Exposing Scams, Probing the Powerful: A Year of BIRN Investigations
As 2026 begins, we look back on some of the most important investigations published by BIRN in its 20th anniversary year – from brutal migrant-smuggling gangs and arms deals with Israel to state surveillance of protesters and online frauds. Original post Here
Letter From Washington: The US Just Blasted Balkan Authoritarians – Or Did It?
The recently-passed Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act shows that some US lawmakers still care about the region. But it doesn’t mean that Donald Trump is going to tell Aleksandar Vucic to be nicer to student protesters. Original post Here
PM Kurti claims victory in Kosovo vote, no clear majority
Tirana Times PRISTINA, Kosovo December 29, 2025. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti secured another clear electoral victory in Kosovo’s repeat parliamentary election on Sunday, with his left wing Vetëvendosje movement significantly expanding its lead over rivals but once again failing to secure the parliamentary majority needed to govern alone, according …
Deputy PM Balluku Arrest Bid Shakes Albania’s Rule of Law
Will Parliament Lift the Deputy Prime Minister’s Immunity? Tirana Times, December 28 th , 2025. Albania has entered one of the most serious institutional confrontations since the launch of its justice reform, as the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) formally requested parliamentary authorization to arrest Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of …
Tirana’s Construction Boom and the Flow of Dirty Money
TIRANA, December 26, 2025 – Albania’s decade-long construction boom, long portrayed as a sign of growth and urban renewal, is increasingly being scrutinized as a vehicle for laundering illicit capital. A new study by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, combined with years of investigative reporting and analysis by Tirana Times, points …
Secret tenders, violence and kidnappings, BIRN: The staggering profits of AKSH contractors
Tirana Times, 25 December, 2025 – On September 15, 2023, Ergys Agasi, 36, founded a company with a capital of 1 thousand lek (10 euros) with activity in the field of information technology. Under the name EA Solutions, the company had a rapid activity. In the balance sheet filed with …
Saudi Arabia Leads AI Readiness in MENA, Emerges as Global Governance Power
As artificial intelligence reshapes economic competitiveness and state capacity, indexes like the Government AI Readiness Index serve not merely as technical rankings, but as indicators of national strategic priorities. In this sense, Saudi Arabia has moved decisively from regional ambition toward global relevance, even as the global hierarchy of AI …
New Chief of Albania’s Anti-Graft Prosecution Vows ‘Tough Approach’
Despite political tensions sparked by high-profile corruption cases, Klodjan Braho tells BIRN that his main priority will be to guarantee Albanians that “no one is above the law”. Original post Here
Former Foreign and Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka Questioned by SPAK
By Tirana Times Tirana, December 23, 2025 – Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Olta Xhaçka appeared on Tuesday at the premises of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK), where she remained for approximately two hours before leaving without making any statement to the media. Xhaçka declined to …
On the eve of Catholic Easter, many believers gathered in Mother Teresa Square in Tirana for the Way of the Cross procession. The event brought together participants for a key religious ritual. Holding candles and offering prayers, Catholic believers marked Good Friday with a solemn procession. Archbishop Arjan Dodaj of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting this Friday with Socialist Party members from Unit No. 3 in Tirana. During his speech, Rama emphasized that the ruling majority has already begun groundwork to secure an even deeper victory in the upcoming elections, while mocking the opposition, saying that despite their …
The Transparency Board has decided on Friday to increase the price of fuel and its by-products. According to the decision, the retail price of diesel (gasoil) under the SSH EN 590 standard must not exceed 224 ALL per liter, while the wholesale price is set at 212 ALL per liter. …
During Friday’s parliamentary session in the Assembly of Kosovo, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Ganimete Musliu interrupted Prime Minister Albin Kurti, taking his microphone and demanding that he return to the topic. “Can you get back to the point, Prime Minister, because you’ve had four years in government and …
Albania produced 7.5 million megawatt-hours of electricity during 2025, of which 1.3 million megawatt-hours were lost in the distribution network. This represents a loss level of around 17%, showing a downward trend compared to previous years. Electricity losses, caused by theft or network depreciation, were significantly reduced last year. Data …
The Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) announced that it will soon open a premiere exhibition of one of the most extraordinary artists of global Surrealism, Salvador Dalí. The exhibition “Salvador Dalí” will open on April 9. It forms part of the “Argillet Collection,” curated by collector Christine Argillet. The …
Prime Minister Edi Rama called on mayors to draft plans to convert old houses into museums. He urged them to identify buildings with strong heritage value and save them from decay. Speaking at a meeting with mayors, Rama said the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports has launched a process …
The reconstruction of the “Shefqet Doda” Cultural Palace in Mat has brought new life to the city’s cultural and artistic scene. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu, Minister Blendi Gonxhja, Mayor Altin Bojnini, and MP Agron Malaj visited the upgraded facilities. Koçiu said the project restores one of Mat’s key symbols. …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, also leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, met the party assembly in Unit 3 in Tirana. Rama praised the results in the unit. He said the unit shows growth. He thanked party members for their work. He said 10 out of 12 regions show growth, …
Easter is approaching. If you want to enjoy the holiday with family or friends, here are four perfect films to watch together, reports hynerd.it. Who Framed Roger Rabbit In an alternate Hollywood where animated characters and humans coexist, detective Eddie Valiant investigates a case involving the cartoon star Roger Rabbit, …