Kanye West concert plan sparks controversy in Albania

Event raises concerns over antisemitism row, reported €50 million temporary stadium, wider European backlash and criticism from Jewish

56 minutes ago

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Opposition Calls for Rama’s Resignation Over Corruption

Headline

Tirana protest unfolds amid EU concerns over shrinking parliamentary oversight. TIRANA, May 08, 2026 — Albania’s opposition staged

2 days ago

4 mins read

Iran could target Albania?

Headline

U.S. Embassy warns of possible Iran-linked attacks against MEK and public locations. Tirana Times, April 01, 2026 – The U.S.

1 month ago

3 mins read

Albania Opposition Protest Deepens Political Crisis

Headline

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha targeted during demonstration. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in

2 months ago

7 mins read

Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

Headline

TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What

2 months ago

19 mins read

Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial

Headline

TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the

2 months ago

12 mins read

Headline

Kanye West concert plan sparks controversy in Albania

56 minutes ago

Event raises concerns over antisemitism row, reported €50 million temporary stadium, wider European backlash and criticism from Jewish communities. TIRANA, May 11, 2026 –

Headline

Opposition Calls for Rama’s Resignation Over Corruption

2 days ago

Tirana protest unfolds amid EU concerns over shrinking parliamentary oversight. TIRANA, May 08, 2026 — Albania’s opposition staged a national protest in Tirana on

Albania’s Recurrent Gasification Mirage

1 hour ago

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From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial

22 hours ago

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Albania – Greece: No Progress, Just Promises

1 week ago

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EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

1 week ago

14 mins read

Latest

Albania’s Recurrent Gasification Mirage

Op-Ed

Before Albania can have gasification, it will need to have a functioning economy, a population wealthy enough to afford the costs of central heating and cooling, schools, kindergartens and nurseries equipped with air conditioning, and a substantial industrial base capable of consuming a volume of gas large enough to justify

1 hour ago

6 mins read

From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial

Premium

Challenging Communism’s Legacy and Conspiracy Theories on Anti-Semitism in Albania. By Albert Rakipi, PhD When Johanna Juta Neumann arrived in Durrës from Hamburg, she was no more than nine years old. She and her parents could hardly have known much about Albania, a small, poor and underdeveloped country on the

22 hours ago

13 mins read

Albania – Greece: No Progress, Just Promises

Editorial

Tirana Times, May 03, 2026 – There is a limit to how long diplomacy can survive on good manners and optimistic statements. The latest round of Albania–Greece engagement, showcased at the Delphi Economic Forum, makes one thing unmistakably clear: the relationship is not moving forward it is being managed in

1 week ago

4 mins read

EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

Op-Ed

By Ferit Hoxha Anyone who knows even a little about Albania is aware that the cornerstone of Albanian foreign policy in the post-communist period has been a clear orientation toward the Euro-Atlantic world, as a guarantee of democracy, security, and the country’s development, and as an expression of our aspiration

1 week ago

14 mins read

Frozen Courtesies: Albania–Greece Relations Between Rhetoric and Reality

Politics

Strategic ambitions, unresolved disputes, and a relationship caught between political narratives and diplomatic inertia. Tirana Times, May 02, 2026 – The latest encounter between Edi Rama and Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Delphi Economic Forum was meant to signal momentum in a relationship long burdened by history. Instead, it exposed a

1 week ago

7 mins read

On Autocracy, Hungary, and the Cost of Crying Wolf

Op-Ed

by Nikola Kedhi Tirana Times, April 20, 2026 – On the evening of April 12, 2026, Viktor Orbán, Europe’s most scrutinized, most condemned, most exhaustively theorized leader, conceded defeat in a parliamentary election. Péter Magyar’s Tisza party had won over 53 percent of the vote. The man whom the European

3 weeks ago

10 mins read

Latest

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Albania’s Recurrent Gasification Mirage

Op-Ed

Before Albania can have gasification, it will need to have a functioning economy, a population wealthy enough to afford the costs of central heating

1 hour ago

6 mins read

From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial

Premium

Challenging Communism’s Legacy and Conspiracy Theories on Anti-Semitism in Albania. By Albert Rakipi, PhD When Johanna Juta Neumann arrived in Durrës from Hamburg, she

22 hours ago

13 mins read

A US Kosovo Pull-Out? The Wrong Move at a Bad Time

4 weeks ago

6 mins read

Dirty Money in the Skyline: Albania’s Tower Boom and the Laundering of Criminal Wealth

4 weeks ago

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Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

4 weeks ago

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Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

4 weeks ago

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Business and Economy

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Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

Business & Economy·Features

by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet

2 months ago

7 mins read

Most Viewed

Property prices on Albanian coast soar, partially driven by foreign buyers

Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

Turkish consortium bids to build Vlora airport as Albania prepares to launch national carrier

Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration

Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

Albania’s TikTok ban draws debate

Albania faces international scrutiny over suspected toxic waste trafficking

From exile, Albania’s ex deputy PM alleges massive corruption at top of SP leadership

