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 …
Opposition Takes to the Streets Over State Capture and Blocked Justice
Tirana Times, December 22, 2025 – Tirana witnessed a major opposition-led protest on Saturday, as Albania’s main opposition force, the Democratic Party, together with allied groups, demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government. The demonstration was framed not as a routine political rally, but as a …
Albanian Opposition Rallies for Premier’s Resignation Over Indicted Deputy PM
Supporters of the opposition Democratic Party demonstrated in Tirana against Edi Rama’s government after anti-corruption prosecutors indicted his deputy prime minister and raided officials at the National Information Agency. Original post Here
Security Beyond Soldiers: NATO’s Role in Strengthening Western Balkans Stability
Security in the Western Balkans is no longer defined only by borders and armies, but by the strength of institutions, public trust and the ability to withstand modern pressure. In an interview with the Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS), Arjan Starova, former Albanian foreign minister and President of the …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: December 22, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
A Structured Criminal Group Inside a National Security Institution: The AKSHI Case
Tirana, Tirana Times, 20 December 2025 – The investigation launched by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution has revealed the existence of a structured criminal group operating within the leadership of the National Agency for Information Society, AKSHI. At the center of the case stand the agency’s director and deputy director, accused …
Tirana Marks International Arabic Language Day with a Festive Ceremony
Tirana, Tirana Times, 19 December 2025 – International Arabic Language Day was commemorated in Tirana through a festive ceremony organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Albania, bringing together a broad representation of Albanian state institutions, the diplomatic corps, universities, the academic community, cultural …
Catholic believers celebrate Easter today. They mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It stands as one of the most important moments in the Catholic calendar. Prime Minister Edi Rama sent his greetings through an AI-generated video. He wrote: “Happy New Day.” Believers celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The New Testament …
President Bajram Begaj greeted Catholic believers this morning for Easter. He wished joy, peace, and blessings to their families. He shared the message on social media. Begaj said Easter shows that good defeats evil. He said effort overcomes injustice. He said love is stronger than force. He said light defeats …
Catholic believers gathered for the Easter Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa in Pristina. Bishop Dodë Gjergji led the ceremony. The Mass delivered strong messages of peace. It called for reflection, love, reconciliation, and renewed hope in Albanian families. Bishop Gjergji urged political leaders to act responsibly. He …
Today, Albania celebrates Catholic Easter. It is a special day. We invite you to explore the spiritual meaning of this feast. Discover traditions preserved for generations in Albania. Learn the long history of the Catholic Church in the country. Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It shows life’s victory …
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 …