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Albanian Businessman Arrested in Information Agency Tenders Corruption Case

After being on the run for several months, businessman Ergys Agasi was arrested over his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal surrounding tenders for the national agency overseeing the development of state information systems. Original post Here

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Threatening bomb emails sent to institutions, police find no explosives

TIRANA, August 27 – The State Police said several institutions in cities across Albania had received threatening emails this morning claiming that bombs had been placed inside the buildings. Police said officers had immediately begun checks at the institutions named in the threats. So far, they had found no bombs …

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387 new recruits join Albania’s State Police

TIRANA, August 27 – A total of 387 new recruits officially joined Albania’s State Police after completing the General Patrol training course. The certification ceremony took place at the Security Academy, where Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari and State Police Director General Skënder Hita stressed the need to strengthen crime prevention …

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Theth among the most visited destinations in the Albanian Alps

TIRANA, August 27 – Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of Theth on social media and described the mountain area as one of the most visited destinations by domestic and foreign tourists during the summer season. Theth lies about 70 kilometres from Shkodër. In recent years, the area has become …

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Nufi: Guna Tactical Investment Strengthens Albania’s Defense Industry

Defense Minister Ermal Nufi today shared footage from the construction site of Guna Tactical. The company is developing one of the most important public-private investments in Albania’s defense industry. According to Nufi, Guna Tactical will produce military clothing not only for Albania but also for the region and other countries. …

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Albania Under-21 exit Taranto 2026 after group stage

TIRANA, August 27 – Albania’s Under-21 national team ended its campaign at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games after finishing third in Group B with 4 points. The team, coached by Alban Bushi, lost 2-0 to Algeria in its third group match. The first half ended goalless. Algeria then scored twice …

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Vjosa National Park faces environmental challenges

TIRANA, August 27 – The Vjosa River National Park, one of Albania’s most important natural assets, has faced several threats identified through monitoring and management of the area. Waste dumping has remained among the main concerns. It has damaged the landscape and polluted the environment, while also threatening the river …

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Brazilian magazine highlights hidden lake beneath Albania’s southern mountains

TIRANA, August 27 – Brazilian magazine Estado de Minas has highlighted Lake Neuron, an underground thermal lake located in the Vjosa Valley in southern Albania. According to the magazine, the lake lies beneath the mountains and contains about 8.3 million litres of water. Its unusual underground setting makes it a …

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Electricity exports rose 55.4% in second quarter

TIRANA, August 27 – Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4% in the second quarter of 2026, while exports rose sharply and imports declined, according to data released by INSTAT. Net domestic production reached 2,361 GWh, up from 1,757 GWh in the same quarter of 2025. Hydropower plants accounted for most …

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Foreign residents in Albania rise 46.6% as workforce demand grows

TIRANA, August 27 – The number of foreign nationals holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, up 46.6% from a year earlier. Men accounted for 65% of the total, while women made up 35%. Employment remained the main reason for residence, accounting for 55.1% of …

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Over 17,000 textbooks for children in the diaspora

TIRANA, August 31 – Albania plans to provide more than 5,700 learning packages for children in the diaspora during the 2026–2027 school year. The packages contain around 17,000 textbooks. They will reach 15 European countries, the United States and Canada. The materials include the joint textbooks “Albanian Language” and “Albanian …

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President Begaj receives new Dutch ambassador, EU integration in focus

TIRANA, August 31 – President Bajram Begaj received the new Dutch ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday. The ambassador presented her credentials during the meeting. Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger relations with the Netherlands. He described the country as an important European partner and a trusted NATO ally. …

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Finance Minister Malaj: Fight tax evasion with fairness and transparency

TIRANA, August 31 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met regional leaders of the tax and customs administrations to discuss priorities for the coming period. The talks also focused on improving services for citizens and businesses. Malaj met the general directors of the Tax Administration and Customs Administration. They discussed efforts …

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Kosova: Acting PM Kurti pledges stronger cooperation with municipalities on minority rights

TIRANA, August 31 – Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for stronger cooperation between central institutions and municipalities to address the needs of minority communities in Kosova. Kurti made the call at a meeting with heads of municipal offices for communities and return. Kurti said challenges vary among communities …

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High fire risk in Lezha, Tirana and Fier

TIRANA, August 31 – The Institute of GeoSciences has warned of a high fire risk in several Albanian counties this afternoon and on Tuesday, September 1. The institute expects high risk levels in Lezha, Tirana and Fier. Other counties will face moderate risk. Some areas in Shkodra, Kukës, Dibra, Durres, …

