Albania registers over 11,500 new businesses in first half of 2026
TIRANA, July 23 – Albania registered 11,567 new businesses during the first 6 months of 2026, marking a 7.5% increase from the same period in 2025, according to the National Business Center. The institution said registrations increased by 806 entities year-on-year. Sole proprietorships accounted for 8,757 registrations, or 75.7% of …
Educational Activity for Youth at Kub France Shkodër Explores Cinema and Image
The “Marubi” National Museum of Photography is organizing “Kinoscope,” an interactive educational activity in virtual reality (VR) that invites participants to explore the connection between photography, motion, and visual perception. Through this immersive experience, participants will discover how static images create the illusion of movement, revealing the core principles behind …
Pope Clement XI and his Arbëresh origins
TIRANA, July 23 – Gjon Françesk Albani, known as Pope Clement XI, was born on July 23, 1649, in Urbino, Italy. Clement XI became an important figure of the Catholic Church in the early 18th century. He came from the Albani family, a noble family with Arbëresh origins from Arbëria. …
Deputy PM Koçiu promotes business financing program during visit to Durrës startup
TIRANA, July 23 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu presented the government’s “Double Your Entrepreneurship” program during a visit to a startup in Durrës. The program aims to improve access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized businesses. It offers loans of up to 200 million lekë per beneficiary, with …
100,000 Visitors to Shkodra Castle
Rozafa Castle has officially surpassed 100,000 visitors this year, confirming its position as one of Albania’s most visited cultural heritage sites and the top tourist attraction in the city of Shkodra. The Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Shkodra announced the milestone today. Consequently, these high visitor numbers demonstrate the …
Albania joins international cybersecurity workforce coalition
TIRANA, July 23 – Albania has joined the International Coalition on Cyber Security Workforces (ICCSW), becoming the first country from the region to enter the international initiative focused on developing cybersecurity professionals. The National Authority for Cyber Security said the coalition brings together governments and organizations that work to build …
Albania approves national fisheries and aquaculture data programme
TIRANA, July 23 – Albania’s Council of Ministers has approved a multiannual national programme for collecting, managing and using data in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The decision also covers the content of multiannual marine scientific sampling programmes. The programme sets rules for collecting, managing and using biological, environmental, technical …
Medieval Koman settlement preserves Albania’s cultural heritage
TIRANA, July 23 – The Medieval Settlement of Koman remains one of Albania’s most important cultural heritage sites. It lies in the Drin Valley at the foot of Mount Dalmaca. Albania declared the site a Cultural Monument in 1963. It also received Archaeological Zone A and B status in 2015. …
Zucchero Brings the Magic of Blues, Rock, and Soul to Tirana
Italian music icon Zucchero electrified the Palace of Congresses last night, delivering a concert that transformed into a true celebration of blues, rock, and soul. Performing with his signature raspy voice and decades of stage energy, the artist kept the crowd cheering throughout every song. The auditorium sold out completely …
Military education supports Albania’s Euro-Atlantic future
TIRANA, July 23 – Albania’s Ministry of Defence has described military education as an investment in the country’s Euro-Atlantic future. The statement followed the graduation of 67 new officers from the Armed Forces Academy. The class included 10 officers from Kosova. The graduation ceremony took place on Tuesday evening at …
By Zef Preci Tirana Times, September 30, 2026 – For more than two decades, Albania has had legislation requiring senior public officials to declare their assets and financial interests. Yet persistent concerns over unexplained wealth suggest that the central issue is no longer simply whether officials submit asset declarations. The …
Investigators examine weapons deals, state-linked defense companies and the role of businessman Ron Yeffet after allegations of international arms trafficking surfaced in recordings released by former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. Tirana Times, October 03, 2026 – A series of searches by Albania’s special prosecutors has opened a potentially significant …
Albania lost 2-1 to Finland at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in a Nations League League C Group 1 match. Rey Manaj put Albania ahead in the fourth minute with a header from Kristjan Asllani’s corner. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha then made a mistake in the 22nd minute and had to intervene outside …
Electricity distribution losses in Albania fell to 15.6% in the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Electricity Distribution System Operator. The figure marks a continued improvement from 18.93% in 2023, 17.93% in 2024 and 16.96% in 2025. Regional data also show lower losses. Fier recorded the …
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said Albania is among the leading candidates in the European Union enlargement process. In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, she placed Albania and Montenegro at the front of the process, followed by Moldova and Ukraine. Kos said enlargement had achieved more …
Albania U19 secured a second consecutive victory over Lithuania U19, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a friendly match at the Vora Stadium. Lithuania took the lead in the first half, scoring from one of their few chances of the game. However, Albania responded strongly after the break and …
The International Dance Festival Tirana (IDFT) will launch its fifth edition on October 3, bringing a rich program of contemporary dance, international artists and artistic companies to the Albanian capital through October 21. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja said the festival will feature 17 performances in nine …
The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, met today with representatives of the Union of Judges, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors of Albania to discuss recent developments in the country’s justice system. According to the OSCE Presence, the discussion focused on …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images on social media today from “Gran Tour Albania,” an event that brought Italian collectors of vintage cars to the historic city of Gjirokastër. “Motoring enthusiasts and tourists added a new color to Gjirokastër in autumn,” Rama wrote alongside photos from the event. Rare vintage …
The National Library in Tirana hosted the presentation of “Usta Josifi and the Saze of Përmet,” a new monographic study by author Niko Mihali dedicated to one of Albania’s richest musical traditions. The book explores the urban folk music tradition of Përmet and focuses on the life and contribution of …