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SPAK finished probe on former Mayor of Durres

Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) closed this Thursday the investigations for the former mayor of Durrës, Vangjush Dako, and for the other defendants, who are accused of abuse of office in two cases. Eleven people have been charged, while only one has been requested by the prosecution to dismiss the case, …

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2024 budget approved despite chaos in parliament

2024 budget has been approved this Thursday morning with 74 votes in favor, while the session closes after 8 minutes due to the tensions. At the launch of today’s plenary session, the opposition MPs clashed with the Guard of the Republic, which has been put on standby to ensure the …

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40 arrested, 50 prosecuted in operation against illegal gambling

Cybercrime in Tirana’s Police Department has arrested at least 40 people and has proceeded with 50 others at large. These measures have been taken as part of the operation launched on Wednesday evening against gambling. ABC News journalist Ervin Leka reports that the police action has been extended to all …

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Former PM Berisha’s son summoned by court for Gerdec file

Court summoned this Thursday Shkëlzen Berisha, the son of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, to testify in the process for the Gerdeci file. In today’s session, together with Shkëlzen Berisha, the court decided to call former minister Aldo Bumci as a witness. Today’s session was postponed due to the absence …

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Man accused of involvement in former cop’s assassination denies knowing him

Blendi Teta, a person who is accused of having knowledge about the murder of ex-policeman Santiago Malko on August 27, 2019, testified this Wednesday in the court process in charge of Leonard and Elis Duka, Fatmir Hysen, Oltion Logut, Aleksandër Manxhak and Dritan Agaj. Teta answered the questions of the …

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Rama: Albania needs luxury tourism

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared this Wednesday that Albania needs luxury tourism, so that the income of ordinary people in the country can have a greater income. In his speech during the presentation of the three finalist ideas of the International Competition of the Multifunctional Center and Information Stations for …

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Man that provided ammo, bulletproof vests to criminals busted in Shkodra

A base with illegal materials, which would be used for criminal events, was found in Shkodër, the Police announced this Wednesday. Among the items seized were 7 bulletproof vests, 2 pairs of gloves, 3 masks, 2 wigs, combat ammunition, 1 metal shell, 1 shotgun and other illegal items, as well …

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Rama-Meloni deal, opposition MPs hampered blocked commission

Opposition MPs have blocked the work in the Security Committee this Wednesday, where the discussion on the agreement with Italy for immigrants was expected to start. Members of Parliament did not allow the start of the meeting, while the democrat Flamur Noka sat in the chair of the commission. After …

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Man who stalked, abused young woman arrested in Tirana

A person was arrested this Wednesday morning in Tirana during the “Following” coded police operation. This citizen, 33 years old, a resident of Lushnje, stalked a 24-year-old woman, abused her and threatened her to withdraw the report she filed against him a few days ago. His arrest was made by …

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Deputy Mayor of Kukes suspended on corruption charges

Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) suspended this Wednesday the deputy mayor of Kukes Municipality, Granit Gjana, on the charge of violation of tenders equality. According to SPAK, Ghana, in violation of the law, did not provide an authorization for the use of fuels to an entity competing for a tender worth …

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Albania advances EU integration work with more than 20 draft laws for Chapters 16 and 29

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …

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Vlora Airport Heads to Arbitration

Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …

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High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings

TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …

News
Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …

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“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec

TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …

News
Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …

News
Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …

News
Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007

TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …

News
High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …

News
Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …

News

Albania advances EU integration work with more than 20 draft laws for Chapters 16 and 29

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania is stepping up work on its European Union integration process, with more than 20 draft laws already prepared for Chapters 16 and 29. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj said the first half of 2026 brought heavy workloads and strategic tasks, but EU integration remained a …

News

Vlora Airport Heads to Arbitration

Albania faces another potentially costly international dispute after losing several arbitration cases in recent years that have exposed the state to hundreds of millions of euros in compensation and related liabilities. Tirana Times, August 10, 2026 – Albania is no stranger to costly international arbitration. Over the past decade, the …

News

High passenger and vehicle flows at Albania’s ports and border crossings

TIRANA, August 10 – High passenger and vehicle flows continue at Albania’s ports and border crossing points (BCP-s) during the peak tourist season. Thousands of people and vehicles have entered and left the country in recent hours. At the Port of Vlora, around 2,700 passengers are expected today on 3 …

News

Inflation rises to 3.4% in July, transport leads price increases at 8%

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in July 2026, from 2.5% in July 2025. Consumer prices also increased by 0.2% from June. According to INSTAT data, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation at 1.18 percentage points. The group covering housing, …

News

“Mokra n’Fest” brings tradition and culture together in Pogradec

TIRANA, August 10 – Tradition, history and local cuisine came together at the 7th edition of “Mokra n’Fest”, held near the stone bridge in Golikë, Pogradec. The festival brought together local residents, visitors and emigrants who returned to their hometowns. An artisan fair and traditional food highlighted local products, including …

News

Durrës Port records more than 75,000 passengers in first 10 days of August

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës Port recorded high passenger traffic during the first 10 days of August, as the summer travel season reached its peak. According to the Durrës Port Authority, 75,962 passengers travelled through the port between August 1 and 10. Most of the traffic involved arrivals, with 51,259 …

News

Foreign tourists fill Durrës, praising beaches, hospitality and prices

TIRANA, August 10 – Durrës remains a popular choice for foreign tourists spending their summer holidays in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared a video today featuring visitors from Germany, the Netherlands, England, the Czech Republic, Italy and other countries. Rama said the city’s sea, history, culture and Albanian hospitality …

News

Problem loans fall to 3.7% in June, lowest level since 2007

TIRANA, August 10 – Problem loans in Albania’s banking system fell again in June. They accounted for 3.7% of total lending, down from 3.77% in May. According to Bank of Albania statistics, this marks the lowest level since 2007. The ratio also fell by 0.31 percentage points from June 2025. …

News

High wildfire risk in 5 municipalities as temperatures reach 40°C

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania faces a high wildfire risk this afternoon and tomorrow, with temperatures reaching 40°C. The Institute of Geosciences (IGJEO) has placed 5 counties under a high-risk warning for forest fires. The warning covers Lezha, Durrës, Tirana, Elbasan and Fier. IGJEO expects a moderate risk in Shkodër, …

News

Albania handles more than 240,000 flights through July

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania’s civil aviation sector is recording new highs in 2026 as summer tourism drives passenger and flight traffic. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi visited the public company Albcontrol today, to review measures for managing the increased air traffic. Albcontrol Director Dritan Isaku said the organisation …