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
After more than two days off Instagram, Euronews Albania’s official account has been restored and is once again accessible to the public. The restoration comes after extensive efforts and ongoing communication with Meta, while the issue that led to the suspension of the account continues to be under investigation by …
As anti-government demonstrations in Tirana reach the 100-day mark, four experts discuss how significant the impact on Albanian politics and society will be. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
TIRANA, September 7 – A total of 20 wildfire hotspots were reported across Albania on Monday, according to the Ministry of Defense. Eleven remain active, while seven are under monitoring and two have been fully extinguished. Local civil protection structures are working with the Armed Forces to control the fires. …
TIRANA, September 7 – A total of 20 wildfire hotspots were reported across Albania on Monday, according to the Ministry of Defense. Eleven remain active, while seven are under monitoring and two have been fully extinguished. Local civil protection structures are working with the Armed Forces to control the fires. …
TIRANA, September 7 – Albania is expected to have stable weather conditions on Monday, with clear skies and long periods of sunshine across the country, according to the Military Meteorological Service. No significant changes in weather conditions are expected during the day. Clear skies will prevail across the entire territory. …
TIRANA, September 7 – Albania is expected to have stable weather conditions on Monday, with clear skies and long periods of sunshine across the country, according to the Military Meteorological Service. No significant changes in weather conditions are expected during the day. Clear skies will prevail across the entire territory. …
TIRANA, September 7 – Gjirokastër Castle attracted 200,000 visitors from January through August, Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday. The figure reflects growing interest in one of Albania’s most visited tourist destinations. Visitors from Albania and abroad continue to choose Gjirokastër for its history, architecture, landscape and gastronomy. …
TIRANA, September 7 – Gjirokastër Castle attracted 200,000 visitors from January through August, Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said on Sunday. The figure reflects growing interest in one of Albania’s most visited tourist destinations. Visitors from Albania and abroad continue to choose Gjirokastër for its history, architecture, landscape and gastronomy. …
TIRANA, September 7 – Dinamo City closed the third round of the 2026-2027 Abissnet Superiore season with a 2-1 comeback win over AF Elbasani at Elbasan Arena. The victory was Dinamo’s second in a row and lifted Ilir Daja’s side to six points. Elbasani took the lead in the 25th …