The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Film “The Life of Sheep”
Director Rajkumar Hirani: Art Against Reality and Strategic Importance by Arben Ramkaj In a world where tensions and conflicts are a constant reality, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands as a country of exceptional strategic importance and an unparalleled contributor to global security and peace. Rich with invaluable natural resources, …
The head of the CIA in the Balkans—closing the door to the penetration of Russian influence
While primarily preoccupied with finding solutions to the crisis in the Middle East and frequently travelling to the region, CIA chief and ambassador William Burns paid a surprise and unannounced visit to several Balkan capitals and spoke with their leaders. The visit took place this week without public announcements but …
Albanian Central Bank Printed Money to Finance Hotel Purchase – Draft Report
A damning draft audit into the workings of the Bank of Albania – declared secret but obtained by BIRN – found the central bank printed money to fund the purchase of an iconic Tirana hotel and other expenditures. Original post Here
History of the Armed Forces, part of the Central State Archive/ Minister Vengu visits the Central Archive of the Armed Forces
Thousands of materials belonging to the Central Archive of the Armed Forces will be part of the Central State Archive. The work has already started and is expected to be completed by January 1, 2025. The Minister of Defense, Mr. Pirro Vengu, accompanied by the General Director of the Central …
Minister Hasani gathers ambassadors and consuls on Monday: We discuss the challenges of Albanian diplomacy
On August 26-28, 2024, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organizes the Conference of Ambassadors “Tirana Diplo 2024”. The event will be organized in the premises of the Palace of Congresses. In addition to ambassadors and heads of consular posts, Albanian and foreign dignitaries will be invited. The three-day …
Fight between several people in a hotel in Saranda, two arrested
A fight took place on Saturday evening between several people in a hotel in Saranda. According to the police, a 19-year-old man from Saranda and a Frenchman clashed with two other French citizens, disrupting public peace and causing material damage to the hotel. As a result, the 19-year-old man and …
Declared wanted, a 50 year old is extradited from Spain
Ismali Zeneli was extradited from Spain to our country, after the finalization of the operation by Interpol Tirana. The 50-year-old was declared internationally wanted by the Interpol Directorate, he is part of the gang group where Erzen Breçani was arrested. The Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized …
An 18 year old died after he lost control of the vehicle
An 18-year-old, who was injured on Thursday, after losing control of the car and ended up in the canal, died this Friday. The accident happened yesterday, around the early hours of the morning. The driver of the vehicle was immediately sent to the hospital for medical assistance, but as a …
A 26-year-old man is arrested in Elbasan for threatened to kill the police officer
A 26-year-old man was arrested in Elbasan after threatening to kill a police officer. According to the police, the young man was walking around armed with a pistol, at midnight, in the “Luigj Gurakuqi” neighborhood, while it was ascertained by the police officer that he was off duty. At the …
GAIN Summit 2024 to Explore Latest Global Developments in AI
Third edition of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit announced TIRANA, 21 August 2024 – AI leaders from around the world will be gathering for the third edition of the Global AI Summit (GAIN) on September 10-12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hosted by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority …
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here
The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here
A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here