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Montenegro Police suspect Serbian man is behind the attack in US Embassy

The Police in Montenegro suspect that Serbian man Dalibor Jaukovic (43), has on Wednesday after midnight threw an explosive device, at the United States embassy building in Podgorica, before blowing himself up. Original post Here

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AI: Serbs suspected of conflict-related sexual violence in Kosovo not being prosecuted

New report by Amnesty International records human rights violations in all Balkan countries, and points to a lack of progress in prosecuting war crimes suspects. In Kosovo’s case, the Amnesty highlights that the absence of any agreement on mutual legal assistance between Kosovo and Serbia hampered the prosecution of Serbs …

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'Kosovo proud of Dua Lipa'

Kosovo born British singer, Dua Lipa, achieved last night biggest success of carrier by winning two of the most important awards at the BRIT Awards ceremony. Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, congratulated Dua Lipa stating that her success makes Kosovo proud. Original post Here

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Hahn: Opening of negotiations with Albania during summer

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said the European Commission is considering opening accession negotiations with Albania during summer. Original post Here

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Explosive device thrown at US embassy in Montenegro

An unknown person threw an explosive device, at the United States embassy building in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, before blowing himself up, the government said on Thursday. Original post Here

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Kosovo Born Dua Lipa Wins Best British Female Solo Artist

Dua Lipa won two awards in BRIT Awards ceremony as the best British female solo artist, and the best British Breakthrough. The Kosovo born singer Lipa dedicated her first BRIT Award win to fellow female artists and “women taking over the world”. Original post Here

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Delawie: ‘Come on’ ratify the demarcation

US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, took Twitter on Wednesday to explain to Kosovo politicians how important is for Kosovo to ratify the Agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro. The Parliament is set to vote on ratification of the border deal on Thursday. Original post Here

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Thaci: Demarcation to strengthen Kosovo sovereignty

Hours before Kosovo Parliament is set to vote the disputed Agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro, the President Hashim Thaci urged all MPs to vote the border deal stating its ratification will strengthen country’s EU integration and sovereignty. Original post Here

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Dialogue platform needs to be approved by Parliament, says Hoxhaj

Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, during an interview with TV Dukagjini, said that Kosovo needs unity on continuation of the dialogue with Serbia. He said that before entering the new phase of the dialogue, Kosovo should have a platform making Pristina proactive in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia. Original post …

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Kosovo With 30 Projects At The EBRD Western Balkans Summit In London

Kosovo Government is expected to present over 30 projects at the Western Balkans (WB6) Investment Summit in London, hosted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The summit set to be held on 26 February will focus on promoting regional projects in energy and transport, two important sectors …

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Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility

Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …

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Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times).  Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …

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Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

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Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

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Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

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Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

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Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News
Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here

News

Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility

Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …

News

Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times).  Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …

News

Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary

New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here

News

Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’

Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here

News

Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source

The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here

News

Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …

News

Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …

News

Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online

BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here

News

Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU

As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo

Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here