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Kosova: Self-Determination Movement and Democratic League agree on presidential candidate

TIRANA, August 31 – The Self-Determination Movement and the Democratic League of Kosova have agreed on professor Bekim Sejdiu as their joint candidate for president. Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League leader Lumir Abdixhiku presented Sejdiu at a joint news conference. Abdixhiku said the negotiations had not been easy. …

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PM Rama: 20 schools in Tirana equipped with smart cameras to strengthen security

TIRANA, August 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that 20 schools in Tirana now have smart cameras under the Smart City project. The investment aims to strengthen security in schools. Rama said the government decided to invest in new security technology after a 14-year-old boy was fatally …

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Albania’s Cash Boom Raises Money Laundering Concerns

Cash outside Albania’s banking system reached a record 5.6 billion euros, last month. Tirana Times, August 30, 2026 – The amount of cash circulating outside Albania’s banking system has reached a record high, raising fresh concerns over the scale of the informal economy, the possible presence of illicit money and …

News
Mladić’s Death Exposes the Balkans’ Unfinished Reckoning With War Crimes

Thousands honor the convicted Bosnian Serb commander as reactions from Belgrade to Podgorica and Skopje reveal how deeply the wars of the 1990s still shape the region’s European future. Tirana Times, August 31, 2026 – PALE, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Candles burned and flares lit the Olympic Park as several thousand …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 31, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Over 17,000 textbooks for children in the diaspora

TIRANA, August 31 – Albania plans to provide more than 5,700 learning packages for children in the diaspora during the 2026–2027 school year. The packages contain around 17,000 textbooks. They will reach 15 European countries, the United States and Canada. The materials include the joint textbooks “Albanian Language” and “Albanian …

News

President Begaj receives new Dutch ambassador, EU integration in focus

TIRANA, August 31 – President Bajram Begaj received the new Dutch ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday. The ambassador presented her credentials during the meeting. Begaj reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to stronger relations with the Netherlands. He described the country as an important European partner and a trusted NATO ally. …

News

Finance Minister Malaj: Fight tax evasion with fairness and transparency

TIRANA, August 31 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met regional leaders of the tax and customs administrations to discuss priorities for the coming period. The talks also focused on improving services for citizens and businesses. Malaj met the general directors of the Tax Administration and Customs Administration. They discussed efforts …

News

Kosova: Acting PM Kurti pledges stronger cooperation with municipalities on minority rights

TIRANA, August 31 – Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called for stronger cooperation between central institutions and municipalities to address the needs of minority communities in Kosova. Kurti made the call at a meeting with heads of municipal offices for communities and return. Kurti said challenges vary among communities …

News

High fire risk in Lezha, Tirana and Fier

TIRANA, August 31 – The Institute of GeoSciences has warned of a high fire risk in several Albanian counties this afternoon and on Tuesday, September 1. The institute expects high risk levels in Lezha, Tirana and Fier. Other counties will face moderate risk. Some areas in Shkodra, Kukës, Dibra, Durres, …

News

Kosova: Self-Determination Movement and Democratic League agree on presidential candidate

TIRANA, August 31 – The Self-Determination Movement and the Democratic League of Kosova have agreed on professor Bekim Sejdiu as their joint candidate for president. Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and Democratic League leader Lumir Abdixhiku presented Sejdiu at a joint news conference. Abdixhiku said the negotiations had not been easy. …

News

PM Rama: 20 schools in Tirana equipped with smart cameras to strengthen security

TIRANA, August 31 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Monday that 20 schools in Tirana now have smart cameras under the Smart City project. The investment aims to strengthen security in schools. Rama said the government decided to invest in new security technology after a 14-year-old boy was fatally …

News

Albania’s Cash Boom Raises Money Laundering Concerns

Cash outside Albania’s banking system reached a record 5.6 billion euros, last month. Tirana Times, August 30, 2026 – The amount of cash circulating outside Albania’s banking system has reached a record high, raising fresh concerns over the scale of the informal economy, the possible presence of illicit money and …

News

Mladić’s Death Exposes the Balkans’ Unfinished Reckoning With War Crimes

Thousands honor the convicted Bosnian Serb commander as reactions from Belgrade to Podgorica and Skopje reveal how deeply the wars of the 1990s still shape the region’s European future. Tirana Times, August 31, 2026 – PALE, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Candles burned and flares lit the Olympic Park as several thousand …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: August 31, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here