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Explosives attack recorded in Shkodra bar

A quantity of explosives blasted in a bar in the “Fermentim” neighborhood in Shkodër in the early hours of this Monday morning. According to the police, it was the owner of the bar, citizen F. K., 65 years old, who informed the police that when he went to open his …

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Trial on former defense minister in GJKKO postponed

Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has postponed this Monday the session against the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, who was taken as a defendant in the “Gërdeci” case. Reason for postponing the session is because the Prosecution needs time to present the final charges. The next …

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Defense Minister warns of raining, rivers ewelling in North-western Albania

Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, has declared that starting from this Monday, there will be raining of medium intensity and to some extent high, mainly in the north-western part of Albania. In a statement from Korça, Peleshi said that it will not be necessary for discharges in cascades, since the …

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Under-construction block of flats endangered by fire

A fire broke out this Monday near a block of apartments that is under construction in the “New Boulevard” area of Tirana. According to preliminary information, garbage was being burned near the building that is being constructed. Firefighters went to the scene to put out the flames, which endangered the …

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Fier incinerator session at Special Court fails

The first session for the Fieri incinerator, which was expected to be held this Monday, has failed. The reason was the non-notification of one of the accused persons. In today’s session, the former Minister of Environment, Lefter Koka, and the former secretary of this ministry, Alqi Blako, were not present. …

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Rama: Albania in 2030 will be the tourism champion in Balkans

Prime Minister Edi Rama declared that in 2030, Albania will be the champion in the Balkan region, as far as tourism is concerned. During a conversation in a private enterprise in the city of Durrës, Rama said that the problem will be the accommodation of tourists, as their demand increases …

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Ending seasonal program, Albania reintroduces year-round visas for Russian tourists 

TIRANA, April 24, 2023 – Albania has officially ended its tourist season visa waiver for citizens of Russia, following concern the waiver was contrary to the country’s international obligations as part of its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Albania, a NATO member, has joined all EU and other …

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Flames engulf Shkodra hospital’s surgery ward

One of the rooms of Surgery Department on the fourth floor of Shkodra Regional Hospital was engulfed by flames this Saturday morning.  Fortunately, the police confirmed that there were no injuries from the fire, despite the material damage. Police and fire services immediately went to the scene and were able …

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Medical care provided by Shkodra’s hospital despite fire

Shkodra’s Regional Hospital has reacted Saturday after the incident that happened this morning in the Pneumology department, which was engulfed in flames, ensuring that the healthcare service continues without interruption. Immediate measures were taken to restore the room where the incident occurred, while the patients were evacuated in time and …

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Murder of a 20-year old in Tirana, the Court leaves in prison the author

Tirana court has ordered the measure of arrest and imprisonment for Axel Hoxhaj, who surrendered two days after the murder of 20-year-old Stivens Toshkëzi. In the court session, Hoxhaj admitted the crime and defended himself through the lawyer Ardian Kalia.  A day before, the black squads also imprisoned the peer …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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. …

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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, …

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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
FM Hoxha: Albania opposes any unilateral change to the Ibër River

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania opposes any unilateral change to the course of the Ibër River, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said today. He was responding to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s remarks about a possible change to the river’s course and the involvement of Serbian experts and …

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 …

News

FM Hoxha: Albania opposes any unilateral change to the Ibër River

TIRANA, August 10 – Albania opposes any unilateral change to the course of the Ibër River, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha said today. He was responding to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s remarks about a possible change to the river’s course and the involvement of Serbian experts and …