Russia's ban is rejected, Kosovo will participate under its flag
Judo World Federation President Marius Vizer has given green light to Kosovar judokas to attend Judo World Masters 2017 competition to be held next weekend in St. Petersburg, Russia, following the request of the Russian state that Kosovo should not be represented by state symbols. Original post Here
Internal correspondence reveals factions within Vetevendosje
An internal exchange of emails between senior Vetevendosje members and its chairman Visar Ymeri indicates that there is an internal faction within the biggest opposition party in Kosovo. The exchange of emails was published by Koha.net on Friday. Original post Here
Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev to visit Kosovo
Prime Minister of Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, will visit Kosovo next week, officials from Skopje announced. Original post Here
Thaci at the Conference of Paris: Dialogue with Serbia key to EU integrations
Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, who is participating in the Paris Conference, as part of the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA) has addressed participants today and talked about Kosovo’s political and economic development as part of the EU integration process. Original post Here
Russia bans use of the flag and anthem, Kosovo boycotts World Judo Masters
Kosovo has decided to boycott the World Judo Masters 2017, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia on 16-17 December, after the host country, announced that they will not allow the Kosovo team use state symbols. Russia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence due to their strong ties with Serbia. …
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci attends the Conference of Paris
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, following a visit to Bulgaria, has travelled on Friday to France, when he will be one of the speakers of the First Conference of Paris, which is being held within the International Economic Forum of the Americas (IEFA). Original post Here
Number of confirmed cases of measles rises to one thousand in Kosovo
The University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK) has confirmed the number of cases of measles has risen to around one thousand in seven months. Original post Here
Northern Kosovo: No rule of law, corruption level remains high
The level of corruption in northern part of Kosovo, inhabited mainly by Serbs, remains high because of non-functioning of judiciary and lack of a law on protection of whistle-blowers. Original post Here
Vucic says Serbia will fight for Trepça mine in Kosovo
Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, said that Serbia would fight the Trepça mining and metallurgical complex in Kosovo “uncompromisingly.” Serbia marked on Thursday 90th anniversary of the Trepça mining complex which before Kosovo was stripped of its autonomy by the Yugoslav government of Slobodan Milosevic in 1989, accounted for two thirds …
Speaker demands Chief Prosecutor Probe Vetevendosje MP Allegations
Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli, has sent a letter to the Chief State Prosecutor, Aleksander Lumezi, asking the State Prosecution Office to investigate allegations of the Vetevendosje MP, Drita Millaku, who during Wednesday’s session of the Assembly accused President Hashim Thaci and speaker of Assembly Kadri Veseli related to killing …
Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 – The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …
From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here
The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here
Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here
An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here
The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here
V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here