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 …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has invited citizens to take part in a running event in Tirana on October 24-25. He shared a video on Facebook encouraging people to put on their running shoes and challenge themselves. Meanwhile, Rama said the capital’s streets will become a major running track for the …
Hybrid threats and cyberattacks against Albania were the focus of a workshop organised by the National Cyber Security Authority with the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. National Cyber Security Authority head Bledar Kazia said authorities had detected external attacks on systems during the latest protest. He stressed …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo and State Police Director General Skënder Hita met with local State Police leaders in Shkodër on Monday. According to media reports, the meeting focused on public order and security issues in the region. The participants also discussed efforts to combat crime, particularly the cultivation and distribution …
Tirana hosted the third edition of “Tirana Grand Prix” for three days. The event is the largest automotive event in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared moments from the event on social media today. The three-day programme celebrated automotive history, elegance and passion. It brought together collectors and enthusiasts from …
A new photo exhibition is bringing 20th-century Italian cinema to Tirana. The exhibition, “L’Italia che sognavamo”, opened today and will remain on display until October 23. Visitors can see the exhibition in the area in front of the Central State Film Archive. It features photographs from Italian cinema throughout the …
Albania’s Under-21 team drew 2-2 with Ukraine in a friendly match in Eger, Hungary, on Monday. The match took place at Szentmarjay Tibor Varosi Stadion. Albania produced a strong performance and controlled much of the game. Albania took the lead in the 18th minute through Kevin Dodaj. The team created …
Albania striker Rey Manaj said the team must start strongly against San Marino and seek an early goal in their UEFA Nations League match. Further, Manaj said Albania should focus on scoring regardless of how the goals come. He recalled the recent match against Andorra, when Albania scored late. The …
For the first time, an Albanian university has entered the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, one of the world’s best-known university rankings. Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro thanked the academic staff, researchers, students and wider community of Tirana State University for their work to strengthen academic quality, research and internationalisation. …
Climate change is affecting biodiversity and reshaping the Mediterranean ecosystem. In Albania, researchers increasingly see the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in coastal waters and on beaches where the species sometimes nests. Albania has not traditionally ranked among the species’ main nesting areas. Warmer sea and sand temperatures now create …
The General Directorate of Archives has opened the Archive Museum, a new space dedicated to Albania’s documentary heritage. The museum aims to bring visitors, especially young people, closer to the country’s history through archival documents. General Archives Director Auron Rrokaj said the museum differs from traditional museums because it focuses …