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Three arrested and one under investigation for gambling

Three people have been arrested and another has been put under investigation for the criminal offense of “Organizing or practicing gambling activities in violation of the law”. According to the police, these persons, aged 51, 44, 41 and 45 years old, practiced the illegal activity of gambling in a bar. …

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The murder of Pjerin Xhuvani in Elbasan, experts begin the crime scene reconstruction

Three experts, two of whom are independent, are expected to reconstruct the scene of the crime that occurred on the eve of the 2021 parliamentary elections in Elbasan, based on a decision of the Court of Appeal. The three experts who will reconstruct the crime scene are Arjan Hanko, from …

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Tirana, five arrested with 11 ‘AK-47 ‘ in Car

Five people have been arrested this Tuesday in Tirana, after police found 11 weapons type ‘ Avtomat Kalashnikova’ or AK-47 in the baggage of their vehicle. Their arrested was made in the area of ‘Fresku’ in capital and police suspects that the weapons come from Shkodra to be sold in …

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Arrested for the alienation of properties, Jorgo Goro appears today before court

The mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, has arrived at the Court, where he will be introduced to the security measure. ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that the session is expected to start at 11:30 and Judge Rudina Palloi will attend the session. “Three people have been arrested, including Jorgo …

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Igli Hasani meets with Pope Francis at Vatican

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani was hosted at the Holy See in a private audience by Pope Francis. Hasani, on behalf of the Albanian government and state, praised the efforts of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church to maintain peace, stability and harmony between religious …

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Two remote control mines and C4 explosives are seized, a 24-year-old man is arrested

A 24-year-old from Fushë-Kruja, who was caught with two remote-controlled mines while transporting them towards Lezha, will remain in prison indefinitely. Arkil Selimi was introduced to the security measure at the Court of Lezha and in the session with closed doors, it is learned that he did not give any …

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In Himara’s lucrative coastline, land deals lead to acting mayor’s arrest and political limbo

TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – Himara Municipality, which has one of the most commercially lucrative tourist coastlines in Albania, saw its acting mayor arrested over the weekend, as Jorgo Goro, a representative of the ruling Socialist Party, faces charges of allowing the irregular registration of two coastal properties through forged …

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Albania ranks least happy in Europe, again, UN report finds

TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – Albania might be experiencing a tourism boom – but its residents remain Europe’s most unhappy people, according to an annual UN report published last week. Despite a slight improvement in its ranking compared to the previous year, with Albania climbing from 91st to 87th place …

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SPAK seizes the apartment and vehicle of the former judge of Elbasan

An apartment and a vehicle owned by the former judge of Elbasan, Ilir Pashaj, have been seized. The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) immediately started the property investigation after the arrest of Pashaj, who was involved in a corrupt affair with judge Zamira Vyshka. Pashaj practiced the profession of lawyer at …

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Director of University Hospital Center, Albana Fico discharged

The University Hospital Center in Albania, informed for the removal of the director, Albana Fico this Monday morning. No reasons were made public, but Fico will no longer be on the top of this institution. She was appointed three years ago, replacing in this post former director Enkelejd Joti. She …

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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 …

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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 …

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Summer Afternoon Draws Crowds of Tourists to Durrës

Durrës continues to attract local and foreign tourists, who enjoy the city’s beaches, seaside atmosphere, and cultural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of residents and visitors spending a summer afternoon in the city center and along the Taulantia Promenade, known as the Vollga area. The city recently transformed …

News
Special anti-corruption prosecution chief: Strategy targets 70% cut in case backlog

TIRANA, July 3 – Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) chief Klodian Braho said the institution has finalized its strategy against organized crime and aims to reduce its case backlog by more than 70%. Reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration on SPAK’s 2025 activity, Braho …

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PM Rama: Albania develops first artificial intelligence model for public procurement

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence model for public procurement, describing the project as a major step toward improving the management of public funds and eliminating problems linked to tenders and contracts. Speaking during Public Administration Week, Rama said …

News
Former Kosova President Thaçi sends message to citizens

TIRANA, July 3 – Former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi has sent a message to Kosova’s citizens through Bedri Hamza following a meeting between the two. Hamza said in a social media post that Thaçi asked him to convey his warmest greetings to all citizens. He added that they ended their …

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Valbona Valley draws global travelers to Albania’s wild north

TIRANA, July 3 – Valbona Valley unfolds in the high folds of the Albanian Alps as a vast natural amphitheatre of stone, forest, and ice-cold water. A crystal-clear river cuts through the valley and shapes its dramatic northern identity. The Valbona River runs fast and clear. It reflects shifting tones …

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 …

News

Summer Afternoon Draws Crowds of Tourists to Durrës

Durrës continues to attract local and foreign tourists, who enjoy the city’s beaches, seaside atmosphere, and cultural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of residents and visitors spending a summer afternoon in the city center and along the Taulantia Promenade, known as the Vollga area. The city recently transformed …

News

Special anti-corruption prosecution chief: Strategy targets 70% cut in case backlog

TIRANA, July 3 – Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) chief Klodian Braho said the institution has finalized its strategy against organized crime and aims to reduce its case backlog by more than 70%. Reporting to Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration on SPAK’s 2025 activity, Braho …

News

PM Rama: Albania develops first artificial intelligence model for public procurement

TIRANA, July 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence model for public procurement, describing the project as a major step toward improving the management of public funds and eliminating problems linked to tenders and contracts. Speaking during Public Administration Week, Rama said …

News

Former Kosova President Thaçi sends message to citizens

TIRANA, July 3 – Former Kosova President Hashim Thaçi has sent a message to Kosova’s citizens through Bedri Hamza following a meeting between the two. Hamza said in a social media post that Thaçi asked him to convey his warmest greetings to all citizens. He added that they ended their …

News

Valbona Valley draws global travelers to Albania’s wild north

TIRANA, July 3 – Valbona Valley unfolds in the high folds of the Albanian Alps as a vast natural amphitheatre of stone, forest, and ice-cold water. A crystal-clear river cuts through the valley and shapes its dramatic northern identity. The Valbona River runs fast and clear. It reflects shifting tones …