Customs revenue rises 3.7% in 7 months
TIRANA, August 12 – Customs revenue reached ALL 142 billion in the first 7 months of 2026. The figure marks a ALL 5.1 billion increase from the same period in 2025. The increase represents 3.7% growth. General Director of Customs Besmir Beja provided the figures today. He said the Customs …
25 years since Ohrid Agreement, FM Hoxha: North Macedonia’s stability is part of Balkan security
TIRANA, August 12 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has highlighted the importance of the Ohrid Framework Agreement ahead of its 25th anniversary on August 13. He described the 2001 accord as a major political and diplomatic achievement for North Macedonia and the Western Balkans. According to Hoxha, the agreement gave …
Lura National Park wildfire, around 220 forces deployed on the ground, air and ground operations underway
TIRANA, August 12 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi said today that operations to manage the wildfire in Lura National Park continue at high intensity. The fire affects the Runja area above Borie Lura village. In a social media statement, Nufi said all relevant structures remain engaged in the operation. They …
New draft law changes defence and security procurement
TIRANA, August 12 – The Ministry of Defence has opened public consultation on a new draft law on procurement in defence and security. The draft would replace Law No. 36/2020. The initiative takes into account comments from the European Commission and findings from the Support for Improvement in Governance and …
The Ibar River Should Carry Water, Not Nationalist Politics
Albania Serbia Diplomatic Clash Heats Up the Summer By Albert Rakipi, PhD Tirana Times, August 12, 2026 – The latest dispute over the Ibar River shows how quickly a real security issue in the Western Balkans can be transformed into a contest of nationalist narratives. When Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić …
Apollonia Archaeological Park welcomes visitors from around the world
TIRANA, August 12 – Apollonia Archaeological Park remains one of the most visited destinations in Fier Municipality during the summer season. The site attracts domestic and foreign tourists interested in Albania’s history and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, many visitors are arriving in Apollonia during the August days to explore the ruins …
Shkodër Art Gallery to resume rich artistic calendar in September
TIRANA, August 12 – Shkodër Art Gallery will resume an intensive programme of activities in September. The summer season also focused on presenting works from the gallery’s collection. The second half of the year will bring various visual art exhibitions and projects. Fatmir Juka, head of Shkodër Art Gallery, said …
Perseid meteor shower to light up Tirana’s night sky
TIRANA, August 12 – The night of August 12 will bring one of the summer’s most spectacular astronomical events. The Perseid meteor shower will peak overnight. People can also observe the phenomenon with the naked eye. The peak will occur during the night between August 12 and 13. Meanwhile, viewing …
EU opposes Serbia’s plans to change the course of the Ibër River
TIRANA, August 12 – European Union officials have opposed Serbia’s plans to change the course of the Ibër River unless Serbia discusses the matter with Kosova. European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told reporters that statements from the Serbian side do not support the goal of normal relations between Kosova and …
US State Department reacts to Vucic’s statements on Ibër: Normalisation of relations is essential
TIRANA, August 12 – The US State Department has reacted to statements about a possible change in the course of the Ibër River. The department told Radio Free Europe that peace and stability in the Western Balkans remain US priorities. A State Department spokesperson said normalisation of relations between Serbia …
Albert Nushi, Head of the Management Sector at the Public Security Department, announced at a press conference that 54 people were taken into police custody following the previous day’s violent protest. Of those, 27 were arrested and 27 others face criminal proceedings for property destruction and violence against police officers. …
The official visit that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama had planned to make to Vienna, Austria, on Monday, October 19, has been cancelled by the Albanian side. The news was published by the Austrian press release portal OTS.at. According to the announcement, the scheduled meeting between the Albanian Prime Minister …
As protests continue across Albania, precautionary measures have been imposed on individuals involved in cases related to the demonstrations. Under the measures imposed, 21 minors will be placed under the supervision of their family members, while three other minors have been ordered to report regularly to the authorities. For the …
These are the photographs published by the Reuters news agency documenting the fifth day of protests in Tirana. Reuters reports that Albanian police used suspected rubber bullets against demonstrators in Tirana during the fifth day of protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. “Reuters journalists found rubber …
The European Commission has responded to the ongoing protests in Albania, condemning acts of violence in Tirana and other cities across the country, including arson, attacks on state institutions and the destruction of public and private property. In its statement, the Commission stressed that violence has no place in a …
The building of Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure has caught fire following tensions during protests in Tirana. The incident comes after violent clashes between protesters and police forces, involving the throwing of Molotov cocktails and the use of tear gas in several areas of the capital. The situation remains tense, while …
The leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, has reacted to the violent protests in Tirana, condemning the use of violence and calling on both protesters and state institutions to avoid further escalation. In a statement, Ahmeti stressed that clashes and the destruction of property cannot bring …
The Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania has responded to the protests of recent days in the country, expressing support for citizens’ right to protest and freedom of expression, while condemning all forms of violence. In a statement, the Evangelical Brotherhood condemned both the violence carried out by protesters against institutions and …
Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Vera Prokopieva is a nutrition scientist from Bulgaria who has studied food from three angles: as an anthropologist, as a cook in Copenhagen kitchens, and as a researcher at Stanford, working on clinical trials of food as medicine and on how fermented foods shape the gut …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu has reacted following an incident in which flames reached the Supreme Court, while reports indicated that the entrance to the Bank of Albania was also damaged. “Two independent institutions. Neither is a government office. Both serve the country and its citizens,” Gogu stressed. The minister condemned …