Separate meetings held between Kosovo and Serbia chief negotiators in Brussels, no joint session agreed

Why is this important: The decision marks a significant escalation in the case, as the charges now carry more severe penalties. Until now, Beqaj was accused solely of abuse of office, while his deputy faced charges of fraud, document forgery, and abuse of office. Businessman Ilir Rrapaj had been charged with fraud. The judge handling this case, previously gained attention when she accepted a request to lift house arrest for opposition leader Sali Berisha, whose own corruption case is set to begin soon. Berisha has credited his party for the new direction in the sterilization case, suggesting it influenced SPAK’s decision to strengthen the charges against the former Socialist minister.

Why is this important: The TikTok ban came in the aftermath of a tragic incident where a teenager lost his life stabbed by a classmate. It reflects concerns about the platform’s potential harm to children and teenagers. However, the opposition claims the government’s true motive is to stifle their perceived success on TikTok, where they allege they dominate in reach and engagement. The political debate illustrates the challenges of balancing online safety with freedom of expression, particularly during an election season.