Fourth estate’s useful idiots
(cases from Albania in which international media should had known better) The cashless dream This July, a Politico-Europe journalist texted me about comments regarding Albanian PM Edi Rama’s recent statement that he would abolish all cash payments by 2030. I replied that this would be a recurring attention-seeking stunt and …
Digital Rights Review: AI and Growing Uncertainty Over What’s Real Online
BIRN monitoring during August revealed widespread misuse of AI to impersonate citizens and politicians across Southeast Europe, while Albania appointed an AI as a government minister, and Turkey treated an AI chatbot as a criminal for insulting the President. Original post Here
Albanian Mayor’s Dismissal Seemingly Ends Rising Star’s Career
Erion Veliaj’s dismissal as Tirana mayor appears to have terminated the career of a man once seen as a possible successor to Edi Rama. Original post Here
Tirana Council Dismisses Mayor Erion Veliaj
Tirana, September 23, 2025 , Tirana Times– The extraordinary dismissal of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, by the Municipal Council marks one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Albania’s recent history. Once celebrated as the rising star of the Socialist Party and widely perceived as a potential successor to Prime …
Building integrity and accountability in Albanian public universities: practical lessons from the United States
Aaron Savoy-Pasha | Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) Albanian higher education faces documented integrity risks, particularly in grading, favoritism, and political influence. A 2024 peer-reviewed study highlights how these pressures shape assessment and weaken trust in degrees (Shahini, Zhllima, and Imami, 2024). Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perceptions Index …
Veliaj’s Fall: Politics or Justice?
The detention and attempted dismissal of Tirana’s mayor raises fresh doubts over Albania’s rule of law and political maneuvering. Albania, Tirana Times, September 22,2025. The Socialist-controlled Tirana Municipal Council is expected to vote on Tuesday to dismiss Erion Veliaj from his post as mayor, formalizing a political downfall that has …
A modern writer of Saudi Arabian literature
The Critical Case of Patient K. by Aziz Muhamed By Jerina Zaloshnja “Let’s take a family photo,” suggested the prominent Saudi Arabian writer Yusuf ElMuhaimid, author of two of the latest books published in Arabic by Tirana Times (“A Man Chased by Rats” and “The Journey of the Najdi Boy”). …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 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
Italian’s Tourist Resort Plan Trumps Triple Protection over Albanian Bay
Albania’s government has bestowed ‘strategic investor’ status to an Italian hotelier who wants to build a tourist resort in a nature reserve in southern Albania, on land rich in cultural heritage and home to a Cold War-era military base. Original post Here
Albania’s Fourth Rama Government Approved Without Debate
TIRANA, Albania, Tirana Times, September 18,2025 — In an unprecedented scene in Albania’s 35 years of political pluralism, Parliament on Thursday approved Prime Minister Edi Rama’s new cabinet and four-year governing program within minutes and without a single debate. The session, marked by chaos, a pre-recorded appearance from a virtual …
Italy’s Piedmont region faces a shortage of around 6,000 nursing professionals. Regional authorities are now seeking both short-term and long-term solutions. Italian newspaper La Stampa reported on the region’s efforts to address the growing healthcare workforce gap. Piedmont Health Councillor Federico Riboldi recently visited Uzbekistan after an earlier mission to …
National team coaches have selected the best XI of the second round of the Abissnet Superiore championship. They lined up the team in a 4-3-3 formation. Aldo Teqja of Dinamo City takes the goalkeeper position. Arlind Kurti of Laçi, Vasilios Zhongo of Teuta, Usni Ismaili of Dinamo City, and Yago …
TIRANA, September 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed support for Germany amid rising tensions with Russia following Berlin’s confirmation of Russian involvement in an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August. In a post on X, Rama described the incident as an act of aggression against Germany …
TIRANA, September 2 – The Military Meteorological Service forecasts another hot day on Wednesday, with mostly clear skies and clouds developing around midday. Light local rain may occur around midday and in the afternoon, mainly over mountainous areas. Meanwhile, winds will blow from the northeast to northwest at an average …
Albanian tradition and Italian culinary expertise come together at “Sacro e Profano,” a new agritourism destination in Kavaja. The destination combines gastronomy, hospitality, and local products. It also promotes rural tourism and Albanian produce. Prime Minister Edi Rama recently highlighted “Sacro e Profano” in Kavaja through a social media post. …
Tirana International Airport now falls under new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) rules. These rules require high-traffic airports to connect with rail or other high-capacity, zero-emission public transport. TEN-T connects major European cities and countries through roads, railways, ports, and airports. In this way, the network aims to improve safety, capacity, …
TIRANA, September 2 – A wildfire has gone out of control in the high forests of Trodhna, in the Ulëz Administrative Unit of Mat Municipality, threatening homes and livestock shelters. Police and Mat municipal authorities evacuated two families as the flames spread. Two livestock shelters also remain at risk. Meanwhile, …
TIRANA, September 2 – Weightlifter Enkileda Carja, 18, won a bronze medal for Albania in the 69 kg snatch competition at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games. Carja successfully lifted 98 kg and 100 kg in her first two attempts. She then tried 103 kg in her third attempt in an …
TIRANA, September 2 – The US Department of Justice Criminal Division and the Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training have placed Albania’s Special Prosecution Office at the centre of global efforts against transnational organised crime. In Buenos Aires, SPAK head Klodjan Braho took part in IDEC40, a major …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met with US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker on the sidelines of the Bled Strategic Forum. Hoxha said the meeting reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. The two officials discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation …