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Vengu welcomes Britain’s special envoy for the Western Balkans

Minister of Defense Mr. Pirro Vengu received in a special meeting the special envoy of the United Kingdom in the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach, who came to Albania, as part of the Joint Exercise “Austere Wolf – 24”. Minister Vengu and Lord Stuart Peach highly appreciated the interaction between …

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An employee of IMT detained for abuse of duty and corruption

The police of Elbasan have detained 51-year-old Gentian Bako, an employee of IMT in this city, after he was declared wanted for corruption and abuse of office. Regarding the 51-year-old, SPAK ordered his arrest on May 29 for the criminal offenses “Passive corruption of persons exercising public functions” and “Abuse …

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Even in Cases of Convicted Criminals, Albania’s Asset Seizures Aren’t Working

A sprawling seafront hotel and 18 apartments remain in the hands of relatives of convicted drug Albanian smuggler Kelmend Balili, despite previously being seized under a law designed to crack down on the proceeds of crime. Original post Here

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Share Your Experience: Open Data in the Western Balkans

Have you had experiences with open data such as government statistics websites or scientific data portals? Are these platforms user-friendly or too complex to navigate? Tell us about it. Original post Here

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Rama meeting with Albanians in New York: Our image in the world has changed

Prime Minister Edi Rama is in New York, where he is having a meeting with representatives of 100 associations of Albanians in America, at the invitation of the well-known Albanian activist and head of the National Diaspora Council, Mark Gjonaj. During his speech, he said that the image of Albanians …

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Muslim state inside capital, Rama: Irreversible decision, but will take time

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted through a post on the X platform to the criticism of the idea of ​​creating a muslim state in Tirana, saying that they have crossed the limits of fantasy and mischief. The head of the Albanian government says that the time has come for …

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A police officer was drowned in Shkonder

A serious event was recorded in Shkodër, where an FNSH officer was found drowned. The 51-year-old man was found drowned in a canal in Bardhaj village, Rrethina administrative unit. The event is reported as accidental as the officer was riding a motorcycle when he lost control and fell into the …

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Heavy rain in Shkodra, flooding and power outage in some areas

The high-intensity rainfall during 24 hours in the region of Shkodra has caused some problems. The Mosel-Reç and Muçaj-Reç axes in the Shkrel administrative unit of the Great Highlands are blocked and impassable for vehicles, making it impossible to transport students to school In the Kastrat unit, roads are blocked …

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Durres/ A 29 year old arrested for trying to rob a bank

A 29-year-old man was arrested in Durres as part of the police operation codenamed “Exchange”. Florenc Deda tried to forcefully take a sum of money from the cash register of a second level bank but he could not. During his departure, he forcibly took 500,000 ALL in an exchange. From …

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Hasani: Albania, committed to the fight against extremism

In the side meeting co-organized by Albania, on the situation in northeastern Syria, within the framework of the UN General Assembly’s High Level Week, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, emphasized that the Albanian institutions have adopted and implemented successfully a model for identifying and combating violent …

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SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …

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Another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII opens, works continue on Elbasan–Qafë Thana road

TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …

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New Road Code measures enter into force, stricter penalties for traffic violations

TIRANA, August 7 – New amendments to Albania’s Road Code entered into force today. The changes introduce stricter measures for traffic violations to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Drivers who repeatedly operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol will permanently lose their driving licence. The new rules also …

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Public consultations begin on new territorial map

TIRANA, August 7 – Cërrik and Maliq municipalities have started public consultations on the new territorial map. The proposal would reduce the number of municipalities in Albania from 61 to 46. Cërrik Municipality said it launched the process after receiving a notification from Parliament. The consultation period on the draft …

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Albania advances in implementing EU Growth Plan

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania continues to make progress in implementing reforms linked to European integration and has received financial support under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. According to the EU-funded platform “WEBALKANS_eu”, Albania has made strong and sustainable progress. The platform said the country has …

News
Football Federation approves Elite Youth Academy participation in youth championships

TIRANA, August 7 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) has approved the participation of Elite Youth Academy teams in the Abissnet Superiore U-16 and U-17 championships for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 seasons. The decision aims to strengthen youth football development and create more opportunities for young …