Albania’s Food Safety Scandal Highlights Rule of Law Deficiencies Amid EU Accession Talks

Trump’s son-in-law plans major investment in Sazan, Albanian gov’t confirms

OP-ED

View All

Op-Ed

Albania’s Recurrent Gasification Mirage

Before Albania can have gasification, it will need to have

1 hour ago

6 mins read

Op-Ed

EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

By Ferit Hoxha Anyone who knows even a little about

1 week ago

14 mins read

Op-Ed

On Autocracy, Hungary, and the Cost of Crying Wolf

by Nikola Kedhi Tirana Times, April 20, 2026 – On

3 weeks ago

10 mins read

Op-Ed

A US Kosovo Pull-Out? The Wrong Move at a Bad Time

Reports say Washington is considering the withdrawal of US forces

4 weeks ago

6 mins read

Op-Ed

Corruption Has Already Killed the Economy

By Gjergj Erebara Tirana Times, April 11, 2026 – Prime

4 weeks ago

6 mins read

Op-Ed

The Illusionists of Brussels

by Genc Pollo, President of Paneuropa-Albania On March 30, at

1 month ago

6 mins read

Op-Ed

Foreign Interference and Election Observation in Hungary’s 2026 Parliamentary Vote

by David J. Kostelancik Tirana Times, April 09, 2026 –

1 month ago

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Op-Ed

Marx on the Beach

By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two

2 months ago

7 mins read

OP-ED

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Albania’s Recurrent Gasification Mirage

Op-Ed

Before Albania can have gasification, it will need to have a functioning economy, a population wealthy enough to afford the costs of central heating

1 hour ago

6 mins read

EU Integration as Compass: Albania’s Foreign Policy Vision in a Shifting World

Op-Ed

By Ferit Hoxha Anyone who knows even a little about Albania is aware that the cornerstone of Albanian foreign policy in the post-communist period

1 week ago

14 mins read

The Biblical Dog and our chances for full EU membership

2 months ago

7 mins read

Albania Must Not Mirror Serbia’s EU Rejection

2 months ago

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The War in Iran and Albania in a Fragmenting International Order

2 months ago

6 mins read

Shielding Power from Justice

3 months ago

8 mins read

Features and Culture

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The 5Ps of Service Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Albanian and Western Balkan Service Providers

Features

By Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, April 07, 2026 – In my earlier article for Tirana Times, I described Albania as a country that moves from being visited to being remembered. Having since deepened my engagement with the Albanian health tourism and hospitality ecosystem, and having had the privilege of

1 month ago

11 mins read

AIIS Honors Ilir Ikonomi with “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize

Culture

Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 – The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award

1 month ago

2 mins read

Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

Business & Economy·Features

by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet

2 months ago

7 mins read

The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania

Business & Economy·Features

Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the

3 months ago

5 mins read

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Business & Economy·Features

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026

3 months ago

8 mins read

Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Culture·International

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan,

3 months ago

3 mins read

Features and Culture

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The 5Ps of Service Excellence: A Practical Roadmap for Albanian and Western Balkan Service Providers

Features

By Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, April 07, 2026 – In my earlier article for Tirana Times, I described Albania as a country that moves from being visited to being remembered. Having since deepened my engagement with the Albanian health tourism and hospitality ecosystem, and having had the privilege of

1 month ago

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Why the world calls us ‘Albania’ and the origin of ‘Shqiperi’

“Give me a Laboratory and I Will Move the World”

Gjirokastra Qifqi: The magic of traditional cooking

Analysis: Bells toll for Albania’s demographics as census results confirm corrosive effects of massive emigration

Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

1980s icon Simaku returns to the spotlight after decades of emigration hardship

Privatization of Butrint: How Albania is Selling Off Its Archaeological Heritage

‘Harnex.io’ – Stirring the pot with a tech revolution…and bold ideas!

2025- Tirana the Mediterranean capital of culture and dialogue

Roman tales: RUN, BABY, RUN

Western Balkans

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Serbia Faces Mounting Scrutiny as Democratic Backsliding Deepens

Western Balkans

Serbia could lose €1.36 billion from the EU Growth Plan over rule of law and democratic concerns, according to the European Movement in Serbia.

4 weeks ago

3 mins read

Do the Balkans really want EU membership?

