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Albanian ‘King of Cocaine’ arrested in Istanbul

New details have been learned for the arrest of Dritan Rexhepi, described as the head of the drug cartel. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that Rexhepi entered Turkey from Istanbul airport with a Colombian passport, registered under the name Benjamin Omar Perez Garcia. The Minister of Internal Affairs of …

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Democrat MPs clashed at European Integration committee

Parliamentary commissions would take place online this Friday, excluding the one for European Integration, but this changed due to tensions in the Assembly’s headquarters. During the proceedings, there was a clash between two democratic MPs, Dashnor Sula from Sali Berisha’s group and Kreshnik Çollak from the official Democratic Party (DP). …

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Woman involved in ex-mayor’s sex scandal appears at SPAK

Woman who was involved in a video with Safet Gjici having sexual intercourse in the latter’s office, while holding the position of the mayor of Kukës, Alma Kaçi arrived this Friday at the premises of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). Special Prosecution will officially communicate the accusation of active corruption …

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270 tons of larvae-infested rice blocked in Durres port

A quantity of 270 tons of rice, which came from Vietnam, has been blocked in the Port of Durrës on Friday. After the analyzes carried out by the National Food Authority (NFA), it turned out that the rice had larvae. However, it is not yet known whether the amount of …

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Albanians continue to show overwhelming support for NATO as they worry about armed conflict in Kosovo and Russia’s meddling – AIIS survey

National survey by the Albanian Institute for International Studies also indicates most people in Albania want better military preparedness. Support for Ukraine following Russian aggression there also continues to be strong among Albanians.  TIRANA, Nov. 10, 2023 – Albanians maintain a strong commitment to their country’s NATO membership, with 81 …

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Op/Ed: 2.3 million Palestinians from Gaza to Albania!

Biting satire by LUTFI DERVISHI One of the world’s most complicated conflicts, the Arab-Israeli conflict, could be resolved by Albania. It’s not just about offering ideas, which we’ve never lacked, but it’s about a practical solution: Europeanizing the Palestinians. Albania can offer that 2.3 million Palestinians from Gaza come and …

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Op/Ed: Is the controversial Albania-Italy deal an anti-migration publicity stunt?

By ANDI BALLA  The recent Albania-Italy bilateral deal aimed at processing irregular migrants and refugees rescued in the Mediterranean in camps within Albanian territory under Italian extraterritorial jurisdiction has sparked intense debate in both countries and beyond.  However, a closer examination of the deal reveals some critical points that call …

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EC report on Albania based on EU’s political agenda, economic convergence

European Union Ambassador in Tirana, Luigi Soreca and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku introduced this Thursday the European Commission Report for Albania 2023. During his speech, Soreca stated that this package of the European Commission Report is based on two very important political developments, such as the expansion of the …

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Deputy PM comments migration agreement signed by government

Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has commented on the agreement signed by the Albanian government with the Italian state for the establishment of two camps in Lezhë for housing immigrants. Balluku said that Albanian politicians deal with the skin colour of the immigrants who will be temporarily sheltered in Albania, …

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3-year-old hit by teacher, two police officers prosecuted

Two police officers have been criminally prosecuted, who are suspected of not having carried out full investigative actions to bring to justice the persons who violated the 3-year-old girl in the premises of the “Stinët” kindergarten. Deputy commissioner Ylli Cako, with the duty of Chief of the Crime Investigation Section, …

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Public beach areas remain accessible in Jala Beach in Himara

TIRANA, June 11 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from Jala Beach in Himara, highlighting the public beach areas available to visitors. Inspection teams from the National Coastline Agency carried out field monitoring along the beach. The checks confirmed that public beach spaces remained available …

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FM Hoxha in Bulgaria: EU enlargement is a strategic investment in Europe’s security

TIRANA, June 11 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha joined a discussion in Bulgaria at the invitation of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The event focused on the European Union enlargement process and the future of the Western Balkans within the bloc. Participants examined the …

News
21st Edition of “Xinxifilo” Puppet Theatre Festival Brings Joy Across Albania

The 21st edition of the Puppet Theatre Festival “Xinxifilo” continues in Albania. The festival brings joy, imagination, and artistic education to children. First, the festival builds a strong tradition. It has run for 21 years. It connects children with theatre and culture. Then, this year’s edition brings together artists, creators, …

News
Lushnja event showcases biological plant protection and sustainable farming practices

TIRANA, June 11 – New agricultural practices and technologies took centre stage during a Field Day event at the Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre in Lushnja. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Lushnja Mayor Eriselda Sefa attended the event. Farmers presented demonstrations on biological plant protection methods during …

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European Union praises Albania’s progress in reform and pre-accession programmes

TIRANA, June 11 – The European Union and the Albanian government held annual monitoring meetings in Tirana on June 9 and 10. Participants reviewed the implementation of European Union financial assistance and assessed progress on key reform programmes. Officials examined support provided through the Reform and Growth Facility and the …

