Elbasan

Aqif Rakipi, a powerful politician in the Elbasan region from the Justice, Unity and Integration Party, PDIU, in central Albania, lost his mandate as a member of Albania's parliament on Friday, after prosecutors confirmed his role in a crime involving stolen goods in Italy in 1998.

Albania's Elbasan Arena stadium on Thursday night will host a "historic" football match when Serbian team Partizan Belgrade play in the country for the first time in 30 years.

Both Partizan Belgrade and Skanderbeu Korca have qualified for the Europa League 2017-2018 championship.

Photo Tanjug / Video (screenshot)

Kosovo Prosecutor's Office has raised indictments against nine persons for terrorism and links with Islamic State extremists.

They are suspected of planning attacks on players and fans during a football match between Albania and Israel, played in Elbasan last year.

Kosovo Prosecutor's Office has raised indictments against nine persons for terrorism and links with Islamic State extremists.

They are suspected of planning attacks on players and fans during a football match between Albania and Israel, played in Elbasan last year.

Albanian police on Friday announced strict security measures in place for the football match with Israel that will be played at the Elbasan Arena on Saturday evening.

Around 2,000 police will be deployed to secure the match, while other security measures will also be implemented.

The creation of a new diocese in the Albanian Orthodox Church has caused an angry row between the Church authorities and a rebel priest - who has often accused it in the past of acting as the agent of Greece.

Flooding resulting from heavy rain has blocked roads and caused power outages in several parts of Albania. In the capital, Tirana, the river has overflowed its banks and flooded dozens of houses on the outskirts.

The Coordination Committee of Civil Emergencies said large areas were submerged also in Lezha, Durres, Elbasan and Kuksi, and many families had been evacuated.

The Serbian football team delivered a last-minute victory over Albania on Thursday, winning the Euro 2016 qualifier 2-0 after scoring two goals in extra time.

The game kicked off at 8.45pm local time and was hosted by Albania at the Elbasan Arena, around one hour's drive southeast of the capital city Tirana.

The Albania vs. Serbia EURO 2016 qualifier is free of security risks and will go ahead as planned at the Elbasan stadium late Thursday.

The Albania vs. Serbia EURO 2016 qualifier is free of security risks and will go ahead as planned at the Elbasan stadium late Thursday, UEFA and the top officials of the Serbian and Albanian football associations have decided at a meeting.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has said he will not attend the Albania-Serbia Euro 2016 qualifier in Elbasan.