Western Balkans

By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place

2 months ago

4 mins read

Strategic-Sector Governance Under Strain:The Bankers Petroleum Case and China-Linked Risk Exposure in Albania

Western Balkans

Tirana Times, February 25 2026 – Domestic governance gaps are the primary entry points through which foreign actors can generate corrosive outcomes in strategic

3 months ago

23 mins read

Russian Propaganda in North Macedonia

News·Western Balkans

by Agron Vrangalla Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – Moscow systematically uses information manipulation as an instrument of foreign policy. In North Macedonia, Russian

3 months ago

6 mins read

NATO Values as Security Infrastructure: Evidence From Student Conversations

Western Balkans

In the Western Balkans, “security” is rarely an abstract concept. It is encountered as a lived condition, shaped by memory, geography and a persistent

4 months ago

6 mins read

Stability Has a Schedule: What NATO’s Hague Pledge Means for the Western Balkans

Western Balkans

In late August 2022, Montenegro’s government digital infrastructure was hit by what officials called an “unprecedented” cyberattack. The disruption was serious enough that parts

5 months ago

7 mins read

Kremlin Echoes in Balkan Clickbait: How Fake Baba Vanga Prophecies Spread Across Albanian Media

Western Balkans

TIRANA, Tirana Times, December 16, 2025. Each December, apocalyptic headlines resurface across Albanian media warning of global collapse, Europe’s disappearance or the rise of

5 months ago

5 mins read

PM Rama’s Misguided Diplomacy on Kosovo

Op-Ed·Western Balkans

The Albanian Prime Minister’s suggestions have largely and consistently proven not to be in Kosovo’s best interest October 29, 2025 By Veton Suroi Last

6 months ago

7 mins read

Premium

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From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial

Premium

Challenging Communism’s Legacy and Conspiracy Theories on Anti-Semitism in Albania. By Albert Rakipi, PhD When Johanna Juta Neumann arrived in Durrës from Hamburg, she

22 hours ago

13 mins read

Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

Premium

The question posed today is not whether there is corruption in governance, but whether there is any aspect of governance without corruption. by Blendi

3 months ago

9 mins read

From staunch enemy to strategic partner: Albanian-American relations in transition

Premium

In 1919, Vatra, a pan-Albanian association functioning as something of a shadow Albanian government in the United States, made an unprecedented request to Secretary

12 months ago

16 mins read

In a depopulating Albania, why is the PM campaigning on a promise to make it easier for young people to leave?

Op-Ed·Premium

If Rama wants to be the prime minister who ushers Albania into the European Union, he must first be the leader who makes Albania

1 year ago

6 mins read

United Arab Emirates ‘s Expanding Influence in Albania – Financial and Political Concerns

Headline·Op-Ed·Premium

By Tirana Times TIRANA, March 20th (Tirana Times ) The Albanian government has nearly doubled the projected cost of its “Smart City” initiative, now

1 year ago

6 mins read

News Analysis: A Geopolitical Shift in the Western Balkans?

Op-Ed·Premium·Western Balkans

Trilateral Defense Pact Between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Redefines Regional Security Architecture? A new security alignment is taking shape in Southeastern Europe, as three

1 year ago

7 mins read

Op/Ed: Is Albania slipping into a one-party system?

Features·Op-Ed·Premium

The head of Albania’s opposition, Sali Berisha(1), Albania’s former President and a former two-term Prime Minister, was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Mr.

2 years ago

13 mins read

Is Albania’s new dominant-party system here to stay?

Op-Ed·Premium

By ANDI BALLA The ruling Socialist Party scored a sweeping victory in Albania’s May 14, 2023 municipal elections. SP won 54 out of 61

3 years ago

10 mins read

Premium

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From a Unique Story of Bravery to the Dangers of Holocaust Denial

Premium

Challenging Communism’s Legacy and Conspiracy Theories on Anti-Semitism in Albania. By Albert Rakipi, PhD When Johanna Juta Neumann arrived in Durrës from Hamburg, she

22 hours ago

13 mins read

Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

Premium

The question posed today is not whether there is corruption in governance, but whether there is any aspect of governance without corruption. by Blendi

3 months ago

9 mins read

Why tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are flaring

3 years ago

6 mins read

What do Albania’s upcoming municipal elections mean for foreign investors?

3 years ago

7 mins read

Concerns raised as Tirana mulls exiting ICSID over Becchetti affair €120-million judgement

3 years ago

8 mins read

Why Albania’s domestic PR wars are being fought abroad

3 years ago

6 mins read

Albania’s demographic bill comes due

3 years ago

14 mins read

Deconstructing myths in Albanian-U.S. relations

4 years ago

10 mins read

Books

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Bringing Albania into History: Bernd J. Fischer and World War II

By Ilir Ikonomi One of the most important modern works ever written about Albania’s experience in the Second World War—Bernd Jürgen Fischer’s Albania at War,

5 months ago

5 mins read

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

7 months ago

8 mins read

East–West Encounters in the Novel “Pema e harlisur” by the Saudi Author Umaima al-Khamis

Alban Reli As the translator from Arabic to Albanian of the novel ‘The Leafy Tree’(Albanian: ‘Pema e harlisur’) by the Saudi writer Umaima al-Khamis,

8 months ago

5 mins read

Books

View All

Bringing Albania into History: Bernd J. Fischer and World War II

By Ilir Ikonomi One of the most important modern works ever written about Albania’s experience in the Second World War—Bernd Jürgen Fischer’s Albania at War,

5 months ago

5 mins read