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Tirana Protesters Demand Justice for Kosovo War Leaders 

Hundreds of protesters rallied in the Albanian capital on Friday demanding justice for former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) on trial in The Hague, denouncing the proceedings as an attack on the wartime struggle against Serbian forces.  The demonstrators, many waving KLA flags and chanting slogans such as …

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Protesters in Albania Demand ‘Justice’ in Kosovo Wartime Leaders’ Trial

Protesters in the Albanian capital expressed anger at the ongoing trial of wartime Kosovo Liberation Army officers at the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, saying the defendants were freedom fighters, not criminals. Original post Here

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Albania in the Second War World : A Forgotten Theater of World War II

By Bernd Fischer It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify yet another book dealing with some aspect of World War II. Of all the armed conflicts of past centuries, World War II has engendered the most interest as well as an exhausting amount of written material. The opening of the …

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Vlora Airport Stirs Security Fears Over Russian Links

Albania’s Second National Airport Sparks Concerns for National Security and NATO The opening of Albania’s second international airport in Vlora, celebrated as a milestone in the country’s infrastructure modernization, has quickly become embroiled in controversy. Reports in Albanian media suggest that the concession holder, businessman and former Kosovo president Behgjet …

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Albania’s Currency Exchanges Tied to Drug Money Laundering

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania,October 16,2025.  Behind brightly lit kiosks advertising euros, dollars and pounds, prosecutors say a hidden financial system is moving millions in illicit cash for some of Albania’s most powerful drug-trafficking groups. Recent investigations by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, or SPAK, reveal that certain licensed currency …

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War Veterans’ Protest Sparks Tension Between Kosovo and Albania PMs

A protest planned for Friday in Tirana – against the Hague war crimes court’s trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci – has reignited feuding between Albania’s premier Edi Rama and the biggest party in Kosovo. Original post Here

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Albania Emerges as Destination Port for Illicit Oil from Russia and Libya

Low quality, sanctioned oil products originating in Russia and Libya are finding a way through Albanian ports, hidden behind forged cargo declarations or inside the modified hulls of fishing boats. Original post Here

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AI ‘Candidate’ Proposed for Albania Mayoral Election

After Albania’s government appointed an AI-generated digital assistant as a ‘minister’, a group of information technology experts have proposed an AI ‘candidate’ for the upcoming Tirana mayoral election. Original post Here

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Albania Beats Serbia, Keeps World Cup Dream Alive

By Tirana Times Staff | October 12, 2025 LESKOVAC . Albania stunned Serbia with a 1–0 victory on Saturday night, a result that not only strengthens its bid for a first-ever World Cup but also carries enormous symbolic weight in one of the most politically charged rivalries in European football. …

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Week in Review: Leaping into the Unknown

Electoral races, political comebacks and anti-corruption efforts: our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week looks at how current developments are shaping the region’s future. Original post Here

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Acrimony and Accusations Hold up Construction of Albanian Port

Albania wants to develop a new commercial port in Durres, but the public tender for its construction has fallen apart in acrimony and accusation. Original post Here

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Western Balkans Stability Monitor: Elections in the Air

The new edition of BIRN’s Western Balkans Stability Monitor looks at election fever in the region. Some countries are heading towards elections; in others, parties are using possible polls as a PR tool. Original post Here

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Rama shares views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park: One of Albania’s most beautiful natural treasures

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today new views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park. He described the area as one of Albania’s most valuable natural treasures and a destination with strong potential for sustainable tourism. In a social media post, Rama published images from the park. He highlighted the rare …

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“Dua” wins in Cannes, Basholli calls it a major prize for Kosovo cinema

Dua by Kosovar director Blerta Basholli has brought Kosovo a major international film award. After its emotional premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the film won the prestigious SACD Award. The prize is awarded by France’s Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers during the “Semaine de la Critique” section. The …

News
Gonxhja: Socca European Championship in Tirana breaks records

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the Socca European Championship in Tirana as a record-breaking event. He said it placed the Albanian capital at the center of European minifootball. According to Gonxhja, 28 countries took part in the championship at the House of Football. More than 1,500 players …

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Monday to bring stable weather, light rainfall in southeastern Albania

TIRANA, May 25 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Monday. The weather will feature clear skies and periods of cloudiness, more pronounced in the southeastern regions. Light rainfall will occur in the form of isolated drops in mountainous areas of southeastern Albania. …

News
Greek defense minister to visit Tirana for talks with Rama and Nufi, “To Vima” reports

Greece is increasing efforts to restart talks with Albania on maritime borders. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will visit Tirana next week for high-level meetings. He will meet Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Prime Minister Edi Rama. The visit aims to revive talks on maritime border delimitation. In October …

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Rama: Albania opens final phase of EU negotiations on May 26 in Brussels

