strengthen strategic purchasing. It also seeks to improve public procurement. OBP Administrator Jonaid Myzyri signed the agreement. Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS …

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Rama gathers ministers and Socialist leaders to set priorities for new parliamentary session

Prime Minister Edi Rama will meet political leaders and ministers at noon today, September 9, on the outskirts of Tirana. The meeting will focus on the Socialist Party’s priorities for the new parliamentary session. It will also address the government’s new political agenda. Meanwhile, Rama is expected to renew his …

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Peleshi meets EU ambassador: EU membership is a natural aspiration for Albanians

Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met today with the European Union’s new ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa. They discussed Albania’s path towards EU membership and the work ahead in the integration process. Peleshi said EU membership remains a natural aspiration for Albanians. He also stressed the country’s institutional …

News

Gjirokastër’s Cold War Museum unveils new exhibition on Albania’s communist past

The Cold War Museum in Gjirokastër has unveiled a new exhibition inside the city’s historic underground bunker. The central hall now features uniforms worn by soldiers, generals and officials during Albania’s communist era. Visitors can also see banned books, newspaper articles from the 1950s to the 1990s, and publications by …

News

National Energy Plan Sets 100% Electric Vehicle Target for Public Procurement

Albania plans to gradually shift public administration toward electric vehicles. Under the new target, public institutions must procure new light vehicles that are either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. The target forms part of the revised National Energy and Climate Plan 2020–2030. The plan introduces several measures to cut transport …

News

Kumbaro at PISA ministerial panel: “We want more spaces where children can excel”

The PISA 2025 results show a major improvement in Albanian students’ performance. Scores rose by 65 points in mathematics, 59 points in science and 50 points in reading. As a result, Albania ranks among the Western Balkans’ strongest performers in mathematics and science. The results were presented in Bratislava at …

News

BBC: ‘Tirana teeth’: Albania hopes to be the new Turkey for dental work

 BBC reports on Tirana’s growing dental tourism industry, as Albania seeks to establish itself as a cheaper alternative to Turkey for international patients seeking dental treatment. Anthony Hook is sitting in a dentist’s chair, grinning toothily into a handheld mirror. He has been asked to pose for photos showing off …

News

US Embassy: Albania to Play a Key Role in the International Stabilization Force Mission

International Stabilization Force (ISF) Commander Major General Jasper Jeffers held talks with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha and Defence Minister Ermal Nufi. The discussions focused on Albania’s future contributions to the force and its role in supporting the ISF mission. During the meetings, the officials discussed Albania’s …

News

Mother Teresa Square to Become Pedestrian Zone with Museum and Underground Parking

Tirana plans to transform Mother Teresa Square into a mainly pedestrian public space. The project will move many of the square’s new functions underground. The Albanian Development Fund has launched a tender for the project. It has set a budget limit of 20.8 billion lek, or around €21 million, for …

News

Albania battles 43 wildfires as 13 remain active

The Ministry of Defence reported 43 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Of these, 13 remain active, while eight are under monitoring and 22 have been extinguished. Meanwhile, 697 local and municipal emergency personnel took part in firefighting and monitoring operations. In addition, they used 68 firefighting vehicles …

News

UNOPS and Albania join forces to modernise public procurement

The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) and UNOPS have signed a cooperation agreement in Tirana. The agreement is called “Procuring Together for a European Albania”. It aims to strengthen strategic purchasing. It also seeks to improve public procurement. OBP Administrator Jonaid Myzyri signed the agreement. Sabine Kania, Director of the UNOPS …

News

Rama gathers ministers and Socialist leaders to set priorities for new parliamentary session

Prime Minister Edi Rama will meet political leaders and ministers at noon today, September 9, on the outskirts of Tirana. The meeting will focus on the Socialist Party’s priorities for the new parliamentary session. It will also address the government’s new political agenda. Meanwhile, Rama is expected to renew his …

News

Peleshi meets EU ambassador: EU membership is a natural aspiration for Albanians

Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met today with the European Union’s new ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa. They discussed Albania’s path towards EU membership and the work ahead in the integration process. Peleshi said EU membership remains a natural aspiration for Albanians. He also stressed the country’s institutional …