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President Thaci pardoned ex-KLA members convicted of killings an entire family

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has signed a decree to pardon three former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) convicted of killing after the war in Kosovo in 2001 an entire family in the high-profile ‘Kiqina’ case. Original post Here

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US Embassy fierce reaction to Kosovo leaders decision to repeal war crimes court law

US Embassy to Pristina has reacted to initiative of Kosovo main leaders – President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, and Speaker Kadri Veseli, warning them not to repeat efforts to abrogate the Law on Specailist Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office, which will deal with alleged crimes committed by Kosovo …

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Albanian President on Orthodox Archbishop’s citizenship, UN Vote

Albanian President, Ilir Meta, said the decision to give Albanian citizenship to Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania was fair. In an interview with the Tirana based TV Klan, President Meta called on citizens to divide the issue of origin on Yannoulatos from the issue of faith. “He …

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Vetevendosje MPs Albin Kurti and Donika Kadaj-Bujupi released from detention

Vetevendosje MPs, Albin Kurti and Donika Kadaj- Bujupi have been released today from the detention pending trial. Original post Here

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Ex-UN official criticizes five EU countries that don’t recognize Kosovo

Former UN high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schwarz-Schilling, criticizes the fact that five out of 27 countries of the EU, have not recognized Kosovo. Original post Here

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Mogherini’s Office: Abrogating Specialist Chambers Law 'appalling'

Gazeta Express has asked on Monday the Office of the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, to comment on the initiative of the Assembly of Kosovo to repeal the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office, which will deal with alleged crimes of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the …

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EU investigators: Airport is not safe; suspicions over financial misuse by Bekim Jashari

Investigators from the European Union Office for Criminal Intelligence (EUOCI) have drafted a special report on Pristina Airport, saying that the breach of security protocols with radar breaks and lack of generators are just one part of the problem, as they also raise suspicions about financial misuse in projects worth …

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Kosovo Assembly fails to repeal Specialist Chambers Law due to lack of quorum

Opposition MPs boycotted Assembly’s Presidency urgent meeting late on Friday leading to collapse of an initiative of the ruling coalition MPs to repeal the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, established to investigate and try alleged crimes committed by former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Original …

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US Ambassador says abrogating Law on Specialist Chambers would be considered by the US as a stab in the back

US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, in an extraordinary press appearance on Friday evening, said that potential abrogation of the Law on Specialist Chambers, it will be considered by the US as stab in the back. Original post Here

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Head of EU Office: Abrogating Specialist Chambers Law appalling and extremely damaging

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, has reacted to surprise efforts of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, Speaker of Assembly kadri Veseli, and Prime Minister Ramushj Haradinaj, to abrogate the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office. 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

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

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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

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 …

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 …