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
Albania’s prime minister and Tirana’s imprisoned mayor clash over allegations of political pressure and control of the capital, exposing divisions within the ruling Socialist Party amid widespread anti-government protests. TIRANA, Albania – An unprecedented confrontation has erupted between Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, turning a …
President Bajram Begaj has promulgated the new law on the administrative and territorial division of local government units, paving the way for the revised map to take effect in the local elections on May 9, 2027. The law, numbered 100/2026, establishes a new structure of 46 municipalities. Voters will elect …
Albania’s National Museum “Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg” marks 44 years since its inauguration today. The museum stands inside the historic Castle of Krujë, once the centre of the medieval Albanian state. The castle also witnessed three successive defeats of Ottoman armies in the 15th century. Architects designed the museum as a …
Kosova’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Dimal Basha, met with Arnaud Dauphin, the French Development Agency’s director for the Western Balkans, to discuss railway connections between Kosova and Albania. The talks focused on expanding cooperation on railway projects and advancing a three-way partnership between Kosova, Albania and the agency. The …
Albania will make its debut on the internationally acclaimed television show “The Amazing Race”, bringing Tirana’s culture, energy and hospitality to audiences around the world. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced the news in a social media post. He said the production would showcase Albania as a …
Kosova’s Prime Minister and leader of the Self-Determination Movement, Albin Kurti, has denied the movement’s involvement in the protests in Tirana. He said it had never operated anonymously during protests and had always taken an open, leading role. Speaking at the movement’s 64th General Council meeting, Kurti said it now …
The National Cinematography Centre has announced the passing of actor and director Gjergji Mena at the age of 41. The centre paid tribute to the young artist, highlighting his contribution to theatre and screen productions. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja also expressed condolences, describing Mena as a talented …
Renowned Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho serves as an Artist Ambassador for Opera Rara, a London-based opera organisation dedicated to reviving neglected works and bringing rarely performed repertoire to modern audiences. Founded in 1970, Opera Rara specialises in researching, restoring, recording and performing operas that have largely disappeared from the mainstream …
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha says Albania aims to complete the technical phase of European Union accession negotiations by December 2027. The goal is to advance to the political phase and join the bloc within this decade. Presenting the 2027 budget priorities to the parliamentary Committee on Europe and Foreign Affairs, …
Finance Minister Petrit Malaj says the 2027 draft budget provides for public spending exceeding €10 billion for the first time. The plan prioritises social welfare, fiscal stability, public investment and reforms linked to European Union integration. Revenue is projected at ALL 907.9 billion, or around €9.4 billion. The budget deficit …