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 …
The moralistic reaction to leaked tapes of women filmed secretly in intimate acts shows Albania is still struggling to accept women as sexual beings – while also failing legally to protect victims of non-consensual exposure. Original post Here
An anti-government protest led by students demanding better educational conditions escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the Albanian capital. Original post Here
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has condemned acts of vandalism at the Apostolic Nunciature in Tirana on Tuesday, including the removal of the Holy See’s flag. The ministry stressed that diplomatic missions must remain inviolable and retain their dignity under national law and international law. It also said …
The US Army will rotate troops from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and support units from the 1st Infantry Division into Kosovo to support NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR). The incoming troops will replace the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The rotation will also bring in elements of …
Albania aims to conclude agreements to avoid double taxation with all 27 European Union member states as it aligns its tax legislation and practices with European standards. Deputy Finance Minister Andi Memeti outlined the objective during a parliamentary committee discussion on ratifying an agreement with Lithuania. He said these agreements …
The National Territorial Council has cleared the way for the new Kavaja Market in the city centre. French architect Manuelle Gautrand designed the project to introduce a contemporary architectural concept to the urban space. The development covers 3,130 square metres of land, with a building area of 1,405 square metres. …
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula met on Tuesday with the families of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, who face trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Shiroka-Pula stood by the families and acknowledged the hardship they face. She pledged …
Students from several universities boycotted classes on Tuesday and gathered outside the Ministry of Education to protest for a second consecutive day. The boycott involved students from the University of Medicine, the Agricultural University, the Polytechnic University, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Philology. …
President Bajram Begaj met Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, and other board members at the Brigades Palace. Begaj praised the foundation’s contribution to economic development. He stressed the importance of continuing its projects in education, tourism, cultural heritage and agriculture, as well as efforts …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu responded to the violence during Tuesday’s protest outside the Ministry of Education. In a Facebook post accompanying footage from the demonstration, he said violence, calls for chaos and attacks on institutions and businesses were not solutions. Gogu stressed that the right to protest is fundamental and …