Saudi Arabia’s Yemen Action: Between Deterrence, Diplomacy, and Regional Responsibility
The latest Saudi action in Yemen should be understood not as escalation for its own sake, but as part of a broader strategic approach that combines deterrence with diplomacy, aimed at safeguarding regional stability and preserving internationally recognized state authority. Riyadh’s move comes in response to concrete security concerns arising …
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
TIRANA, September 3 – Albania will experience relatively unstable weather conditions on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will alternate between clear spells and moderate to dense cloud cover. Cloudiness will be more pronounced over mountainous areas, mainly in the east and southeast. Light rain is expected …
TIRANA, September 3 – Albania has been included among 8 destinations that travel reporter Becca Blond recommends visiting now, before mass tourism reaches them, in an article published by Yahoo Creators. Blond describes Albania as one of Europe’s less-discovered and most authentic destinations. She highlights its wild landscapes, untouched beaches, …
The Council of Ministers has approved official criteria for assessing immediate threats of environmental damage and determining environmental harm. The Ministry of Environment proposed the new regulation under Albania’s environmental protection law. The measure aims to support rapid preventive and rehabilitation measures across the country. The decision establishes a clear …
TIRANA, September 3 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the responsibility and daily challenges faced by penitentiary police officers at the Pojska Penitentiary in Pogradec. In a video shared on social media, Gogu said work in penitentiaries requires constant vigilance, accurate implementation of procedures and careful decision-making in different …
TIRANA, September 3 – Around 14,000 visitors visited the National Iconographic Museum “Onufri” in Berat during August, 4,000 more than in the same month last year. State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo said the figure shows growing interest in Berat’s history and cultural heritage. The museum remains one of …
TIRANA, September 3 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met his Montenegrin counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, at the Bled Strategic Forum. Hoxha highlighted the friendly relations between Albania and Montenegro, describing the two countries as good neighbours, trusted partners and NATO allies. …
TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama received the Student Council of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Prishtina for a discussion on the role of politics and the importance of civic engagement. Rama said politics offers an opportunity to bring people together and advance …
TIRANA, September 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said magistrates’ salaries have not been blocked by the Ministry of Finance. He said the issue concerns the methodology used by the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council to prepare their August payrolls. According to Malaj, the two institutions submitted the …
TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania must address three major problems in the relationship between citizens and the state, describing “Pasqyrë Albania” (Dashboard Albania) and the “Merit Scale” as part of that effort. Speaking to the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party and the government cabinet, …
TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the first component of “Pasqyrë Albania” (Dashboard Albania). The component, called “Flamingo Mirror”, will soon give citizens access to documents and information on issues of public interest. To begin with, Rama said the platform would cover planned investment projects on Sazan …