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“Vatra” e Luzatit reborn – descendants remember and respect the past

by Aleksandër Toti, Chief of Cabinet, Tepelena Municipality This weekend was unusual for Luzati, the beautiful village of Tepelena, as the opening of a museum-like spot was being inaugurated, namely VATRA, thus marking a rebirth of cultural and patriotic life and history. Sultan Novruz Day, known as the New Day …

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Three arrested and one under investigation for gambling

Three people have been arrested and another has been put under investigation for the criminal offense of “Organizing or practicing gambling activities in violation of the law”. According to the police, these persons, aged 51, 44, 41 and 45 years old, practiced the illegal activity of gambling in a bar. …

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The murder of Pjerin Xhuvani in Elbasan, experts begin the crime scene reconstruction

Three experts, two of whom are independent, are expected to reconstruct the scene of the crime that occurred on the eve of the 2021 parliamentary elections in Elbasan, based on a decision of the Court of Appeal. The three experts who will reconstruct the crime scene are Arjan Hanko, from …

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Tirana, five arrested with 11 ‘AK-47 ‘ in Car

Five people have been arrested this Tuesday in Tirana, after police found 11 weapons type ‘ Avtomat Kalashnikova’ or AK-47 in the baggage of their vehicle. Their arrested was made in the area of ‘Fresku’ in capital and police suspects that the weapons come from Shkodra to be sold in …

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Arrested for the alienation of properties, Jorgo Goro appears today before court

The mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, has arrived at the Court, where he will be introduced to the security measure. ABC News journalist Ermal Vija reports that the session is expected to start at 11:30 and Judge Rudina Palloi will attend the session. “Three people have been arrested, including Jorgo …

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Igli Hasani meets with Pope Francis at Vatican

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani was hosted at the Holy See in a private audience by Pope Francis. Hasani, on behalf of the Albanian government and state, praised the efforts of the Holy Father and the Catholic Church to maintain peace, stability and harmony between religious …

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Two remote control mines and C4 explosives are seized, a 24-year-old man is arrested

A 24-year-old from Fushë-Kruja, who was caught with two remote-controlled mines while transporting them towards Lezha, will remain in prison indefinitely. Arkil Selimi was introduced to the security measure at the Court of Lezha and in the session with closed doors, it is learned that he did not give any …

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In Himara’s lucrative coastline, land deals lead to acting mayor’s arrest and political limbo

TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – Himara Municipality, which has one of the most commercially lucrative tourist coastlines in Albania, saw its acting mayor arrested over the weekend, as Jorgo Goro, a representative of the ruling Socialist Party, faces charges of allowing the irregular registration of two coastal properties through forged …

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Albania ranks least happy in Europe, again, UN report finds

TIRANA, March 25, 2024 – Albania might be experiencing a tourism boom – but its residents remain Europe’s most unhappy people, according to an annual UN report published last week. Despite a slight improvement in its ranking compared to the previous year, with Albania climbing from 91st to 87th place …

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SPAK seizes the apartment and vehicle of the former judge of Elbasan

An apartment and a vehicle owned by the former judge of Elbasan, Ilir Pashaj, have been seized. The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) immediately started the property investigation after the arrest of Pashaj, who was involved in a corrupt affair with judge Zamira Vyshka. Pashaj practiced the profession of lawyer at …

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Freedom of Information Still Impeded in Western Balkans, Report Warns

Despite robust legal frameworks, public institutions in the region are finding new ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report finds. Original post Here

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Fish Market in Vlora to Modernize Fisheries and Boost the Blue Economy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini visited the new facility after the Municipality of Vlora took ownership. The government invested €1.5 million in the project. The market covers 1,300 square meters and includes 15 cold storage rooms. It connects directly to the Fishing …

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Albanian Parliament Approves New Law and Several Resolutions

Albania’s Parliament approved a new draft law and several resolutions during a plenary session on Tuesday. Lawmakers passed a law that strengthens official controls on food and animal feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. The measure received 74 votes in favor. Parliament also approved …

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Albania Strengthens Naval Industry Training for Young People

Albania has signed a new cooperation memorandum to strengthen skills and employment for young people in the naval industry. The state company KAYO, the Italian company FINCANTIERI, and the Industrial School “Pavarësia” in Vlora signed the agreement at the Pashaliman Naval Base. The deal focuses on internships, training programs, and …

News
Deadly Minibus Crash on Tirana–Durrës Highway Leaves One Dead and Several Injured

A serious accident occurred on Tuesday on the Tirana–Durrës highway, when a minibus on the Berat–Tirana line left the road and overturned. Emergency teams responded immediately. Police, firefighters, and ambulance crews arrived at the scene and rescued passengers while providing first aid to the injured. Authorities first reported two deaths …

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Albania Officials React to Fatal Tirana–Durrës Highway Accident

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has expressed condolences after a tragic accident on the Tirana–Durrës highway left one person dead and several others injured. In a statement on social media, Koçiu described the news as “shocking” and offered her deepest condolences to the family of the victim. She also expressed …

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Reinier de Graaf Explains Reinier de Graaf

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 …

News
Albania Moves to Revive Naval Industry Through Fincantieri Partnership

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 …

News
Are Europe’s Star Architects Helping Launder Albania’s Criminal Economy?

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 …

News
TKOBAP Polyphony Group Performs at Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy

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 …

News

Freedom of Information Still Impeded in Western Balkans, Report Warns

Despite robust legal frameworks, public institutions in the region are finding new ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report finds. Original post Here

News

Fish Market in Vlora to Modernize Fisheries and Boost the Blue Economy

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Vlora Mayor Brunilda Mersini visited the new facility after the Municipality of Vlora took ownership. The government invested €1.5 million in the project. The market covers 1,300 square meters and includes 15 cold storage rooms. It connects directly to the Fishing …

News

Albanian Parliament Approves New Law and Several Resolutions

Albania’s Parliament approved a new draft law and several resolutions during a plenary session on Tuesday. Lawmakers passed a law that strengthens official controls on food and animal feed safety, animal health and welfare, plant health, and plant protection products. The measure received 74 votes in favor. Parliament also approved …

News

Albania Strengthens Naval Industry Training for Young People

Albania has signed a new cooperation memorandum to strengthen skills and employment for young people in the naval industry. The state company KAYO, the Italian company FINCANTIERI, and the Industrial School “Pavarësia” in Vlora signed the agreement at the Pashaliman Naval Base. The deal focuses on internships, training programs, and …

News

Deadly Minibus Crash on Tirana–Durrës Highway Leaves One Dead and Several Injured

A serious accident occurred on Tuesday on the Tirana–Durrës highway, when a minibus on the Berat–Tirana line left the road and overturned. Emergency teams responded immediately. Police, firefighters, and ambulance crews arrived at the scene and rescued passengers while providing first aid to the injured. Authorities first reported two deaths …

News

Albania Officials React to Fatal Tirana–Durrës Highway Accident

Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has expressed condolences after a tragic accident on the Tirana–Durrës highway left one person dead and several others injured. In a statement on social media, Koçiu described the news as “shocking” and offered her deepest condolences to the family of the victim. She also expressed …

News

Reinier de Graaf Explains Reinier de Graaf

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 …

News

Albania Moves to Revive Naval Industry Through Fincantieri Partnership

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 …

News

Are Europe’s Star Architects Helping Launder Albania’s Criminal Economy?

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 …

News

TKOBAP Polyphony Group Performs at Piccolo Opera Festival 2026 in Italy

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 …