Latest News | Tirana News Digest

Hero captain presumed dead after saving tourists

Gazeta Tema · July 9, 2025

Authorities continue search operations in northern Albania after a tourist boat captain disappeared in Lake Shkoder while rescuing two tourists. The 51‑year‑old man, Arben Alamani, is presumed dead after helping the passengers reach safety during...

Authorities investigate flagship airport deal

Gazeta Tema · July 9, 2025

TIRANA, July 9 - Albania’s anti-corruption prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the concession contract for Vlora International Airport, a high-profile project backed by Kosovo businessman Behgjet Pacolli. The probe, now in its...

Rescued bear cub settles into new life in Pristina sanctuary

The Globe and Mail · July 9, 2025

A young male brown bear cub rescued from Albania has been settling into its new life at a wildlife sanctuary in Kosovo. A worker at the Four Paws Bear Sanctuary in Pristina said the cub, named Dori, was rescued after being illegally put up for...

Albanian-led drug ring hit in major EU raid

Gazeta Tema · July 9, 2025

TIRANA, July 9 - An Albanian logistics cell at the heart of a major drug trafficking network has been dismantled in a Europe-wide operation led by Italian authorities with Europol support. The July 8 raids across Italy, Spain, and Albania resulted...

Non-Performing Loan Rate Drops: Only 3% of Individuals Behind on Payments

Euronews Albania · July 9, 2025

According to data from the Bank of Albania, 97% of loans taken by individuals are being repaid on time, confirming that only a very small portion of borrowers are facing difficulties with installment payments. The rate of non-performing loans...

Authorities crack down, villagers block bridge

Gazeta Tema · July 9, 2025

July 9 - In northern Albania, residents of Theth briefly blocked the main bridge into the village on Wednesday to protest a government-led demolition drive targeting illegal constructions. The standoff with police lasted nearly an hour before the...

Albania sees record foreign investment in Q1

Gazeta Tema · July 4, 2025

Foreign direct investment in Albania rose to €362 million in the first quarter of 2025—the highest Q1 figure on record. Officials say the surge reflects growing foreign confidence in the country’s economy. Economy Minister Blendi Gonxhja called...

Bankers Petroleum execs jailed in Albania over tax fraud

Gazeta Tema · July 5, 2025

A court in Fier has ordered the arrest of two Bankers Petroleum Albania executives, including Chinese national Hongping Xiao and former director Leonidha Çobo, over a large-scale tax fraud scheme. The two are accused of leading a long-running...

Albania and Kosovo commit to 24/7 border operations

Gazeta Tema · July 4, 2025

PRISTINA/TIRANA, July 4 — Finance Ministers Petrit Malaj of Albania and Hekuran Murati of Kosovo have announced that the Morinë–Vërmicë border crossing will operate continuously—24 hours a day, seven days a week—to improve services and reduce...

Ambassador Alberti Invites Large Italian Firms to Albania

Albanian Daily News ·

The Italian Ambassador in Tirana, Marco Alberti, has said that large Italian companies should also come to Albania. Speaking about economic cooperation with Italy, Alberti stressed that it is necessary to have the presence of large companies in...

US Secretary Marco Rubio to visit Albania after Rama invite

Gazeta Tema · July 5, 2025

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accepted an invitation from Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to visit Tirana, Albania’s ambassador to Washington, Ervin Bushati, confirmed. Bushati said the invitation was extended in recognition of Albania’s...

Albania unveils plan to fight disinformation, foreign influence

Gazeta Tema · July 3, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 — Albania has introduced a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation, citing growing threats to democratic processes and public trust. The draft law, presented in Parliament by Socialist MP Erion Braçe,...

GFA President engages Albanian and Kosovo counterparts on VAR, medical infrastructure and stadium collaboration

Ghana Soccer Net · July 9, 2025

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has held strategic talks with the presidents of the Albanian and Kosovo football federations during a working visit to Tirana, Albania. The discussions, held on July 1, 2025, with...

UN Human Rights Council Extends LGBTQ Rights Expert’s Mandate

Out South Florida ·

The U.N. Human Rights Council on July 7 extended the mandate of the United Nations’ independent LGBTQ rights expert for another three years. The resolution passed with 29 countries (Albania, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia,...

Albania plans state entry into fuel import, distribution

Gazeta Tema · July 2, 2025

TIRANA, July 2 – Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Wednesday that the government is preparing to enter the fuel import and distribution market in a bid to stabilize consumer prices and improve sector transparency. Speaking during a public...

Quiet year for asylum and citizenship in Albania

Gazeta Tema · July 4, 2025

Albania registered a steep decline in asylum requests in 2024, with just 104 applications, down from 261 the year before. Most asylum seekers originated from Afghanistan (27.9%), Syria (17.3%), and Pakistan (10.6%). More than half of all...

Lessons Albania Can Teach the World

Albanian Daily News ·

Dr Khaled El-Enany, former minister of Tourism and Antiquities in Egypt and candidate of Egypt, the League of Arab States and the African Union for the post of Director -General of UNESCO, visited the Albanian capital as part of his campaign for...

Customs corruption ring at border crossing with Albania dismantled

Kathimerini ·

NEWS [InTime News] Thirteen customs officials – including the supervisor – stationed at the Mavromati border crossing to Albania have appeared before an investigating magistrate following their arrest by the police’s internal affairs division. The...

Albania launches app for anonymous police abuse reporting

Gazeta Tema · July 2, 2025

TIRANA, July 3 – Albania’s Ministry of Interior has launched “Agjencia Dixhitale,” a new mobile app enabling citizens to anonymously report misconduct by police and other public safety officers. The app allows users to file complaints or flag...

Albania marks 35 years since 5,000 stormed embassies for freedom

Gazeta Tema · July 2, 2025

TIRANA, July 2 – Albania is marking 35 years since over 5,000 citizens stormed foreign embassies in Tirana in 1990, a defining moment in the country’s break from communist isolation. On July 2, 1990, thousands of Albanians scaled embassy walls...