Play-Out Matches Set for Kategoria e Parë: Dates, Times and Stadiums Confirmed
The Competition Department at the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) has confirmed the schedule for the play-out stage of Kategoria e Parë. Kukësi will face Bylis B at Vorë Stadium. Luftëtari will play against Sopoti at “Flamurtari” Stadium in Vlora. Both matches will take place on May 9 at 16:00. The …
Police Oversight Agency awards certificates to 23 officers
TIRANA, May 6 – The Police Oversight Agency held a ceremony marking the completion of a training cycle for 23 security officers. The agency reported that 19 officers from its structures and four officers from the Kosova Police Inspectorate received certificates after completing a three-week training course on crime investigation. …
Himara Opens 2026 Tourist Season with Three Days of Festivities
Himara has officially opened its 2026 summer tourist season with a three-day program of cultural, sports, and entertainment events. The municipality organized the activities on May 1, 2, and 3 across key coastal areas of the city. The program included concerts, fairs, children’s events, outdoor cinema, light festivals, and water …
Four Albanian heritage elements move toward UNESCO nomination
TIRANA, May 6 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Albanian-American Development Foundation signed a cooperation agreement. The agreement advances the preparation of a second package of nomination files for UNESCO. The process targets the Intangible Cultural Heritage List and the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices of …
Education services agreement with Albanian-American Development Foundation, PM Rama: Cambridge excellence for services in education
TIRANA, May 6 – The Albanian-American Development Foundation and the Ministry of Education signed an agreement in Tirana. The agreement focuses on the modernization of assessment systems in the new National Agency for Education Services. It aims to strengthen digital transformation in education and reinforce merit-based principles in the system. …
Albania and New Jersey National Guard mark 25 years of partnership, Nufi highlights cooperation with United States
TIRANA, May 6 – The Albanian Armed Forces and the New Jersey National Guard marked 25 years of partnership under the State Partnership Program. The anniversary highlighted long-term cooperation in defence and security. A United States delegation visited Albania for the occasion. Brigadier General Yvonne Mays led the delegation as …
Tax Relief on Inheritance and Gifts Cuts Budget Revenue in 2025
New tax relief measures reduced state revenue from inheritance and property gifts in 2025. First, authorities expanded tax exemptions. As a result, revenue dropped sharply. Data from the General Directorate of Taxes show collections at 16.2 million lekë in 2025. This marks a fall from 35.8 million lekë in 2024. …
Rinas Rail Station Project Opens, €91.6 Million Budget Allocated
Hekurudha Shqiptare has opened a procurement procedure for the detailed design and construction of the Rinas airport railway station. The project is part of the Tirana–Durrës–Rinas rail line. The allocated budget for this phase stands at around 91.6 million lekë. The authority says the new station is essential to improve …
Nufi: Further Consolidation of Cyber Defence Capabilities
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Cyber Operations Centre, part of the Cyber and Communications Command at the Ministry of Defence. He assessed progress in building cyber defence capabilities. He said the country has made significant advances in protecting defence ministry and armed forces infrastructure. He praised the results achieved …
Tax Administration Launches 8-Point Plan to Formalize Tourism Sector
The Tax Administration has approved a sectoral plan for tourism in 2026 aimed at reducing informality and increasing tax compliance. The plan introduces eight key measures to strengthen control, improve reporting, and increase revenue collection in the tourism sector. First, authorities will increase declared turnover compared to 2025. They will …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …