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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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. …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
President Bajram Begaj voiced concern about escalating tensions as students who gathered for a second day of rallies against the government clashed with law enforcement officers again. Original post Here
Franciscan priest Shtjefën Gjeçovi, a prominent figure in Albanian history, passed away on October 14, 1929. He devoted his life to the Albanian cause. According to documents held by the General Directorate of Archives, two men speaking Serbian ambushed Gjeçovi as he returned from Prizren and shot him. Born Hilë …
The government of Kosova has established a working group to coordinate a state strategy for the appeal proceedings involving four former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. Prime Minister Albin Kurti described their convictions by the Specialist Chambers as legally and morally unjust. …
Representatives of six Western Balkan countries discussed digital cooperation and alignment with the European Union’s digital agenda at the 8th Regional Digital Summit. Albania has moved most public services online and continues to expand access for citizens living abroad. Deputy Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enkelejda Muçaj said electronic documents with …
Assembly of Albania Speaker Niko Peleshi said the right to protest is a constitutional right that citizens must exercise peacefully and in accordance with the law. He made the remarks as tensions continued for a second day outside the Ministry of Education in Tirana. Peleshi said violence and vandalism undermine …
The European Union Delegation to Albania expressed concern over escalating violence during protests in Tirana. It called for priority investigations into allegations that police used excessive force against protesters and journalists. In a statement on X, the delegation stressed that freedom of gathering and expression are fundamental rights and core …
The Council of Ministers has approved standard rules for ceremonies awarding orders and medals of the Republic of Albania. The rules follow international best practices and established protocol. The decision aims to ensure consistency and solemnity in decoration ceremonies. It also seeks to uphold the dignity and prestige of state …
The British Embassy in Tirana called on all parties to respect the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. It stressed that violence cannot be justified and police must avoid disproportionate action. In a statement, the embassy noted that Albania’s Constitution protects peaceful protest and freedom of expression. However, …
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy’s short-term priority is to strongly support Albania and Montenegro’s progress towards European Union membership. She made the remarks in an address to the Senate ahead of the European Council meeting. Meloni said enlargement and the Union’s internal reforms would feature in a strategic …
The moralistic reaction to leaked tapes of women filmed secretly in intimate acts shows Albania is still struggling to accept women as sexual beings – while also failing legally to protect victims of non-consensual exposure. Original post Here