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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
In many cases, men separated or divorced from their partners are failing to pay, paying too little, or paying too late for the upbringing of their children, putting a large financial burden on single mothers, according to a BIRN survey. Original post Here
Since end-May, anti-government protests in Albania have evolved into the largest civil mobilisation since the fall of the dictatorial regime in the early 1990s. With traditional media largely silent, the digital space has become both a refuge for protest and a testing ground for digital authoritarianism. Original post Here
The sixth Porto Palermo Festival opened with the environmental awareness event “Preserving Our Sea 4”, putting marine protection and coastal clean-up at the centre of the festival. Violinist Olen Çezari organized the initiative with the support of the Municipality of Himarë. Himarë Mayor Vangjel Tavo joined the clean-up campaign. He …
The construction site for the Shalë–Tropojë road project is ready, marking an important step toward connecting the Dukagjin area with the Albanian Alps. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images from the site and described the project as a strategic investment. The new road will connect Shala with Tropoja through Qafa …
The European Union has launched a new funding scheme to help Albanian wood-processing companies invest in innovative circular economy solutions. The Wood2Value scheme will support investments in technologies and production processes that reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and increase competitiveness. The EU Delegation in Tirana said selected companies can receive …
Albania’s Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR) has qualified 20,636 applications under Measures 5–9 of the 2026 National Agriculture Support Scheme after completing the initial administrative review. The scheme supports sustainable agriculture, higher production standards and inland fisheries. AZHBR approved 362 applications under Measure 5, which supports biological pest …
Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed his solidarity with Germany and the German people following the tragic incident at the Pride Parade in Berlin. In a statement on social media, Rama condemned the attack and said there can be no tolerance for hate, violence or extremism in any form. He stressed …
Albania has expanded its protected areas network and placed nearly one-quarter of its territory under national nature protection. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu shared a video showing the country’s environmental progress from 2013 to 2026. She highlighted stronger environmental laws, better management of protected areas and new initiatives to protect …
The “Double Your Business” programme supports Albanian entrepreneurs and creates new financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, said Taulant Balla during a visit to the “Belba” winery in Kavajë. Balla visited the winery, which two brothers established after bringing their experience from Italy and combining it with Albania’s traditional …
TIRANA, July 24 – Prime Minister Edi Rama presented “Besa”, a document he described as the political and governing strategy for the government’s fourth term, during a joint meeting of the government and the Socialist Party parliamentary group. Rama said recent protests should serve as a moment of reflection rather …