Naser Kelmendi sentenced to six years imprisonment for selling drugs, cleared of murder charges
The alleged Balkan drug baron, Naser Kelmendi, has been sentenced to six years in prison for selling and trafficking narcotics but was cleared of murder charges. The verdict on Kelmendi’s case was given on Thursday. Original post Here
Serb Gendarmerie arrests two Kosovars
Two Kosovo Albanians have been arrested by Serbian gendarmerie at the village Llaushe of Podujeva near the border with Serbia, the Kosovo Police have confirmed. Original post Here
President Thaci commends EULEX but says it is time for Kosovo to take the lead
President Hashim Thaci addressed the media ahead of the tenth anniversary of Independence and mentioned Kosovo’s achievements during the first decade as an independent country. He said that Kosovo maintained cooperation with all mechanisms present in Kosovo. Original post Here
German Foreign Minister visits Kosovo on 7 February
German Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, will visit Kosovo on 7 February. During his official visit to Pristina he will meet Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and other senior state officials, chief of cabinet of the Kosovo Prime Minister, Avni Arifi, confirmed on Thursday. Original post Here
PM Haradinaj obtains United Kingdom visa
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has obtained a UK visa. Avni Arifi, chief of cabinet of the Prime Minister, confirmed the news to Gazeta Express. Original post Here
Thaci: Kosovo doesn't forget Serbia’s genocide but we are committed to peace
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci during an interview with the Croatian state broadcaster HRT said that the dialogue on normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia lead the Western Balkans towards the EU future. Original post Here
US congressmen nominate Natasa Kandic for Nobel Prize
Two US congressmen have nominated Natasa Kandic and the Humanitarian Law Center NGO for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Voice of America reported this on Thursday. Original post Here
Spain says Kosovo can only join EU as region of Serbia
Madrid is not giving up its stance on blocking the EU integration of Kosovo, the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti writes adding that Spain will agree to Kosovo in the EU – but only as a region of Serbia. Original post Here
Pacolli confirms Rita Ora to perform in Kosovo for 10th anniversary
Rumors have been looming around lately concerning the possibility of the return of Kosovo’s most beloved superstar, Rita Ora, for the 10th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. Original post Here
Haradinaj: Nobody quizzes Special Court existence
Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said that the special war crimes court set to try alleged crimes of the KLA will not be abolished. Original post Here
The moralistic reaction to leaked tapes of women filmed secretly in intimate acts shows Albania is still struggling to accept women as sexual beings – while also failing legally to protect victims of non-consensual exposure. Original post Here
An anti-government protest led by students demanding better educational conditions escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the Albanian capital. Original post Here
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has condemned acts of vandalism at the Apostolic Nunciature in Tirana on Tuesday, including the removal of the Holy See’s flag. The ministry stressed that diplomatic missions must remain inviolable and retain their dignity under national law and international law. It also said …
The US Army will rotate troops from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and support units from the 1st Infantry Division into Kosovo to support NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR). The incoming troops will replace the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The rotation will also bring in elements of …
Albania aims to conclude agreements to avoid double taxation with all 27 European Union member states as it aligns its tax legislation and practices with European standards. Deputy Finance Minister Andi Memeti outlined the objective during a parliamentary committee discussion on ratifying an agreement with Lithuania. He said these agreements …
The National Territorial Council has cleared the way for the new Kavaja Market in the city centre. French architect Manuelle Gautrand designed the project to introduce a contemporary architectural concept to the urban space. The development covers 3,130 square metres of land, with a building area of 1,405 square metres. …
Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula met on Tuesday with the families of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, who face trial at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Shiroka-Pula stood by the families and acknowledged the hardship they face. She pledged …
Students from several universities boycotted classes on Tuesday and gathered outside the Ministry of Education to protest for a second consecutive day. The boycott involved students from the University of Medicine, the Agricultural University, the Polytechnic University, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Philology. …
President Bajram Begaj met Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, and other board members at the Brigades Palace. Begaj praised the foundation’s contribution to economic development. He stressed the importance of continuing its projects in education, tourism, cultural heritage and agriculture, as well as efforts …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu responded to the violence during Tuesday’s protest outside the Ministry of Education. In a Facebook post accompanying footage from the demonstration, he said violence, calls for chaos and attacks on institutions and businesses were not solutions. Gogu stressed that the right to protest is fundamental and …