How a Sanctioned Russian Oligarch’s Business Interests Reached Albanian Public Contracts
Millions of euros flowed to companies linked to Strabag while Oleg Deripaska remained a major shareholder, exposing gaps in Albania’s ability to identify who ultimately benefits from public money Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – For years, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s economic interests in Albania were largely invisible. They did …
Taulant Xhaka Backs Former KLA Leaders: Always With You
The Hague verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders has drawn reactions from the sports world. Former Albania national team footballer Taulant Xhaka has publicly expressed his support for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Xhaka posted a poster on Instagram featuring the four former KLA …
Endrit Thaçi Backs OVL-KLA Protest
Endrit Thaçi, son of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, has voiced support for a protest organized by the War Veterans’ Organization of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVL-KLA). He shared the organization’s call for a “Protest in Defense of the KLA.” Meanwhile, the protest will take place on Friday at 12:00 …
Albanian public broadcaster begins transformation process with European Broadcasting Union support
RTSH has officially begun implementing its 2026–2030 transformation and restructuring process. The Task Force established to lead and coordinate the process held its first meeting today. The European Broadcasting Union organized the meeting as a workshop focused on RTSH’s Transformation Strategy and its implementation. Radka Betcheva, the European Broadcasting Union’s …
Judge Smith Launches Procedures for Victim Reparations Following KLA Leaders’ Convictions
Charles L. Smith, the presiding judge of the Trial Panel, has issued a decision launching procedures for reparations to victims in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and Kadri Veseli. The Trial Panel issued the decision on September 16 and published it today. It decided to initiate …
Gogu: Albania to Continue Digitalization While Protecting Citizens’ Rights
Justice Minister Toni Gogu said today that Albania will continue its digitalization process and use of artificial intelligence. He stressed that the country will protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Gogu spoke in Parliament during the review of the draft law on the ratification of the Council …
Adriatic Charter: Kingji Meets US General Grynkewich
Defense cooperation and regional security issues were at the center of meetings held during the 2026 US-Adriatic Charter Conference of Chiefs of Defense in Zadar, Croatia. The US Embassy in Tirana said that US General Alexus Grynkewich, commander of the US European Command (USEUCOM) and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), …
Kurti Meets Hamza to Discuss Ways to Challenge Hague Verdict
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza. The meeting came one day after the Kosovo Specialist Chambers issued verdicts against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders received combined sentences of …
Diaspora Holds Protest in Times Square Over Hague Verdict, Hajdari: Freedom for Liberators
The Albanian diaspora in the United States held a protest in Times Square, New York, following the first-instance verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague against four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders. Tirana Prefect Shkëlqim Hajdari shared images from the gathering on social media. He conveyed the …
Begaj Meets Konrad Adenauer Foundation Representatives: Albania Advancing on EU Accession Path
President Bajram Begaj met today with German representatives of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Dieter Althaus, former Prime Minister of Thuringia and board member, and Thomas Kunze, the foundation’s current head in Albania. Begaj thanked Germany for its continued support for Albania’s European Union accession process. He also praised the Konrad …
Albania has begun negotiations to join the European roaming area. The European Commission launched the process with all six Western Balkan countries after the European Council approved its proposal in June. RTSH has obtained a document outlining the legal conditions, including wholesale price caps, consumer protection, fair-use limits, call termination …
Albania will experience unsettled weather on Thursday, with cloudy skies and occasional sunny intervals. Rain will begin early in the northwest and south, while thunderstorms and lightning could bring moderate rainfall to the northwest. Meanwhile, light rain will spread across the country late in the afternoon and mainly in the …
Albania’s U-19 national team opened the second round of the UEFA European Championship qualifiers in League B with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Cyprus. The Red and Blacks took the lead in the first half through Gabriel Kulla, who converted a pass from Alen Vukaj. Albania stepped up its attack …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has outlined Albania’s proposed €10 billion budget for 2027 in an exclusive interview with RTSH journalist Sonila Agostini. She highlighted social protection, tax relief and support for pensioners, young families and students. Koçiu said the budget aims to improve public services, fund critical infrastructure and …
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has rejected interpretations of his remarks reported by international media outlet POLITICO, insisting that Albania has not proposed postponing the next NATO summit or holding it virtually. Nufi said Albania had already begun preparations to host the summit in Tirana, in line with the alliance’s decision. …
Albania’s State Police have prepared a plan of measures for the Albania–Finland football match on 12 November 2026. Police officials have coordinated with the Albanian Football Association and security representatives to ensure the safety of players and fans. Traffic restrictions will apply from 17:00 until the match ends. They will …
Spanish cinema, known for its original storytelling and ability to blend humour with human drama, takes centre stage in Albania as part of Spanish Cultural Week. The programme features A House on Fire (Casa en flames), directed by Dani de la Orden. The film explores family relationships, expectations and human …
Kosova’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti met European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Prishtina Dialogue Peter Sorensen on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum. They discussed prospects for normalising relations with Serbia, with a focus on mutual recognition. Kurti said the talks also covered Kosova’s institutional stability following the election …
TIRANA, Nov 12 /ATA/ – Albania has not proposed postponing the next NATO summit or holding it virtually, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said on Wednesday, rejecting what he described as a misinterpretation of his recent remarks reported by POLITICO. Nufi said his comments had been taken out of context, giving …
TIRANA, Nov 12 /ATA/ – The facade of Tirana International Airport, transformed into what resembles a giant bird’s nest, has become a talking point among the thousands of passengers passing through the airport each day. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the facade on social media on Thursday, showing …