Latest News from Albania
ISIS commander Lavdrim Muhaxheri from Kosovo has entered Europe with 400 jihadists!
An ex-NATO soldier, Lavdrim Muhaxheri a.k.a. Abu Abdullah the Kosovar, has returned to Europe. The ISIS commander had organized a small army based on his training and the money of the various economic activities of the Islamic State.
Albania Sacks MPs and Mayor for Hiding Convictions
Albania's Central Electoral Commission, CEC, voted on Thursday to dismiss from office two MPs and a mayor who had hid their criminal convictions after submitting forms about their past.
Albania Officials Face Axe Over Hidden Crime Pasts
Albania's Central Electoral Commission, the body tasked with taking final decisions on whether to dismiss elected officials with a criminal past, is to decide in the first week of 2017 on whether two MPs and a mayor will be banned from public office.
Albanian Judges Likely to Quit to Avoid Vetting
Analysists in Albania believe the law on the re-evaluation of judges and prosecutors or so-called vetting law will result in a lot of resignations among the around 800 justice officials.
Kosovo Massacre Village Honours OSCE Chief With Statue
The statue of former OSCE mission chief William Walker will be installed in January in the village of Recak/Racak in central Kosovo, where 45 ethnic Albanian civilians, including elderly people and children, were massacred by Serbian forces.
Albanian Court Dismisses Objections to Vetting Judges
Albania's Constitutional court on Thursday opened the way towards the vetting of around 800 judges and prosecutors in terms of their professional ability, moral integrity, and level of independence from organised crime, corruption, and political officials after dismissing objections to the new "vetting law'.
Erdogan Prods Albanian President To Fight 'Gulenists'
Turkey's President has once again urged Albania to fight against so-called "Gulenists", known in Turkey as the FETO organization, during the Albanian President's visit to Ankara.
16 Turkish soldiers killed in fight for Syria ISIL-held al-Bab
The number of Turkish soldiers who were killed in an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) attack on Dec. 21 in the northern Syrian city of al-Bab has risen to 16, according to Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Işık.
Three other soldiers wounded in the attacks remain in critical condition, he said, adding that 1,005 militants were "neutralized."
Russian envoy's assassin related to 'FETÖ': President Erdoğan
The assassin of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was related to a movement led by U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed late on Dec. 21.
"Where he grew up and all connections reveal connections to FETÖ [the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization] membership."
Serbia thwarted Kosovo's attempt to join Council of Europe
Photo: PPCOE / Wikipedia
BELGRADE - Serbia has achieved an incredible success by thwarting Kosovo's back-door attempt to join the Council of Europe (CoE) but, unfortunately, the fight for our national interests does not end there, says Aleksandra Djurovic, who heads the Serbian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
World Bank approves $800 million loan for TANAP
The World Bank's board of directors approved loans of $400 million each for Turkey and Azerbaijan late on Dec. 20 for the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project.
Albania revises gas pipeline deal to get more support
Albania's Energy Ministry and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline have amended their agreement to give more financial support and assistance to Albania.
In a statement Wednesday, they said that following seven months of negotiations they agreed on reviewing payments paid, on increasing investments in communities and on training the local gas sector.
Enhanced Security Measures Introduced Along Bulgaria's Borders, Military Sites
Increased security measures have been introduced along Bulgaria's borders and at military sites, announced the chief of defence General Konstantin Popov at Novo Selo. The final stage of the multi-national military training exercise Platinum Lion took place there on Tuesday. The exercise was observed by the ambassadors of the USA, Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine.
Albanian Church Praised for Feeding Poor not Politicians
The Catholic Church's decision to replace its annual reception for officials with a charity lunch for people in poverty has been welcomed by Christians in Albania as an example of the genuine spirit of the Christmas season.
4.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Albania
A 4.3-magnitude earthquake rocked southern Albania on Saturday afternoon, reported Xinhua.
The epicentre of the quake is 17 km southwest of Argirokastro at a depth of 2 km.