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McGonigal sentenced to 28 months in prison for concealing contacts with Albanian officials

TIRANA, Feb. 17, 2024 – The federal court in Washington has sentenced former FBI official Charles McGonigal to 28 months in prison for “serious breach of public trust” regarding the $225,000 he received from Albanian-American Agron Neza and failure to disclose contacts with officials in Albania, including Prime Minister Edi …

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Explosion at the gate of a house in Vora

An explosion happen in the early hours of this Monday morning. According to the police, the incident happened in Marikaj, Vore. A small amount of explosives exploded at the gate of a citizien’s yard. As a resul, material damage is reported. So the investigative group is working to clarify the …

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Attempted murder, hostage-taking and being part of criminal gangs, 5 criminal are extradited

Intensive and parallel cooperation with European counterparts finalized the extradition procedures for 5 citizens accused by the authorities in Albania and Italy. Among those extradited is Arjan Shehu, sentenced by the GjKKO, to 5 years and 4 months in prison, for the criminal offense of “Aiding illegal border crossing”, committed …

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Online violence and blackmail, Balla hosts a meeting with the director of “Tik Tok”

Interior Minister Taulant Balla met with TikTok’s Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Central and Eastern Europe, Jakub Olek. After this meeting, Balla underlined that it is urgent to pay more attention to the control of posts in the Albanian language. He also emphasizes that the Ministry of …

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“Rama-Meloni Agreement and Criminal Amnesty” on Thursday for voting

The Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party met today. During this meeting, the agenda for the new week in the Assembly was discussed. In the speech addressed to the deputies of the majority, Çuçi said that in the session of Thursday, two agreements and two draft laws will be voted …

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Hasani wishes Kosovo’s independence

Happy Independence Day, Kosovo! Today, we celebrate the freedom and sovereignty of Kosovo, but we also humble ourselves for the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of our brothers and sisters for a democratic, safe and prosperous Kosovo. Albania has been, is and will always be by Kosovo’s side and support and …

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Rama wishes the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence

Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulated the 16th anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. In a post on Facebook, next to a photo with the image of Ibrahim Rugova in the background, Rama writes: “Happy Independence Kosovo”. Earlier, President Begaj and Foreign Minister Igli Hasani conveyed messages on this important day for Albanians. …

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Ruben Saraiva denies the murder of Nikulaj: I was a tourist in Albania

Journalist Gjergj Figuri has given more details about what Ruben Saraiva testified before Portuguese prosecutors, arrested for the murder of businessman Ardian Nikulaj in Shengjin in April of last year. He refused to cooperate with justice and denied being involved in the incident. “We expected the decision of Sarajevo because …

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Kosovo celebrates 16 years of independence

Today, Kosovo celebrates the 16th anniversary of Independence. On February 17, 2008, in an extraordinary meeting attended by 109 deputies, the Assembly declared Kosovo an independent, sovereign and democratic state. The state flag of Kosovo was unfurled on the day of the declaration of independence in the solemn session of …

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Peleshi at the meeting of the ministers of NATO countries: Determined to fulfill the obligations to the Alliance

The Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, participated in the two-day meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the NATO countries, which was held in Brussels. During his speech, Peleshi emphasized Albania’s determination to fulfill its obligations towards the Alliance. One of these obligations is the increase in the level of …

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Europa League, Egnatia faces Irish test aiming for play-off

TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian champions Egnatia will take the field on Tuesday evening for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Egnatia will face Irish side Shamrock Rovers in an away match that will start at 21:00. The team coached by Nevil Dede …

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Kosova starts trial of over 20 former Serbian officers 27 years after Reçak massacre

TIRANA, August 4 – Nearly 27 years after the Reçak massacre, Kosova’s justice system has opened an in absentia trial against more than 20 former Serbian army and police members. They face accusations over the killing of 42 Albanian civilians on January 15, 1999. The first hearing took place in …

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20 wildfires managed in 24 hours, 727 operational forces deployed

TIRANA, August 4 – A total of 727 operational forces have worked over the past 24 hours to manage 20 wildfire outbreaks across Albania, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. The response included 128 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 medical ambulance and 3 Air Force helicopters. These …

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Customs handles summer travel surge with round-the-clock service

TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian Customs is managing heavy summer travel flows with 24-hour service and efficient border procedures, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj noted that more than 1.8 million passengers travelled through Tirana International Airport during July. The airport also handled about 9,500 flights, reflecting the peak of …

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National Farm Support Scheme attracts more farmers

