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Albanian Activists Condemn Govt ‘Trick’, Paving Way for Investments in Protected Areas

Edi Rama’s government is attempting to radically change the law on protected areas, paving the way for construction for ‘strategic purposes’ and skipping the public consultation process. Original post Here

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Book Review – Enver Hoxha’s Long Shadow: Travels in Albania

John Watkins’ new travelogue offers an intriguing snapshot of a country still scarred by the legacy of its brutal dictator. Original post Here

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Albania Legalizes Online Sports Betting, Overturning 2018 Ban

After banning sports betting in 2018, Albania’s parliament has voted to permit it once again – in online form only, and under the management of ten selected companies. Original post Here

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EU Urges Albania to Rethink Planned Changes to Protected Areas

Letter from the Head of the EU Delegation in Tirana expresses concern that planned changes to the law on national parks could result in ‘large tourism and industrial investments’ in areas whose biodiversity needs protection. Original post Here

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Albanian Gang Killings Spur Calls for Better Prevention

Albania is being blighted by gangland killings and the authorities appear helpless to act, experts say. Original post Here

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Albanian Socialists ‘Fishing for Votes’ to Pardon Corrupt Officials

Ruling Socialists face accusations that they are the real movers behind an opposition MP’s proposal to widen an amnesty to include officials sentenced for corruption and organised crime. Original post Here

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Turkey-Albania Media Deal Risks ‘Exporting Erdogan’s Propaganda’ – Experts

New media cooperation agreement signed on Tuesday may well strengthen Turkish government propaganda in the Albanian media, experts warn. Original post Here

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BIRN Film Recounts Albanian Artist’s Repression by Communist Regime

BIRN’s documentary ‘Painting in Darkness’, telling the story of an artist who was imprisoned as a political dissident and whose works were confiscated by Albania’s repressive Communist regime, was premiered in Tirana. Original post Here

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Defendants’ Portraits Shed Light on Political Trials in Communist Albania

An exhibition of 150 photographs of ‘enemies of the state’ who were prosecuted for political reasons at trials held in cinemas offers a fresh insight into the injustices of Communist-era Albania. Original post Here

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MP Expulsions Deepen Political Polarisation in Albania

Dozens of opposition MPs have been temporarily expelled from Albania’s parliament under new rules pushed through by the ruling Socialist Party, deepening a political crisis just when parties should be coming together to reform the electoral law. Original post Here

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Ibrahimaj: New Business Registrations Rise 7.5% in First Half of 2026

Albania registered 11,567 new businesses during the first half of 2026, up by 806 from the same period last year. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced the figures today, saying they reflect growing confidence in Albania’s business environment and stronger interest in launching new economic activities. “Entrepreneurship continues to …

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Ibrahimaj: ‘Double Your Business’ Program Helps Companies Expand

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj visited a business in Tirana’s Unit No. 2 on Wednesday to highlight the benefits of the “Double Your Business” program. Ibrahimaj said the program provides financing for businesses planning investments of up to 2 million euros, with repayment periods of up to 10 years. …

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Rama: ‘Double Your Business’ Program Expands Financing Opportunities for SMEs

Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the government’s “Double Your Business” program, an initiative launched in partnership with the banking sector to help micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as farmers, invest, modernize, and expand their operations. Rama said the program creates new financing opportunities by offering preferential interest …

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Albanian Protesters Clash With Police at Rally Outside Parliament

Confrontation erupts as MPs gather for the final parliamentary session before the summer holidays, as daily anti-government demonstrations continue. Original post Here

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Albania presents draft law on digital services aligned with European Union standards

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania has presented a draft law on digital services that aims to establish a modern legal framework for regulating digital platforms, improving online safety and strengthening the protection of users and consumers. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi presented the draft during a public consultation. He …

News
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 …

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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 …

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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. …

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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 …

News
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 …

News

Ibrahimaj: New Business Registrations Rise 7.5% in First Half of 2026

Albania registered 11,567 new businesses during the first half of 2026, up by 806 from the same period last year. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj announced the figures today, saying they reflect growing confidence in Albania’s business environment and stronger interest in launching new economic activities. “Entrepreneurship continues to …

News

Ibrahimaj: ‘Double Your Business’ Program Helps Companies Expand

Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj visited a business in Tirana’s Unit No. 2 on Wednesday to highlight the benefits of the “Double Your Business” program. Ibrahimaj said the program provides financing for businesses planning investments of up to 2 million euros, with repayment periods of up to 10 years. …

News

Rama: ‘Double Your Business’ Program Expands Financing Opportunities for SMEs

Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted the government’s “Double Your Business” program, an initiative launched in partnership with the banking sector to help micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as farmers, invest, modernize, and expand their operations. Rama said the program creates new financing opportunities by offering preferential interest …

News

Albanian Protesters Clash With Police at Rally Outside Parliament

Confrontation erupts as MPs gather for the final parliamentary session before the summer holidays, as daily anti-government demonstrations continue. Original post Here

News

Albania presents draft law on digital services aligned with European Union standards

TIRANA, July 23 – Albania has presented a draft law on digital services that aims to establish a modern legal framework for regulating digital platforms, improving online safety and strengthening the protection of users and consumers. Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi presented the draft during a public consultation. He …

News

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 …

News

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 …

News

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. …

News

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 …

News

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 …