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Bus owner arrested over undeclared money at the border

This Monday morning, 121,680 undeclared euros were seized at the Port of Durres. The money was found hidden in the roof of the bus, of the “Durres-Bari-Durres” line. For this reason, the owner of the bus, Leonard Nikolli, was arrested in the act, while the driver was released. The authorities …

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Man fails bank robbery, arrested by police

The tentative of a young man to rob a bank this early Monday in the capital of Albania, Tirana failed, as police caught him before he touch the money.  The arrested is a 23-year-old was later identified as Enrik Ismalaj, who tried to rob a bank near Unaza e Re …

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Three army officers arrested for abuse of duty

The Criminal Court has arrested 3 army officers in Zall Herr. The hearing session took place behind closed doors, while it is known that the suspects have not admitted the authorship of the criminal offense. They have emphasized that 140 hectares of land is impossible to control all of them. …

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The elections of May 14 are certified, is sealed the total victory of the socialists

The result of May 14 are certified from the Central Election Commission, this Monday. Across the country, 53 municipalities are leaded by socialists, only 7 by the opposition coalition, Berisha-Meta and Finic Municipality, by Rometo Çakuli, of the Greek minority. Hegla Vukaj, proposed by the opposition in the Commission, did …

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Clash between two people in Vlora, a 55-year-old man lost his life

A serious incident happened at noon today in the city of Vlora. As a result of a fight between two people, the citizen, Armando Meto, about 55 years old, died. According to footage provided by ABC News, the conflict took place between the premises of a bar near the Court …

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Trapped by the collapse of the terrace in Durres, one dead

Two people were pulled out from under the ruins of the collapsed terrace in Qerret. It is learned that one of them died, while another was transported to the hospital. The incident took place a few minutes ago, while the police, ambulance and fire brigade are at the scene and …

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Open Letter: Balance and proportionality must return in dealing with Kosovo and Serbia

Several key U.S. and European lawmakers have sent an open letter requesting changes to the current international approach to the Kosovo-Serbia crisis. Tirana Times is publishing its full text below:  To: Miroslav Lajč ák  Special Representative to the Western Balkans  European Union    Gabriel Escobar  Special Representative to the Western …

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Interceptions for Gjin Ndoji’s 2020 assassination unveiled

Interceptions from the investigation file on the ‘Metamorphosis’ operation have shed light on a series of criminal events, where known names of the world of crime, businessmen or even justice officials are involved. One of the crimes uncovered is the murder of Gjin Ndoji, where the file states that the …

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17 injured in Pristina center bar’s mass shooting

Gunshots were recorded late on Friday evening in a bar in Kosovo.   Local media reported that 17 people were injured in the shooting that took place in a bar in the center of Pristina, one of them in a serious condition. News of the event has been confirmed also by …

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Interior Minister congratulates border police for handling TIA passengers’ flow

Interior Minister Taulant Balla inspected this Saturday the “Mother Teresa” Airport, where he saw closely the management of passengers flow. During his visit to Tirana International Airport (TIA), Balla thanked the Border Police which is doing an excellent job managing the influxof passengers. Although it is the peak of passenger …

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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 …