Tragic accident, the car with immigrants falls on the side of Vjosa, 8 victims
8 people lost their lives, the Shkodran driver of the ‘Benz’ vehicle and 7 clandestine people, as a result of a serious accident on the Këlcyre-Përmet road axis. Sokol Ismeti, the driver of the Benz, tried to escape from the police and lost control, falling on the side of the …
Today, 15 years since NATO membership
The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, delivered today a message for the 15th anniversary of Albania’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. We recall that on April 1, 2009, Albania became a full member of NATO. The full message of the President of the Republic: “April 1, 2009 …
The murder of an 18-year old boy, 4 detained by the police
Four people have been detained in connection with the serious incident that took place in Tirana, where 18-year-old Aurelio Dervishi was the victim. The four arrested persons are suspected of being perpetrators involved in the incident. According to police information, among those arrested is the perpetrator who allegedly stabbed the …
Arrested for drug trafficking, SPAK seizes property of relatives Gezim Cela
SPAK seizes 17 assets on behalf of Gezim Çela’s family members. Apartments worth over 400,000 euros, bank accounts and several cars were seized. Gezim Çela, also known as the drug lord, was arrested during an operation in Kosovo. Property of the type “Commercial Unit”, with an area of 237 m2, …
SPAK sent to trial former Minister Beqaj and 8 others
The Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) closed investigations over sterilization concession. This prosecution sent to trial this Saturday former minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj and eight others accused for abuze. Beqaj is accused for duty abuse done in collaboration. While vice minister Klodian Rrjepaj and the businessman are accused for …
A 19 year old arrested for smuggling emigrants
A 19-year-old resident of Podgorica was arrested by the Shkodra police after trying to cross five illegal immigrants to the border. According to the police, Tajson Boneshta was caught red-handed in the city of Shkodra while he was transporting immigrants from third countries with the “Volkswagen Polo” type vehicle. The …
A 41-year old declared wanted by police, is arrested in Fier
A 41-year-old wanted man has ended up in police custody. It is learned that the citizen Asllan Koraj, a resident of Fier, was sentenced to 3 years in prison, for the criminal offenses “Concealment of income” and “Non-payment of taxes and duties”. Meanwhile, the procedural materials were passed to the …
Four arrested for mobile sports betting
Four people have been arrested by the Tirana police after exercising the illegal activity of mobile sports betting. The arrested are 29, 31, 32 and 35 years old. They were found in a bar in Vaqarr, on their mobile phones, the police services found pages and links that served for …
SPAK seizes properties of two arrested for drug trafficking
The Special Prosecution against Corruption (SPAK) seized properties of two arrested last year in Tirana. Those are Princ Dobroshi and Olsi Syziu, both accused to be drug lords in Europe. According to the statement made public for the media, SPAK said that they are under investigation for drugs trafficking and …
Municipality council of Himara gathers to elect new mayor
After the arrest of Jorgo Goro and earlier of Fredi Beleri, one of the two mayors is expected to enter the office of the head of Himara Municipality this Friday, who will hold this position until the new elections. ABC News reporter Esiona Konomi reports that the Himara City Council …
Tirana Times, June 30, 2026 – When Tirana Times published Reinier de Graaf’s open letter from The Albanian Files, it did so because the text had already become one of the most discussed and controversial passages of the book. The letter, written in March 2025, appeared to call, in deliberately provocative …
On June 30, 2026, Albania signed a cooperation memorandum in Vlora with Italy’s Fincantieri, one of Europe’s leading shipbuilders, in a move aimed at reviving naval production at the Pashaliman base and strengthening the country’s defence industrial capacity. The memorandum, signed between the Albanian state company KAYO, Fincantieri and the …
The Albanian Files suggests that international architecture may have served not only as design, but as a prestigious façade for opaque money, captured institutions and one-man rule. Tirana Times, June 29, 2026 – A glossy architectural volume meant to celebrate Albania’s transformation has unexpectedly become one of the most revealing …
The Albanian iso-polyphony group from the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances (TKOBAP) performed at the Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy. As a result, Albanian traditional music reached an international audience. The group presented Albania’s rich iso-polyphonic heritage, which is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In …
TIRANA, June 30 – Tirana International Airport has expanded its route network by adding direct flights to Gothenburg. The airport said Norwegian Air Shuttle will operate the route. The new service will offer passengers an additional travel option for tourism, business and family visits. Meanwhile, the new route strengthens air …
TIRANA, June 30 – Shkodër Art Gallery presents its collection in public spaces this summer. The gallery places digital exhibitions across the city for visitors and residents. The works include paintings created over different years. Albanian painters and young artists contribute to the collection. The exhibits appear through barcode access. …
The Albanian women’s national basketball team finished second at the European Championship for Small Countries. As a result, they won the silver medal after losing the final to Malta 72–55. The final took place at the “Karagaç” sports hall in Peja. From the start, Malta controlled the game. They built …
TIRANA, June 30 – Albania marks the 190th anniversary of the first publication of The Songs of Milosao, the masterpiece of Jeronim De Rada that is widely regarded as the foundation of Albanian Romanticism. First published in Naples on June 30, 1836, the work introduced a new artistic and national …
TIRANA, June 30 – The National Center of Cinematography announced Jonid Jorgji as a member of the European Film Academy. It confirmed his selection in an official statement. In addition, the institution described the appointment as recognition of his contribution and vision in the audiovisual sector. It framed the membership …
TIRANA, June 30 – Albania’s U-21 national football team will compete at the Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” in Italy. The event runs from 23 August to 1 September 2026. The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games organizes the competition. The football tournament features eight national teams. Organizers split the teams …