Majority votes draft laws amid chaos
Speaker of the Assembly, Lindita Nikolla, started this Thursday the voting of several draft laws and agreements amid the chaos of the session. MP of the Socialist Party (SP), Ermonela Felaj, demanded the overthrow of several draft laws proposed by the opposition. With 75 votes against, all opposition proposals were …
Kukes, man arrested after punching bank director
A 41-year-old man from Kosovo was arrested this Wednesday in Kukës, during the police operation codenamed “Office”. This citizen punched the director of a bank in the city, because of his duty, and then left the bank. After being stopped by the Police, during the control of his vehicle, 16,813 …
Meta summoned by SPAK on CEZ-DIA affair
Chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta appeared this Wednesday at the doors of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime. Asked by journalists what he was summoned, Meta briefly said that he was summoned for a “telenovela that has been tried a couple of times”, referring to …
Latest update on bad weather situation
Bad weather has engulfed the entire territory of Albania this Wednesday. In an announcement, the Ministry of Defense revealed the most problematic areas as a result of heavy rains. “The return of intense rainfall in a large part of the country’s territory has created several problems. The forces are working …
EC’s annual report on Albania’s integration progress published
European Commission has published the annual report on EU enlargement policies 2023 for Albania, which will be presented by the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. In the report, it is estimated that in terms of political …
Cars crash on Elbasan-Peqin road, no victims
A car accident was registered on the Elbasan-Peqin road segment this Wednesday morning. Two vehicles collided in the village of Vidhas. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but there was only material damage. Cause of the accident is suspected to be speed and loss of control, also influenced by the moisture …
Heavy raining caused problems in Lezha
District of Lezha has been affected by rain of medium intensity during the night hours until the morning of this Wednesday. According to the data of the Military Meteorological Service, Gjadër and the Regional Directorate of Irrigation and Drainage have received an average of 36 mm of rain. Problems are …
Meta summoned at SPAK
The chairman of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, appears at the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that the head of the Freedom Party was presented this Wednesday in connection with the “CEZ-DIA” file. Journalist Vija underlined that Meta appeared at SPAK alone, without a defense …
Migration Management – a weight too Big for the EU but not for Albania
How it is that such a burden comes to Albania’s poor shores will be an outstanding mystery loaded with doubt and resentment. The absurd and dystopian reality of migration detention centres are the topic of an interesting and haunting Netflix series called ‘Stateless’ which explores the cruelties of the migration …
Editorial: A risky charade: Albanian PM’s deal with Italy to host EU’s irregular migrants is wrong and impractical
The controversial deal between the Albanian PM and Italian counterpart is wrong and risky for Albania as well as impractical for Italy. TIRANA TIMES EDITORIAL Eureka! At a stroke of a pen, the problem of irregular migration to the EU through Italy from Africa and the Middle East appears solved. …
TIRANA, June 4 – Representatives of the Albanian Customs Administration took part in a regional meeting on firearms trafficking held on 2–3 June in Sarajevo. The event took place under the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) project. It also …
TIRANA, June 4 – Albania lost 0–1 to Israel in a friendly match at “Air Albania” stadium in Tirana. The result marked an unsuccessful start to the new era under Italian coach Rolando Maran. Maran started Anis Mehmeti in attack alongside Armando Broja and used Qazim Laçi in an advanced …
TIRANA, June 4 – Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi concluded a parliamentary diplomacy tour of the Baltic states with an official visit to Lithuania, where officials reaffirmed support for Albania’s European Union membership process and its bid to host a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in 2027. During meetings with Lithuanian …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj held a meeting with the head of the International Monetary Fund mission for Albania, Diego Cerdeiro, as part of regular consultations on economic and fiscal developments. During the meeting, both sides discussed the performance of the Albanian economy. They noted that it continues to show stable …
TIRANA, June 4 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said nature protection should not stand in opposition to development. He said both objectives can advance together through responsible planning and architecture. Rama made the remarks at the second edition of the Bread & Heart festival in Tirana. Speaking at the event, …
TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the discovery of significant archaeological remains near Lushnja. He said specialists identified a new archaeological site in the village of Zgjana. According to Gonxhja, experts from the National Institute of Cultural Heritage worked with the Department of Archaeology …
TIRANA, June 4 – Albania’s Construction Cost Index rose 1.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the INSTAT, Albania’s Institute of Statistics. According to the institute, higher labour costs drove the annual increase. The “Wage Expenses” group rose 4.8%. In …
TIRANA, June 4 – Tourism in Shkodër has recorded a significant increase in recent years, strengthening the local economy and boosting activity across hotels, gastronomy, trade and tourism services. According to the Director of Tourism at Shkodër Municipality, Renato Lumçi, visitor numbers rose by 30% in the first five months …
TIRANA, June 4 – The Tax Administration has set 5 June 2026 as the deadline for applications to the Fiscal Peace Agreement and called on taxpayers to meet all legal conditions. The procedure runs online through the “e-filing” system. Meanwhile, the process covers registered taxpayers, including individuals and business entities …
The fourth edition of the Tirana European Youth Film Festival starts today at the “Agimi” art center in the capital. The festival will bring several days of European films for young audiences and film lovers. The festival promotes contemporary European cinema, supports young filmmakers, and encourages cultural dialogue through film. …