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Editorial: Latest Tirana-Athens spat is bad for both Albania and Greece

TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL A wave of political commentary and debate has recently erupted in Albania, especially coming from sources that are always ready to declare Greece an enemy of Albania. Unfortunately, these pseudo-patriotic and pseudo-nationalist commentators often dominate the public opinion space.  Always ready to make conspiracy theory links, some …

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Imprisoned mayor of Himara transferred to Durres detention center

General Directorate of Prisons has transferred this Wednesday the elected Mayor of Himara, Alfred Beleri and the former mayor of Bulqiza, Lefter Alla, to Durres Detention Center. They were kept isolated in the premises of the prison hospital in Tirana because they had shown health problems. Beleri was arrested 2 …

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“Oil in Shpirag like Saudi Arabia”, Rama: Big impact on the country’s economy

Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku talked about oil in Shpirag, which is at an advanced stage and approaching the decisive hour. Rama said that this can have a historical impact on social development, but also on the geopolitical and geostrategic positioning of …

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Pine forest fire in Lac area partially contained

Pire that broke out yesterday in the crown of the pines in Laç, has been partially contained this Wednesday.  Throughout the night, firefighters worked to contain the fires near the Shnandou Church. In the meantime, several other fires have appeared near the former tank department, while work is being done …

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Ksamil, four tourists saved by police after being stranded at sea

Border Police and Delta Force have helped this Wednesday four vacationers, two of them minors, who were stranded at sea with a pedal boat.  Vacationers couldn’t pedal ashore because of the wind and high waves. Fortunately, the rescued citizens are in good health.  In the meantime, the State Police invites …

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Kosovo youth caught trying to smuggle gun through Durres port

A 21-year-old from Kosovo, resident in France, has been arrested by the police this Wednesday in the Port of Durres.  According to the police report, young Valmir Ademi tried to smuggle a pistol-type firearm to France. During the checks carried out on the second line, in the “Fiat 500” type …

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About 500 cannabis plants destroyed in Mat, brothers wanted

Fifth phase of the anti-cannabis operation, codenamed “Kreshta te Pastra” has been carried out this Wednesday, resulting in the finding and destruction of 453 cannabis plants in the village of Madhesh, Mat area. After the finding, Police identified and declared wanted two brothers as suspected perpetrators for the cultivation of …

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New details on youth that crashed luxury BMW at Tirana lake’s dam

Aldi Allushi, the driver who ended up at the Tirana Artificial Lake’s dam with his BMW “x6” in the early hours of Tuesday morning, was detained by the traffic police on Arbri street later in the afternoon. Initially, the 26-year-old denied having been the driver of the luxury vehicle, but …

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Young driver crashed on Elbasan-Tirana highway

A serious accident happened this Monday afternoon on the “Elbasan – Tirana” highway, where a 24-year-old man lost control of the car and collided with the metal barrier on the side of the road. As a result of the collision, the 24-year-old man was injured and is receiving medical help …

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A businessman dies in a car accident

In the early hours of the morning, as a result of an accident in the place called “Kapelja”, 62-year-old Nadir Gjata died. After the incident, the family members, seeing the injuries on the head, raised doubts whether the incident was accidental or intentional, since the bag with personal tools and …

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Ahmetaj Calls for Stronger Transparency and Consumer Protection in Microfinance

Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Natasha Ahmetaj, called for stronger transparency and consumer protection in the microfinance sector. She spoke during the 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre. The event focused on the future of microfinance and its social mission. Ahmetaj said microfinance must remain an …

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Council of Europe Report: Albania Among Countries with Highest Pre-Trial Detention Rates

Council of Europe reports that Albania is among European countries with the highest incarceration and pre-trial detention rates. The findings come from the annual SPACE I report for 2025. The data shows 192 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in Albania. At the same time, prison occupancy remains relatively low. Albania records …

News
Peace Board calls UN Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm

TIRANA, May 20 – The Peace Board, created to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, will ask the United Nations Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm, according to AP. Albania is a member of the Peace Board. A report scheduled for discussion at the Security Council says Hamas’ refusal to surrender …

News
Green light for “Gateway to the Alps” as economy committee approves European Investment Bank funding for northern infrastructure

TIRANA, May 20 – The Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance has approved a draft law that opens the way for financing one of the most important infrastructure projects in northern Albania, known as “Gateway to the Alps”. The committee, led by chair Milva Ekonomi, reviewed the financial agreement between …

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Clear weather across the country with light cloud cover

TIRANA, May 20 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The weather will be clear across the territory. Light and temporary cloud cover will appear in mountainous areas in the east from midday to the afternoon. Wind will blow from the northwest to …

