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
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja called for stronger municipalities and improved local governance, stressing that effective local administration is essential for tourism development. In a television interview, Gonxhja said tourism depends heavily on how well municipalities manage public services and local infrastructure. “Tourism is directly affected by the …
Former Defence Minister and Socialist Party MP Pirro Vengu said the loan agreement with the United States marks the largest defence financing package in Albania’s history. The agreement will finance the purchase of US-made military systems, equipment and weapons. Speaking in a television interview, Vengu said the agreement provides $302 …
Italy launched its 2026–2027 Presidency of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) with a focus on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the European integration of the Western Balkans. During the opening meeting in Rome, participants highlighted the strategic importance of the Adriatic-Ionian region in addressing …
Pogradec commemorated the 114th anniversary of the Albanian flag raising at Guri i Kamjes, a historic event for the regions of Gorë, Mokër and Opar. On July 28, 1912, Kapedan Kajo Babeni led hundreds of fighters from Mokër and Opar in their fight against Ottoman rule. Shahin Matraku and other …
Albania continues to face cyberattacks from state-backed actors, including Iran and Russia, according to the latest security report from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) of the US Department of State. The report says Albania has also experienced ransomware attacks carried out by cybercriminal groups. In 2026, Iran launched attacks …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-7″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:bf07789e-c33b-4efe-873c-9eadd6ea0ed5-7″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> “Let’s Break the Barriers” is the theme of World Hepatitis Day 2026. Health experts are urging people to get tested and take preventive measures against hepatitis, commonly known as jaundice. They warn that viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge …
A man in his 20s has died after a crane collapsed at a construction site in Pristina. Another person was injured and is receiving treatment at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (QKUK). The fatality was confirmed by Enis Pllana, spokesperson for the Kosovo Police in the Pristina region. “As …
TIRANA, July 28 – The General Director of Taxes, Ilir Binaj, said farmers are using the 10% VAT refund scheme without major problems. He expects applications to increase as the tax administration expands information campaigns and training sessions across the country. At a joint press conference with Finance Minister Petrit …
TIRANA, July 28 – President Bajram Begaj met with Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman to discuss relations between Albania and Croatia. The two officials focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the countries. During the meeting, they highlighted Croatia’s continued support for Albania’s European integration. They …
TIRANA, July 28 – Kosova Acting President Albulena Haxhiu met Admiral George Wikoff, commander of the NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples. The officials discussed the security situation in Kosova, cooperation with the Kosova Force, and coordination with NATO. According to a social media statement, Haxhiu thanked Admiral Wikoff for …