UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 21, 2024 Albanian Language Media: Ruge on Iber bridge: Decisions through dialogue, in coordinated manner (media) Shea: It won’t be long before we see a united Mitrovica (media) AJK submits comments to IMC law to Constitutional Court (media) Kosovo to sign US$ 34.5 mil agreement with USAID today (media) Osmani, Hargreaves talk latest developments, including Iber bridge (media) Memorandum signed on safehouse for domestic violence victims in north (media) Family of person accused by Dacic: “Propaganda, he has special needs” (media) Serbian Language Media: Safe House Initiative in North Mitrovica: New Facility Planned on Previously Halted Site (KoSSev) Dacic: Threatening messages to airport, embassies and consulates sent by Albanian whose parents are from Kosovo (KoSSev, media) Ruge: NATO stance is that issue of Ibar Bridge be resolved through dialogue and in coordinated manner (Kosovo Online, social media) Vucic to meet Ruge today (Tanjug) Lawyer: Detention of three Serbs arrested in relation to Banjska case extended for two more months (Kosovo Online) Serb from Gorazdevac released after spending 48 hours in detention (RTS) 6.100 requests submitted for conversion of drivers’ licences (Radio KIM) “Where there’s no law, there’s the people”: Fresh lithium protests in Serbia (N1) International Media: In Serbia, Shadow of a Mass Shooting Hangs over Trial of Another (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media: Kurti on Iber bridge: Don’t want to surprise allies, or postpone indefinitely (media) Osmani: First joint security assessments, then date on opening the bridge (RFE) Osmani meets COMKFOR, “success is achieved with our allies” (media) Court confirms indictment against Gervalla for failing to declare wealth (media) Prosecution files indictment against former chief of power corporation (media) Abdixhiku: The energy mafia will fall on February 9 (media) Kurti meets members of the Albanian community in Chicago (media) Serbian Language Media: Djuric writes to NDI: Invitation to Kurti platform for further destabilisation of Balkans (Kosovo Online, media) Petkovic: For Bislimi attacks against Serbs are obviously not attacks (media, social media) KFOR on meeting with Osmani (social media) Media: Kosovo Government for three years spent 30 million euros on fuel for official vehicles (Radio kontakt plus, Tanjug, Politika)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 19, 2024 Albanian Language Media: Head of RTK Board and member resign their positions (RFE) OSCE calls on Assembly to elect new RTK board members as high priority (media) Kurti: Report shows Kosovo ranks 2nd in Emerging Europe (media) Police, Kosovo Security Force and PM Kurti targeted by fake news (RFE) Opening of Iber Bridge “for several hours a day” as the first phase? (Nacionale) KSF supporting civilian authorities in managing fires (media) Kurti: Fascinating excavations taking place in ancient city of Ulpiana (media) Serbian Language Media: Vucic: I expect KFOR to keep its word that without agreement there will be no opening of Ibar bridge (Kosovo Online, media) Group of women from north met KFOR representatives, thanked them for swift reaction (Kosovo Online, Alternativna.com, social media) K-Serbian civic leaders question validity of Kurti’s Ibar bridge consultation (KoSSev) OSCE: Appointment of new members and director at RTK should be transparent and merit based (Kosovo Online, social media) Rukiqi: False claims of successful development of Kosovo, Kurti discouraged foreign investors (Kosovo Online) Serbian officials accuse West of backing protests amid controversy (N1) Opinion: Is Driving Across the Iber Bridge worth this much trouble? (Sbunker, social media) International Media: Kosovo, North Macedonia Book Collaboration Challenges LGBTQ+ Stigma (BIRN) EU Warns Kosovo as Mitrovica Bridge Standoff Goes On (Balkan Insight) Culture Wars: The Fate of Churches in Kosovo (RFE)

Albanian Language Media: Government officials ask Lajcak why EU changed its stance on Iber bridge (Koha) Patel: USA will do "everything" to protect American soldiers in Kosovo (Albanian Post) Kearns: It's unfair to punish Kosovo for opening a bridge, ignoring Banjska (Koha) Kupchan: Kosovo has right to unilaterally open Iber Bridge, but better to resolve issues through dialogue (Kallxo) MoJ: Serbia's request on Banjska case illegal, we demand international investigation (media) Serbia demands an explanation from North Macedonia on Ramadani's escape (Koha) Serbian Language Media: Main bridge: Graffiti and murals created by Serbs and Albanians to cover hate messages have been painted over (Alternativna.com, social media) Arsenijevic reacts to Osmani’s remarks about EU official (social media) 5.982 requests for conversion of Serbian driver’s licences submitted thus far (Radio Mitrovica Sever) Former KLA members welcome Ramadani’s escape from detention, one claims he is in Kosovo (KoSSev) Opinion: Gazivode, a Lake of Cooperation or Conflict (Kosovo Online) International Media: Kosovo and Serbia Trade Blows Over Deadly Banjska Attack Probe (Balkan Insight) Vedant Patel: U.S. Will “Not Hesitate” To Protect American Troops In Kosovo (The Pavlovic Today)

Albanian Language Media: • Lajcak: Claims that EU is against opening of Iber Bridge, misleading (Koha) • The U.S. has shared with Osmani risk assessments for American soldiers (Kallxo) • EU says Iber Bridge deal should be fully implemented, but requires restraint (Klan) • Rohde supports KFOR's red lines on bridge over Iber river (Koha) • EULEX does not have constant static security presence on the Iber bridge (Klan) • Labour Friends of Kosovo and Western Balkans pro opening of bridge, but caution on negative impact (media) • Kosovo does not accept Radoicic’s prosecution in Serbia (Klan) • Elshani: After the deadline for conversion of drivers' licences, fines will be imposed (RTK) • Government of Kosovo decides to host more Ukrainian journalists (RFE) • Miners cancel protest announced for Thursday (media) Serbian Language Media: • Media: A former member of the KLA, wanted by Serbia, escaped from house arrest in North Macedonia (N1, Beta) • German Ambassador backs KFOR’s stance on the Ibar bridge (KoSSev) • Sutanovac: KFOR will not move from the Ibar Bridge even if the Pristina government decides to open it (Kosovo Online) • Colonel Rocco Mundo visited Visoki Decani monastery (KoSSev) International Media: • Balkans: We urge Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to refrain from attacking journalists (europeanjournalists.org)