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In depth: Armed attack on Kosovo police raises fears of escalation, draws wide condemnation

TIRANA, Sept. 25, 2023 – A Kosovo Police officer was killed, and several others were wounded on Sunday in clashes with an armed group in the northern part of the country, which is predominantly inhabited by Serbs.  Three members of the heavily armed 30-men group wearing military-style clothes and using …

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Five arrested, three prosecuted for ‘arson’ after Fier wildfires

Five people have been arrested, three others have been placed under investigation and one has been declared wanted after being accused of arson in Fier, the police announced Sunday. After the announcements about 9 fires in the villages of PishEPoro, Frashër, Ofiçinë, Marînez, Jagodinë, Lumth, Goriçaj and Remas, the perpetrators …

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The killing of Kosovo policeman, react Kurti

After the meeting of the Security Council, Prime Minister Albin Kurti gave details about the attack that took place in Kosovo this Sunday, as a result of which policeman Afrim Bonjaku lost his life and two others were injured. In his press conference, Kurti stated that security cameras have seen …

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“The murder of the policeman”, Rama: The Euro-Atlantic Community should force Kosovo and Serbia to sit at the dialogue table

Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasizes that the killing of the policeman in the north of Kosovo on Sunday morning is an alarm bell for the escalation of the situation in the north of the country. Tragjedia e humbjes së jetës së efektivit të Policisë së Kosovës është këmbana më e …

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Policeman shot dead, another injured in Northern Kosovo

Kosovo policeman, identified as Afrim Bunjaku, was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning in the north, while another was injured. Local media reported that the serious incident took place in the village of Banjska in Leposavic where the police patrol was attacked. According to the sources, some people …

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President Osmani blames Serbia for policeman’s killing in Northern Kosovo

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has reacted to the killing of policeman in the village of Banjska in LeposaviC during the early hours of Sunday morning. In a social media statement, Osmani stated that the event is an attack on the Republic of Kosovo, organized and orchestrated by Serbian criminal …

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Two cars burned at night in Fushe-Kruja underground parking lot

A fire broke out in the middle of the night in the parking lot of a 9-story building in the ‘Punëtori’ neighborhood in Fushe-Kruja due to a suspected electrical spark while two vehicles were burnt. Fire was spotted by a resident, who warned the families to get out of the …

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Kukes citizens vote for new mayor after Safet Gjici’s sex scandal

Residents of Kukës will turn this Sunday to the ballot boxes for the second time in 5 months, to elect their new mayor. As determined by the Central Elections Commission (CEC) regulation, the voting centers have been open since 07:00, while they will remain open until 19:00. For this process, …

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Socialist candidate for Kukes municipality casted vote in ballot box

Candidate of the Socialist Party (SP) for the municipality of Kukës, Albert Halilaj voted on Sunday morning. In the race for the first of the city, Halilaj faces Emri Vata, the candidate registered under the slogan of the “Together We Win” coalition, while the official DP, although registered as a …

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New details on Maminas paint factory massive fire revealed

New details regarding the fire that occurred late on Saturday evening in a paint factory in Maminas have been revealed this Sunday.  Local media reported that the fire allegedly started in the factory’s laboratory and then spread to other parts. There were no employees inside but only the guards who …

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Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

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Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

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As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

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Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

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Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

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We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News
Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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
Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News
Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …

News

Albanian PM’s Private Jet Trip to Israel Raises Transparency Questions

During last week’s visit to Israel, Albania’s Prime Minister used a private jet once owned by Sam Bankman Fried, now-jailed owner of crypto exchange FTX – but it’s unclear who footed the bill. Original post Here

News

Albania Arrests 20 for Toxic Waste-Trafficking to Thailand

The suspects are among 33 people accused of involvement in shipping a cargo of dangerous industrial waste from Albania to Thailand. Original post Here

News

As Trump’s Family Eyes Pristine Albanian Coast, Villagers Cry Foul

The US president’s son-in-law wants to build a tourism development in southern Albania, but residents of the unspoilt strip around Zvernec say a dispute over ownership of the land is being ignored. Original post Here

News

Local roads, national standards: Tropojë case tests Albania’s procurement and oversight

Tropojë Mayor Indicted for Illegal Roadworks Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 – In a case related to alleged abuse of office, Albania’s Special Court has sent Tropojë’s mayor Rexhë Byberi and his deputy Abedin Kërrnaja to trial on charges of “abuse of office” related to local infrastructure projects. The officials are …

News

Hamid’s Story: A Tale of Death and Europe’s Drift Towards Offshore Detention

The Italy-Albania asylum ‘offshoring’ scheme is being studied by other Western European governments wanting to look tough on migration. But the case of Hamid Badoui, who took his own life after being held at an Albanian migrant detention camp, highlights the human cost. Original post Here

News

We Were Always Here: The Balkans Should Honour Its LGBTQ+ Pioneers

Balkan LGBTQ+ people, both in the region and in the diaspora, are often told that their identities are incompatible. It’s time to hear a different story – and learn more about the region’s pioneers. Original post Here

News

Ivanka Trump Visit Reignites Property Dispute in Zvërnec

Plans by relatives of U.S. President Donald Trump to build a luxury resort in the scenic coastal area of Zvërnec have sidelined local residents and their property claims, while intersecting with a long-running court battle involving controversial real estate businessman Artur Shehu. By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 02 February 2026 …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 2, 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

Tunnel Revelation Raises Awkward Questions for Albanian Government

The Murrizi Tunnel was opened to much fanfare in March last year, not long before a parliamentary election. Now the Albanian Road Authority says it has yet been certified for use. Original post Here

News

Albania and the Balkans in the Epstein Files

Tirana Times, 01 February 2026 – The release of more than three million pages of documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the United States Department of Justice has expanded the scope of one of the most disturbing scandals of the past decade far beyond the United States. The …