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s 2026 National Agricultural Support Scheme has expanded its beneficiary base and drawn significantly more applications after lowering minimum funding thresholds and easing eligibility requirements. Ardita Kuçi, Director General of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR), said the revised scheme has encouraged broader participation …

News
EU trade chapter signals major changes for Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s provisional closure of Chapter 30 – External Relations commits the country to align future trade agreements with European Union rules, including a clause allowing their termination without compensation once Albania joins the bloc. EU affairs expert Geron Kamberi said the chapter focuses on the EU’s …

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President Begaj receives Ecuador’s ambassador

TIRANA, August 4 – President Bajram Begaj received Ecuador’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Esteban Assar Moscoso Bohman, at an official credentials ceremony after the diplomat presented his Letters of Credence. Begaj wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ecuador. He …

News
US Embassy welcomes $302 million defence loan for Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – The US Embassy in Tirana welcomed Albania’s ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, describing it as strong support for the continued modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. According to the embassy, the funding will help Albania advance toward …

News
Drought lowers water level at Fierza hydropower reservoir

TIRANA, August 4 – Prolonged drought and high temperatures continue to reduce the water level at the Fierza reservoir, Albania’s largest hydropower lake, as inflows fall sharply. Water inflows from the rivers feeding the reservoir have dropped to about 80 cubic metres per second. Meanwhile, the lake level has fallen …

News
US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania

TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …

News

Europa League, Egnatia faces Irish test aiming for play-off

TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian champions Egnatia will take the field on Tuesday evening for the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Egnatia will face Irish side Shamrock Rovers in an away match that will start at 21:00. The team coached by Nevil Dede …

News

Kosova starts trial of over 20 former Serbian officers 27 years after Reçak massacre

TIRANA, August 4 – Nearly 27 years after the Reçak massacre, Kosova’s justice system has opened an in absentia trial against more than 20 former Serbian army and police members. They face accusations over the killing of 42 Albanian civilians on January 15, 1999. The first hearing took place in …

News

20 wildfires managed in 24 hours, 727 operational forces deployed

TIRANA, August 4 – A total of 727 operational forces have worked over the past 24 hours to manage 20 wildfire outbreaks across Albania, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said. The response included 128 members of the Armed Forces, 2 firefighting vehicles, 1 medical ambulance and 3 Air Force helicopters. These …

News

Customs handles summer travel surge with round-the-clock service

TIRANA, August 4 – Albanian Customs is managing heavy summer travel flows with 24-hour service and efficient border procedures, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said. Malaj noted that more than 1.8 million passengers travelled through Tirana International Airport during July. The airport also handled about 9,500 flights, reflecting the peak of …

News

National Farm Support Scheme attracts more farmers

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s 2026 National Agricultural Support Scheme has expanded its beneficiary base and drawn significantly more applications after lowering minimum funding thresholds and easing eligibility requirements. Ardita Kuçi, Director General of the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (AZHBR), said the revised scheme has encouraged broader participation …

News

EU trade chapter signals major changes for Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – Albania’s provisional closure of Chapter 30 – External Relations commits the country to align future trade agreements with European Union rules, including a clause allowing their termination without compensation once Albania joins the bloc. EU affairs expert Geron Kamberi said the chapter focuses on the EU’s …

News

President Begaj receives Ecuador’s ambassador

TIRANA, August 4 – President Bajram Begaj received Ecuador’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Esteban Assar Moscoso Bohman, at an official credentials ceremony after the diplomat presented his Letters of Credence. Begaj wished the ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and reaffirmed Albania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Ecuador. He …

News

US Embassy welcomes $302 million defence loan for Albania

TIRANA, August 4 – The US Embassy in Tirana welcomed Albania’s ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme, describing it as strong support for the continued modernisation of the Albanian Armed Forces. According to the embassy, the funding will help Albania advance toward …

News

Drought lowers water level at Fierza hydropower reservoir

TIRANA, August 4 – Prolonged drought and high temperatures continue to reduce the water level at the Fierza reservoir, Albania’s largest hydropower lake, as inflows fall sharply. Water inflows from the rivers feeding the reservoir have dropped to about 80 cubic metres per second. Meanwhile, the lake level has fallen …

News

US State Department officially announces ratification of $302 million loan agreement for Albania

TIRANA, August 4-The US State Department has officially announced the ratification of a $302 million loan agreement under the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF, program. The agreement aims to strengthen Albania’s defense capabilities and deepen strategic security cooperation with the United States. According to the State Department’s official announcement, the …