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania will officially open the final phase of European Union membership negotiations on May 26 in Brussels. He said Albania successfully completed the opening phase of the process. During his weekly remarks, Rama highlighted the discussions between the European Commission and EU member states in …

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**Albanian Football Federation joins UEFA Grow conference in Warsaw** TIRANA, May 24 /ATSH/ – The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They also reviewed challenges linked to institutional development and improving operational efficiency. During the working sessions, delegates discussed financial relations with regional and local football associations. They also focused on improving financial data management and on changes in the field of human resources. The Albanian federation sent Administrative Director Aldi Topçiu, Finance Director Irma Zëri and finance specialist Marilda Mema. During the two-day conference, Topçiu gave a presentation on the federation’s organizational development over the years. He shared the federation’s experience with structural changes. He also explained the main reasons behind them and highlighted key challenges during the process. The federation said the conference created an important opportunity to exchange experience and best practices with European partners. It also helped strengthen FSHF’s administrative and financial capacities.

The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They …

News
Hasani in Rome: Italy’s support for Albania remains steady and concrete

Igli Hasani praised Italy’s support for Albania as steady, concrete and sincere. He said the backing extends across Italy’s political spectrum. During an official visit to Rome, Hasani met senior Italian officials. They focused on Albania’s path toward European integration and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Hasani met with …

News

Acrimony and Accusations Hold up Construction of Albanian Port

Albania wants to develop a new commercial port in Durres, but the public tender for its construction has fallen apart in acrimony and accusation. Original post Here

News

Western Balkans Stability Monitor: Elections in the Air

The new edition of BIRN’s Western Balkans Stability Monitor looks at election fever in the region. Some countries are heading towards elections; in others, parties are using possible polls as a PR tool. Original post Here

News

Rama shares views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park: One of Albania’s most beautiful natural treasures

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today new views from Lurë–Mali i Dejës National Park. He described the area as one of Albania’s most valuable natural treasures and a destination with strong potential for sustainable tourism. In a social media post, Rama published images from the park. He highlighted the rare …

News

“Dua” wins in Cannes, Basholli calls it a major prize for Kosovo cinema

Dua by Kosovar director Blerta Basholli has brought Kosovo a major international film award. After its emotional premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the film won the prestigious SACD Award. The prize is awarded by France’s Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers during the “Semaine de la Critique” section. The …

News

Gonxhja: Socca European Championship in Tirana breaks records

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja described the Socca European Championship in Tirana as a record-breaking event. He said it placed the Albanian capital at the center of European minifootball. According to Gonxhja, 28 countries took part in the championship at the House of Football. More than 1,500 players …

News

Monday to bring stable weather, light rainfall in southeastern Albania

TIRANA, May 25 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience relatively stable atmospheric conditions on Monday. The weather will feature clear skies and periods of cloudiness, more pronounced in the southeastern regions. Light rainfall will occur in the form of isolated drops in mountainous areas of southeastern Albania. …

News

Greek defense minister to visit Tirana for talks with Rama and Nufi, “To Vima” reports

Greece is increasing efforts to restart talks with Albania on maritime borders. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias will visit Tirana next week for high-level meetings. He will meet Albanian Defense Minister Ermal Nufi and Prime Minister Edi Rama. The visit aims to revive talks on maritime border delimitation. In October …

News

Rama: Albania opens final phase of EU negotiations on May 26 in Brussels

Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania will officially open the final phase of European Union membership negotiations on May 26 in Brussels. He said Albania successfully completed the opening phase of the process. During his weekly remarks, Rama highlighted the discussions between the European Commission and EU member states in …

News

**Albanian Football Federation joins UEFA Grow conference in Warsaw** TIRANA, May 24 /ATSH/ – The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They also reviewed challenges linked to institutional development and improving operational efficiency. During the working sessions, delegates discussed financial relations with regional and local football associations. They also focused on improving financial data management and on changes in the field of human resources. The Albanian federation sent Administrative Director Aldi Topçiu, Finance Director Irma Zëri and finance specialist Marilda Mema. During the two-day conference, Topçiu gave a presentation on the federation’s organizational development over the years. He shared the federation’s experience with structural changes. He also explained the main reasons behind them and highlighted key challenges during the process. The federation said the conference created an important opportunity to exchange experience and best practices with European partners. It also helped strengthen FSHF’s administrative and financial capacities.

The Albanian Football Federation took part in the “UEFA Grow for Human Resources and Financial Management” conference in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from European football federations. The conference focused on human resources and financial management inside football federations. Participants discussed organizational structures, internal processes and strategic planning. They …

News

Hasani in Rome: Italy’s support for Albania remains steady and concrete

Igli Hasani praised Italy’s support for Albania as steady, concrete and sincere. He said the backing extends across Italy’s political spectrum. During an official visit to Rome, Hasani met senior Italian officials. They focused on Albania’s path toward European integration and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries. Hasani met with …