Blog
News

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

Read More
News

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

Read More
News

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

Read More
News

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. …

Read More
News

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

Read More
News

Arab Scientist Among 2025 Nobel Chemistry Laureates for Groundbreaking Molecular Architectures

In an era when Arab nations are investing heavily in science and technology especially under initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Yaghi’s Nobel Prize is seen as both a personal triumph and a symbolic breakthrough for scientific ambition across the Middle East By Tirana Times Staff | October 8, …

Read More
News

‘No One’s Above the Law’: Albania’s Anti-Graft Prosecutor Leaves Formidable Legacy

As head of Albania’s special anti-graft and organised crime prosecution, Altin Dumani proved no one is ‘untouchable’ anymore. Experts say he set a high bar for his successor. Original post Here

Read More
News

Praise for ‘Hero’ Dictator Hoxha Sparks Outrage in Albania

MPs slammed the Albanian parliament’s administration for sending out an official document listing the country’s Communist-era dictator Enver Hoxha as a ‘hero’. Original post Here

Read More
News

NY Mayor’s Visit Puts Spotlight on Rama’s Foreign Links

By Tirana Times StaffTIRANA — October 7, 2025 The visit of New York City Mayor Eric Adams to Tirana this week at the personal invitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama has reignited scrutiny of the Albanian leader’s expanding network of foreign political connections and associates. Adams’ trip, coming just days …

Read More
News

Judge’s Killing in Courtroom Shakes Albania’s Justice System

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, October 7, 2025 — The fatal shooting of Appeals Court Judge Astrit Kalaja inside a courtroom in Tirana on Monday has sent shockwaves across Albania, raising profound questions about the state of justice reform, courtroom security, and the country’s fragile rule of law. Judge Kalaja, …

Read More
News
Albania Turns Away Tanker Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet

Durres decision puts sanctions enforcement under scrutiny after vessel had previously called at Albanian port. Tirana Times, September 01, 2026 – Albania’s decision to deny entry to a tanker identified by Ukrainian military intelligence as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet marks more than an isolated maritime enforcement action. It …

News
La Stampa: Italy trains its future nurses in Albania

Italy’s Piedmont region faces a shortage of around 6,000 nursing professionals. Regional authorities are now seeking both short-term and long-term solutions. Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on the region’s efforts to address the growing healthcare workforce gap. Piedmont Health Councillor Federico Riboldi recently visited Uzbekistan after an earlier mission to …

News
Abissnet Superiore: Best XI selected for Matchday 2

National team coaches have selected the best XI of the second round of the Abissnet Superiore championship. They lined up the team in a 4-3-3 formation. Aldo Teqja of Dinamo City takes the goalkeeper position. Arlind Kurti of Laçi, Vasilios Zhongo of Teuta, Usni Ismaili of Dinamo City, and Yago …

News
PM Rama backs Germany as Berlin-Moscow tensions rise after Leipzig drone attack

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed support for Germany amid rising tensions with Russia following Berlin’s confirmation of Russian involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as an act of aggression against Germany …

News
Hot weather to bring temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, September 2 – The Military Meteorological Service forecasts another hot day on Wednesday, with mostly clear skies and clouds developing around midday. Light local rain may occur around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average …

News
“Sacro e Profano”: Kavaja agritourism blends Albanian tradition with Italian cuisine

Albanian tradition and Italian culinary expertise come together at “Sacro e Profano,” a new agritourism destination in Kavaja. The destination combines gastronomy, hospitality, and local products. It also promotes rural tourism and Albanian produce. Prime Minister Edi Rama recently highlighted “Sacro e Profano” in Kavaja through a social media post. …

News
Rising passenger numbers put Tirana Airport under new TEN-T rail connectivity rules

Tirana International Airport now falls under new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) rules. These rules require high-traffic airports to connect with rail or other high-capacity, zero-emission public transport. TEN-T connects major European cities and countries through roads, railways, ports, and airports. In this way, the network aims to improve safety, capacity, …

