Albanian’s Leap to Freedom Was Only the Start of His Journey
An Albanian who 34 years ago jumped over an embassy wall in Tirana to escape the country’s repressive communist regime recalls his struggle to find freedom and a new home in Western Europe. Original post Here
Obituary: Ismail Kadare, the global writer who helped ‘making Albania’
TIRANA, June 1, 2024 – Albania’s greatest writer and perennial Nobel Prize candidate, Ismail Kadare, has died at the age of 88. Kadare had permanently moved back to his homeland of Albania from France in recent years and died of a heart attack Monday morning, doctors at Tirana’s largest public …
Drug trafficking and organized criminal group/ SPAK sends for trial Gezim Çela and 13 others
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has closed the investigations and sent Gëzim Çela and 13 other people to trial for drug trafficking and organized criminal group. Gëzim Çela and Arlind Ismailukaj are considered to be the leaders of the criminal group that were hit during the “Flame at Sea” operation. …
Ismail Kadare, Greatest Albanian Writer, Dies at 88
The author of dozens of books translated into dozens of languages was feted abroad, in France especially – but some at home were less forgiving of his role during the communist era. Original post Here
Albanian renown writer Ismail Kadare, dies age 88
The Albanian renown writer, poet and novelist, Ismail Kadare died this Monday in Tirana, age 88. Were his familiars that found him lifeless in his home. He is the only Albanian national who was many time a candidate to win the Nobel price in Literature. In 1992, Kadare was awarded …
Oncology scandal, Rama: A crime against humanity
Prime Minister Edi Rama qualifies as a crime against humanity, the use of a doctor’s uniform, to extract money with blood for medicines of the sick, referring to the Oncology scandal. During his speech at the meeting of heads of services at QSUT, Rama said that nothing is missing in …
Albania’s population shrank by 429,000, census results show
TIRANA, June 28, 2024 – Albania’s population shrank by almost 14 percent in 12 years, losing about 429,000 residents, according to the country’s official 2023 census, the results of which were just released. The census conductor, the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), said the number of residents of Albania is now …
Rama: We will forgive fines for illegal construction
Prime Minister Edi Rama has handed over the ownership titles of the houses in Theth and in some other areas of the North, where the inherited problems have been solved. During his speech, he said that fines for constructions without permission will be waived, as they were done out of …
A 25 year old arrested for smuggling emigrants
A 25-year-old man was arrested as part of the police operation codenamed “Axis” The 25-year-old man was caught red-handed on the “Korçë-Pogradec” road axis, near the village of Vërdovë, Pogradec, transporting 17 immigrants from third countries, in the direction of Tirana, with an “Opel” van, against profit, with purpose of …
The results of the exam for optional subjects in the State Matura are published
This Sunday, the results of the optional subjects exam for the state matura were released. The Minister of Education, Ogerta Manastirliu stated that graduates can see the results on the link provided by the ministry. “Important notice for Graduates. The results of the optional subjects exam of Matura 2024 are …
Debates about EU enlargement tend to focus on the risks of admitting countries before they are ready. In her recent paper, Marta Szpala broadens the debate by examining what prolonged delay means for both candidate countries and the European Union itself. Tirana Times spoke with Szpala about how prolonged uncertainty …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has blamed social media algorithms for fuelling the so-called Flamingo Revolution protests, but data obtained by BIRN shows that hundreds of fake accounts have been created to push the government’s own narrative and denigrate the protesters. Original post Here
The 10th edition of Za Fest begins today in Shkodra, bringing music, art, and culture to the city under the direction of festival founder and singer-songwriter Vlashent Sata. Organizers launched Za Fest in 2017 to promote Albanian culture through music, art, literature, and other creative forms. The festival first took …
The European Union Office in Kosovo has urged all political parties to avoid pressuring the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and its members while they make decisions. The EU office said in a social media statement that Kosovo and the European Union rely on an independent, impartial, and apolitical judiciary to …
TIRANA, July 24 – Port authorities in Vlora and Saranda have suspended navigation for small vessels, tourist boats and fishing vessels due to worsening sea conditions along the Albanian coast. The Port Captaincies said the measure will remain in force until 06:00 on July 25, 2026. The General Maritime Directorate …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro announced that authorities have successfully distributed 5,478 free learning packages to Albanian children in 18 diaspora countries. The packages include textbooks for all three levels of Albanian language and culture education. Kumbaro said the Center for Diaspora Publications and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs …
TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian Ski Federation organized the gala event “Ski Excellence Night” to present the achievements of the 2025–2026 season, which it described as one of the most successful periods for Albanian winter sports. The event was broadcast by the Albanian Public Radio Television (RTSH). The season’s …
TIRANA, July 24 – The Albanian government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group are holding a meeting this Friday at the Palace of Brigades. The participants are discussing government work, political developments and upcoming objectives. Prime Minister Edi Rama chaires the meeting. He is expected to address government priorities and …
TIRANA, July 24 – Albania will experience unstable weather conditions on Friday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The country will see periods of cloudiness, with clouds becoming more pronounced at midday and in the afternoon. Local light rain is expected across most areas. Meanwhile, short thunderstorms with lightning and …
Albania registered 11,567 new businesses during the first half of 2026, up by 806 from the same period last year. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced the figures today, saying they reflect growing confidence in Albania’s business environment and stronger interest in launching new economic activities. “Entrepreneurship continues to …