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Prime Minister Rama travels to Turkey

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama will pay a working visit to Ankara, Turkey, where he will be hosted by the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prime Minister Rama’s first stop will be at Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish …

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Blinken thanks Albania for giving refuge of those in need

The US State Secretary, Antony Blinken, commented this Tuesday his first official visit to Albania. In a comment to ‘Instagram’, Blinken said that, last week he did his first trip as Secretary to Albania, a longstanding U.S. partner and NATO ally. “In Albania, I discussed our support for its path …

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McGonigal sentenced to 28 months in prison for concealing contacts with Albanian officials

TIRANA, Feb. 17, 2024 – The federal court in Washington has sentenced former FBI official Charles McGonigal to 28 months in prison for “serious breach of public trust” regarding the $225,000 he received from Albanian-American Agron Neza and failure to disclose contacts with officials in Albania, including Prime Minister Edi …

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Explosion at the gate of a house in Vora

An explosion happen in the early hours of this Monday morning. According to the police, the incident happened in Marikaj, Vore. A small amount of explosives exploded at the gate of a citizien’s yard. As a resul, material damage is reported. So the investigative group is working to clarify the …

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Attempted murder, hostage-taking and being part of criminal gangs, 5 criminal are extradited

Intensive and parallel cooperation with European counterparts finalized the extradition procedures for 5 citizens accused by the authorities in Albania and Italy. Among those extradited is Arjan Shehu, sentenced by the GjKKO, to 5 years and 4 months in prison, for the criminal offense of “Aiding illegal border crossing”, committed …

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Online violence and blackmail, Balla hosts a meeting with the director of “Tik Tok”

Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with TikTok’s Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Central and Eastern Europe, Jakub Olek. After this meeting, Balla underlined that it is urgent to pay more attention to the control of posts in the Albanian language. He also emphasizes that the Ministry of …

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“Rama-Meloni Agreement and Criminal Amnesty” on Thursday for voting

The Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party met today. During this meeting, the agenda for the new week in the Assembly was discussed. In the speech addressed to the deputies of the majority, Çuçi said that in the session of Thursday, two agreements and two draft laws will be voted …

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Hasani wishes Kosovo’s independence

Happy Independence Day, Kosovo! Today, we celebrate the freedom and sovereignty of Kosovo, but we also humble ourselves for the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of our brothers and sisters for a democratic, safe and prosperous Kosovo. Albania has been, is and will always be by Kosovo’s side and support and …

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Rama wishes the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. In a post on Facebook, next to a photo with the image of Ibrahim Rugova in the background, Rama writes: “Happy Independence Kosovo”. Earlier, President Begaj and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani conveyed messages on this important day for Albanians. …

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Ruben Saraiva denies the murder of Nikulaj: I was a tourist in Albania

Journalist Gjergj Figuri has given more details about what Ruben Saraiva testified before Portuguese prosecutors, arrested for the murder of businessman Ardian Nikulaj in Shengjin in April of last year. He refused to cooperate with justice and denied being involved in the incident. “We expected the decision of Sarajevo because …

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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 …

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