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Seven arrested as 500 kg of drugs get busted in Vlora

A criminal cannabis trafficking group has been destroyed in Vlora, after an anti-drug operation carried out during the night until the early hours of the morning. According to the sources, about 500 kilograms of cannabis were seized and seven people were arrested. Two vans and two vehicles were seized during …

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Korca judge left to four years in prison for corruption

Special Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence of 4 years and 6 months in prison for Mimoza Margjeka, the judge of the Korçë Appeal, for the charge of “corruption”. On December 15 of last year, the Court gave this measure of punishment, which was suspended and converted into 3 …

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Balla vows for inter-institution coop to prevent violence

Interior Minister Taulant Balla said this Tuesday that there will be absolutely no lack of cooperation between institutions to prevent incidents of violence that can lead to tragedies. During his speech from the conference on the protection of “victims of crime”, where the international cross-sectoral strategy 2024-2023 is being presented, …

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Rama: About ten million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2023

During 2023, Albania has welcomed 9.54 million foreign visitors, Prime Minister Edi Rama informed this Monday, adding that only during the month of November, 547 thousand foreign tourists visited Albania. In a social media statement, PM Rama emphasized that these are proofs that Albania is being visited in every season …

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German citizen caught with 30,000 undeclared euro in Rinas

Two cases of smuggling and one of non-declaration of money at the border were dealt with this Monday by police authorities. A German citizen was criminally prosecuted for the case of non-declaration of the money. Meanwhile, the amount of 30,000 euros that he did not declare at the exit of …

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Luxurious vehicle burned in Shkodra

A luxurious vehicle was partially burned in the early hours of Monday morning in Shkoder. Police revealed that the “Range Rover” type vehicle is owned by a 58-year-old resident of America. On its part, the investigative group led by the Prosecutor’s Office is working to determine the cause of the …

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Two injured and six cars crash on nation’s highway

Six vehicles collided this Monday morning, on Nation’s Highway, near the village of Blinisht. According to the police, as a result of the collision, material damage was caused and two people were slightly injured. Following the massive accident, police services went to the scene and are working to determine the …

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Elbasan, teen busted transporting drugs

A 19-year-old was arrested in Elbasan after he was caught transporting a quantity of narcotics. Drugs were found hidden in the vehicle driven by the young man, as announced Monday. On their part, the authorities have identified the owner of this vehicle and the work to catch him is ongoing./abcnews.al …

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12 incinerator defendants to appear before Special Court

2 people arrested by order of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), are expected to appear before the court this Monday at 10:30, for the Tirana Incinerator affair. Earlier on, the Special Prosecutor’s Office issued 15 arrest warrants, after the investigations started for the concession awarding procedures …

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Opposition warns blocking of parliament work on approving 2024 budget

Opposition has once again warned of chaos and blocking the work of the Assembly, while this Thursday it is expected that the 2024 budget will be approved, article by article and in its entirety. Six opposition MPs will not be present at the session, as they were expelled for 10 …

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The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

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UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

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Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

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Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

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Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

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US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

News
Speaker Peleshi in Netherlands, support reaffirmed for faster EU negotiation process

TIRANA, June 16 – Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he met Speaker of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen, Senate President Mei Li Vos, and members of the European Affairs Committee. The visit comes at …

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PM Rama to attend Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, focus on investment and EU path

TIRANA, June 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, one of the key platforms for economic and political dialogue between Germany and Eastern European countries. The Media and Information Agency said Rama will also meet members of the committee’s board …

News
Israeli photographer captures Vjosa river landscapes in Albania

TIRANA, June 16 – Natural landscapes across Albania continue to attract visitors from around the world. Unspoiled rivers, mountains, and rural scenery are shaping growing interest among photographers who seek less-explored Mediterranean destinations. Iris from Israel is among them. She is a photographer with more than 40 years of professional …

News
Lezha and Bra sign twinning agreement

TIRANA, June 16 – The Municipality of Lezha and the Municipality of Bra in Italy signed a twinning agreement that aims to strengthen ties between the two communities and expand cooperation in several areas. Lezha Mayor Pjerin Ndreu and Bra Mayor Giovanni Fogliato signed the agreement in the presence of …

News

The False Civil Society and the Real One

In Albania, real civic society is no longer in donor-funded conference rooms. It is in the streets. By Mrika Temali Tirana Times, June 16, 2026 – Thirty-five years after the fall of communism, Albania offers a bitter paradox. The European Union, Western governments and international foundations have spent millions indeed …

News

UEFA Inspects Albania’s Stadiums Ahead of EURO U-21 2027

UEFA representatives continued inspections in Albania as preparations advance for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2027, which Albania will co-host. First, UEFA experts visited stadiums over a four-day inspection tour. They assessed technical and operational readiness for the tournament. They focused on lighting systems, backup generators, security measures, and other …

News

Housing prices continue to rise as tourism drives property market demand

TIRANA, June 16 – Housing prices in Albania continued to rise during 2025. At the same time, transaction volumes fell in the second half of the year. The Bank of Albania said the trend requires more time and data to determine whether it reflects a slowdown or a correction after …

News

Fuel prices cut, diesel at 180 ALL per litre, petrol at 168 ALL per litre

TIRANA, June 16 – The Transparency Board has decided to reduce fuel prices in Albania. It cut diesel by 3 ALL per litre and petrol by 2 ALL per litre. Under the decision, diesel will sell at a maximum retail price of 180 ALL per litre. The board set the …

News

Albania U-19 Draw Armenia and Cyprus in Euro 2027 Qualifiers

Albania’s U-19 national team learned its opponents for the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship 2027 qualifiers. UEFA held the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. It placed Albania U-19 in Group 6 of League B. First, Albania will face Armenia and Cyprus in the group stage. The team will …

News

US signals “adjustment of contribution” to KFOR mission

TIRANA, June 16 – The United States is expected to adjust its contribution to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosova. The move comes as part of a broader review of the Alliance’s military presence in the country. A US European Command (EUCOM) official told Radio Free Europe that the decision follows …

News

Speaker Peleshi in Netherlands, support reaffirmed for faster EU negotiation process

TIRANA, June 16 – Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Niko Peleshi has paid an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, where he met Speaker of the House of Representatives Thom van Campen, Senate President Mei Li Vos, and members of the European Affairs Committee. The visit comes at …

News

PM Rama to attend Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, focus on investment and EU path

TIRANA, June 16 – Prime Minister Edi Rama will take part in the Eastern Committee Annual Conference in Berlin, one of the key platforms for economic and political dialogue between Germany and Eastern European countries. The Media and Information Agency said Rama will also meet members of the committee’s board …

News

Israeli photographer captures Vjosa river landscapes in Albania

TIRANA, June 16 – Natural landscapes across Albania continue to attract visitors from around the world. Unspoiled rivers, mountains, and rural scenery are shaping growing interest among photographers who seek less-explored Mediterranean destinations. Iris from Israel is among them. She is a photographer with more than 40 years of professional …

News

Lezha and Bra sign twinning agreement

TIRANA, June 16 – The Municipality of Lezha and the Municipality of Bra in Italy signed a twinning agreement that aims to strengthen ties between the two communities and expand cooperation in several areas. Lezha Mayor Pjerin Ndreu and Bra Mayor Giovanni Fogliato signed the agreement in the presence of …