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Murder attempt, lawyer survived to shooting, perpetrator arrested

The lawyer Andrea Zotaj miraculously escaped an assassination attempt on Thursday evening in Memaliaj.  A 36-year old man, later identified as Fatos Lamaj, shot him while moving with his vehicle and his nephew. Lawyer said that he could survived the bullets making dangerous maneuvers with his vehicle, thanking God for …

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Drug trafficking from the USA to Albania by mail, two arrested in Tirana

Two people have been arrested in Tirana as part of the police operation codenamed “California”. The youths, 24 years old and 27 years old, have trafficked narcotics with a high percentage of THC, from the USA to Albania, through the postal service. As material evidence, 3 kg and 200 grams …

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Blerina Bala is elected the head of Himara Municipality

Blerina Bala is in charge of Himara Municipality. Bala was elected with the approval of the Municipal Council, after the arrest of Jorgo Goro, who resigned from the position of acting mayor. In addition to the councilors of the SP, the councilors of the “Together we win” coalition, of Berisha …

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Special Appeal Court for corruption and organized crime orders SPAK to investigate former mayor of Kavaja, Elvis Roshi

The Special Court ordered the Special Prosecutor’s Office to withdraw the file against Elvis Roshi, the former mayor of Kavaja, and to continue investigations for abuse of duty, reports journalist Ermal Vija. In 2017, Rroshi was accused by KLSH of two abusive tenders worth 33 million ALL, but the Durres …

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A 38 year old arrested for cultivating cannabis

One person has been put in handcuffs and another has been declared wanted in Shkodër, as part of the coded police operation “Luarza 1”. The arrested Naser Lohja and Pllumb Lohja, wanted, in the village of Liarzë, had planted cannabis sativa narcotic seeds and saplings in cubes, with the aim …

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Dialogue group for ‘reforms’ meeting, criminal amnesty is discussed

After the agreement reached between the SP and Reestablishment, the dialogue group for ‘Reforms’ will meet for the first time this Monday. ABC News reporter Esiona Konomi reports that the dialogue group has 3 members from the majority and 3 from the opposition. Meanwhile, DP of Basha has refused to …

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Allowed illegal constructions, 12 officials, police officers and owners condemned

Twelve people have been sentenced for allowing construction without a permit in Lushnje. ABC News reporter Valbona Davidhi reports that among those convicted are two chief inspectors and two inspectors of IKMT. Gjergji Mwhilli, Isa Buzi, Kudret Sulo and Xhezmi Zlali were sentenced to 4 months in prison. “We are …

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Former mayor Fran Tuci, is released from prison

The former mayor of Fushe Arrezi Fran Tuci, convicted of abuse of duty, together with his two associates Durim Margjekaj and Ndoc Marku, is released from prison. Tuci has served the sentence of 1 year and 6 months with the time spent in custody. GJKKO accepted the request of the …

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AIIS brings ‘A Concise History of Greece’ in Albanian, Tirana event launches book with author and Greek Embassy

TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – A launch event for the Albanian language edition of “A Concise History of Greece” has generated wide interest in the book, which brings a detailed overview of modern Greece’s political, economic and social developments to local readers.  The latest edition of the book by renowned …

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Reflecting renewed emigration wave, remittances to Albania reached record high in 2023

TIRANA, March 28, 2024 – Money sent home by Albanians working abroad saw a significant increase in 2023, reaching the highest historical level since 2008, according to the latest data reported by Albania’s central bank.  Remittances were almost 930 million euros in 2023, with an 11.3 percent increase compared to …

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Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …

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Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …

News
Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …

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Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …

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PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …

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From the Nile to the Balkans

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …

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Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

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ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News
Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News
Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …

News

Albania and European Commission to sign agreement on EU staff exchanges in September

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania will sign an agreement with the European Commission in September to allow Albanian public officials to work for fixed periods at European Union institutions, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni said. Pirdeni said the initiative will strengthen the skills of Albania’s …

News

Government allocates €65 mln support package for local authorities

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s government will provide an additional €65 million to strengthen local government capacity and improve public services across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the funding forms part of the 2026 budget amendments approved through a normative act. The package supports investment in basic …

News

Electronic communications authority completes 10 of 11 parliamentary recommendations

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Electronic and Postal Communications Authority has completed 10 of 11 recommendations issued by Parliament while continuing to align the country’s electronic communications legislation with European Union rules. Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, the authority’s chairman, Gentian Sala, said the …

News

Foreign minister Hoxha: Public administration undergoing deep transformation toward European Union standards

TIRANA, July 3 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said Albania’s public administration is undergoing a deep transformation. He linked the process to preparations for European Union membership. He spoke at the third edition of Public Administration Week. The event carried the theme “Public Service for a European Albania.” He said …

News

PM Rama: National Flight School opens, training and certification also for NATO and Kosova pilots

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the opening of the National Flight School. He described it as an ambitious project for the modernization of the Armed Forces. He said the initiative was initially met with humour and scepticism. However, Rama added that the project has now become …

News

From the Nile to the Balkans

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, July 3, 2026 – If you sit by the banks of the Nile on a quiet afternoon and allow its serene flow to guide your thoughts, you realize that the water remembers not only the lands it traverses, but also the people who shaped …

News

Week in Review: Hopes, Schemes and Stand-Offs

While some countries in the region dare to hope that they might join the EU in the near future, BIRN’s selection of Premium stories this week suggests others remain stuck in their usual deadlock. Original post Here

News

ALL 8.9 billion added to health and social welfare budget, focus on salary increases

TIRANA, July 3 – The health and social welfare budget for 2026 increases by 8.9 billion lek compared with the initial projection for the same year. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection records this as the largest increase for the sector. The ministry says the additional funding aims to …

News

Albania completes EU energy legal obligations under EU negotiation Chapter 15

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania has fulfilled all legal obligations under the European Union’s Chapter 15 on energy after Parliament approved the new electricity sector law, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said at the Energy Community Ministerial in Prishtina. Karakaçi said the legislation completes the country’s legal package and …

News

Durrës Port Authority assists disabled Maltese yacht

TIRANA, July 3 – The Durrës Port Authority successfully coordinated a towing operation for the Maltese-flagged yacht Infinity Nine after it reported engine failure at sea. The authority said the yacht requested assistance about 20 nautical miles west of Bisht Palla. Meanwhile, the operation became possible through cooperation with the …