News
Fire goes out of control in Madhesh, Mat, two families evacuated

TIRANA, September 2 – A wildfire has gone out of control in the high forests of Trodhna, in the Ulëz Administrative Unit of Mat Municipality, threatening homes and livestock shelters. Police and Mat municipal authorities evacuated two families as the flames spread. Two livestock shelters also remain at risk. Meanwhile, …

News
Mediterranean Games: Enkileda Carja wins bronze in snatch

TIRANA, September 2 – Weightlifter Enkileda Carja, 18, won a bronze medal for Albania in the 69 kg snatch competition at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Carja successfully lifted 98 kg and 100 kg in her first two attempts. She then tried 103 kg in her third attempt in an …

News
Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) strengthens international cooperation against transnational organised crime

TIRANA, September 2 – The US Department of Justice Criminal Division and the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training have placed Albania’s Special Prosecution Office at the centre of global efforts against transnational organised crime. In Buenos Aires, SPAK head Klodjan Braho took part in IDEC40, a major …

News

Albania Turns Away Tanker Linked to Russia’s Shadow Fleet

Durres decision puts sanctions enforcement under scrutiny after vessel had previously called at Albanian port. Tirana Times, September 01, 2026 – Albania’s decision to deny entry to a tanker identified by Ukrainian military intelligence as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet marks more than an isolated maritime enforcement action. It …

News

La Stampa: Italy trains its future nurses in Albania

Italy’s Piedmont region faces a shortage of around 6,000 nursing professionals. Regional authorities are now seeking both short-term and long-term solutions. Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on the region’s efforts to address the growing healthcare workforce gap. Piedmont Health Councillor Federico Riboldi recently visited Uzbekistan after an earlier mission to …

News

Abissnet Superiore: Best XI selected for Matchday 2

National team coaches have selected the best XI of the second round of the Abissnet Superiore championship. They lined up the team in a 4-3-3 formation. Aldo Teqja of Dinamo City takes the goalkeeper position. Arlind Kurti of Laçi, Vasilios Zhongo of Teuta, Usni Ismaili of Dinamo City, and Yago …

News

PM Rama backs Germany as Berlin-Moscow tensions rise after Leipzig drone attack

TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed support for Germany amid rising tensions with Russia following Berlin’s confirmation of Russian involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as an act of aggression against Germany …

News

Hot weather to bring temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius

TIRANA, September 2 – The Military Meteorological Service forecasts another hot day on Wednesday, with mostly clear skies and clouds developing around midday. Light local rain may occur around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average …

News

“Sacro e Profano”: Kavaja agritourism blends Albanian tradition with Italian cuisine

Albanian tradition and Italian culinary expertise come together at “Sacro e Profano,” a new agritourism destination in Kavaja. The destination combines gastronomy, hospitality, and local products. It also promotes rural tourism and Albanian produce. Prime Minister Edi Rama recently highlighted “Sacro e Profano” in Kavaja through a social media post. …

News

Rising passenger numbers put Tirana Airport under new TEN-T rail connectivity rules

Tirana International Airport now falls under new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) rules. These rules require high-traffic airports to connect with rail or other high-capacity, zero-emission public transport. TEN-T connects major European cities and countries through roads, railways, ports, and airports. In this way, the network aims to improve safety, capacity, …

News

Fire goes out of control in Madhesh, Mat, two families evacuated

TIRANA, September 2 – A wildfire has gone out of control in the high forests of Trodhna, in the Ulëz Administrative Unit of Mat Municipality, threatening homes and livestock shelters. Police and Mat municipal authorities evacuated two families as the flames spread. Two livestock shelters also remain at risk. Meanwhile, …

News

Mediterranean Games: Enkileda Carja wins bronze in snatch

TIRANA, September 2 – Weightlifter Enkileda Carja, 18, won a bronze medal for Albania in the 69 kg snatch competition at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Carja successfully lifted 98 kg and 100 kg in her first two attempts. She then tried 103 kg in her third attempt in an …

News

Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) strengthens international cooperation against transnational organised crime

TIRANA, September 2 – The US Department of Justice Criminal Division and the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training have placed Albania’s Special Prosecution Office at the centre of global efforts against transnational organised crime. In Buenos Aires, SPAK head Klodjan Braho took part in IDEC40, a major …