Separate Kitchen, Private Gym – Life Behind Bars Comes with Perks for Albania’s VIP Prisoners
Former ruling party officials and convicted organised crime gangsters enjoy privileged treatment in Albania’s jails, a BIRN investigation has found. Original post Here
‘Even Bees Will Die’: River Diversion Threatens Albania’s Shushica Valley
Locals fear plan to divert water from a river in southern Albania to feed demand in nearby tourist resorts will dry out their valley and ruin their livelihoods. Original post Here
Ukraine’s Zelensky Calls for Defence ‘Co-Production’ With Balkan Countries
Volodymyr Zelensky in Tirana urged Balkan countries to ‘co-produce’ arms and proposed a joint defence industry forum to be held in Kyiv or a Balkan capital. Original post Here
Greek Police Closer to Cracking Gang Behind 2020 Mafia Murders
Greek police working in the context of an international police operation arrested an Albanian citizen allegedly involved in four murders of Montenegro mafia members in Greece in 2020 – increasing the number of suspects behind bars in several countries. Original post Here
Tensions Over ‘Gulenist’ Claims Mar Election of Albania’s Muslim Leader
The election of Bujar Spahiu as the new head of the Albanias an Muslim Community was marred by opponents’ allegations that he supports Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen, who is wanted for arrest by the Ankara government. Original post Here
Albania Convicts Ethnic Greek Politician Fredi Beleri of Vote-Buying
After a high-profile trial that caused a diplomatic rift between Albania and Greece, the ethnic Greek mayor-elect of the Albanian town of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was sentenced to two years in prison for vote-buying. Original post Here
Albanian Public Broadcaster Fires Programme Director for Social Media Post
A programme director at the Albanian public broadcaster RTSH was fired by the new head of the station, Alfred Peza, a former ruling party MP who has been criticised for other dismissals since he took the job. Original post Here
TikTok Used Across Balkans to ‘Slutshame’ Women and Girls
A BIRN analysis of hundreds of videos uploaded by TikTok users in eight Balkan countries shows the platform has become a hub for abuse of women and girls based on their appearance and actual or perceived sexual behaviour – ‘slutshaming’. Original post Here
Online Video in Albania of Prince’s Fight Raises Privacy Concerns
Experts say leak of video showing fight between prince and ex-wife serves no public interest – and raises serious legal and ethical questions about standards of media in Albania. Original post Here
Women in Albanian Textile Sector Pay High Price for Lek’s Rally
Critics say the government is not doing enough to protect Albanian textile exporters from the rapidly strengthening lek currency. Most of the industry’s employees are women at risk of sliding into poverty. Original post Here
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 …
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. …
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 …
Confrontation erupts as MPs gather for the final parliamentary session before the summer holidays, as daily anti-government demonstrations continue. Original post Here
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …