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FSHF changes Superiore calendar, Dinamo City–Tirana moved to Saturday

The FSHF Competitions Department announced changes to the Week 32 schedule of the Abissnet Superiore. Officials adjusted the fixtures following a request from the State Police. The request relates to security measures during an opposition protest planned for April 17. The department rescheduled Dinamo City vs Tirana for Saturday at …

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Education minister calls for structured policies to protect Albanian language in diaspora

TIRANA, April 15 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro on Wednesday called for a new and structured approach to teaching the Albanian language in diaspora communities. She warned that younger generations face a real risk of losing the language without concrete and long-term intervention. Speaking at the Diaspora Summit in Tirana, …

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Municipalities seen as key drivers of local economic development, MP Mazniku says

TIRANA, April 15 – Municipalities must act as key drivers of economic development, not just service providers, Arbjan Mazniku said on Wednesday. He spoke at the conference “Implementation of the City Climate Contract” in Elbasan. Mazniku, co-chair of the Special Parliament Committee on Territorial Reform, addressed the session on structuring …

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Fuel prices capped as diesel set at 207 Lek per litre

TIRANA, April 15 – Albania’s Transparency Board set new maximum fuel prices on Wednesday, with diesel capped at 207 Lek per litre. The decision takes effect at 13:30 local time. Under the ruling, retail diesel (SSH EN 590 standard) must not exceed 207 Lek per litre. Wholesale diesel stands at …

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Speaker Peleshi and North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Gashi discuss parliamentary cooperation and EU integration

TIRANA, April 15 – Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met North Macedonian Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi on Wednesday for talks focused on bilateral parliamentary cooperation and European integration. Both officials reviewed relations between Albania and North Macedonia. They described ties as friendly and stable. In addition, they stressed the need …

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Parliamentary Committee approves ratification of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development multilateral convention on tax rules

TIRANA, April 15 – Albania’s Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved on Wednesday a draft law ratifying the Multilateral Convention on facilitating the implementation of Pillar Two tax rules developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The committee examined the draft in its advisory …

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Shockwaves or Spillovers: How Will the Iran War Affect the Western Balkans?

Western Balkan leaders are taking diplomatic sides in the US-Israeli war on Iran and the region faces escalating energy prices – with the economic impact likely to be more serious than any potential security risks. Original post Here

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How Voice of America ‘Opened a Window’ in Isolated, Communist Albania

Afrim Krasniqi’s new book highlights the US radio station’s crucial role in bringing about change in Albania in 1990 – then ‘the most closed society in Europe’. Original post Here

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Emergency teams respond to large fire in Tirana complex

Fire broke out in a residential building near “Farmacia 10” in Tirana on Rruga e Dibrës. The fire started on the first floor. It quickly spread across the building’s facade. Flames engulfed the structure. Firefighters evacuated residents using ladders. Police secured the area with safety cordons. Emergency teams transported several …

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Brataj: 11 people hurt in “Arlis” blaze, all out of danger

Emergency Director Skënder Brataj confirmed that the fire at the “Arlis” complex in Tirana injured 11 people. Doctors placed six patients in hospital care. They admitted four patients to the Toxicology ward, one to emergency care, and one to the burns unit. Doctors treated a woman in her 50s for …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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), …

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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 …

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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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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), …

News

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 …

News

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 …