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Eyes on the Sky for the Solar Eclipse in the Balkans

People gathered at vantage points all across the Balkans to enjoy the unique experience of watching the solar eclipse on Thursday evening. Original post Here

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10 fires recorded in Lezha, deliberate arson under investigation

TIRANA, August 13 – The Municipality of Lezha recorded 10 fires across its territory on Wednesday. Mayor Pjerin Ndreu urged residents to remain extremely cautious. He also called on them to report to authorities anyone identified as starting a fire. Ndreu said firefighters responded to 10 fires in different areas …

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Agritourism AL platform helps visitors discover rural destinations

TIRANA, August 13 – The Agritourism AL application has become an information platform for agritourism and rural tourism destinations in Albania. It helps tourists and visitors plan trips and discover offers linked to nature, gastronomy and Albanian traditions. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said users can download the …

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Mahmut Orhan to perform in Drymades on August 15

TIRANA, August 13 – Albania has become a popular summer destination for international electronic music artists. On August 15, Turkish DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan will perform at MOYO Drymades. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the event. The performance will start at 20:00 and continue into the …

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12 active fires reported across Albania, 418 hectares burned

TIRANA, August 13 – Authorities reported 45 fires across Albania during the past 24 hours. Twelve remain active and 1 remains under monitoring. The Agency for Media and Information said 72 firefighting vehicles and 839 operational personnel have joined the response. The Armed Forces have provided 250 personnel, 5 helicopters …

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Ministers visit tourism measures in Saranda

TIRANA, August 13 – Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja, and Saranda Mayor Oltion Çaçi visited tourism measures in Saranda. Lamallari said rising tourist numbers bring greater responsibility for the State Police. He stressed the need to protect residents and visitors. He also called for …

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Egnatia face Shamrock Rovers in bid for historic comeback

TIRANA, August 13 – Albanian champions Egnatia face Shamrock Rovers tonight in the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round. The match starts at 21:00 and RTSH will broadcast it live. Egnatia lost the first leg 3-1. The Rrogozhina side need a victory by at least 2 goals …

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Dobërdol Mountains attract growing interest from nature lovers

TIRANA, August 13 – Mountain tourism is attracting more domestic and foreign visitors to areas that once received little attention. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the Dobërdol Mountains in Tropoja on social media. The area is attracting growing interest from nature enthusiasts each year. The Dobërdol Mountains lie …

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Temporary traffic restrictions on Tirana-Durrës highway on August 14-15

TIRANA, August 13 – Temporary traffic restrictions will affect the Tirana-Durrës highway on August 14 and 15. The Albanian Road Authority will carry out work on the new Kashar overpass. The work will take place from 23:00 to 05:00. Crews will install the overpass’s metal beams. Authorities will close 2 …

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Dinamo seek another European comeback against Auda

TIRANA, August 13 – Dinamo face Latvian side Auda tonight in the second leg of the Conference League third qualifying round. The match starts at 21:00 at Elbasan Arena. Dinamo lost the first leg in Latvia 1-0. The capital club need a win by at least 1 goal to force …

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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 …

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

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