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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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
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
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. …
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
Prime Minister Edi Rama outlined plans to improve communication between citizens and public institutions following a meeting with Socialist Party political leaders in Pogradec. Rama said the meeting focused on “Besa”, government presence on the ground and a new communication system designed to strengthen direct contact with citizens. He also …
A strong earthquake struck Japan early Sunday, with its epicenter in Ibaraki Prefecture. The tremor also reached the Tokyo area. So far, the Albanian Embassy has reported no deaths or major damage. However, the earthquake injured several people, and the Embassy wished them a speedy recovery. Meanwhile, the Albanian Embassy …
Albania U-21 opened its “Taranto 2026” campaign with a 1-1 draw against Italy in Group B. The match took place in Lecce. The Red and Blacks made a strong start and took the lead just before halftime. Rajmond Marinaj scored in the 45th minute to put Albania ahead. However, Italy …
President Bajram Begaj met with the Arbëresh community in San Marzano di San Giuseppe, in the province of Taranto, highlighting its historic role in strengthening ties between Albania and Italy. During his visit, President Begaj was welcomed by local authorities and residents. First, he laid a wreath at the bust …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja met Italian Sports and Youth Minister Andrea Abodi during the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. The ministers discussed stronger cooperation between Albania and Italy in sports and youth policies. They focused on sports infrastructure, staff training and sports medicine. They also stressed the need …
The “Freedom Has a Name” platform has presented the civic initiative “Kosovo Is Waiting,” as part of which a “March for Freedom” will be held in Pristina on September 12, ahead of the verdict by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague concerning former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army …
Euronews journalist Eni Ferati has obtained the testimony given before the Saranda Court by Sokrat Vata, the suspect in the killing of a 21-year-old Portuguese tourist, Luis Miguel Varela Mendes in Ksamil. Vata admitted responsibility for the killing but gave his account of the circumstances, claiming that amid the mass …
The excavation and exhumation of human remains at three locations in Mala Kaludra and Jabuka, in Zubin Potok, where three mass graves have been confirmed, have been completed, Kosovo’s Government Commission on Missing Persons announced. The excavations began in late July in villages in northern Kosovo, and authorities have confirmed …
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj has visited Italy, where he attended the opening ceremony of the “Taranto 2026” Mediterranean Games in support of the Albanian team of athletes. During the visit, President Begaj was welcomed by his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, as well as by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia …
Prime Minister Edi Rama will gather his government cabinet for a two-day meeting in Pogradec on August 23 and 24. The meeting will be held in a “retreat” format, with ministers expected to report on the work carried out so far and present their priorities for the coming months. The …