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Thaci and Rama in Geneva plotting on Kosovo borders

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama have shared a joint picture attending the World Economic Forum taking place in Geneva of Switzerland. Thaci who is mastermind behind the idea on land swap with Serbia, continues plot with borders with the support of Albanian PM Edi Rama. …

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China returns Kosovo report to UNSC

The UN Security Council will in November discuss UN secretary-general’s quarterly report about Kosovo, media in Belgrade are reporting. The UK and US did not include in the regular agenda of the UNSC reports on Kosovo. Original post Here

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Haradinaj says US supports creation of Kosovo Army

Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, says he has full support of the US for creation of Kosovo Army. “The creation of Army is done job,” Haradinaj said in an interview with T7 show Pressing hosted by Leonard Kerquki. He also said that there will be no redrawing of borders in Kosovo. …

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Kosovo opposition to file motion of no confidence

Avdullah Hoti, head of parliamentary group of main opposition party in Kosovo – LDK, says opposition will file a motion of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s EU Minister in Austria seeks support on visa liberalisation

Kosovo Minister of the European Integration, Dhurata, Hoxha, met on Monday Karoline Edtstadler, state secretary in the Austrian interior ministry, to discuss expectations of Kosovo citizens to move freely in the EU Schengen area, according to a statement of Kosovo’s Ministry of EU Integration. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s justice minister offers to resign

Abelard Tahiri, Kosovo’s justice minister, has tendered his resignation dissatisfied with the latest developments in judiciary, including political interference in the judicial process. He said that all these are expected to result in delaying visa liberalisation process for Kosovo citizens. Original post Here

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Kosovo Army with “U.S. blessing” says PM Haradinaj

Prime Minister Ramush Ramush Haradinaj upon his return from the U.S. said creation fo Kosovo Army and country’s membership in Interpol, were main topics of discussions during the meetings he had with the U.S. state officials last week. Original post Here

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Kosovo, seven banks robbed in one month

The Head of Economic Chamber of Kosovo, Berat Rukiqi, says over the last two months businesses were frequent targets of the crime, especially banks. Publishing the indicators of Doing Business in Kosovo, Rukiqi said that in every indicator there is a trend of deterioration of situation of businesses in the …

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Hearing postponed for members of Kosovo ruling party charged of corruption

The first court hearing of the 11 people from the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for allegedly handing out state jobs to people based on their political affiliation, has been postponed. Most of the accused of the case did not appear during today’s hearing forcing the presiding judge to …

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Serbia’s FM speaks on Behalf of Special Court: Jail ready for first KLA indictees

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told a Belgrade newspaper on Monday that the international war crimes tribunal’s detention unit in Scheveningen is preparing to receive its first detainees from the Special Court which will prosecute war crimes allegedly committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army. Original post Here

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From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

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Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

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Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

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Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

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Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

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One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …

News

From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

News

Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 2025

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

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albania’s Youth Exodus: Emigration as a Security Threat

Tirana Times. July 8, 2025. Albania is shrinking—demographically, economically, and institutionally. A once-youthful country on the edge of Europe is now in the grip of a mass exodus that analysts warn is no longer just a social or economic crisis, but a growing threat to national security. In a nation …

News

Vidovdan: A Dangerous Myth Turned Political Weapon

By Syle Ukshini For more than a century, the Serbian state and Church have mythologized the Battle of Kosovo of 1389 as a defining moment of Serbian identity—a narrative culminating each year in the celebration of Vidovdan, Serbia’s national and religious holiday observed on June 28. Originally linked to the …

News

One Man’s Rule: Governance by Ultimatum

by Vilson Blloshmi From the way it was announced to its substance, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s latest ultimatum to “clear public spaces within 2 weeks” is neither a law, nor a public policy, nor a government decision. It is a personal order, a voice over the phone that, in any …