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“Golden Voyager” Brings a Spectacular Show to Vlora’s Lungomare

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the “Golden Voyager” show from the Paris Olympic Games, which created a unique atmosphere along Vlora’s Lungomare as part of “DansMusik Fest.” “Towards the Moon,” Rama wrote alongside the footage of the seaside performance. Music, dance and artistic choreography combined with a spectacular …

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Six-day blockade: Democratic Party of Kosova demands return to parliamentary process

TIRANA, August 20 – Members of Parliament from the Democratic Party of Kosova continued their blockade of the Government of Kosova for a sixth consecutive day. They protested the failure to resume the constitutive session of the Assembly. MPs from the Alliance for the Future of Kosova also joined Thursday’s …

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Egnatia and Dinamo face crucial European play-off matches

TIRANA, August 20 – Albanian football faces an important European night as Egnatia and Dinamo play their opening play-off matches. Egnatia, the Albanian champion, will face Norway’s Lillestrøm in the Europa League play-offs. The match starts at 19:00, with the Rrogozhina club holding home advantage. Egnatia coach and former Albania …

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Loro Boriçi: The Albanian football pioneer who made history at home and in Italy

TIRANA, August 20 – Loro Boriçi remains one of the most important figures in Albanian football history. Born in Shkodër on August 4, 1922, he became a leading player, national team captain and coach. He made his football debut for Vllaznia at just 14 years old. A prolific striker, Boriçi …

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Albania’s inflation reaches 3.4% in July under European Union standards

TIRANA, August 20 – Albania’s inflation measured under the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices methodology used by Eurostat reached 3.4% in July 2026, according to data published by the Institute of Statistics, INSTAT. Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution, adding 1.09 percentage points as prices rose 3.2% year-on-year. …

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Albania’s History Through Photography: Exhibition Opens at Rinia Park

Albania’s history comes to life through photography in a special exhibition at Rinia Park, organized for World Photography Day. The General Directorate of Archives (DPA), in cooperation with the Tirana Municipality’s Parks and Recreation Agency, presented a collection of photographs by Korçë photographers Vani Burda and Thimi Raci, two pioneers …

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Gjirokastra to Host Two Nights of Music and Thousands of Memorable Moments

Gjirokastra will host a special music event on September 4 and 5, bringing artists, visitors and a festive atmosphere to the historic city. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event and invited visitors to enjoy “two nights, one city and thousands of moments that turn into memories.” …

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Discover Vuno: Albania’s Enchanting Coastal Village

Perched on the slopes above the Ionian Sea, Vuno offers a quieter and more authentic side of the Albanian Riviera. Located between Himara and Dhërmi, the historic village combines stone architecture, narrow cobbled streets, centuries-old churches and sweeping coastal views. Unlike the busier seaside resorts along the Riviera, Vuno preserves …

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Albania’s beekeeping sector reaches 645,000 hives with thousands receiving support

TIRANA, August 20 – Albania’s beekeeping sector continues to show potential for development, with 7,016 beekeepers applying for support under the 2026 National Scheme. The Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development said the number followed a change in the funding threshold for beekeeping support. Data for 2025 show that Albania …

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Kurti Meets New EULEX Chief to Discuss Security and Cooperation

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with Antero Lopes, the new head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). Kurti congratulated Lopes on his new position and wished him success during his mandate. The two officials discussed EULEX’s continued monitoring of Kosovo’s justice institutions and …

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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 …

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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