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Spain finally agrees to allow Kosovo athletes use state symbols

Spain has decided to allow athletes from Kosovo to use their national symbols, anthem, and flag while participating in international sporting events being held in the country. The move came after Spain, who is one of the five EU members which has not recognised Kosovo, refused to allow Kosovo athletes …

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Kosovo’s Opposition Wants Parliament Dissolved

Avdullah Hoti, chief of Kosovo’s biggest parliamentary group, LDK, said Wednesday that most of the scheduled meetings of Parliament’s Committee have failed due to absence of ruling coalition MPs. He urged parties to sit together and agree on dissolution of Parliament. Original post Here

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Court of Appeals confirms acquittal of Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister of war crimes

The Court of Appeal has confirmed on Wednesday the acquittal of Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Fatmir Limaj, charged of failing to prevent the killings of two Albanians in 1998, when he was a commander in the Kosovo Liberation Army. Original post Here

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German Ambassador says Berlin supports Kosovo’s membership in Interpol

German Ambassador to Serbia, Thomas Schieb, says Berlin will support Kosovo’s membership in Interpol, because believes that it would contribute to fighting crime. Original post Here

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According to Kremlin, Putin drew attention to Kosovo’s President over Serbia

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a brief conversation with Kosovo President Hashim Thaci in Paris, Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Minister calls on EU to keep its word on visa liberalisation

Kosovo’s Minister of the European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, called as ‘irrational’ dilemmas of some of the EU members related to visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. She said that such dilemmas seriously harm EU’s credibility. Original post Here

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Kosovo’s Parliament Speaker to ask Finland's support on visas, Interpol membership

Speaker of Kosovo Parliament, Kadri Veseli, has travelled on Tuesday to Finland as part of his lobbying tour in the EU member countries to get support on visa liberalisation and country’s membership in Interpol. Veseli in Finland is expected to meet highest state officials. Original post Here

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Serbia should support Kosovo’s Interpol membership, says opposition leader

Isa Mustafa, leader of the biggest opposition party in Kosovo, LDK, says it would be good for Serbia to support Kosovo’s membership in Interpol. Original post Here

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Kosovo Parliament urgent session postponed

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Xhavit Haliti, has decided to call off Tuesday’s extraordinary session of Parliament due to procedural issues. Original post Here

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UN Security Council to discuss Kosovo report tomorrow

The UN Security Council will convene on Wednesday in New York to discuss regular report on Kosovo by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres despite request of some of the permanent countries the quarterly report on Kosovo be removed from regular agenda. Original post Here

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Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

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Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here

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Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …

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Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International

As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here

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BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital

Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here

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EU Presses Parliament Over Deputy PM Immunity

Albania’s choice now will signal whether it is converging with that standard or drifting toward a system where, as Orwell warned, all are equal, but some remain more equal than others. Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The European Union has publicly urged the Albanian Parliament to address without delay …

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Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?

By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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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How “Diella” Was Used by the Russian Pravda Network to Spread Disinformation

By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …

News
The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania

Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …

News

Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending

As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here

News

Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe

In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here

News

Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …

News

Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International

As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital

Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here

News

EU Presses Parliament Over Deputy PM Immunity

Albania’s choice now will signal whether it is converging with that standard or drifting toward a system where, as Orwell warned, all are equal, but some remain more equal than others. Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The European Union has publicly urged the Albanian Parliament to address without delay …

News

Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?

By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 9, 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

How “Diella” Was Used by the Russian Pravda Network to Spread Disinformation

By Vladimir Karaj Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – In early December, a Croatian satirical outlet published a humorous article claiming that Albania’s AI minister had been arrested after allegedly accepting a bribe worth 14 bitcoins. The satire quickly went viral online, but it was subsequently misinterpreted as factual information …

News

The Kurum Case and the Collapse of Environmental Oversight in Albania

Tirana Times, 08 February 2026 – The Kurum waste file has exposed one of the most serious environmental and governance scandals in Albania in recent years, revealing not only the illegal export of hazardous waste but also the disappearance of tens of thousands of tons of industrial byproducts inside the …