News
Defense Minister thanks firefighters battling wildfires

TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi shared footage today from the firefighting operation in the Mount Dajti area and praised the commitment and sacrifice of personnel working on the ground. Nufi said in a social media post that emergency structures and Armed Forces personnel provide protection for citizens, …

News
Foreign tourists praise Durrës for hospitality, beaches and affordable prices

TIRANA, August 7 – Foreign tourists visiting Durrës during the summer season have praised the city’s beaches, hospitality, affordable prices and relaxing atmosphere. Visitors from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic said they had a positive experience and considered Durrës an attractive destination for …

News
Financial Times: PM Rama says Albania has clear path to EU membership

TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has a clear path toward European Union membership in an interview with the Financial Times, which examined the European Union’s renewed enlargement agenda. Rama said the country is in one of the strongest positions in its modern history. He added …

News
Business turnover rises by ALL 127 billion in first half of 2026

TIRANA, August 7 – Business turnover across Albania’s main economic sectors increased by ALL 127 billion during the first half of 2026, reflecting stronger economic activity, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj said business turnover rose by 7% compared with the same period in 2025. He added that the figures …

News

SPAK Brings New Charges Against Former Deputy PM Balluku

Tirana Times, August 07, 2026 — Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime has brought new allegations against former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, widening one of the most politically sensitive investigations since the country launched its justice reform. Balluku appeared before the special prosecution office, known as SPAK, …

News

Another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII opens, works continue on Elbasan–Qafë Thana road

TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that another section of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII has opened for traffic as works continue on the Elbasan–Qafë Thana road axis. The new section stretches from the exit of Labinot-Fushë village to beyond Miraka village. It includes two lanes for both …

News

New Road Code measures enter into force, stricter penalties for traffic violations

TIRANA, August 7 – New amendments to Albania’s Road Code entered into force today. The changes introduce stricter measures for traffic violations to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Drivers who repeatedly operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol will permanently lose their driving licence. The new rules also …

News

Public consultations begin on new territorial map

TIRANA, August 7 – Cërrik and Maliq municipalities have started public consultations on the new territorial map. The proposal would reduce the number of municipalities in Albania from 61 to 46. Cërrik Municipality said it launched the process after receiving a notification from Parliament. The consultation period on the draft …

News

Albania advances in implementing EU Growth Plan

TIRANA, August 7 – Albania continues to make progress in implementing reforms linked to European integration and has received financial support under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. According to the EU-funded platform “WEBALKANS_eu”, Albania has made strong and sustainable progress. The platform said the country has …

News

Football Federation approves Elite Youth Academy participation in youth championships

TIRANA, August 7 – The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) has approved the participation of Elite Youth Academy teams in the Abissnet Superiore U-16 and U-17 championships for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 seasons. The decision aims to strengthen youth football development and create more opportunities for young …

News

Defense Minister thanks firefighters battling wildfires

TIRANA, August 7 – Defense Minister Ermal Nufi shared footage today from the firefighting operation in the Mount Dajti area and praised the commitment and sacrifice of personnel working on the ground. Nufi said in a social media post that emergency structures and Armed Forces personnel provide protection for citizens, …

News

Foreign tourists praise Durrës for hospitality, beaches and affordable prices

TIRANA, August 7 – Foreign tourists visiting Durrës during the summer season have praised the city’s beaches, hospitality, affordable prices and relaxing atmosphere. Visitors from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic said they had a positive experience and considered Durrës an attractive destination for …

News

Financial Times: PM Rama says Albania has clear path to EU membership

TIRANA, August 7 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has a clear path toward European Union membership in an interview with the Financial Times, which examined the European Union’s renewed enlargement agenda. Rama said the country is in one of the strongest positions in its modern history. He added …

News

Business turnover rises by ALL 127 billion in first half of 2026

TIRANA, August 7 – Business turnover across Albania’s main economic sectors increased by ALL 127 billion during the first half of 2026, reflecting stronger economic activity, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj said business turnover rose by 7% compared with the same period in 2025. He added that the figures …