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Kosovo Police arrests four people in Mitrovica North involved in Ivanovic’s case

Kosovo Police have arrested three Serbs in Mitrovica North early on Friday suspected of their involvement in murder of Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic, and one for resisting police. Two of the arrested persons are police officers. Original post Here

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KFOR refutes Serbia’s President: We have not stopped Kosovo Police to enter the north

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic during a meeting with Kosovo Serb political representatives in Belgrade stated that he had information that Pristina’s police and special forces were heading toward the north of Kosovo, mostly populated by the Serbs, and that they were allegedly stopped by KFOR. Original post Here

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Serbia’s goods that did not address Kosovo by its constitutional name removed from shelves

Municipalities of Mitrovica South, Vushtrri, Skenderaj, and Drenas have started implementation of the Government’s decision on removing from shelves all Serbia’s goods that did not address Kosovo by its constitutional name. Original post Here

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Serbia’s President Midnight Message to Kosovo

Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vucic, appearing late on Wednesday before media in Belgrade has opposed the 100 percent tax imposed by Kosovo, asking the customs tariffs be reversed. Original post Here

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Kosovo announces reciprocity measures on Serbia’s car plates

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Fatmir Limaj, says that in addition to 100 percent customs tariffs in Serbia’s goods, authorities in Pristina are considering application of reciprocity measure with Serbia also on vehicle plates. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s EU Minister wants EU Council to vote on visas

Kosovo’s Minister of the EU Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, says she is working intensively in order for the visa liberalisation issue be included in the agenda of the EU Council meeting set to be held at the beginning of December. Hoxha currently is in Brussels, when she met senior officials of …

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EU calls on Kosovo to revoke tariffs on Serbia’s goods

EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called on Kosovo government to immediately revoke the decision on imposing a 100 percent tax on products from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in a move the government said is aimed at defending the country’s vital interests. Original post Here

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UNMIK concerned after Kosovo announced duty on Serbia’s goods

UNMIK chief, Zahir Tanin, expressed his concern with the decision of the Government of Kosovo to impose a 100 per cent duty on Serbian and Bosnian goods. Original post Here

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Final Meeting of the Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board

EULEX Head of Mission Alexandra Papadopoulou hosted the final meeting of the Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board (JRCB) at the EULEX premises today. She also presented the Compact Progress Report, covering the JRCB activities from July 2017 to June 2018 and tracking the progress made by Kosovo rule of …

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Haradinaj requires Serbia label its products as ‘Republic of Kosovo’

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, in a Facebook post confirmed that his Government took a decision that as of today to impose 100 percent customs tariffs on all goods entering from Serbia. 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

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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

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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

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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
Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

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Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

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Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …

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 …

News

Week in Review: Plots, Twists and Chaos

Expecting the unexpected seems to be the name of the game in both global politics and the domestic politics of the region, as 2026 kicks off with a few unexpected twists. Original post Here

News

Unlikely Friendship: Albanian PM Eyes Potential Gains From Israel Alliance

Critics accused Edi Rama of overlooking Palestinian suffering during his recent visit to Israel. But both he and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, see advantages in a closer relationship. Original post Here

News

Elbasan County Council Honors Saudi Ambassador for Humanitarian Contributions

Tirana Times, January 29, 2026 – This Tuesday, the Elbasan County Council has formally honored the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Albania, Faisal Ghazi Al-Hafthi, in recognition of his humanitarian engagement and his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations at the local level. The ceremony, held in Elbasan, …