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Four employees of Korça municipality are suspended from duty

Four employees of the Korçë municipality have been suspended from duty and the personal security measure “Compulsion to appear before the judicial police” was assigned to them. Zhaneta Lubonja, Ermal Germani, Olvas Petro and Soniel Prifti have been investigated by the Korça prosecutor’s office for abuse of duty. According to …

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Cooperation in tourism with Israel/ Kumbaro: Tourism is a bridge between countries,

The 70th meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization brought to Tirana the Minister of Tourism of Israel, Haim Katz. He had a one-on-one meeting with the Minister of Tourism and Environment Mirela Kumbaro, following which a joint statement was signed to increase support and cooperation …

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Case of Gerdec, the next session will be held on April 24

The Special Court decided this Tuesday to administer the record of the testimony of the former chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Luan Hoxha in the trial for Gerdec where Mediu was taken as a defendant. Mediu himself objected, asking for a video testimony with him. Outside …

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Double murder in Lushnja / The Office of the Special Prosecutor requests life imprisonment for Laert Haxhiu

The Special Prosecutor’s Office requests a “life imprisonment” sentence for Laert Haxhiu, who is accused of the double murder in Lushnja. Haxhiu is being tried in absentia for what is known as the Lushnja Massacre that happened in September 2017. Jurgen Hoxha and Zamir Latifi lost their lives in that …

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President Begaj decrees criminal amnesty with 110 votes in favor

The President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, has signed the decree for the granting of criminal amnesty. The decree signed by the head of state comes a few days after the criminal amnesty was approved in the Parliament of Albania, with 110 votes in favor. This broad parliamentary vote will …

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Anti-drug raids in 3 countries, trafficked from Germany to Italy

Other details have been revealed regarding the international police operation codenamed “Sammogia”, which spread to Albania, Italy and Germany. Three Albanians were arrested in Vlora, at the expense of the Italian state. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that the criminal organization was run by some Albanians. They received the …

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Tourism Investment Conference/ Kumbaro: 4.2 billion euros in revenue in 2023

It started today, on the second day of the meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, the “Conference on Investments in Tourism and the Economic Development of Europe and Albania” with a focus on the promotion of investments and the case of success stories and future …

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“Albania was isolated before”, Rama: Let’s leave the history to future generations

During the speech at the 70th meeting of the Commission for Europe of the World Tourism Organization, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that Albania was previously isolated and tourists should go to the barber earlier to remove their beards and long hair, in order to were allowed in our country. …

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SPAK closes the investigations for 3 former officials of the Municipality of Tropoja

The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has closed the investigations for 3 former officials of the Municipality of Tropoja for violation of equality in tenders. Zenel Çela, Ramiz Bardhi and Rexhep Ismailsufaj have pleaded guilty in connection with a tender of nearly 500 thousand euros for the reconstruction of a school …

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Vangjush Dako remains under house arrest, Appeal rejects SPAK’s request

The Special Appeal leaves the measure of house arrest for Vangjush Dako unchanged. SPAK demanded the return of the former mayor of Durrës to his cell, while the court released him after the detention period ended. He was arrested last June on charges of abuse of office. Dako was released …

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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 …

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 …

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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. …

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

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