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Sydney-Based Lawyer Makes ‘Special Swim’ from Italy to Albania

Long-distance swimmer Eva Buzo tells BIRN her Albanian heritage made the 35-hour swim from Italy to Albania extra special. Original post Here

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Chinese citizen arrested in Tirana, for prostitution network

The Tirana police attacked a prostitution ring in Tirana this Thursday. Investigations and verifications revealed the scheme of practicing prostitution in the capital. According to Tirana police, two 52-year-old Chinese citizens and another 38-year-old woman recruited other Chinese and Filipino citizens through social networks and accommodated them in a rented …

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Election in Himara/ Votes are not recounted, the documentation of the voters is verified

Although the socialists won Himara with almost 1,500 more votes, the democrats and their allies do not give up and hope to find irregularities, enough to repeat the vote. The Democrats, together with Vangjel Dule, knocked at the CEC with a complaint at the beginning of this month, to declare …

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Accused for human trafficking in Kosovo, a 47-year-old arrested

47-year-old Dode Rica was arrested as part of the “Rule of Law” operation. Durres Police announces that the 47-year-old, owner of a nightclub in Pristina, was accused in Kosovo of human trafficking. The Basic Court of Pristina has assigned this citizen the security measure “Arrest in prison”, for the criminal …

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A 49-year-old man arrested for trying smuggling oil into Albania

A 49-year-old man was arrested by the police at the border point in Qafë Thane, after trying to smuggle oil into Albania. “Following the intensified work of the Border Police services, during the summer season, with the aim of preventing and combating crimes at the borders, in the Qafë Thane …

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Andrew Tate’s Romanian Homes Raided Amid New Allegations

Romanian prosecution and police have launched a fresh investigation into the controversial influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, linked to allegedly human trafficking, sex with minors and money laundering. Original post Here

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Shoots fired against police in Shkoder

Firearms are fired at the territory control group of the Shkodër local police. During an action to attack a drug parcel in Repisht of Malësi e Madhe, a person fired a firearm. No wounded officers are reported. Meanwhile, after this event, the special forces of RENEA, FNSH and other Shkodër …

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Child trafficking, a man extradited from Greece to Albania

Cooperation between Interpol Tirana and Interpol Athens enables the arrest and extradition of a wanted person from Greece to Albania On 20.08.2024, after an intensive cooperation and exchange of information between Interpol Tirana and Interpol Athens, the arrest and extradition from Greece of citizen Kujtim Demiri was carried out. This …

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SPAK closes investigations into the criminal group

SPAK has closed the investigations and sent for trial 23 people accused of cannabis cultivation and criminal group. According to the investigations, the narcotic substance was found planted in the mountainous areas of Shkodra, while another part of it was in the process of drying. In total, it is about …

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Digital Rights Review: Crypto Scams and Cyberattacks Cause Disruption and Alarm

Over the past month, fake articles using logos similar to those of legitimate media, including BIRN’s Reporting Democracy site, were used as part of a cryptocurrency scam, while Croatia was subjected to widespread cyberattacks affecting critical infrastructure. 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 …

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 …

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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 …