Foreign trade: €223 million in exports in August, imports also increase
Exports continued to remain in positive territory in August 2026, but at a significantly slower pace than in previous months. The latest data from INSTAT show that sales of Albanian goods abroad reached ALL 20.5 billion, an increase of 1.6% compared with August last year. Albania’s foreign trade saw an …
110th protest in Tirana, demonstrators march towards the Prime Minister’s Office
Protesters gathered this Thursday in Skanderbeg Square in Tirana and began marching towards the Prime Minister’s Office as part of the latest protest against the government. This marks the 110th protest held so far, with demonstrators opposing the government and its policies. Organizers have announced that the protests will continue …
High prices reduce consumption, citizens say: Pensions go towards medicines and food
High prices for basic goods are reducing consumer spending. Although these are essential food items, citizens say they are buying less and are even avoiding fruits or vegetables that are too expensive. “They are very expensive. We can’t afford them. There is high unemployment, and we are barely managing. How …
It’s not just the verdict that is unjust
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, September 17, 2026 – The Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ has convicted former President Hashim Thaci and three other Kosovo Liberation Army leaders of war crimes but acquitted them of crimes against humanity. The sentence for Thaci is 25 years. This is happening while Aleksandar Vucic is resigning from …
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 …
Roland Sejko’s documentary “Film di Stato” (“State Film”) has been selected as Albania’s entry for the 2027 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The film draws on an extensive collection of archival material. Through historical footage and images, it tells the story of Albania during the communist …
Prime Minister Edi Rama discussed Albania’s economic growth and tourism targets during a meeting with members of the Albanian community in Staten Island, New York. Rama said Albania has undergone significant economic transformation over the past decades. He also linked this progress to the contribution of the Albanian diaspora. “The …
Three young Albanians have returned from abroad and chosen to build their professional futures in their home country. Their stories, ranging from tourism to medicinal and aromatic plants, featured in the “Flasim” podcast with Prime Minister Edi Rama. The three entrepreneurs all share a similar journey. They left Albania, gained …
Wizz Air brought a group of travellers, content creators and media representatives from Warsaw to Albania with its mystery “Let’s Get Lost” flight. The participants discovered their destination only after they landed at Tirana International Airport. Tirana International Airport “Nënë Tereza” announced the initiative on social media. The airport said …
The Albanian Parliament will host the Inter-Parliamentary Conference “A Strategic Agenda for EU Enlargement and Albania’s Accession” tomorrow, Sept. 28, in Tirana. The conference will bring together representatives of Albanian institutions, the European Parliament and parliaments from other European countries. Participants will discuss the EU enlargement process and Albania’s path …
Albania secured their first UEFA Nations League win with a 2-0 victory over Belarus in Group I. A crowd of 18,150 watched the national team claim the win in Italian coach Maran’s first official match in charge. Belarus started strongly and controlled possession early in the game. The visitors held …
Farka Lake, 9.6 kilometers from central Tirana, turned into a sports arena on Sunday as the sixth edition of “Tiranathlon” brought together cycling, running and swimming. The international triathlon attracted sports fans and participants of different ages. They competed across the three disciplines in one of Tirana’s natural settings. This …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, in a video message from Mother Teresa International Airport shortly after returning from the United States, described the measure imposed on the former head of Albania’s State Intelligence Service (SHISH) as extreme. “I have just returned from New York, where, as you know, I represented Albania …
Interest among public administration employees in 0% interest housing loans has significantly exceeded the number of available quotas. By the application deadline, 2,164 applications had been submitted for 300 new home-purchase loans, around seven times the number of expected beneficiaries. The Ministry of Health recorded the highest number of applications, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama responded to opposition demands for explanations regarding the appointment of Vlora Hyseni as head of Albania’s State Intelligence Service (SHISH). In a message from Mother Teresa International Airport, Rama said that Hyseni’s appointment to lead the State Intelligence Service was also based on assessments and references …