News
PM Rama meets South Korean counterpart Kim Min-seok in Seoul to boost trade, investment and artificial intelligence cooperation

TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok during his visit to South Korea. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Rama said South Korea serves as an inspiration for Albania in national development. He added that both …

News
Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities

Albania aims to reduce development gaps between municipalities through a new territorial reform. Administrative-Territorial Reform Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku spoke during a public hearing in Durrës. He said balanced territorial development remains a major challenge for local government. Mazniku said the 2014 reform brought positive results. He noted better services and …

News
Tax Authorities and IMF Discuss Implementation of Fiscal Peace Measures

Albania’s tax administration met experts from the International Monetary Fund to discuss the implementation of the “Fiscal Peace” package. General Tax Director Ilir Binaj led the meeting in Tirana. The sides reviewed progress on tax reforms. They also discussed the EU Growth Plan, TADAT standards and debt management measures. Officials …

News
Albania to Host Socca European Championship Starting Tomorrow

Albania will officially launch the Socca European Championship tomorrow at the House of Football. Organizers built a modern mini stadium for the event. The venue will host matches from 28 national teams over five days. The tournament will begin at 09:00 with the match between Bulgaria and Ireland. Group stage …

News
Lamallari: Coastal Security and Territorial Control Key Priorities for Tourist Season

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said security and territorial control along Albania’s coastline remain key priorities for the tourist season. Lamallari spoke during a meeting in Sarandë with State Police officials, territorial inspectors and local institutions. He referred to recent events in the coastal city, where authorities detained four police officers …

News

Ahmetaj Calls for Stronger Transparency and Consumer Protection in Microfinance

Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Natasha Ahmetaj, called for stronger transparency and consumer protection in the microfinance sector. She spoke during the 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre. The event focused on the future of microfinance and its social mission. Ahmetaj said microfinance must remain an …

News

Council of Europe Report: Albania Among Countries with Highest Pre-Trial Detention Rates

Council of Europe reports that Albania is among European countries with the highest incarceration and pre-trial detention rates. The findings come from the annual SPACE I report for 2025. The data shows 192 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in Albania. At the same time, prison occupancy remains relatively low. Albania records …

News

Peace Board calls UN Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm

TIRANA, May 20 – The Peace Board, created to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, will ask the United Nations Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm, according to AP. Albania is a member of the Peace Board. A report scheduled for discussion at the Security Council says Hamas’ refusal to surrender …

News

Green light for “Gateway to the Alps” as economy committee approves European Investment Bank funding for northern infrastructure

TIRANA, May 20 – The Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance has approved a draft law that opens the way for financing one of the most important infrastructure projects in northern Albania, known as “Gateway to the Alps”. The committee, led by chair Milva Ekonomi, reviewed the financial agreement between …

News

Clear weather across the country with light cloud cover

TIRANA, May 20 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The weather will be clear across the territory. Light and temporary cloud cover will appear in mountainous areas in the east from midday to the afternoon. Wind will blow from the northwest to …

News

PM Rama meets South Korean counterpart Kim Min-seok in Seoul to boost trade, investment and artificial intelligence cooperation

TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok during his visit to South Korea. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Rama said South Korea serves as an inspiration for Albania in national development. He added that both …

News

Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities

Albania aims to reduce development gaps between municipalities through a new territorial reform. Administrative-Territorial Reform Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku spoke during a public hearing in Durrës. He said balanced territorial development remains a major challenge for local government. Mazniku said the 2014 reform brought positive results. He noted better services and …

News

Tax Authorities and IMF Discuss Implementation of Fiscal Peace Measures

Albania’s tax administration met experts from the International Monetary Fund to discuss the implementation of the “Fiscal Peace” package. General Tax Director Ilir Binaj led the meeting in Tirana. The sides reviewed progress on tax reforms. They also discussed the EU Growth Plan, TADAT standards and debt management measures. Officials …

News

Albania to Host Socca European Championship Starting Tomorrow

Albania will officially launch the Socca European Championship tomorrow at the House of Football. Organizers built a modern mini stadium for the event. The venue will host matches from 28 national teams over five days. The tournament will begin at 09:00 with the match between Bulgaria and Ireland. Group stage …

News

Lamallari: Coastal Security and Territorial Control Key Priorities for Tourist Season

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said security and territorial control along Albania’s coastline remain key priorities for the tourist season. Lamallari spoke during a meeting in Sarandë with State Police officials, territorial inspectors and local institutions. He referred to recent events in the coastal city, where authorities detained four police officers …