News
“World Cup Nights” brings sport and entertainment to RTSH 1 throughout FIFA World Cup 2026

TIRANA, June 11 – RTSH 1 launches “World Cup Nights,” a new daily programme dedicated to FIFA World Cup 2026. The show will air every evening from June 11 to July 19. Hygerta Sako and Kristo Thoma will host the programme. Viewers can follow the broadcast on RTSH 1 from …

News
Kosova election vote count enters diaspora ballot phase

TIRANA, June 11 – Election authorities in Kosova completed the count of candidate votes in more than 80 percent of polling stations in the parliamentary election. Preliminary results show the Self-Determination Movement leading with around 43 percent of the vote. Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Albin Kurti secured more …

News
European Commission officials meet High Judicial Council in Tirana to discuss justice reform

TIRANA, June 11 – The High Judicial Council met representatives of the European Commission in Tirana during an official visit to Albania. High Judicial Council Chairman Ilir Rusi took part in the meeting together with council members Klodian Kurushi and Irena Plaku. Valentina Superti led the European Commission delegation. She …

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The Heart Of A Patriot That Beats For The People

by Dr. Jorgji Kote Tirana Times, June 11, 2026 – ”Heart of a patriot” is the new book dedicated to Binali Yildirim, an outstanding political  leader and personality in the modernization of Turkish state and society during the last 25 years; co-founder and former leader of the Party for Justice and Development …

News
Albania Has Already Changed

By Lutfi Dervishi Tirana Times, June 11, 2026 – From the very beginning, this movement has been placed under immense pressure. The questions : “Who is behind it?” and “Will it become a political party?” are not innocent. They are meant to shift attention away from the real reasons behind …

News

Public beach areas remain accessible in Jala Beach in Himara

TIRANA, June 11 – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images from Jala Beach in Himara, highlighting the public beach areas available to visitors. Inspection teams from the National Coastline Agency carried out field monitoring along the beach. The checks confirmed that public beach spaces remained available …

News

FM Hoxha in Bulgaria: EU enlargement is a strategic investment in Europe’s security

TIRANA, June 11 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha joined a discussion in Bulgaria at the invitation of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The event focused on the European Union enlargement process and the future of the Western Balkans within the bloc. Participants examined the …

News

21st Edition of “Xinxifilo” Puppet Theatre Festival Brings Joy Across Albania

The 21st edition of the Puppet Theatre Festival “Xinxifilo” continues in Albania. The festival brings joy, imagination, and artistic education to children. First, the festival builds a strong tradition. It has run for 21 years. It connects children with theatre and culture. Then, this year’s edition brings together artists, creators, …

News

Lushnja event showcases biological plant protection and sustainable farming practices

TIRANA, June 11 – New agricultural practices and technologies took centre stage during a Field Day event at the Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre in Lushnja. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla and Lushnja Mayor Eriselda Sefa attended the event. Farmers presented demonstrations on biological plant protection methods during …

News

European Union praises Albania’s progress in reform and pre-accession programmes

TIRANA, June 11 – The European Union and the Albanian government held annual monitoring meetings in Tirana on June 9 and 10. Participants reviewed the implementation of European Union financial assistance and assessed progress on key reform programmes. Officials examined support provided through the Reform and Growth Facility and the …

News

“World Cup Nights” brings sport and entertainment to RTSH 1 throughout FIFA World Cup 2026

TIRANA, June 11 – RTSH 1 launches “World Cup Nights,” a new daily programme dedicated to FIFA World Cup 2026. The show will air every evening from June 11 to July 19. Hygerta Sako and Kristo Thoma will host the programme. Viewers can follow the broadcast on RTSH 1 from …

News

Kosova election vote count enters diaspora ballot phase

TIRANA, June 11 – Election authorities in Kosova completed the count of candidate votes in more than 80 percent of polling stations in the parliamentary election. Preliminary results show the Self-Determination Movement leading with around 43 percent of the vote. Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Albin Kurti secured more …

News

European Commission officials meet High Judicial Council in Tirana to discuss justice reform

TIRANA, June 11 – The High Judicial Council met representatives of the European Commission in Tirana during an official visit to Albania. High Judicial Council Chairman Ilir Rusi took part in the meeting together with council members Klodian Kurushi and Irena Plaku. Valentina Superti led the European Commission delegation. She …

News

The Heart Of A Patriot That Beats For The People

by Dr. Jorgji Kote Tirana Times, June 11, 2026 – ”Heart of a patriot” is the new book dedicated to Binali Yildirim, an outstanding political  leader and personality in the modernization of Turkish state and society during the last 25 years; co-founder and former leader of the Party for Justice and Development …

News

Albania Has Already Changed

By Lutfi Dervishi Tirana Times, June 11, 2026 – From the very beginning, this movement has been placed under immense pressure. The questions : “Who is behind it?” and “Will it become a political party?” are not innocent. They are meant to shift attention away from the real reasons behind …