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No game bans for Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri for celebrations in Switzerland’s win against Serbia

The Swiss players of Kosovo origin, Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri have been spared two games ban by the FIFA for their celebrations in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Serbia on Friday evening. The two Kosovo Albanian players who celebrated their goals by referencing Albania’s symbolic double-headed eagle with their hands …

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No game bans for Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri for celebrations in Switzerland’s win against Serbia

The Swiss players of Kosovo origin, Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri have been spared two games ban by the FIFA for their celebrations in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Serbia on Friday evening. The two Kosovo Albanian players who celebrated their goals by referencing Albania’s symbolic double-headed eagle with their hands …

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Kosovo FM Pacolli on African tour lobbying for recognitions

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, is touring Africa amidst Serbia’s campaign trying to persuade African countries as they say “revoke” Kosovo’s recognition. Last week Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told media in Belgrade that Liberia has revoked recognition of Kosovo but he was rebutted …

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Kosovo FM Pacolli on African tour lobbying for recognitions

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, is touring Africa amidst Serbia’s campaign trying to persuade African countries as they say “revoke” Kosovo’s recognition. Last week Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told media in Belgrade that Liberia has revoked recognition of Kosovo but he was rebutted …

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Kosovo President negotiating with Serbia without opposition’s support

Opposition parties are disputing Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s leading role in the dialogue with Serbia. The two main opposition parties say that Thaci is not mandated by the Parliament to negotiate with Serbia. Original post Here

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Kosovo President negotiating with Serbia without opposition’s support

Opposition parties are disputing Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s leading role in the dialogue with Serbia. The two main opposition parties say that Thaci is not mandated by the Parliament to negotiate with Serbia. Original post Here

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Serbian Journalist: Ivanovic assassination suspects are in the north of Kosovo

Serbian journalist, Stefan Cvetkovic, says that his months long investigation into the killing of the Kosovo Serb political leader Oliver Ivanovic, in Mitrovica North, indicate that mafia in the north of Kosovo is to be blamed for his assassination. Cvetkovic said that he came to Kosovo after an invitation by …

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Serbian Journalist: Ivanovic assassination suspects are in the north of Kosovo

Serbian journalist, Stefan Cvetkovic, says that his months long investigation into the killing of the Kosovo Serb political leader Oliver Ivanovic, in Mitrovica North, indicate that mafia in the north of Kosovo is to be blamed for his assassination. Cvetkovic said that he came to Kosovo after an invitation by …

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Vucic not optimistic on reaching agreement with Kosovo

Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, says that a solution between Kosovo and Serbia should be rational, and all problems need to be solved peacefully. Original post Here

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Vucic not optimistic on reaching agreement with Kosovo

Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, says that a solution between Kosovo and Serbia should be rational, and all problems need to be solved peacefully. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

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Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

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After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

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“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

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Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

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Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

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Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

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With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

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Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

News

Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

News

With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

News

Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …